CRC for Plant Biosecurity - banana

Young CRCNPB scientist recognised in national award

K.Scott — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:24:46 +0000

Media Release: 28 November 2008

A PhD student's commitment to plant biosecurity research has won the 2009 Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year Award.

Ms Rachel Meldrum, PhD student with the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB) is based at the Diagnostic Services Division of the Northern Territory's Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources.

Ms Meldrum was nominated for her contribution to science and the sustainability of Australia's banana industry and said she was honoured and surprised to receive the award.

‘Personally, I am flattered to win the award given the calibre of the other nominees', she said.

‘It's not often that science is given this high-level platform, so I am grateful my research in the banana industry is recognised for its importance to all Australians'.

Ms Meldrum's CRCNPB project involves researching how the exotic plant disease (Fusarium wilt) is spread in the banana industry, and will also develop alternative quarantine strategies to minimise the economic and social impact of possible incursions.

CRCNPB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Simon McKirdy said the award was a credit to Ms Meldrum's enthusiasm and dedication, and paved the way for her to have a successful career in science.

‘Rachel is a great ambassador for young scientists, which is rewarding in a time when Government recognises Australia's future science capability is critical to a strong, thriving and innovative society', he said.

Dr McKirdy said the CRCNPB is committed to training high-quality postgraduate and post-doctoral scientists to provide the nucleus of Australia's future plant biosecurity capability.

‘We currently have 26 students enrolled in universities across Australia who are all conducting research to benefit the nation', he said.

In a time when biosecurity is emerging as a serious global issue, Australia's plant industries are relatively free of many of the plant pests and diseases that impact on agricultural industries in other countries.

‘Students like Rachel, and all our researchers focus on innovative research to ensure Australia's plant industries maintain their valuable competitive advantage in the market,' said Dr McKirdy.

‘The CRCNPB plays a vital role to enhance the scientific effort, enabling Australia's plant industries to pre-empt and, therefore, diminish the economic, social and environmental impact of emergency plant pests,' he said.

The CRCNPB is the central coordinating body for plant biosecurity research across all Australian states and territories and was established under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres Program.

Ms Meldrum's research is supervised by staff from the Northern Territory's Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources and the University of Queensland.

ends

Contact: Kate Scott, Communications Officer - Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity

email: k.scott@crcplantbiosecurity.com.au tel: 02 6201 2882 or 0438 389 092

Interviews: Dr Simon McKirdy, Chief Executive Officer tel: 02 6201 2882 or 0438 389 092

Research to contain banana wilt infection

CRICHTONA — Wed, 04 May 2011 05:13:39 +0000

In less than a decade the Fusarium fungal pathogen has devastated the Northern Territory’s banana industry, although tough quarantine measures have so far protected the economically critical Queensland industry.

Fusarium wilt is a disease common to many horticultural industries; the form that strikes bananas is commonly known as Panama disease. The first major impact of this disease was observed in Panama (Central America), where between 1890 and the mid-1950s it destroyed 40,000 hectares of banana plantations with the variety ‘Gros Michel’ banana.

A Northern Territory Primary Industry group researcher and CRC for National Plant Biosecurity PhD candidate, Rachel Meldrum, says relatively little is known about the Fusarium strain causing the problem in the Northern Territory. She says tropical race 4 of Fusarium oxyporum f. sp. cubense (Foc TR4) was detected in the Northern Territory in 1997, although the exact source of the infection remains unknown.

It was identified in a banana farm on the outskirts of Darwin and is genetically similar to the strain that devastated ‘Cavendish’ plantations developed for export in south-east Asia in the early 1990s. “The industry here was looking to expand at the time, to fill an offseason niche in production,” Ms Meldrum says.

“Production peaked in 2000, with 7,000 tonnes of production valued at $13 million. But by 2009 the industry was reduced to one-third of its original value, worth about $4 million, and most of the major growers in the Territory had left the industry,” she says.

Ms Meldrum’s PhD project aims to create a better understanding of the Foc TR4 pathogen and how it spreads, and to develop more effective control strategies.

She says there are four races of Fusarium oxyporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) known to exist, and three are pathogenic to bananas. Race 1 causes disease in ‘Lady Finger’ and ‘Gros Michel’ varieties and race 2 affects ‘Bluggoe,’ a cooking banana variety.

Race 3 is pathogenic to decorative floral and landscaping plants of the Heliconia species.

Foc Tropical race 4 is pathogenic to all commercial banana cultivars, including Cavendish, which make up 95 per cent of the $350 million Australian crop.

Race 4 is further divided: subtropical and tropical race 4. While all races of Foc are important to the Australian banana industry, the threat of Foc tropical race 4 is considered the greatest; it kills otherwise healthy plants quickly and can spread rapidly on plantations.

“We know it is a soil-borne pathogen, so we already have some recommendations for growers about steps they can take to prevent it spreading,” Ms Meldrum says.

Chief among these is the use of tissue-cultured banana plants to prevent the spread of infection. Ms Meldrum says that while it is possible for banana growers to regenerate their primary banana plants from suckers or daughter plants, the transportation of soil adhering to the plant can also transfer the pathogen.

Ms Meldrum is also investigating the role of the banana borer weevil as a possible disease vector. The borer is not a big problem for growers, particularly once banana plants are well established, but it can travel 30 metres in a day and has the potential to transfer infected soil between plants and crops.

Greater control of the borer may help eliminate one potential source of spread. Other quarantine measures being implemented include fencing for banana plantations to prevent wild animals transferring disease through the transfer of soil, and the use of washdown facilities and chemical washes.

As part of her research Ms Meldrum hopes to learn more about the epidemiology of the Foc TR4 pathogen, including how long it survives in the soil. “It is believed to survive in the soil for decades and we need to work out how it survives – does it use alternative host plants, or does it have hard spore cases that protect it?”

Tests are being conducted on two weeds common in the Northern Territory – Mission Grass and Gamba Grass – as possible alternative host plants that may be allowing the pathogen to survive long periods in the soil. Farmers also commonly grow sorghum as a cover crop on cleared land and this will also be tested as a possible host for Foc TR4.

Ms Meldrum says some banana species and cultivars with resistance to TR4 have been identified. However, none are acceptable as a commercial replacement for the Cavendish cultivars. “Our best long-term response may be to improve resistance in the commercial varieties,” she says.

To show its support to the banana industry, the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity is providing sponsorship for the ninth Australian Banana Industry Congress at the Hyatt Regency on the Sunshine Coast from 1-4 June 2011. For more information, visit the banana congress website.

Multiplexed immunoassays for banana viruses.

VANMEURSA — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:57:37 +0000

Epidemiological and biological studies of the exotic plant pathogen Fusarium wilt of banana caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense ‘tropical’ race 4 (FocTR4)

VANMEURSA — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:54:18 +0000

Epidemiological and biological studies of the exotic plant pathogen Fusarium wilt of banana caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense ‘tropical’ race 4 (Foc TR4)

VANMEURSA — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:45:46 +0000

Eighth Australian Banana Industry Congress

VANMEURSA — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:03:44 +0000

Mr Andrew Daly attended and manned a booth for the Northern Territory Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources at the Eighth Australian Banana Industry Congress held in Queensland in June 2009. Whilst manning the booth Andrew had the opportunity to present and discuss information regarding research being done in the Northern Territory on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4). This information helped create awareness within the industry about the seriousness of Foc TR4, the devastating impact it can have and the importance of diligent farm hygiene and quarantine to prevent introduction.

Whilst in Queensland Andrew also attended the annual meeting of Fusarium Wilt Research and Extension Coordinating Committee (FUSCOM) held in Toowoomba at the Queensland Primary Industry and Fisheries offices. During this meeting one of the topics presented and discussed was Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (Fov) and the research being conducted in this area. Many aspects of Fov biology are applicable to Foc and therefore, this meeting was beneficial for making wider research contacts and useful for developing future Foc TR4 research.

Andrew also met with CRCNPB PhD Candidate, Rachel Meldrum and her academic supervisor Elizabeth Aitken at the University of Queensland, St Lucia campus. They discussed Rachel’s immediate priorities for project CRC60097: Fusarium TR4 and the research plan for the ensuing 12 months.

This travel to Queensland enabled Andrew to discuss future collaborative areas of banana disease research with numerous researchers from other state agencies. It also gave him a greater understanding of the industry as a whole and the relevance and importance of it to the national economy and social structure. The trip also allowed Andrew to see the many research and development activities being undertaken and how Foc TR4 research may fit into the future development of the industry.

Finally, Andrew had the opportunity to engage in productive dialogue with numerous banana industry researchers about the possibilities for research on Foc TR4 in particular. Collaborative research activities that may result will aim to improve preventative, containment and control strategies for Foc TR4. The research will also endeavour to develop a sustainable banana industry with greater protection from the effects of this disease.

Research exchange with the Department of Plant Pathology, Minnesota, United States of America

VANMEURSA — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:08:25 +0000

Jenny Vo travelled to the University of Minnesota to meet with Professor Ben Lockhart, so he could teach her purification techniques for sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV). Also, while at the University Jenny had the opportunity to complete experiments that directly contributed to her PhD project CRC60107: Nano Bananas. The experiments focused on the production of immunodiagnostic reagents to the viruses causing banana streak disease. Through the completion of these experiments Jenny learnt many new techniques and also had the opportunity to discuss research objectives and strategies with Professor Ben Lockhart and Dr Neil Olszewski.

Professor Ben Lockhart and Dr Neil Olszewski are world experts on badnaviruses. Over a period of 30 years they have accumulated many ‘firsts’ to their names, including the first description of the virus genus and several virus species within such as banana streak virus (BSV) and sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV). They where also the first to report of a plant virus infection (BSV) resulting from activation of viral DNA inserted in the plant genome. Professor Lockhart has also developed a purification method for SCBV utilising the cane of the sugarcane plant, which yields high concentrations of very pure virus. Learning this purification protocol has greatly assisted Jenny in achieving the research objectives of her PhD project.

The three major components of a control program for all viruses of banana are the prompt destruction of infected plant, the provision of clean planting material through quality-assured nursery schemes and the implementation of domestic and international quarantine policies to prevent the long-distance movement of viruses. These control strategies rely on good virus detection assays and a major weakness in our diagnostic capacity is still the ability to detect the badnaviruses causing banana streak disease. Experimental work done while at the University will help address this biosecurity problem.

This travel has contributed to Jenny’s education in plant virology and better equipt her for a career in plant biosecurity research after completion of her PhD.

Eighth Australian Banana Industry Congress

VANMEURSA — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Rachel Meldrum represented the CRC at the Eighth Australian Banana Industry Congress, where she presented her PhD research project on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4). Rachel’s presentation highlighted that Fusarium wilt of banana caused by Foc TR4 is considered to be one of the most devastating plant pathogens while bananas are the most important tropical crop in Australia. Rachel also discussed how her research on Foc TR4 will help develop knowledge which is currently unavailable. The presentation created awareness and interest amongst industry and researches of the potential impacts of Foc TR4.

After the Congress Rachel participated in a meeting at Queensland Primary Industry and Fisheries (QPI&F) in Toowoomba, where another Fusarium oxysporum (Fov) was discussed, throughout these discussions Rachel found the research done on Fov would be useful to her as Foc and Fov have many similarities. Rachel made valuable contacts at QPI&F who will be able to assist in her research.

The Congress and meeting with QPI&F enabled Rachel to establish national collaborative networks which will benefit both her current and future research. It also gave her a greater understanding of the industry as a whole and the many research and development activities being undertaken. Finally, it gave perspective on how her research fits into the future development of the industry.

The national collaboration of Foc TR4 research will improve the status of Australia’s plant biosecurity system. This communication created an extensive industry awareness regarding the seriousness of Foc TR4, which has the potential for future financial investment in Foc TR4 research.

The travel also provided the opportunity to communicate with the Australian banana industry, the potential end users of this PhD research project, CRC60097. Discussions with industry ensure the research project outcomes reach the identified target end users.

The Eighth Annual Banana Congress

VANMEURSA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:14:09 +0000

The Eighth Annual Banana Congress was held on the Gold Coast from Thursday 4 June through to Saturday 6 June. As the banana industry will benefit from many of the CRC's research outputs, this congress provided a great opportunity to highlight the plant biosecurity research being undertaken by the CRC.

Through an exhibition booth, delegates were able to learn more about the CRC's activities and the important role science plays in underpinning biosecurity practices. Posters of researchers in the field and fact sheets on CRC projects relevant to the banana industry were of particular interest to delegates. Enthusiastic delegates were able to have an interactive experience using the Plant Biosecurity Toolbox and Biosecurity Bank with guidance from project team member, Dean Beasley. CRC researchers, Brendan Murphy and Les Zeller also shared their expertise with delegates.

Keeping with the theme of the conference ‘New technologies: fresh directions', CRCNPB CEO, Dr Simon McKirdy gave a presentation on Future Diagnostics, Surveillance and Response. This talk reinforced the CRC's commitment to delivering innovative world-class plant biosecurity research outcomes.

CRCNPB Phd candidate, Rachel Meldrum, also gave a presentation on ‘Fusarium Wilt ‘Tropical' Race 4', a disease which affects banana plants. Rachel's presentation was focused on her research which is investigating how the disease is spread. This was very well received by industry, as this disease is not present in Queensland (where 95% of bananas are grown).

Banana pests beware: growers have the tools to keep you out

Australian banana growers now have access to a one-stop-shop for information on how to prevent and stop the spread of pests and diseases that threaten their farms and industry. The Farm Biosecurity Manual for the Banana Industry highlights important information about good biosecurity practices such as spotting the industry's high priority pests and diseases, tips on farm hygiene, and how to ensure planting material is pest and disease free.

The Manual was developed by Biosecurity Queensland and Plant Health Australia and is available online with a number of other biosecurity resources at http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/toolkit.cfm

Dean Beasley and Brendan Murphy show the CRC's Biosecurity Bank

CRC60097: Fusarium TR4 - PhD

K.Scott — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:17:07 +0000