Powdery pest mapped
A STUDY headed by the University of Southern Queensland’s Centre for Crop Health has uncovered results that could reshape how the origins of some plant pathogens in Australia are understood, as well as boost local biosecurity efforts.
Led by USQ’s Professor Levente Kiss, the study into powdery mildew – a common fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants in Australia – aimed to provide the first comprehensive catalogue of all powdery mildew species present in Australia.
“Our research has conclusively shown that all powdery mildews infecting native Australian plants actually came from overseas, which means Australia is a continent without any native powdery mildews,” he said.
“It can sometimes be hard in ecology to have immediate practical outcomes but now we have a truly clear picture of how native vegetation was affected after colonisation.
“There are more than 900 species of powdery mildews known, and we’ve been able to use DNA barcoding to confidently declare that all of them were absent in Australia prior to colonisation.”
Recently published in the international journal Frontiers in Microbiology, Professor Kiss said the findings are significant from a biosecurity perspective.
The project included more than 30 scientists from 20 global research institutions.
It now has a record of every powdery mildew in Australia.
“While Australia continues to import a large amount of fresh fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, and other plant products from overseas that may be infected with these microbes, it’s vital we know which of them are already in the country,” Prof Kiss said.
“When we know what’s already in the country, it’s easier to better monitor all incoming fresh plant products and any new microbes that may threaten our crops or natives.”