Valued at $5.7 billion, the Australian vegetable industry accounts for one third of Australia’s $17 billion horticulture industry. Around 3,600 vegetable growing businesses supply more than 98% of the domestic market. The arrival of new pests and diseases in Australia can severely affect production and market access for vegetable farming businesses.
Over recent years, the Australian vegetable industry has faced several significant pest and disease threats that have impacted on farm operations, productivity and growing practices. Early detection and accurate diagnosis allow for early intervention which can limit spread and greatly improve the likelihood of successful eradication or management.
Many plant pathogens can be spread via water. Detection of plant pathogens in irrigation and drain water on farms offers significant advantages for industry and government. For vegetable growers, the benefits include an early warning of pathogen presence, enabling timely implementation of management strategies or verification that decontamination procedures have been successful. The diagnostics capability could also be used to confirm that water, planting materials and soil etc. coming on to the farm are pathogen-free and pose minimal risk to production.
For government agencies and biosecurity authorities, sampling irrigation and drain water offers the ability to triage and delimit the occurrence or distribution of pests and pathogen during emergency biosecurity responses and early detection to support the implementation of targeted eradication options before a new pests/pathogens become more widespread. It also improves capacity to monitor efficacy of biosecurity measures.
Aim: This project aims to develop surveillance methodology to detect and diagnose pathogen(s) of vegetable crops in drain water and irrigation systems on farm to inform day to day management options and biosecurity response strategies.
Approach
- Develop pathogen risk profile for a production system [protected cropping or field based] and identify critical sampling points on-farm to maximise detection and inform a management response.
- Identify and optimise sample collection methodologies from irrigation and drainage water to maximize sensitivity and specificity.
- Determine detection limits and ideal timing for sampling methods.
- Develop and refine diagnostic tests for use in diagnostic labs and develop meaningful alert systems to inform growers/agronomists to make decisions about crop management.
- Work hand in hand with AUSVEG to transfer sampling and diagnostic technologies to growers and agronomists.
- Understand and interpret the implications of both negative and positive results for decision-makers.
Meet the PhD student for this project
Addam Corallo
Hello, I’m a PhD student working with the University of Canberra in collaboration with AUSVEG and Agriculture Victoria. My research focuses on the development and optimisation of irrigation water surveillance techniques to detect and diagnose pathogens in vegetable crops.
I completed my BSc and Honours of Microbiology at Monash University exploring whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis could utilise compounds in cigarette smoke to aid its growth, potentially contributing to the strong association between clinical tuberculosis cases and smokers.
I have always had a keen interest in pathogens and the ever-evolving landscape of research and development used to diminish their burden on society. Having grown up and worked on my family farm in Victoria, I developed a passion for the Horticulture industry and aim to leverage my personal experiences alongside my passions to create positive outcomes for the industry in Australia.
Supervisors and advisors
Professor Dianne Gleeson, University of Canberra.
Senior Research Fellow Alejandro Trujillo-Gonzales, University of Canberra.
Professor Brendan Rodoni and Dr Fiona Constable, La Trobe / Agriculture Victoria
Paul Campbell, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Rosalie Daniel, AUSVEG
Questions? Questions about this project can be directed to Sarah Adams, Chief Operating Officer, at plantbiosecurity@anu.edu.au or +61 459 341 281.