January 29, 2010

Australia's researchers explores forensic method to curb plant pathogens

Australian scientists are trying to develop a forensic method for airport detection of microscopic fungal spores unwittingly brought into the country by overseas travellers.

The research is a new approach to curb exotic plant diseases from entering Australia and damaging the grain industry.

Leading the Co-operative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity project is the West Australian Department of Agriculture and Food's Dominie Wright.

Wright said the research was aimed at developing a more rigorous detection method for plant pathogens using forensic tape commonly used by police in their crime-scene investigations.

As part of this airport forensic project, the team is researching if pathogens can be detected using forensic methods, initially focusing on cereal rust and the level of human mediated rust entries into Australia, Wright said.

The pathway for this material is not currently regulated as the organisms are not visible to the naked eye, she said. Some devastating diseases of cereals, such as karnal bunt, are not present in Australia.

On the other hand, rust experts fear an outbreak of stem rust could devastate the Australian wheat industry.