EMAI’s plant health group comprises specialist plant pathologists, molecular biologists and entomologists. EMAI pathologists provide the state’s major laboratory-based defence against plant diseases by providing rapid and accurate testing for plant pathogens, including both endemic and exotic diseases. Active surveillance maintains intelligence on the distribution of plant diseases, helps exporters meet regulatory standards, and contributes to quality assurance programs.

Plant pathologists are involved in diagnostic, extension and research activities. Priority projects include the establishment of integrated disease management strategies to reduce fungal contamination in greenhouse and hydroponic vegetable crops. Diagnostic tests for microbial contaminants of seed stocks in certain vegetables have been developed. On-going active and passive surveillance for horticultural pests and pathogens is maintained.

Other key pathology areas include testing to eliminate viruses from propagation materials (including citrus and potato) and the inoculation and release to commercial citrus growers of budwood containing mild virus strains to prevent severe viral infections occurring in field. EMAI maintains repositories for virus-free citrus and trees.

Moloecular identification in diagnostic standards 

The development and delivery of standardised diagnostic protocols for a number of exotic plant threats, including fruit flies, citrus canker, mal secco and huanglongbing and karnal bunt of wheat, are important recent work areas. These national diagnostic standards all include a component of molecular identification.

Molecular diagnostic techniques are used in several other areas of plant health research.  These include the identification of genes linked to the control of wheat sprouting and herbicide resistance of weeds, which will assist in reducing an undesirable trait in wheat production and in weed control in Australian grain crops.

Molecular fingerprinting techniques to identify plant varieties provide reliable information on true-to-type materials and assist to protect plant variety rights. Comparative molecular profiling of local strains of plant pathogens against the same organisms found overseas are assisting to maintain market access.

Varietal identification 

As part of the Value Added Wheat CRC, EMAI scientists are developing tests for wheat samples to provide fast and accurate information on quality attributes including varietal identification. Using immunological and molecular methods, researchers are developing reagents suitable for rapid kit-based assays for use in the field.

EMAI entomologists maintain active surveillance to investigate pest management problems. The insecticide resistance unit provides national resistance monitoring and chemical control strategies for western flower thrips in strawberry, tomato, capsicum, cucumber, lettuce, ornamentals and stone fruit crops. The unit provides the same monitoring for spider mites and cotton aphid for the Australian cotton industry and for onion thrips management.  The unit is also investigating the molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance in Australian insect populations.

EMAI houses the tri-state ‘fruit fly production factory’ which supplies up to 20 million sterile Queensland fruit flies per week for protection of crops in NSW, South Australia and Victoria. When the sterile flies are released in risk reduction zones they breed with normal fruit flies, resulting in no offspring and reducing the likelihood of crop infestation.