New technology seeking to stop the spread of one of the world’s worst plant fungal diseases

Australia’s native ecosystems face growing threats from airborne plant pathogens. A research project at the Australian National University is investigating the early detection of one of the world’s top 10 fungal diseases, myrtle rust, which spreads through the air and affects new shoots on eucalypts, tea trees and other species. Detecting these pathogens before they spread is essential to protecting biodiversity.

Research led by Professor Benjamin Schwessinger from the Research School of Biology conducted a pilot project at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in 2023. Using remote surveillance spore traps, roughly the size of the back of a small ute, researchers captured and tested for traces of airborne plant pathogens. The project was later expanded through funding from the Agrifood Innovation Institute to include community engagement and teacher training on plant diseases and biosecurity.

This groundwork laid the foundation for a new national initiative, funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program. The project has now established a network of spore traps across nine botanic gardens, from Perth to Darwin. Each unit integrates environmental sensors and GPS tracking to link spore samples with weather and location data, ensuring accurate and reliable diagnostics.

Across multiple projects, partners from the University of Sydney, the University of Canberra, the University of São Paulo, the South Australian Research and Development Institute, and the technology company Data Effects have developed a national diagnostic protocol to detect new or exotic strains of myrtle rust. The system combines spore capture with advanced genetic analysis to identify both the presence and strain of a pathogen, providing early warning of potential incursions.

The technology’s potential extends beyond biosecurity and conservation. Lessons from myrtle rust are now being applied to crop pathogens such as wheat stripe rust, which could enable farmers to anticipate and manage outbreaks more precisely. Future research will test mobile and remote trapping systems to expand the network to ports and remote areas.

Public engagement remains central to the work. Public talks, school programs and outreach events at the Australian National Botanic Gardens have helped Australians understand the science of plant pathogens and the importance of early detection in protecting both native landscapes and agricultural industries. 

Read more about the project on the Sporetracker website: https://www.sporetracker.com.au/