Biosecurity Advisory 08/2015
Myrtle rust in Tasmania: Increased focus on Lophomyrtus varieties – assistance required [DPIPWE advice]
Current Status
Biosecurity Tasmania is currently conducting an emergency response operation in Tasmania following the recent confirmation of the fungal disease myrtle rust in the state. Emergency response officers are continuing to conduct surveys of commercial nurseries, gardening outlets and related businesses, and in residential gardens around Tasmania in an effort to determine the extent of the spread of the disease.
To date there are currently 16 confirmed infected properties and a number of suspect premises. The confirmed infected properties include seven commercial nurseries, two in the north-west and five in the south of the state. There are nine residential properties, eight in the Burnie area and one in southern Tasmania.
Focus on Lophomyrtus varieties
To date the data and observations from surveillance activities in Tasmania indicates that myrtle rust has only infected cultivars of Lophomyrtus – varieties include the cross-bred “black stallion”. The confirmed presence at this time of myrtle rust in only one variety improves the chances the response operation has in eradicating the disease before it can establish in the state.
Biosecurity Tasmania wants to hear from anyone that has planted any cultivars of Lophomyrtus within the last three (3) months. This information is vital in assisting the response operation to ensure that properties with new plantings of Lophomyrtus varieties can be included in the ongoing myrtle rust surveillance program.
As a precautionary measure it is requested that landscape gardeners, garden maintenance contractors, parks and reserves maintenance crews and the Tasmanian community generally do not, until further notice, prune, trim or remove any cultivars of the Myrtaceae plant variety Lophomyrtus, even if the plants are showing no signs of a myrtle rust infection.
There should be no new plantings made using Lophomyrtus varieties.
How you can help
Everyone is urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspected sightings of myrtle rust to the emergency response hotline at 6165 3785.
More information
Further Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisories will issue as operations continue and information becomes available.
More information is available on the DPIPWE Biosecurity Tasmania website.
Biosecurity Tasmania
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
GPO Box 44 HOBART Tasmania 7001
Phone: 03 6165 3777
Email [email protected]
Web www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity
Note: Lophomyrtus Black Stallion was advertised as ‘Plant of the month’ in December 2014 – an ornamental Mytracae cultivar grown in several mainland Australian States and advertised online by several nursery and garden supplier websites for postal delivery around Australia. Any coincidence?
