Conservation News – Update on Myrtle Rust Research
Author: Bonni Yee
Published: Journal March 2021
There has been some progress with development of the RNA vaccines against myrtle rust and also the propagation of MR-endangered rainforest Myrtaceae. Researchers at the University of Queensland have been working on RNA vaccines against three pathogenic fungi: Root Rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi), Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii) for the last three years. They have made good progress on vaccines against root rot and anthracnose fungi and are just commencing leaf trials with the myrtle rust ds RNA vaccine. Their results are being presented at a Myrtle Rust Symposium on 23 to 25 March, 2021 in Ballina.
A project to propagate the MR-threatened rainforest species is being carried out by a NSW landcare group called Earth Learning. They won a grant to propagate threatened species and have succeeded in coordinating the collection and propagation by cuttings of approximately 30 different species. These are now growing on at a NSW nursery. These young plants are being treated with the fungicide Zaleton and are looking very healthy. Their intention is to plant these into private reserves so that they can monitor their health, continue fungicide treatment as needed and to propagate further. They hope it will be possible to set up a collaboration with the UQ RNA vaccine group to test their RNA vaccines on these endangered Myrtaceae. If the vaccines can provide long-term protection, it will allow these plants to be re-planted in their natural habitat.
I have also been working with Natura Pacific on a couple of their ‘Back from the Brink’ projects. We have been trying to propagate the host vine, Carronia multisepalea, for the rare Southern Pink Underwing Moth. This moth is endangered because its rainforest habitat has been severely fragmented. After unsuccessful attempts to propagate by seed and cuttings, we are now trying tissue culture. Natura Pacific made a video of this project. I hope members will view this as it makes the point that restoration and protection of our
native flora and ecosystems is vital to the survival of many other species.
Another group of UQ researchers are working on cryopreservation and tissue culture of endangered native species. They are part of a national consortium with collaborators in Sydney and Western Australia. This group developed the protocols for cryopreservation and tissue culture of avocados, a world-first. Now they are proposing to work on rainforest species. Native Plants Queensland has offered support for this project as they will be working on two Queensland species: Gossia fragrantissima and Gossia gonoclada.
Read the May 2021 update to this story here.
Caterpillar of the Southern Pink Underwing Moth. Photo Mark Runkovski of Natura Pacific
Southern Pink Underwing Moth. Photo is a screenshot from ‘Back from the Brink’ video on YouTube.
Testing Myrtle Rust spores in the lab
Preparing Gossia fragrantissima samples for cryopreservation (the storage and later revival of living tissue). Photos are screenshots from ‘Back from the Brink’ video on YouTube.
Their work is also featured in a Natura Pacific ‘Back from the Brink project – follow the links below for more information.