A new Hort Innovation levy-funded project seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of virus detection in plant genetic material in post-entry quarantine facilities, through the adoption of next-generation sequencing.
Utilisation of this sequencing technology will improve current methods and techniques to allow for quicker access to new genetic stocks. The technology is a cost-effective option which has the potential to increase business resilience, by allowing the import of larger panels of genetic stocks to adapt to local environmental conditions.
Past research has found utilising next-generation sequencing has great promise; strongly correlating with methods currently used at post entry quarantine (PEQ) facilities.
In 2018, the Australian horticultural sector exported an estimated $2.4 billion of produce highlighting the importance of importing ‘clean’ and true-to-type plant materials that improve biosecurity and provide access to valuable markets.
Run by The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in collaboration with Agriculture Victoria, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries (NZ MPI), the project aims to develop a useful tool for plant pathologists, enabling users to conduct shorter, more efficient and accurate plant pest screenings.
For the nursery industry – faster and more accurate screening methods for imported nursery planting stock into Australia, is vital to the introduction of new genetic material, and to maintaining a diversity of plants in changing environmental conditions.
Overview
The project will perform large-scale side by side comparisons of next-generation sequencing methods and techniques with existing PEQ protocols; enhancing confidence surrounding the better detection of exotic viruses and bacteria among regulators and industry stakeholders.
Although the project is looking to compare new and pre-existing techniques, it is also an opportunity to identify different ways to utilise new technologies across the plant diagnostic space and develop methods that combine existing and new quality control points. This includes:
- How genetic information is collected
- Leveraging from the plant immune response to viruses and how it enables diagnosis at the border
- Implement reproducible end-to-end data analysis tools and resources incorporating best practices and harmonised international standards for the detection of exotic plant pests.
The project aims to screen up to 200 imported plants using the next generation sequencing technology for viruses and viroids (small infectious particles), and half of those plants are also expected to be screened for key exotic bacteria.
The project has recently commenced with the first face-to-face meeting in Melbourne; establishing strategies and logistics to deliver across each project milestone and providing an opportunity to engage with the broader community including diagnosticians, industry and regulator groups in Australia and New Zealand. The meeting brought together project members from QUT, collaborators from Agriculture Victoria, and various key stakeholders from across government and industry.
Outputs and extension
The project team will engage with policy regulators from the start with an aim to ensure all contributing industries are represented throughout the duration of the program.
To share project findings and insights, the QUT team will organise an annual public workshop.
Expected project end date: 31 October 2022
Source: Your Levy at Work