A long-term monitoring form for myrtle rust has been developed and is available on www.myrtlerust.org.nz for surveillance in New Zealand. The form is designed to be used by a wide variety of groups who have some level of knowledge of myrtle rust symptoms and who will be monitoring symptoms on specific host trees or stands of trees over time.
Collecting the same information from both infected and uninfected plants will mean that in the future, data from different groups will be able to be compared. This will provide a better understanding of the impact and severity of myrtle rust across regions and nationally.
A centralised database for receiving information from end users who are using this form is underway. In the meantime, users can either hold their own data or send through the form (directly or scanned) to the following email address: Roanne.Sutherland@scionresearch.com
Data from any forms sent will be added to a national database when established.
The form was developed as part of the MPI-funded research programme. (A spreadsheet version of the form is also available to assist with collection of data until an app and a centralised databased have been developed.)
For more information:
www.myrtlerust.org.nz