Your myrtle rust questions answered!
What is myrtle rust? Where did it come from? How do I treat it? How do I prevent it? What do I do if I see it? These are just a few of the questions you have been asking and I’m here to answer them for you!
Q: What is myrtle rust?
A: Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that affects plants in the Myrtaceae family, including native species such as eucalypts, paperbarks, guava, lilly pillies, and tea trees. The disease is caused by the fungus Austropuccinia psidii.
Q: Where did myrtle rust come from?
A: Myrtle rust is believed to have originated in South America, where it was found to be infecting trees in Eucalyptus plantations. It has since spread to many other parts of the world, including Australia as of 2010, New Zealand, and parts of Asia.
Q: How does myrtle rust spread?
A: Myrtle rust is spread by wind, rain, and human activities such as the movement of infected plants or plant material. The spores of the fungus can be carried long distances by the wind, and can also be spread by rain splashing on infected plants and dispersing the spores.
Q: What are the symptoms of myrtle rust?
A: The most common symptoms of myrtle rust include the appearance of bright yellow powdery spots on the emerging leaves, stems, and fruit of infected plants. The spots may merge to form large lesions, and the infected plant may experience stunted growth or dieback. Some symptoms are more cryptic, especially in the early stages of infection. Keep an eye out for distortion of the edges of the leaves and red/purple raised bumps on the leaf surface.
Q. What should you do if you see myrtle rust?
A. If you suspect a myrtle rust infection, you can follow the below steps:
- Don’t touch the infected material or attempt to take a sample.
- Take a photo of the infection and a few photos of the plant it is infecting.
- Upload the images to the iNaturalist app. If you are in WA or SA it is important you report suspected sightings to the local government as the pathogen has not established in these states. A list or contact details is provided at the bottom of this FAQ.
Q: Can myrtle rust be treated?
A: There is currently no cure for myrtle rust but researchers are working on ways to identify plants that are susceptible or resistant to the disease. If you have an infected plant in your garden, you may decide to destroy the plant to prevent the disease from spreading. Fungicides may be used to protect healthy plants from becoming infected, however their efficacy against myrtle rust is limited.
Q: How can I prevent myrtle rust from infecting my plants?
A: The best form or prevention is to avoid planting susceptible species in your garden, especially if you are in an area where disease is known to occur. If you purchase a new plant from a nursery, be sure to inspect it carefully for any signs of infection before bringing it home.
Q: Are all Myrtaceae plants susceptible to myrtle rust?
A: Not all Myrtaceae plants are equally susceptible to myrtle rust. Some species are more resistant to the disease than others, but we are still in the early stages of understanding the potential impact of the disease. Unfortunately, many native species in Australia are highly susceptible, and the disease poses a significant threat to their survival. Monitoring the spread of the disease will provide a clearer picture of the spread of the pathogen, and the species it impacts.
Q: What is being done to control the spread of myrtle rust?
A: Governments, researchers, and industry groups in affected countries are working together to monitor the spread of myrtle rust and develop strategies for managing and controlling the disease. This includes measures such as surveillance, quarantine, and education campaigns to raise awareness of the disease and how to prevent its spread. As a Gum Tree Guardian, your observations are highly valuable to these efforts.
Contacts if you spot myrtle rust in WA or SA
Western Australia: DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service 9368 3080 or padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
South Australia: Emergency Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or PIRSA.planthealth@sa.gov.au
If you have any more questions, pop them in them in the comments below.
All the best,
Alyssa
Comments
Add a Comment