The Tomato Potato Psyllid and Zebra Chip. an emerging threat to the Australian potato industry. Robert Tegg

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1 The Tomato Potato Psyllid and Zebra Chip an emerging threat to the Australian potato industry Robert Tegg

2 Talk outline Potato processing industry In Tasmania Tomato potato psyllid/zebra chip What is this disease complex Where is this insect/disease complex (geographically) Damage its caused to the potato industry (USA, NZ) Risk of entry into Australia Current monitoring project to detect this pest

3 The Zebra chip team TIA UTAS Calum Wilson Paul Walker Leonie White Geoff Allen Robert Tegg Agriculture Victoria NZ Plant & Food Research Ltd IPM Technologies Simplot Australia, McCain Foods Australia, Smith s Snackfood Co., Snack Brands Australia, Tasmanian Seed Certification Scheme. This work was facilitated by Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) funded by contributions from the above companies. The Australian Government provides matched funding for all HAL s R&D activities.

4 Potato Processing Industry $110 million pa (TAS farm gate value). Major processing companies based in Tasmania (Simplot factory Ulverstone). Tasmania grows approx 60% of Australia s processing potatoes. TIA is now the national lead agency for processing potatoes.

5 What is Zebra Chip? disease complex consisting of two components An insect (tomato potato psyllid) A bacteria (Liberibacter sp.)

6 What is Zebra Chip? Tomato/potato psyllid & Liberibacter The tomato potato psyllid (TPP) is a small flying insect currently absent from Australia but if established would cost the potato industry millions of dollars TPP causes significant damage to plants on its own Images: courtesy of Paul Walker, TIA; Shaun Bennet, Biosecurity NZ.

7 What is Zebra Chip? Tomato/potato psyllid & Liberibacter TPP also carries disease causing bacteria (Liberibacter) which causes stunting, yellowing and can kill plants. Infected potatoes show distinct brown stripe patterns when cooked i.e. Zebra Chip Images: courtesy American Phytopathological Society; Australasian Plant Pathology Society.

8 Where is Zebra Chip?

9 Damage inflicted by Zebra Chip US severe defoliation whole potato fields abandoned. Presence of disease in many key potato growing states. Key states (reports of disease outbreaks) Plant Disease Journal industry keeps ies eye on threat of zebra chip courtesy Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State Univ; American Phytopathology Society

10 Damage inflicted by Zebra Chip In , NZ$45m cost to the potato industry: through reduced yields, rejects from processing and lost crops (M. Spenser, pers. comm.) Reduced export markets for potatoes, tomatoes & capsicums In and , Less total crop losses (5 20% losses) a considerable rise in production costs due to the increased amount of insecticides applied to crops in order to reduce psyllid numbers (weekly or fortnightly applications, often exceeding NZ$1200/ha)

11 Controls for Zebra Chip? Limited Insecticide usage Frequent (weekly); expensive Biocontrol (Paul Horne) Resistance screening (Aus and NZ researchers)

12 Biosecurity - Risk of entry into Australia Direct Transit on plant material etc. From USA or NZ Importation on potato products Indirect Wind blown transportation of the TPP insect

13 Risk of entry Draft Report for the Review of Import Conditions for Fresh Potatoes for Processing from New Zealand DAFF have agreed to accept this report enabling import of potatoes from NZ Transit on plants material etc. From USA or NZ

14 TPP Workshop (Auckland, NZ, 26 27July 2012) John Anderson (NZ researcher); quoting on Zebra Chip : The worst pest or disease incursion ever for New Zealand potato industry, far worse than PCN which caused major problems from Current insecticide regime is unsustainable.

15 Biosecurity - Risk of entry into Australia DPIPWE will be making a submission to DAFF opposing the import of NZ potatoes into Australia Australia doesn t currently have TPP or Liberibacter Importation will occur in unsealed containers (enabling escape of TPP) TIA will provide scientific expertise in assisting with submission (policy development)

16 Risk of entry on wind currents from NZ Dry conditions easterly winds from NZ

17 Surveillance early detection Monitoring psyllid populations in potato crops across Eastern Australia Provide an early warning system for TPP incursions Generate background data on native psyllids Survey potato crops for phytoplasma and diseases/pest/main/136099/6386#

18 Outcomes to date Monitoring systems established with industry from Queensland to Tasmania Expertise in psyllid identification developed No tomato/potato psyllids detected in Australia (from three States, c. 850 traps) over the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons. Over 1,500 native psyllids screened and identified We have had easterly wind currents but lower TPP populations in South Island and a wet season probably reduced risk at these times Phytoplasma detection in collaboration with AgVic ongoing

19 Conclusions TPP/Liberibacter is a potential threat to the Australian potato industry Knowledge gained from ongoing NZ research is invaluable Keeping the pest out of the country is desirable. Being ready and undertaking ongoing research will enable the Australian potato industry to be best positioned for when/if Zebra Chip arrives.