increase font size
Myrtle rust.
A science project looking at manuka genetics, underway for some time, now may be useful in protecting the manuka species from myrtle rust.
The nationwide project sequenced the manuka genome and is now exploring its genetic diversity. With the arrival of myrtle rust more emphasis has gone on looking at ways to mitigate the fungal disease, a Plant & Food spokesman told Rural News.
They are looking at the particular genes that produce the resistance in myrtle rust.
Plant & Food Research mapped manuka’s genetic blueprint in 2015 and shared the information with tangata whenua and the New Zealand research community.
The research focus has since moved to using bioinformatic techniques to get a detailed understanding of the unique attributes of manuka’s genetic stocks; the data have been gleaned from about 1000 samples of manuka leaf collected nationwide with Landcare Research, the University of Waikato and key Maori partners.
The information generated is providing important scientific insights about the distribution and genetic diversity within and between manuka populations in NZ.
“While it’s not clear just what effect myrtle rust will have on manuka under NZ conditions, we should expect differences in susceptibility and resistance across the manuka populations,” says Plant & Food Research science group leader Dr David Chagne.
“This will help us to better predict the potential damage from myrtle rust and determine how fast the various manuka populations will respond to the disease.”
Research outcomes from the project are expected to be released between June and August this year.Find in BOP
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has confirmed that myrtle rust is present in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty.
The infection has been found in a 25-year-old ramarama plant in a private residential garden. It is the first find in a number of weeks outside the key infection area in Taranaki.
Myrtle rust response incident controller David Yard says the new find is very disappointing.
“While it’s too early to say what the new detection will mean to the ongoing operation, it’s certainly not good news in terms of its distribution in New Zealand.”
To date there are 46 known infected properties in NZ: four in Northland, two in Waikato, 39 in Taranaki and the new find in Bay of Plenty.
Kiwifuit Vine Health (KVH) says it understands the Bay of Plenty find is close to kiwifruit orchards. Myrtle rust doesn’t affect kiwifruit.
Winter grazing is looming again and the Ministry for Primary Industries says it's going to increase proactive farm visits and provide practical advice for farmers in the lead up to the season.
The primary sector is welcoming the appointment of Dr John Roche as the Prime Minister's new chief science advisor.
A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Fieldays 2025 opens this week with organisers saying the theme, 'Your Place', highlights the impact the event has on agriculture both in the Southern Hemisphere and across the globe.
Sam Carter, assistant manager for T&G's Pakowhai Sector, has been named the Hawke's Bay 2025 Young Grower of the Year.
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).
OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…
OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…
