Botanic Gardens Biosecurity Network

Together we can protect botanic gardens from plant pests and diseases

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Biosecurity in the gardens

published - 6 April 2020
By Sarah Fraser (Plant Health Australia)

Public Enemy Number One: Xylella

In recent years you may have heard of a disease affecting Italian olive trees which has devastated entire olive groves and is responsible for the loss of thousand-year-old trees. The disease, sometimes referred to as “quick decline” or “olive tree leprosy”, is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. It lives …
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diseases, Exotic, xylella

Pests, diseases and weeds

published - 28 February 2020
By Alex Lucchetti (Plant Health Australia)

Myrtle rust in three videos

Myrtle rust is a plant disease caused by the rust fungus Austropuccinia psidii which is believed to have originated in South America. It affects more than 400 species in the Myrtaceae family including many iconic Australian native plants.
Since myrtle rust was first identified in Australia in 2010 the disease has …
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diseases, myrtle rust, videos

Pests, diseases and weeds

published - 10 February 2020
By Daniela Carnovale (Plant Health Australia)

National priority plant pests

The National Priority Plant Pests list includes a range of exotic plant pests and diseases that pose the most significant threat on a national scale. Some of these are of great importance to botanic gardens.
Although they are not the only plant pests of biosecurity concern, the National Priority Plant Pets …
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BMSB, diseases, Plant pest, xylella

Pests, diseases and weeds

published - 23 January 2020
By Dr Brett Summerall (Royal Botanic Garden Sydney)

Listen: No Plants No Food

Branch Out presenter and producer Vanessa Fuchs and PlantClinic Senior Research Scientist Dr Edward Liew. Image: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Branch Out is an award-winning podcast produced by the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and encourages a global audience to discover the surprising world of plants. In this episode ‘No Plants No …
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Branch Out Podcast, diseases, podcast, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Diagnostics, Pests, diseases and weeds

published - 20 December 2019
By Daniela Carnovale (Plant Health Australia)

Don’t give an unwanted gift this Christmas

During the holiday season more people are travelling and exchanging gifts which increases the risk of spreading plant pests and diseases.
You may think that the hand carved elephant or necklace made from colourful seeds that you purchased on your overseas holiday would make a perfect gift for Auntie Jane but …
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BMSB, Hitchhiking, Import, Quarantine zones, Travel

Biosecurity basics, Tips, Travelling

published - 12 December 2019
By Mandy Gyles (Plant Health Australia)

International Year of Plant Health 2020

The International Year of Plant Health for 2020 was launched globally by the Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome on 2 December 2019. The year is a great opportunity to highlight the role everyone plays in protecting our plants from the threat of pests and diseases.
Australia is lucky to be free from …
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diseases, Health, pests

Events

published - 22 November 2019
By Daniela Carnovale (Plant Health Australia)

What is a plant pest?

Protecting plants from pests is an important part of keeping plants healthy within botanic gardens, agricultural systems and the natural environment, but what do we mean when we talk about plant pests?
In general, a plant pest is any species, strain or biotype of invertebrate pest or pathogen which harms plants, …
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definition, Plant pest, xylella

Biosecurity basics, Pests, diseases and weeds

published - 6 October 2019
By Alex Lucchetti

Spotted something unusual? Call the Exotic Plant Pest hotline

If you find an unusual plant pest or disease the national Exotic Plant Pest hotline (1800 084 881) is the number to call.
When you call the hotline you can select the state or territory you are in. You will be connected to an experienced person in the relevant authority for …
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Exotic, Plant pest, Reporting

Biosecurity basics, Tips

published - 5 October 2019
By Daniela Carnovale

Auckland biosecurity walking trail

Image supplied by Auckland Botanic Gardens.
The Auckland Botanic Gardens are leading the way in biosecurity awareness in botanic gardens. In May 2019, they launched a biosecurity walking trail which gives locals and overseas visitors a chance to learn about the role they can play in protecting New Zealand’s flora from …
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New Zealand

Case studies, Pests, diseases and weeds

published - 4 October 2019
By Daniela Carnovale

Biosecurity tip: Clean your shoes

Dirty shoes are a biosecurity risk as they can carry and spread pests and diseases.
A simple way to manage this risk is to make sure that you thoroughly wash and disinfect footwear when moving between different plant growing areas. This includes traveling between gardens, and venturing in and out of …
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Hygiene

Tips

published - 3 October 2019
By David Gale

Coordinated surveillance by botanic gardens staff

Have you considered that surveillance activities may be occurring in a botanic garden or arboreta near you?
In addition to this network, a project has been established with staff of botanic gardens and arboreta to conduct coordinated surveillance across gardens to detect pests on susceptible species as early as possible. Staff …
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Staff network

Case studies, Surveillance

published - 2 October 2019
By Daniela Carnovale

Biosecurity in botanic gardens

Plant biosecurity is the actions individuals, industries, governments and others take to keep plant pests and diseases from entering or moving around Australia. The goal of plant biosecurity is to keep plants, including those in botanic gardens, healthy and productive.
Biosecurity has played a critical role in reducing risk and shaping …
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Biosecurity, Botanic gardens, Health

Biosecurity basics