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EDITION 123 | DECEMBER 2024
vADW 2024-2025: New perspectives on ToBRFV
The National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network (NPBDN) held its virtual Annual Diagnostics Workshop (vADW) 2024-25 on Wednesday, 13 November 2024. This was the first in a series of four webinars scheduled between November 2024 and April 2025, designed to share expert insights, research, and discussions to enhance diagnostic skills across the sector.
The opening session focused on Plant Virology, with an emphasis on tobamoviruses, and particularly the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). Expert speakers included Dr Fiona Constable (Agriculture Victoria Research), Prof René van der Vlugt (Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands), and Dr Adrian Fox (Fera Science, United Kingdom).
Watch the Plant virology webinar on our website.
Planning is underway for the next vADW in early 2025, with a focus on Mycology, followed by Bacteriology and Invertebrate plant pests.
An EOI for student speakers on all three topics is currently open. This is a great opportunity for early-career researchers to share their projects with an expert audience.
Dermestidae and Khapra Beetle Identification Workshop
Entomology diagnosticians from around Australia participated in a five-day workshop held from 4 - 8 November 2024 in Canberra, ACT. The workshop aimed to strengthen national diagnostic capabilities in recognising genera and critical species of dermestid beetles, including the Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), Australia’s number 2 National Priority Plant Pest.
The workshop was facilitated by Dr Adam Ślipiński and Dr Lingzi Zhou from the Australian National Insect Collection (CSIRO), with participants representing the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, QLD Department of Primary Industries, Agriculture Victoria, Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA and Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.
Workshop highlights include:
- Current research updates on the classification of Dermestidae species.
- Practical sessions focused on identifying Australian and exotic Dermestidae taxa based on morphological characters, including larval identification.
- Training on methods for preparing slides for diagnostic purposes.
This training equips diagnosticians with the skills needed to quickly and accurately diagnose native and exotic species of Dermestidae and identify important pest species, such as the Khapra beetle.
NPBDN professional development activities are made possible by funding provided from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Professional Development and Protocols Project.
NPBDN members can login to access more information and course materials.
Australian Plant Pathology Society: Technology of the Month
In addition to the Pathogen of the Month series, the Australian Plant Pathology society (APPS) publishes a Technology of the Month series, highlighting new technologies and techniques to research plant pathogens. These include:
- A new and effective non-contact soil application method for basal infection by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
- Specimen preservation techniques, including dried specimens, living cultures, agar slants, ultra-low temperature storage and freeze-drying.
- Methods for assessing powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) on grape bunches.
Submissions for Technology of the Month and Pathogen of the Month are open, please contact Megan Blake for more information.
Career profile
This month we are profiling Pragya Kant, a Project Officer in Domestic Quarantine, in the Chief Plant Health Officer Branch, Biosecurity and Agriculture Services, of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Victoria.
Registrations now open for the IOCV XXIII Conference
Registrations are now open for the XXIII conference of the International Organisation of Citrus Virologists (IOCV) to be held in Mildura, from 16-20 March 2025.
Conference sessions will include presentations and discussion forums on all citrus diseases and related topics. A mid-conference tour will include visits to the Auscitrus propagation scheme and the citrus research and extension hub at the Dareton Primary Industries Institute.
Registrations close on 28 February 2025.
For more information, visit the IOCV Australia 2025 website or find out more about the Journal of Citrus Pathology on their website.
Registrations now open for 25th APPS Conference
Registrations are now open for the 25th Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS) Conference, which will be held at the International Conference Centre in Sydney, NSW, from 26 - 28 May 2025.
The conference will celebrate the role of scientific collections with the theme: From Field to Future, Scientific Collections and Plant Pathology.
Plant pathology collections are valuable to agriculture, ecology, and biosecurity, preserving specimens, and living cultures, from both economically and environmentally important plant species.
The conference will highlight the role of these collections in research and biosecurity, exploring how they can be used and improved to ensure they remain a vital resource for researchers and decision-makers in the future.
Register by Friday, 28 March 2025 to take advantage on the early bird rates.
Upcoming biosecurity events
Varroa management training workshops, various locations | from December to 18 June 2025
Berry Quest International, Hobart, Tasmania | 24-27 February 2025
International Organization of Citrus Virologists XXII Conference, Mildura, Victoria | 16-20 March 2025.
International Advances in Plant Virology 2025, Murica, Spain | 8-11 April 2025
Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference 2025, Sydney, NSW | 26-28 May 2025
5th International Congress on Biological Invasions, Perth, WA | 21-24 September 2025
Career opportunities
Visit the careers page on the NPBDN website to keep up to date with current job and postgraduate scholarship opportunities.
About the Network
The National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Professional Development and Protocols Projects are coordinated and delivered by PHA and funded by DAFF. The objectives of the Projects are to enhance and strengthen Australia’s diagnostic and surveillance capacity and capability to identify priority plant pests that impact on plant industries, environment and the community.
