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R&D | ECONOMIC UPDATE |
CONTRIBUTORS
Dr Kevin Clayton-Greene
Adrian Dahlenburg
Paul Horne
Stu Jennings
Dr Jessica Lye
Scott Mathew
Jessica Page
Anne Ramsay
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES: AUSVEG
Phone: 03 9882 0277
Fax: 03 9882 6722
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography by Designlane.
ADVERTISING: Marc W. Wilson
Gypsy Media
Phone: 0419 107 143
PRINT
RA Printing
Geoff Moar
AUSVEG CHAIRMAN
James Whiteside
AUSVEG CEO
Shaun Lindhe
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Dimi Kyriakou
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER/EDITOR
Michelle De’Lisle
WRITER/JOURNALIST
Claire Pini
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
All research and development projects have been
funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
using the research and development National Potato
Levy and/or voluntary contributions from industry,
and funds from the Australian Government. Potatoes
Australia is produced by AUSVEG Ltd and is free for all
National Potato Levy payers.
Disclaimer: Any information or advice contained in this
magazine is general in nature and has been prepared
without taking into account readers’ individual objectives
or circumstances. Readers should not act or refrain
from acting or alter any business practices on the basis
of opinions or information in this magazine without
first carefully evaluating the accuracy, completeness,
appropriateness, currency and relevance of the
information for their purposes and obtaining appropriate
professional advice relevant to their particular
circumstances (including any decision about whether
to consider acquiring any product).
All information, expressions of opinion and
recommendations in this magazine are published on the
basis that they are not to be regarded as expressing the
official views and opinions of AUSVEG, unless expressly
so stated. AUSVEG, authors and all persons involved in
the preparation and distribution of this magazine are not
to be taken as giving professional advice and hence do
not accept responsibility for the accuracy or currency
of any of the opinions or information contained in
the magazine. AUSVEG accepts no responsibility for
errors or misstatements, negligent or otherwise, and
is not obliged to correct or update the information or
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change without notice. AUSVEG specifically disclaims
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Clarification should be sought from the researchers
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Innovation) makes no representations and expressly
disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by
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© Copyright AUSVEG Ltd and Horticulture Innovation
Australia Limited 2017
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ISSN 1834-2493
The tomato-potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) continues
to play on the minds of many in the Australian potato industry,
and it is for this reason that we have dedicated eight pages of
this edition to the pest.
We begin with an overview of the psyllid and the bacterium
it vectors, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), which
causes zebra chip disease. Horticulture Innovation Australia has
provided support to industry through levy-funded projects and
this is discussed further on page 11.
The implementation of effective biosecurity response
procedures are vital for the future sustainability and viability
of the Australian potato industry. In light of this, AUSVEG
National Manager – Science and Extension Dr Jessica Lye
has shared an update of the tomato-potato psyllid detection
and response, while AUSVEG Biosecurity Adviser Dr Kevin
Clayton-Greene provides an overview of the stringent
processes that are in place following an exotic plant pest
detection in Australia.
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
(DAFWA) is leading an emergency biosecurity response to
combat the psyllid with support from industry stakeholders
and government agencies. AUSVEG is also lending its support
where possible, with Biosecurity Coordinator Callum Fletcher
assisting DAFWA in the surveillance of the pest.
As the saying goes, hindsight is a wonderful thing – and in this
feature we look to our neighbours across the ditch for advice
on their experience of dealing with the psyllid incursion in
New Zealand. We also share an article on the effectiveness
of Integrated Pest Management as a strategy to control the
tomato-potato psyllid and provide an analysis of the economic
impact of the psyllid in countries where it is established,
particularly New Zealand and the United States.
It is clear that the news of this detection could cause
significant economic hardship for growers and their
businesses. As such, this will be an extremely distressing time,
particularly for growers in the west, and it’s vital that industry
and government provide them with support.
A national response plan has been agreed to which guides
detection, suppression and control efforts that are already
underway, including increased monitoring and testing for
CLso. In the meantime, AUSVEG will continue to work with all
relevant parties to ensure that industry and growers receive
any new information that comes to light, and provide
assistance where possible.
If you suspect tomato-potato psyllid in your crops or any exotic
pest, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
@ausveg #infoveg
Potatoes Australia is always on the lookout for local and
international potato R&D projects, leading growers and
industry news to profile in the magazine.
If you have a great idea for a potential article, let us know!
Send an email to or call 03 9882 0277.