As of yesterday, the Tasmanian government is questioning Victoria for a crop of blueberries infected with rust, a plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi of the order Pucciniales. Biosecurity Tasmania has found the disease around multiple sites, including 41 farming properties. Currently, the full cost of eradication is being determined while authorities frantically attempt to remove affected bushes to avoid further spread.
Rust, an infectious, brown-colored fungi is unique with it's liking for growing on rapidly growing, healthy plants. Because of it's detrimental effects, including growth retardation, witches brooms, stem canker, hypertrophy, any affected plants are recommended to be removed and burned immediately to avoid the rapid spread of the disease. Spread by wind, rust normally doesn't kill it's host, but instead, can severely reduce yield and growth.
Overall, the farmers with affected crops are determined to find the culprit of these infected blueberries; already behind $10,000-15,000 from last year's crop, this setback is something quite unfortunate from the standpoint of rural-living Tasmanians.
This is crazy! That sounds like a horrible situation and really scary for the farmers. Also super relevant just after Michelle's presentation on fungi! I would be interested to learn more about some of those effects you named. The burning of the plants to get rid of them also reminds me of Jordy's presentation talking about burning and replanting the Eucalyptus trees.
ReplyDeleteBrittany Hallawell
This sounds terrible! I wonder if this also happens in the US?
ReplyDelete-Jessica Tam