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Familial placement of Puccinia psidii and Uredo rangelii
Project
Project code: JKI-EP-08-2194
Contract period: 01.07.2012
- 30.06.2013
Purpose of research: Basic research
Puccinia psidii is the causal agent of Eucalyptus or Guava rust, a disease affecting a wide range of myrtaceous hosts and hence of utmost biosecurity concern in Australia in light of the native flora in our native ecosystems and the associated industries. A recent incursion of Myrtle rust detected in NSW caused by a closely related pathogen, Uredo rangelii, raised not only specific questions on how best to manage the incursion but identified knowledge gaps in more fundamental issues on the taxonomy and biology of these pathogens which are crucial to the implementation of management strategies.
While various research groups are investigating aspects more directly related to disease management strategies, e.g. susceptible host range, relationship between P. psidii and U. rangelii, population diversity of U. rangelii, the more fundamental issue of the taxonomy of these rust pathogens need to be established. An understanding of the familial placement of these rust pathogens need to be established to determine their closest relatives, in order to facilitate inferences on biological attributes and more precise experimental designs for generic and specific delineations. This knowledge is also crucial with respect to the development of PCR based fast tests.
Teliospore morphology places P. psidii firmly within Puccinia. However molecular data based on one gene suggested that this species does not fall within the Pucciniaceae (van der Merwe et al. 2008). The use of multiple genes to address this issue is proposed to pinpoint the phylogenetic and familial position of P. psidii and U. rangelii and to clarify whether these represent very closeyl realted 'cryptic' species or whether in fact they are conspecific. This will also result in a generic recombination of P. psidii and U. rangelii.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics (JKI-EP)
