Landcare Agony Aunt: some seasonal advice for your landcaring questions
Dear Agony Aunt,
I think we have Myrtle Rust on the Melaleuca quinquinervia trees on our Landcare site. This is very worrying. What do we do?
from Miffed about Myrtle Rust
Dear Reader,
Good spotting. It is indeed concerning, as Myrtle Rust is already impacting our native ecosystems, including some threatened species, with the potential to be quite severe.
As you probably know, Myrtle Rust is an invasive species of fungus, first detected on the Central Coast of NSW in 2010. It infects plants in the Myrtaceae family (the largest plant family in Australia) including eucalypts, tea trees, bottlebrushes, paperbarks, and lily-pillies. The whole East Coast of Australia and other states territories in Australia are affected, and the climatic conditions in the Hunter are suitable for further spread.
First, check for symptoms of Myrtle Rust using this guide: https://ala.org.au/app/uploads/2024/02/ALA-Myrtle-Rust-Reporting-Guide.pdf If you think you have a positive ID (such as bright yellow spores on the leaves) …
Second, report your observation on Citizen science app iNaturalist or NatureMapr, which will then feed into the Atlas of Living Australia. You will need to take photographs so, without touching the plant, photograph the stem, fruit and flower, and both the top and bottom of affected leaves.
Third, take Biosecurity action to prevent further spread.
Myrtle Rust reproduces and spreads through its spores mostly via wind dispersal and also through clothing, hair and skin, infected plants, equipment, insects and animals. Change into fresh clothes and wash your hands, face and footwear to prevent it spreading. Clean your shoes with a 70% methylated spirits or benzyl alkonium chloride disinfectant. Standard washing-machine use with detergent will kill Myrtle Rust spores on clothing, gloves, hats and other items suitable for the washing machine.
Depending on the severity of the infection, removing plants infected with Myrtle Rust, or pruning infected plant parts, can help reduce disease spread and minimise chance of future infection. Before being removed, smaller plants and plant parts should be enclosed in a plastic bag to capture the spores and then disposed of in the red bin. Reach out to Hunter Region Landcare Network if you need more assistance.
MORE INFO
DPI Fact sheet on Myrtle Rust
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/573707/primefact-myrtle-rust.pdf
Research and Action being taken to combat Myrtle Rust
Ask Aunty Now
Send your Landcare questions to Helen@hunterlandcare.org.au and see if you get featured next time!