June 20, 2017
Agencies work together on myrtle rust threat
Plant & Food Research and Scion have won funding for a project to find out more about myrtle rust, which could threaten the manuka honey bonanza that is transforming many Maori land blocks.
The fungal pathogen which has been detected at a number of sports on the New Zealand mainland in the past month.
Principal investigator Dr Grant Smith says it threatens many species that have environmental, economic, social and cultural importance, including the indigenous pohutukawa, rata, kanuka, and manuka, as well as exotic plant species such as eucalyptus and feijoa.
As well as the two crown research institutes, the project will involve the National Maori Bosecurity Network Te Turi Whakamataki, Plant Health Australia, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and the Wellington Botanic Gardens.
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