Myrtle rust infection updates – 14 January 2020

The team at Scion didn’t stop for long over the Christmas break – this is their latest news about myrtle rust infections at selected monitoring sites in the North Island.

Image thanks to Roanne Sutherland, Scion.

Lake Rotoiti and Rotoma:

There was more infection than expected for this early in the season. Ramarama has been hit particularly hard, with all parts of the plant infected.
The first infection was recorded at the Lake Rotoiti site, on rōhutu.

Te Puke

Infection has been found within the research orchard.

Hunua Ranges

Little/no infection found this season.

Overall

Infection was found on Meterosideros perforata and M. fulgens (akatea, climbing rata) for the first time.
Dieback on plants is visible already. This wasn’t visible last year until late February/early March.
Myrtle rust was found on all new foliage this year and teliospores were found on rōhutu.

To get a picture of myrtle rust infection across Aotearoa you can click here to view Plant & Food’s nation-wide map.

The BioHeritage Challenge is proud to support the continuation of this monitoring and research, previously established by MPI, DOC, B3 and partners.

Posted January 2020