Predicting the risks and impacts of Xylella fastidiosa using sentinel plant network

Biosecurity outcome

• The risk to some NZ indigenous/native plant species (incl. taonga) from Xylella fastidiosa will be better understood (incl. hosts, impact, strains)

• Molecular diagnostics protocols will be tested to improve resolution beyond the pathogen species level

• Methods for sequencing Xylella at subspecies and sequence type levels from plant tissue will be validated

Science outcome

• The sentinel/expatriate concept for risk assessment will be tested using NZ indigenous/native plants found within the distribution of Xylella in California
• A greater understanding on host/pathogen relationships will be established by establishing the host list for Xylella (California strain) for some NZ plants

Key end users/stakeholders

Implementation:  Effectiveness of sentinel (expatriate) concept is reported directly to MPI (Science & Risk – Plants & Pathways, Diagnostics & Surveillance Directorates (PHEL and SII), and Intelligence Planning and Coordination Directorate (Biosecurity Intelligence Team)) and International Plant Sentinel Network (Botanic Gardens Conservation International).  Generic learning is shared with other sentinel projects (i.e. B17.4, B19.3).  Specific information on biosecurity risk from Xylella will be shared with the MPI, DOC and the GIA Xylella Working Group.