• PROJECT NAME
  • Improving plant industry access to new genetics through faster and more accurate diagnostics using next generation sequencing
  • PROJECT CODE
  • MT18005
  • DELIVERY PARTNER
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • PROJECT LEAD
  • Roberto Barrero
    Roberto.barrero@qut.edu.au

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Rapid and safe access to new plant genetic stocks is crucial for plant primary industries to remain profitable, sustainable, and internationally competitive. Currently, new plant material entering Australia can spend up to three years in post-entry quarantine facilities undergoing pathogen testing.

A diagnostic platform that is scalable, robust, accurate, and rapid is needed for post-entry quarantine to expedite phytosanitary screening and allow imported plants to move through the quarantine process more quickly potentially. A technology known as next generation offers a fast, reliable and cost-effective method to identify all known plant pathogens in a single test.

From 2018 to 2023, Hort Innovation worked in partnership with quarantine agencies in Australia and New Zealand to develop an end-to-end quality assurance program and standard operating procedures, which are harmonised with international best practices, to enable the adoption of next generation sequencing technology for phytosanitary screening of exotic pests in post-entry quarantine facilities.

This new capability will enhance Australia’s biosecurity system safeguarding domestic plant industries from exotic pests and enabling plant industries to gain accelerated access to new plant genetics to facilitate their access to high-value market opportunities.

USEFUL LINKS

Fast Facts

  • Rapid and safe access to new plant genetic stocks is crucial for plant primary industries to remain profitable, sustainable and internationally competitive.
  • Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) offers a fast, reliable and cost-effective method to identify all known plant pathogens in a single test.
  • Current quarantine screening for pathogens in new plant genetic stocks can take up to 3 years
  • Next generation high throughput sequencing technologies could reduce this to 6-12 months

HORTICULTURE growers will benefit from faster access to new plant stock through next-generation genetic sequencing technology designed to reduce port of entry quarantine delays by more than two years.

The project, funded by Hort Innovation and facilitated by the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI), is being led by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), drawing in expertise from the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries.

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