Sugar Research Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry are using eDNA to assist with preparation for potential incursions and rapid detection of pests and diseases posing a risk to Australia’s sugarcane industry. This is a collaborative project with researchers from EnviroDNA, Cesar Australia, Sugar Research Australia and the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) to increase biosecurity protection of Australia’s sugarcane industry.

Existing biosecurity surveillance is based mostly on trapping pests or in-field identification of diseases by specialist entomologists and pathologists. This project builds on pest surveillance techniques to improve the ability of those undertaking sugar pest surveillance activities to identify incursion threats quickly and accurately. Faster detection of pest incursions increases the chance of eradication or cost-effective management, and reduces the need for chemical control, helping to limit potential environmental impacts and pesticide resistance.

This project identifies a priority list of pests for the development of eDNA diagnostic tools. Unified sampling approaches are being applied based on various factors (e.g. ecology, biology, spread, and type of damage). Pests in focus include moth species like the sugarcane top borer and stalk borer, and diseases of interest include Ramu Stunt, a debilitating disease of sugarcane. Several species of interest for the eDNA tests also affect a variety of other crops including rice and wheat.

The development of molecular assays includes optimised DNA extraction, qPCR, rapid testing, and metabarcoding protocols. Extensive in-field testing of DNA extraction and DNA amplification techniques will be undertaken in conjunction with SRA and NAQS. Combined usage of modern pest forecasting approaches with eDNA techniques will further assist mobilisation of biosecurity surveillance efforts to enhance early-detection outcomes. Outcomes will also include the development of online resources for industry and biosecurity staff.