This is a collaborative project with researchers from EnviroDNA and Cesar Australia, funded by Hort Innovation, that aims to drive continuous improvement in biosecurity preparedness of the Australian avocado industry for incursions of priority and emerging threats. We are assessing, developing and implementing robust sampling approaches and metabarcoding assays alongside the resources, communication, and training required for their widespread adoption by growers and industry.

To improve biosecurity preparedness, we are delivering a comprehensive assessment of eDNA sampling and analytical approaches tailored to the Avocado industry. Hort Innovation has identified a priority list of insects, fungal and viroid pests on which to focus these efforts. A multi-species assay using eDNA samples will aim to detect invertebrate and fungal species from environmental sampling at supply chain screening points, and at the farm gate.

Sampling approaches used for collecting DNA from the environment are critical to overall assay efficiency. Approaches will be assessed to determine the most appropriate method of detecting avocado pathogens in production regions, when optimising sensitivity, speed, or scale. As part of this project, we will trial collection of airborne eDNA shed by pests and pathogens of interest, scaling up eDNA collection from plant and fruit surfaces, and direct sampling from insect traps.