RA6 POSTER: How A. psidii infects mānuka ...

How does Austropuccinia psidii infect mānuka to cause myrtle rust?

November 2022

Frampton R_, Smith G, Shuey L, Degnan R, Johns T, Gilkes J, Currie M, Sullivan J, David C, Pringle G, Kalamorz F, Addison S, Marsh A, Chagné D, Hilario Andrade E, Wu C, Templeton M, McTaggart A, Eccersall S, Meisrimler C, Dobson R, Pegg G. 2022. How does Austropuccinia psidii infect mānuka to cause myrtle rust? New Zealand Microbiology Society Meeting. Wellington, 21 - 24 November 2022.

ABSTRACT

Generally, rust fungi are specialised plant pathogens with highly specific host ranges. However, the pandemic biotype of Austropuccinia psidii (the causative agent of myrtle rust disease) has a current host range of almost 500 known Myrtaceae species. This host range is exceptional, and potentially unique. A. psidii infects Leptospermum scoparium (mānuka) as well as many other New Zealand native plants. Effectors and CAZymes are known to be key components during rust infection processes. The expression levels of effectors and CAZymes were measured over time following inoculation of mānuka plants to understand how A. psidii causes myrtle rust.