The nationwide project sequenced the manuka genome and is now exploring its genetic diversity. With the arrival of myrtle rust more emphasis has gone on looking at ways to mitigate the fungal disease, a Plant & Food spokesman told Rural News.
They are looking at the particular genes that produce the resistance in myrtle rust.
Plant & Food Research mapped manuka’s genetic blueprint in 2015 and shared the information with tangata whenua and the New Zealand research community.
The research focus has since moved to using bioinformatic techniques to get a detailed understanding of the unique attributes of manuka’s genetic stocks; the data have been gleaned from about 1000 samples of manuka leaf collected nationwide with Landcare Research, the University of Waikato and key Maori partners.
The information generated is providing important scientific insights about the distribution and genetic diversity within and between manuka populations in NZ.
“While it’s not clear just what effect myrtle rust will have on manuka under NZ conditions, we should expect differences in susceptibility and resistance across the manuka populations,” says Plant & Food Research science group leader Dr David Chagne.
“This will help us to better predict the potential damage from myrtle rust and determine how fast the various manuka populations will respond to the disease.”
Research outcomes from the project are expected to be released between June and August this year.Find in BOP
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has confirmed that myrtle rust is present in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty.
The infection has been found in a 25-year-old ramarama plant in a private residential garden. It is the first find in a number of weeks outside the key infection area in Taranaki.
Myrtle rust response incident controller David Yard says the new find is very disappointing.
“While it’s too early to say what the new detection will mean to the ongoing operation, it’s certainly not good news in terms of its distribution in New Zealand.”
To date there are 46 known infected properties in NZ: four in Northland, two in Waikato, 39 in Taranaki and the new find in Bay of Plenty.
Kiwifuit Vine Health (KVH) says it understands the Bay of Plenty find is close to kiwifruit orchards. Myrtle rust doesn’t affect kiwifruit.
