University of Queensland Develops Eco-Friendly Spray to Fight Myrtle Rust

Australian researchers create an innovative, environmentally safe spray using RNA technology to combat the invasive myrtle rust fungus threatening native plants.

Key Points

• University of Queensland researchers developed a spray to combat myrtle rust, a fungal disease affecting Australia’s native plants.
• The spray uses double-stranded RNA technology to prevent infection and even cure infected plants.
• Myrtle rust, which cannot be eradicated, threatens over 400 species in Australia.
• Field tests are planned to assess the spray’s long-term effectiveness.
• This innovation highlights the growing global effort to protect ecosystems from human-caused threats.

Researchers at the University of Queensland, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, have developed an environmentally friendly spray to combat the invasive fungal disease myrtle rust, which is currently threatening Australia’s native plants. Myrtle rust, first identified in Australia in 2010, has since spread rapidly, affecting approximately 400 species and posing a significant threat to the country’s natural ecosystems. The Queensland Government has highlighted the challenges of controlling this disease, noting that myrtle rust cannot be eradicated due to its ability to produce thousands of spores that spread easily through wind, human activity, and animals.

In response to this persistent threat, the research team at the University of Queensland developed a spray that utilizes double-stranded RNA technology to both prevent infection and cure plants that have already been affected. PhD candidate Rebecca Degnan, one of the researchers involved in the project, explained that the RNA-based treatment effectively prevented healthy plants from becoming infected when applied as a preventive measure. Even more impressively, the spray was able to help infected plants recover when applied up to two weeks after the initial infection.

The team is now preparing to conduct field tests to determine how long the spray continues to protect plants after application. These tests will provide valuable data that will help researchers optimize the deployment of this innovative treatment.

While the RNA spray is not a complete solution to the problem, it represents a significant step forward in the management of myrtle rust. Degnan emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in developing effective strategies to combat the pathogen, noting that contributing to these broader efforts is deeply rewarding.

As the world grapples with environmental challenges driven by human activities such as pollution, climate change, habitat loss, and the spread of invasive species and diseases, researchers around the globe are working tirelessly to develop new methods to protect ecosystems. From high school students in New Jersey creating devices to target invasive lanternflies to university researchers in Australia developing groundbreaking treatments for fungal diseases, these innovative efforts underscore the critical role of science in preserving our planet’s biodiversity.