Why a strategic shift in action is needed to recognise and empower Indigenous plant pathology knowledge and research

Plant pathology researchers play a pivotal role in thought leadership and its translation to action regarding the recognition and demonstration of the value of Indigenous knowledge and science. For many scientists, navigating the space of Indigenous rights and perspectives is challenging. In pursuit of a cultural shift in research and development within the field of plant pathology, the 2019–2021 Management Committee of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS) undertook a review and modernization of the Society’s Constitution. The aim was to ensure its alignment with principles that foster inclusivity of Indigenous peoples in the development and implementation of relevant research projects impacting their communities. Additionally, a dynamic repository of guidelines and resources was compiled. These resources are designed to assist plant pathologists, while respecting and not superseding the guidance provided by local Indigenous researchers, practitioners, and advisors. The collective efforts of plant pathologists hold immense potential in championing Indigenous Peoples and their rights, steering the field toward a more inclusive and equitable future. This paper builds upon the thesis presented in the APPS Presidential Address at the Biennial APPS Conference in 2021, held virtually in lutruwita (Tasmania) on the unceded lands of the Palawa people. It underscores the potential impact when plant pathologists unite in advocating for Indigenous Peoples and their rightful place within the field.fals

Partial characterization of two aphid-transmitted viruses associated with yellow leafspot of Spiraea

Two previously undescribed viruses were associated with a yellow leafspot disease of spiraea (Spiraea spp.) in the midwestern USA. The first virus, named spiraea leafspot virus (SLSV) is a badnavirus which has a 7.4 kb dsDNA genome and resembles other badnaviruses in particle and genome properties, but is unusual in being transmitted by an aphid (Aphis spiraecola) rather than by mealybugs. The second virus, which is also transmitted by A. spiraecola, has spherical 30-35 nm particles containing a 7.2 kb ds RNA genome. This virus was named spiraea leafspot spherical virus (SLSSV). In particle morphology and genome type SLSSV resembles some members of the family Totiviridae, none of which have been reported to infect plants or higher organisms. In the majority of cases SLSV and SLSSV occurred in mixed infections. Early-season symptoms were associated with the presence of SLSSV and absence of SLSV, whereas late-season symptoms were associated with the presence of SLSV and absence or greatly reduced levels of SLSSV

Rational design of a survey protocol for avocado sunblotch viroid in commercial orchards to demonstrate pest freedom.

Acknowledgements: We thank the anonymous avocado grower in South-east Queensland for practical support and engagement. We also thank the anonymous avocado grower in Mpumalanga, South Africa, for allowing access to orchards under their management and Lebogang Motaung and Ayanda Msweli for technical assistance in the laboratory. We thank Dr Alison Scott-Brown for assistance with literature retrieval and support with the final editing process and acknowledge the helpful comments given by the Editor and the two anonymous reviewers on an earlier version of this manuscript.Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) is a subcellular pathogen of avocado that reduces yield from a tree, diminishes the appearance of the fruit by causing unsightly scarring and impedes trade because of quarantine conditions that are imposed to prevent spread of the pathogen via seed-borne inoculum. For countries where ASBVd is officially reported, permission to export fruit to another country may only be granted if an orchard can be demonstrated to be a pest free production site. The survey requirements to demonstrate pest freedom are usually defined in export protocols that have been mutually agreed upon by the trading partners. In this paper, we introduce a flexible statistical protocol for use in optimizing sampling strategies to establish pest free status from ASBVd in avocado orchards. The protocol, which is supported by an interactive app, integrates statistical considerations of multistage sampling of trees in orchards with a RT-qPCR assay allowing for detection of infection in pooled samples of leaves taken from multiple trees. While this study was motivated by a need to design a survey protocol for ASBVd, the theoretical framework and the accompanying app have broader applicability to a range of plant pathogens in which hierarchical sampling of a target population is coupled with pooling of material prior to diagnosis

Why a Strategic Shift in Action Is Needed to Recognise and Empower Indigenous Plant Pathology Knowledge and Research

Plant pathology researchers play a pivotal role in thought leadership and its translation to action regarding the recognition and demonstration of the value of Indigenous knowledge and science. For many scientists, navigating the space of Indigenous rights and perspectives is challenging. In pursuit of a cultural shift in research and development within the field of plant pathology, the 2019–2021 Management Committee of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS) undertook a review and modernization of the Society’s Constitution. The aim was to ensure its alignment with principles that foster inclusivity of Indigenous peoples in the development and implementation of relevant research projects impacting their communities. Additionally, a dynamic repository of guidelines and resources was compiled. These resources are designed to assist plant pathologists, while respecting and not superseding the guidance provided by local Indigenous researchers, practitioners, and advisors. The collective efforts of plant pathologists hold immense potential in championing Indigenous Peoples and their rights, steering the field toward a more inclusive and equitable future. This paper builds upon the thesis presented in the APPS Presidential Address at the Biennial APPS Conference in 2021, held virtually in lutruwita (Tasmania) on the unceded lands of the Palawa people. It underscores the potential impact when plant pathologists unite in advocating for Indigenous Peoples and their rightful place within the field