Victorian growers are being urged to implement best practice biosecurity measures, following outbreaks of tomato potato psyllid (TPP) in Western Australia.
Victoria’s chief plant health officer, Gabrielle Vivian-Smith, said there have been no confirmed reports of TPP in Victoria.
‘‘Victoria has imposed restrictions on the importation of any risk material from Western Australia as a precaution,’’ she said.
‘‘The restrictions extend to plant or plant products belonging to the family Convolvulaceae or the family Solanaceae.
‘‘These families include plants such as sweet potatoes, capsicums, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, tamarillos, and chillies.’’
TPP can also transmit a bacterium called CLso (Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum) that is associated with the zebra chip disease in potato.
‘‘The bacterium can also cause stunting, stem death, yellowed leaves and yield losses in capsicums, chillies and tomatoes,’’ Dr Vivian-Smith said.
‘‘The bacterium does not pose a risk to human health and it has not been detected in Victoria. Growers are advised to remain vigilant and to regularly check their crops."
‘‘The recent detections of TPP in Western Australia should serve as a sharp reminder to all growers of the importance of best practice biosecurity protocols."
‘‘Growers and community members are reminded that it is an offence under the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 not to report a suspect TPP outbreak to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline.’’
To report an outbreak contact:
Agriculture Victoria
Tel: +64 1 800 084881 on 136186