Phytophthora species pose a significant biosecurity threat to Australia’s diverse
ecosystems, and plant based industries. Beyond its commercial impact, Phytophthora
infestations compromise the health and resilience of urban forests, parks, and botanic
gardens. Whilst the consequences for natural ecosystems are particularly severe,
leading to long-term landscape degradation, biodiversity loss, and the destruction of
critical habitats.
While over 200 Phytophthora species having been identified globally, only 91 have been
reported in Australia, underscoring the ongoing risk of exotic incursions. This highlights
the urgent need for effective biosecurity strategies, supported by advanced diagnostic
tools, to manage existing threats and prevent new incursions. However, detection
remains prohibitively expensive, leading to insufficient testing and widespread
infestations.
PhytoGuard™, an innovative leachate detection system developed by EcoPath Solutions
Pty Ltd in collaboration with the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, aims to offer a cost-effective
and scalable solution for Phytophthora detection in plants, soil, potting mixes, and
water. The system enables both individual and batch testing, with the capacity to
process hundreds of samples simultaneously. This high-throughput capability makes
PhytoGuardTM particularly valuable for large-scale nursery operations and biosecurity
checkpoints, addressing critical gaps in current surveillance and management
strategies. The role of PhytoGuardTM in Phytophthora management across national parks,
botanic gardens, nurseries, and restoration projects will be explored.