APRIL 2025 - PREPAREDNESS IN FOCUS: WATCH MIA NOVAKOVIC’S ONLINE PRESENTATION ON CLSO AND TPP PREPAREDNESS
Australia’s potato industry is taking proactive steps to prepare for potential incursions of Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) and the associated bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso). At the forefront of this effort is AuSPICA, supporting industry readiness through surveillance, diagnostics, and knowledge sharing.
As part of this commitment, AuSPICA certification officer Mia Novakovic is to deliver a highly practical and informative session through PotatoLink, focusing on the visual identification of CLso symptoms in seed and commercial potato crops.
Details of the online presentation—Thursday DETAILS
This session is essential viewing for:
- Growers and agronomists seeking to recognise early signs of CLso in foliage and tubers
- Seed producers looking to understand how TPP and CLso could affect certification and trade
- Biosecurity officers and researchers involved in pest preparedness and industry response
“Preparedness starts with awareness,” said Mia. “By knowing what to look for, we can strengthen our early detection systems and protect Australia’s pest-free status.” Importantly CLso is not known to occur in Australia however the detection of TPP prompts us to be proactive in being prepared to known the symptoms in the field”
Why This Matters: In 2024, TPP was detected in Victoria, raising the national profile of this exotic pest. While TPP is already present in Western Australia, its spread increases the risk of CLso introduction—a serious bacterial pathogen not currently found in Australia. CLso causes zebra chip disease, leading to major yield loss, tuber damage, and potential trade impacts.
To help manage this risk, AuSPICA has:
- Developed DNA-based diagnostic tools for TPP and other insect vectors
- Integrated vector screening into the seed certification process
- Provided training to certification officers on disease symptom recognition and sample collection
🎥 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of AuSPICA’s leading field experts.
🔍 Gain practical tools, insights, and the confidence to detect early signs of exotic disease threats.
With the right knowledge and tools, we can stay ahead of the risk. Watch, learn, and be prepared—because seed health starts with awareness.
