Background/context:

The Northern Australian Diagnostics Network (NADN) is an initiative of CRCTPP. Detection, management and control of diseases and pests of horticulture and agriculture fall variously into the realms of many individuals and organisations. This is the first time all the major public sector research and service providers of disease diagnostics across northern Australia have agreed to collaborate to achieve more efficient and effective plant protection. During the life of this CRC we saw the establishment of Plant Health Australia (PHA) as a national body with represents plant industries when it comes to plant health issues. Since many crops are grown in various states in Australia the creation of a national body to represent plant industries was long overdue. Some of the tasks such as prioritising research on pathogens and pests based on their estimated risk profile, coordination of a diagnostic network, standardisation of diagnostic procedures was thus placed on a more solid foundation and finally got a national focus. After creation of PHA we have progressively rolled back the NADN as a vehicle for delivery and coordination and instead have started working with PHA to strongly support a national approach to plant health issues.

 Aim:

The NADN aimed to provide state-of-the-art diagnostics services to northern Australia's plant-based industries. There are two main areas of research in the NADN; genetic diversity, and diagnostics. Both areas are important for effective diagnosis and management of plant diseases.

Major Outcomes:

The Northern Australian Diagnostics Network provided a useful tool for coordinating diagnostics efforts across northern Australia. The network produced a series of diagnostic manuals for pathogens of relevant to northern Australia to national standards, while also playing a key role in digitizing mycological collections in the north and to provide the impetus for a national database of plant pathogens. The NADN no longer exists; although a similar model has been subsumed by Plant Health Australia’s activities in the diagnostics area. The establishment of PHA has allowed us to expand our northern focus to a national one with a solid funding base and strong industry backing. Joint funding between PHA, HAL and our CRC has allowed us to develop industry/government partnerships aimed at maintaining and expanding the diagnostic capability developed by the CRCTPP in banana diseases. PHA and HAL funding allowed the creation of a position for a banana pathologist to ensure that the plant pathology capability is maintained in this area. We now have created a position for a banana diagnostician through an industry/government partnership which funds a joint position between industry and government beyond the life of our CRC.

For more information contact:

Dr André Drenth
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Phone: +61 (0)7 3896 9345
Email: Andre.Drenth@dpi.qld.gov.au