Ministry for Primary Industries

Exploring the Efficacy of Alternative Products to Control Myrtle Rust

Myrtle rust is a serious fungal disease caused by Austropuccinia psidii in the family Myrtaceae. Since its arrival five years ago, myrtle rust is having severe impacts on multiple indigenous (taonga) and important economic species in New Zealand. There is concern that some taonga species may be susceptible to localised extinction with a trajectory towards extinction, species rarity or endangered status. To date, the only way to efficiently manage the disease is using fungicides (agrochemicals). However, some stakeholders avoid the use of fungicides and opt for alternative products which have not had their effectiveness assessed against myrtle rust.
This research is to design and implement research to determine and compare the efficacy of selected alternative products and registered fungicides to control myrtle rust for the most threatened New Zealand indigenous Myrtaceae species and submit a technical report based on findings from the research.

Department/Business Unit: New Zealand Food Safety