Greener antimicrobial agents against myrtle rust

Myrtle rust is a serious fungal disease affecting the myrtle family, such as the iconic pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) and mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) and several economically important plants. Soon after detecting myrtle rust in New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) declared that eradication of this disease was not possible and recommended transition to a long-term management to minimise its spread and impact on New Zealand’s environment and economy. This involves integrating cultural practises such as removal of infected hosts and use of fungicides. However, commercial fungicides recommended by MPI to combat myrtle rust have several drawbacks such as resistance development, phytotoxicity and accumulation as micropollutants.

In an effect to find novel alternatives, the interdisciplinary team led by Dr. Gayan De Zoysa will develop a library of antimicrobial compounds, consisting of natural biopolymers isolated from marine and agricultural biowaste, lipopeptides isolated from soil bacteria and small molecule natural products isolated from New Zealand native plants to tackle myrtle rust. Previous research from the Sarojini group has developed non-phytotoxic and biodegradable antimicrobials against fungi that are less prone to resistance development. The long-term goal of this research is to develop environmentally friendly antimicrobials as alternatives to currently used fungicides against myrtle rust.

About the researcher

Dr. Gayan De Zoysa, Faculty of Science