Australia: Tomato potato psyllid results in soon

Results from a spring surveillance program of the tomato potato psyllid insect pest will soon be available as part of the TPP management plan. The results have the potential to improve market access for West Australian growers if no damaging plant bacteria is detected, a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development statement said. “Trapping is allowing us to test these insects to see if they carry the damaging plant bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum,” department senior research officer Ian Wilkinson said. The statement said if no bacteria was detected when testing was finalised later this month, it could be used in negotiations to improve market access for WA growers across other Australian states and territories. (Source: The West Australian)