Avocado Sunblotch Viroid Survey

This investment is surveying for avocado sunblotch viroid in growing regions across Australia, to provide evidence to support declarations of regional or national freedom from the pathogen. A declaration of ‘pest freedom’ whether at a farm, region or national level will facilitate export to countries that have their own domestic industry and may be concerned about the introduction of avocado sunblotch viroid. Understanding any current distribution of the viroid will also allow a better assessment of the risk of importing avocados to Australia from countries where the pathogen is common.