Development and adoption of new tools for the surveillance and management of grapevine phylloxera

Grapevine phylloxera is a significant global pest, currently confined to quarantine boundaries in Australia. Preventing its spread and supporting affected growers requires an integrated approach involving surveillance, diagnostics, disinfestation, resilient rootstocks, and knowledge of its ecology in the Australian context. This three-year project aims to deliver cutting-edge tools, technologies, and protocols to achieve these goals. It aims to deliver: - A National Phylloxera Management Protocol (NPMP) which is updated with improved methods - New validated quarantine disinfestation protocols for complex vineyard machinery - New knowledge on susceptibility status of key commercial rootstocks to phylloxera strains and improved methods for screening resilient rootstocks - New tools and spatial analytics for phylloxera surveillance and diagnostics at scale - A revised National Diagnostics Protocol (NDP) for phylloxera that can distinguish key genotypes - Advanced genomic research to better understand phylloxera ecology and biology within the Australian context, to support effective management strategies In addition, the project will integrate research findings into practical extension resources and establish pathways for industry adoption. Findings from this and previous work will be provided to key biosecurity committees and relevant organisations, including the phylloxera Project Management Team and the Sub-Committee on Plant Health Diagnostics, to ensure that biosecurity protocols for phylloxera adopted by federal and state agencies are underpinned by the latest research. An Industry Reference Group, led by Wine Australia, will oversee the project, review progress and provide strategic input.