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Plant pests and diseases can have a major impact on the operation of botanic gardens and the conservation of plants more broadly. Botanic Gardens of Sydney have a wide range of strategic initiatives to manage biosecurity to ensure existing problems are managed, new incursions prevented, and that pests and diseases do not spread from our gardens. Action on the conservation of plant species threatened by exotic pests and diseases also requires integrated inter-disciplinary science to manage these threats that includes conservation horticulture, seed banking and cryopreservation, genomics and disease detection and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia's unique flora has evolved in isolation from many of the world's major plant pathogens. As these pathogens have made their way into Australia, their impact on plant species and communities has been dramatic. Two plant diseases, Phytophthora root rot and myrtle rust, are used as examples to illustrate the impact diseases can have on individual species, on plant communities, and on the species that depend on those plants. Botanic gardens have a key role to play in protecting plants and enhancing conservation outcomes through surveillance, education, and ex situ conservation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Royal National Park, Australia's oldest national park, is a significant reserve for conservation of the flora and fauna that are characteristic of the Hawkesbury Sandstone in New South Wales. Since at least 1974, Phytophthora Root Rot (caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi) has been known to occur in the Park, but there is no knowledge of the extent of infestation or the potential impacts of the disease within the Park. This study investigated the distribution of the pathogen within Royal National Park at two scales: a systematic survey by vegetation type, and a targeted survey of populations of Waratah and Spear Grass-tree. These two species are known to be susceptible to Phytophthora Root Rot and are therefore potential indicators of the impact of the pathogen on vegetation in Royal National Park. Phytophthora cinnamomi was recovered from all vegetation types sampled but most commonly in heathland/open scrub vegetation. The pathogen was easily recovered from sites containing Spear Grass-tree, but was not isolated from any sites containing Waratah. Because of the widespread distribution of P. cinnamomi, we conclude that hygiene measures will be of little use to prevent the spread of the pathogen within Royal National Park. Monitoring of the occurrence and spread of disease symptoms in plants and applying phosphite to protect susceptible rare or threatened flora may be the most appropriate management options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]