Criterion Estimate Direct consequences Plant life or health Sooty mould colonies form biofilms covering entire leaves or plants blocking sunlight from leaf chloroplasts and reducing the plants energy production by photosynthesis () Reduction of photosynthesis by sooty moulds results in lower growth rates and reduced yields (). Grape berries in an infested bunch do not develop normally and are shrivelled (). Capnodium species are the most commonly found sooty moulds in gardens and landscapes. Sooty moulds appear to show no preference for a particular host or plant and can occur on both wild and cultivated plants (). Any other aspects of the environment There are no known direct consequences of this pathogen on the natural environment. Indirect consequences Eradication, control etc. First step in the control of sooty mould colonies is to rinse any sticky surfaces with a jet of water to wash off honeydew before the mould can grow (). Sooty moulds are indirectly controlled by reducing the population of sucking insects that excrete honeydew. Ant management is an important consideration to halt development of sooty moulds. Ants are attracted to and use honeydew as a food source they will protect honeydew producing insects from predators in order to harvest honeydew (). Domestic trade Bunches with berries coated in sooty mould are unsightly, resulting in loss of market value due to cosmetic damage, are poor in quality and unfit for human consumption (). Sooty mould is known to be in eastern Australia and it is unlikely that domestic trade would be restricted if this pathogen was to be introduced. International trade It is unlikely that restrictions would be applied to international trade. Environment, including rural and Where there has been a large number of plant regional economic
Criterion Estimate Direct consequences Plant life or health Sooty mould colonies form biofilms covering entire leaves or plants blocking sunlight from leaf chloroplasts and reducing the plants energy production by photosynthesis () Reduction of photosynthesis by sooty moulds results in lower growth rates and reduced yields (). Grape berries in an infested bunch do not develop normally and are shrivelled (). Capnodium species are the most commonly found sooty moulds in gardens and landscapes. Sooty moulds appear to show no preference for a particular host or plant and can occur on both wild and cultivated plants (). Any other aspects of the environment There are no known direct consequences of this pathogen on the natural environment. Indirect consequences Eradication, control etc. First step in the control of sooty mould colonies is to rinse any sticky surfaces with a jet of water to wash off honeydew before the mould can grow (). Sooty moulds are indirectly controlled by reducing the population of sucking insects that excrete honeydew. Ant management is an important consideration to halt development of sooty moulds. Ants are attracted to and use honeydew as a food source they will protect honeydew producing insects from predators in order to harvest honeydew (). Domestic trade Bunches with berries coated in sooty mould are unsightly, resulting in loss of market value due to cosmetic damage, are poor in quality and unfit for human consumption (). Sooty mould is known to be in eastern Australia and it is unlikely that domestic trade would be restricted if this pathogen was to be introduced. International trade It is unlikely that restrictions would be applied to international trade. Environment, including rural and regional economic Where there has been a large number of plant
Final%20policy%20review%20-%20Fresh%20table%20grape%20bunches%20%28Vitis%20spp.%29%20imported%20into%20Western%20Australia%20from%20other%20states%20and%20territories%20%5Bword%5D.docx