2167 Applied Masters Project Assignment 2026 | UCB

2167 Applied Master's Project Assignment

1. BIO537 Plant Biosecurity: Detection and Diagnostics (S1, 2026)
2. Assignments
3. Assignment Two - Triage Diagnosis

Assignment Two-Triage Diagnosis

The purpose of this assignment is to give you an appreciation of the complexity of triage diagnostics. Experience in this field comes from obtaining skills through observation and asking questions; it can take many years to become a good triage diagnostician. The insight you gain from your assessment of the problems presented will enable you to understand the limitations of these types of diagnoses and the need for experienced diagnosticians in plant biosecurity.

Objectives

• Introduction to triage diagnostics,
• Familiarity with the difficulties and limitations of triage diagnostics.

Outcomes

• Experience in preliminary assessment of possible pest problems,
• Training in the collection of relevant crop/environment information,
• Interpretation of information and images to make triage diagnoses.

Expectations

In this assignment, you are expected to conduct the following activities:

• View some images of potential pest problems,
• Ask questions regarding each of the problems,
• Collect relevant information to assist in your triage diagnosis,
• Write up the results in the form of a short report.

1. Potential Pest Problems

Problem 1 - Spotty Apples. 

Submitted by a member of the general public, observed on a tree in their garden. The tree is fertilised twice yearly, and watered twice weekly (due to water restrictions). 

Problem 2 - Chickpea Lesions

Submitted to you by a concerned grower with the following information: “The variety is Genesis 090. I noted about 2 weeks ago the development of some stem lesions, but they didn’t seem to be having an impact. I chose at that stage to allow the plant's immunity to do the work. I inspected the paddock again today and noted that the lesions were getting worse. I contacted Elders to ask what fungicide would be most suitable. They suggested that I send through some photos and plant samples to get a positive ID. Can you please have a look at the photos and let me know what you think? The paddock has never, to my knowledge, had chickpeas grown on it, and the nearest crop in recent history is about 500m to the south”. Observation under a microscope indicates the stem discolouration is superficial on the epidermal layer, and internal stems appear healthy.  There is tip death and distortion of small stems and leaflets, and the dying back of some of these small stems.

Problem 3 - Unknown insects on vegetable crops.

This problem has been reported by a market gardener. He is concerned that they may affect his export lettuce crop.

Problem 4 - Roses with leaf scorch.  

Your neighbour knows you work in plant biosecurity and has asked you to take a look at her standard  Iceberg rose that she thinks may have an exotic disease.  Can you help her?

2. Ask Questions

Using the online discussion forum, you should ask questions regarding each of the above problems. You may ask any questions that you feel might be relevant. Discuss amongst yourselves the likely causes of the problems, as this is what diagnosticians would do in the 'real world' - compare notes and share experiences.

Please be polite in your responses to other students – any inappropriate comments will be removed.

3. Collect Information

You may use as many sources as you feel are necessary to assist you in diagnosing the potential pest problems. All published (including web-based) sources must be correctly referenced at the end of your report. Any information from the "grower" may be referred to as a ‘personal communication’. For example, the citrus trees receive 20L of water per day (grower X, pers. comm.).

4. Write up your report

You will need to submit each diagnosis in the form of a one-page report that you would present to a diagnostician to confirm your preliminary diagnosis. The report should be short and succinct, no more than 250 words. You should do this for each potential pest problem. Each report should contain your preliminary diagnosis and the reasons for this diagnosis, including all relevant information that you used (e.g., information you collected from the grower, access to published material, etc). Please use the .doc format.

Make sure that you include all references used, as the diagnostician may need to refer back to them. You can select the referencing scheme, but please be consistent. Please DO NOT just use Google and cite websites; you must learn how to use the library database to find your references.

You will be assessed on 1) the basis of your questioning, 2) the information you chose to assist you, 3) the reasons why you made your diagnoses and 4) the format and clarity of your reports. Marks will not be deducted for incorrect diagnoses.

Submission status

Grading Criteria

Questions Asked
Maximum score
5

Diagnostic Information
Maximum score
5

Reasoning
Maximum score
5

Format/Clarity of Report
Maximum score
5

Referencing
Maximum score
5