In touch with the environment: dissecting early tactile responses in plants. This project aims to identify the regulatory mechanisms that control touch-responses in plants. Although plants cannot relocate in the face of danger, they are able to sense mechanical manipulations from the environment. These could be caused by pathogens, herbivores, rain or even wind. This touch-responsiveness of plants is essential for pathogen resistance and for triggering architectural changes to overcome obstacles ....In touch with the environment: dissecting early tactile responses in plants. This project aims to identify the regulatory mechanisms that control touch-responses in plants. Although plants cannot relocate in the face of danger, they are able to sense mechanical manipulations from the environment. These could be caused by pathogens, herbivores, rain or even wind. This touch-responsiveness of plants is essential for pathogen resistance and for triggering architectural changes to overcome obstacles and prevent mechanical damage. Using a comprehensive tool set of genetics, genomics and proteomics, this project aims to identify the upstream regulators that control touch responses. Furthermore, it is expected to expand our understanding of the physiological impacts of touch-responses on growth and stress tolerance.Read moreRead less
The Potential of the Fungicide Phosphite to Control the Autonomous Spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Natural and Rehabilitated Ecosystems. Phytophthora cinnamomi is recognised by the Federal Government as a key threatening process to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance the existing methodologies and protocols to improve the effectiveness and persistence of phosphite to reduce or contain the autonomous spread of this pathogen through susceptible and threatened plant communities. ....The Potential of the Fungicide Phosphite to Control the Autonomous Spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Natural and Rehabilitated Ecosystems. Phytophthora cinnamomi is recognised by the Federal Government as a key threatening process to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance the existing methodologies and protocols to improve the effectiveness and persistence of phosphite to reduce or contain the autonomous spread of this pathogen through susceptible and threatened plant communities. It will provide environmental, mining and land-care organisations with improved techniques to control P. cinnamomi in a range of plant communities and environments associated with mining and natural ecosystems.Read moreRead less
How plants open up: revealing the evolution of stomatal opening mechanisms. This project aims to identify novel and conserved mechanisms that drive the opening of stomata – plant pores that enable CO2 acquisition for photosynthesis. Stomatal movements strongly affect plant productivity and water use efficiency and have profoundly influenced the earth’s climate and terrestrial ecology. This project will address critical gaps in our understanding of how plants open stomata in response to their env ....How plants open up: revealing the evolution of stomatal opening mechanisms. This project aims to identify novel and conserved mechanisms that drive the opening of stomata – plant pores that enable CO2 acquisition for photosynthesis. Stomatal movements strongly affect plant productivity and water use efficiency and have profoundly influenced the earth’s climate and terrestrial ecology. This project will address critical gaps in our understanding of how plants open stomata in response to their environment and the evolutionary history of the genes controlling this fundamental process. A major expected outcome is knowledge of the diversity of stomatal opening pathways, which should ultimately lead to improved predictions of plant responses to environmental change and assist future targeted modification of plant growth.Read moreRead less
Susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi and sensitivity to phosphorus in native Australian plants: why are they linked? Phytophthora cinnamomi is the cause of "Phytophthora dieback", recognised by the Federal Government as a major threat to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance our understanding of interactions between species belonging to two iconic Australian plant families (Proteaceae and Myrtaceae) and this serious threat. This understanding will underpin the development of ....Susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi and sensitivity to phosphorus in native Australian plants: why are they linked? Phytophthora cinnamomi is the cause of "Phytophthora dieback", recognised by the Federal Government as a major threat to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance our understanding of interactions between species belonging to two iconic Australian plant families (Proteaceae and Myrtaceae) and this serious threat. This understanding will underpin the development of new chemicals to be used in combating the pathogen. In addition, it will provide molecular markers for phosphorus insensitivity and Phytophthora resistance that will be vital for Australia's horticultural industry as well as for the successful rehabilitation of minesites in areas suffering from "Phytophthora dieback". Read moreRead less
A novel role for phytochrome in dormancy release inhibition. Seed dormancy contributes to the persistence of weeds in agriculture by enabling seeds to remain viable in the soil for many years, and is a major reason why annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) has become the most economically damaging weed in Australian agriculture. Recently we discovered a new way to control dormancy release and germination in these seeds. This project to identify the changes occurring within the seeds during dormancy r ....A novel role for phytochrome in dormancy release inhibition. Seed dormancy contributes to the persistence of weeds in agriculture by enabling seeds to remain viable in the soil for many years, and is a major reason why annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) has become the most economically damaging weed in Australian agriculture. Recently we discovered a new way to control dormancy release and germination in these seeds. This project to identify the changes occurring within the seeds during dormancy release will underpin our efforts to manipulate emergence timing in order to improve the efficacy of current weed control practices and contribute to sustainable farming systems.Read moreRead less
Eucalyptus gomphocephela (tuart) decline in Western Australia. The decline and death of tuart forest in Western Australia is spectacular, widespread and a significant threat to biodiversity. There is widespread concern and political pressure because of diverse landuse pressures, yet it remains poorly understood and no remedial action is available. This project will attempt to determine the causes by examining predisposing factors (hydrological, salinity, nutrition, fire) and their interaction wi ....Eucalyptus gomphocephela (tuart) decline in Western Australia. The decline and death of tuart forest in Western Australia is spectacular, widespread and a significant threat to biodiversity. There is widespread concern and political pressure because of diverse landuse pressures, yet it remains poorly understood and no remedial action is available. This project will attempt to determine the causes by examining predisposing factors (hydrological, salinity, nutrition, fire) and their interaction with pests and diseases, and the remedial actions necessary. On the basis of these results, propose an action plan so land managers and community groups can arrest and reverse tuart decline.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989782
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,000.00
Summary
A Core Western Australian Cell Sorting Facility - Ultra-Small Objects and Rare Cell Populations. This new generic capacity to rapidly isolate structures smaller than the cell has extraordinarily wide application in the biological sciences. Making this capacity widely accessible through a core facility to the Western Australian research community will generate research outcomes of national and community benefit. Sorting chromosomes to better understand genetic abnormalities and sorting bacteria t ....A Core Western Australian Cell Sorting Facility - Ultra-Small Objects and Rare Cell Populations. This new generic capacity to rapidly isolate structures smaller than the cell has extraordinarily wide application in the biological sciences. Making this capacity widely accessible through a core facility to the Western Australian research community will generate research outcomes of national and community benefit. Sorting chromosomes to better understand genetic abnormalities and sorting bacteria to better understand and reduce bacterial infection will result in improvements in human health. Sorting parasites, bacteria and immune cells will lead to new animal vaccines for parasites and diseases such as bird flu. Sorting marine plankton will lead to more sustainable marine ecosystems and fisheries.Read moreRead less
Discovery of the physiological and molecular modes of action of butenolides in promoting seed germination and vigour in plants. The Australian discovery of butenolides opens up a new scientific frontier and new opportunities for land management, plant conservation and agriculture. Butenolides will be used to promote seed germination and plant growth in land reclamation, in conservation of species, to break dormancy in weeds so that they can be eradicated, and to promote germination and vigour in ....Discovery of the physiological and molecular modes of action of butenolides in promoting seed germination and vigour in plants. The Australian discovery of butenolides opens up a new scientific frontier and new opportunities for land management, plant conservation and agriculture. Butenolides will be used to promote seed germination and plant growth in land reclamation, in conservation of species, to break dormancy in weeds so that they can be eradicated, and to promote germination and vigour in crops. Realising the full potential of butenolides demands that we understand how they work so that creative approaches can be developed that may not even require use of the chemical. Crucially by achieving these aims ahead of international competitors we can ensure that Australia gains maximum benefit.Read moreRead less
Is water deficit the predisposing factor associated with Agonis flexuosa (WA peppermint) decline in Western Australia? The incidence and severity of tree decline across species is now widespread in southern Western Australia. There is increasing concern about their management by agencies, landowners and the community, due to the loss of aesthetics, biodiversity and ecosystem services. This project will provide remote sensing tools to monitor peppermint health and relate declines to abiotic and b ....Is water deficit the predisposing factor associated with Agonis flexuosa (WA peppermint) decline in Western Australia? The incidence and severity of tree decline across species is now widespread in southern Western Australia. There is increasing concern about their management by agencies, landowners and the community, due to the loss of aesthetics, biodiversity and ecosystem services. This project will provide remote sensing tools to monitor peppermint health and relate declines to abiotic and biotic factors. An understanding of how water abstraction for urban development and declining rainfall predispose trees to decline, and the application of thinning regimes, fungicides and nutrient implants will provide potential tools to the wider community that can be used to manage tree health.Read moreRead less
Ecophysiological limitations that affect water and carbon balance within large tree canopies: a comparative investigation. Supply of water to forest canopies is a major control of hydrological, atmospheric and biotic processes that impinge on groundwater stability, catchment yield, the fate of pollutants and plant productivity. Fundamental aspects of water transport and distribution within plant tissues remain obscured by conflicting experimental data and conflicting theoretical models that des ....Ecophysiological limitations that affect water and carbon balance within large tree canopies: a comparative investigation. Supply of water to forest canopies is a major control of hydrological, atmospheric and biotic processes that impinge on groundwater stability, catchment yield, the fate of pollutants and plant productivity. Fundamental aspects of water transport and distribution within plant tissues remain obscured by conflicting experimental data and conflicting theoretical models that describe physiological functioning.
Potential hydraulic constraints to the exchange of water and carbon between leaf and atmosphere require investigation before accurate models and informed decisions can be made with respect to the role of forests in biosphere-atmosphere processes. I will use large trees to investigate physiological and morphological determinants of hydraulic function and consider relationships between tree size, water requirements and water supply.
This project will foster comparative analyses of hydraulic functioning in large angiosperm and conifer species to elucidate universal principles that relate form to function and explain relationships between trees and their environment.
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