Genetic control of flowering in legumes. Flowering in plants is strongly regulated by environmental factors, with important consequences for their natural distribution and use in agriculture. This project will isolate genes, characterize genetic diversity and dissect molecular mechanisms that regulate flowering, contributing to fundamental biology, crop improvement and research training.
The role of phytotoxins in ray blight disease of pyrethrum and significance of toxin tolerance to disease resistance. Ray blight disease, caused by Phoma ligulicola, is the greatest threat to the Australian pyrethrum industry causing $2.0M in annual losses. We aim to clarify the pathology of P.ligulicola in pyrethrum, focussing on the role of fungal toxins during infection. Toxin importance in disease will be determined through histology and induction of toxin- pathogen mutants. Toxins will be ....The role of phytotoxins in ray blight disease of pyrethrum and significance of toxin tolerance to disease resistance. Ray blight disease, caused by Phoma ligulicola, is the greatest threat to the Australian pyrethrum industry causing $2.0M in annual losses. We aim to clarify the pathology of P.ligulicola in pyrethrum, focussing on the role of fungal toxins during infection. Toxin importance in disease will be determined through histology and induction of toxin- pathogen mutants. Toxins will be characterised and used in tissue culture to select obtain toxin tolerant pyrethrum clones that will be evaluated for agronomic performance and disease resistance. Successful development of resistant clones will decrease production costs, minimise risk of fungicide resistance development and reduce environmental pollution.Read moreRead less
Meeting the challenges of Sclerotinia crown rot in a perennial production system - pyrethrum. The Australian pyrethrum industry has undergone rapid growth in the last decade, which has seen it become the second largest producer of natural insecticidal pyrethrins in the world. Current production supplies 60% of the global market, with further expansion planned. Sclerotinia crown rot is a major disease that results in plant death; reducing yields and the life of the perennial crop. This project ....Meeting the challenges of Sclerotinia crown rot in a perennial production system - pyrethrum. The Australian pyrethrum industry has undergone rapid growth in the last decade, which has seen it become the second largest producer of natural insecticidal pyrethrins in the world. Current production supplies 60% of the global market, with further expansion planned. Sclerotinia crown rot is a major disease that results in plant death; reducing yields and the life of the perennial crop. This project aims to develop more cost effective and environmentally sustainable methods of managing this disease. This will help to ensure consistent supply of pyrethrin to the world market, reduce the costs of production and increase the net return to growers.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100443
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,971.00
Summary
Pyrethrum in half the time: genes and systems to annually crop a perennial. The capacity of the Australian pyrethrum industry, the global leader in the supply of the natural insecticide, is threatened by the profitability of the current 18-month crop cycle. The project aims to transform the crop to an annual production cycle by discovering genes that underpin flower timing and yield. The project will generate new knowledge on the genetic and physiological drivers of flowering and exploit these f ....Pyrethrum in half the time: genes and systems to annually crop a perennial. The capacity of the Australian pyrethrum industry, the global leader in the supply of the natural insecticide, is threatened by the profitability of the current 18-month crop cycle. The project aims to transform the crop to an annual production cycle by discovering genes that underpin flower timing and yield. The project will generate new knowledge on the genetic and physiological drivers of flowering and exploit these for the development of viable 10-month crops. Outcomes of the project include new protocols and germplasm for breeding and managing short cycle crops for optimum yield. This will provide significant benefits including an economically attractive crop option for growers and a more sustainable industry. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0345743
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Purchase of a Benchtop Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer. This submission seeks funding to replace the existing 18 year old bench top gas chromatography/mass spectrometry instrument with a modern instrument, so providing the research community with a facility capable of meeting the increasingly more demanding analytical requirements of current research projects. The requested instrument will make a substantive contribution to improving research output. In comparison with th ....Purchase of a Benchtop Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer. This submission seeks funding to replace the existing 18 year old bench top gas chromatography/mass spectrometry instrument with a modern instrument, so providing the research community with a facility capable of meeting the increasingly more demanding analytical requirements of current research projects. The requested instrument will make a substantive contribution to improving research output. In comparison with the existing instrument it will be 2 orders of magnitude more sensitive, enable an additional two forms of ionisation, have the capacity to perform 3 additional types of mass spectrometry experiments and will have manufacturer spares support.Read moreRead less
Molecular tools for understanding, predicting and managing flowering and reproductive development in Brassica oleracea. This project integrates basic research with application to a significant horticultural industry, building on Australia's position as a leader in world research on molecular and genetic regulation of flowering. The project will strengthen Australia's research reputation in this field, provide new tools for cultivar screening in and management of B. oleracea seed crops. The proj ....Molecular tools for understanding, predicting and managing flowering and reproductive development in Brassica oleracea. This project integrates basic research with application to a significant horticultural industry, building on Australia's position as a leader in world research on molecular and genetic regulation of flowering. The project will strengthen Australia's research reputation in this field, provide new tools for cultivar screening in and management of B. oleracea seed crops. The project will deliver training for 3 PhD students at the interface between basic and applied research. A shortage of skilled scientists with ability to link understanding of plant development at the molecular/genetic level with improved crop management practices has been identified by the horticultural sector as a major challenge. Read moreRead less
Development of a risk management system for systemic downy mildew of poppies. Development of a risk management system for systemic downy mildew of poppies. This project aims to identify the critical inoculum sources of systemic downy mildew—a new disease threat to the Australian poppy industry, which produces over half the world’s medicinal opiates. It will assess these sources’ relative importance and interaction with agronomic site factors in epidemics; and also intends to understand the syste ....Development of a risk management system for systemic downy mildew of poppies. Development of a risk management system for systemic downy mildew of poppies. This project aims to identify the critical inoculum sources of systemic downy mildew—a new disease threat to the Australian poppy industry, which produces over half the world’s medicinal opiates. It will assess these sources’ relative importance and interaction with agronomic site factors in epidemics; and also intends to understand the systemic progression in planta, an area poorly understood in all downy mildew pathosystems. The project expects the data will form the basis of a disease risk index tool to educate growers and guide disease management strategies essential to this industry’s long term viability.Read moreRead less
Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) flavoromics for distinctive beer. Hop is the spice of beer, as it provides unique flavour chemicals imparting taste (bitterness) and aroma. With the worldwide rise of craft beer, there is international demand for differentiated beer. The flavour potential of hop has not been fully explored, and the genetic basis of hop chemistry is poorly understood. This project aims to gather flavoromic data through modern analytical chemistry, genomics, molecular genetics and brewing ....Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) flavoromics for distinctive beer. Hop is the spice of beer, as it provides unique flavour chemicals imparting taste (bitterness) and aroma. With the worldwide rise of craft beer, there is international demand for differentiated beer. The flavour potential of hop has not been fully explored, and the genetic basis of hop chemistry is poorly understood. This project aims to gather flavoromic data through modern analytical chemistry, genomics, molecular genetics and brewing in order to better understand the genetic basis of hop chemistry which affects the entire value chain: from hop farm to consumers' experience of beer. The overarching aim of this project is to offer smart breeding strategies leading to novel flavours (taste and aroma) for existing and emerging breweries.Read moreRead less
Manipulating plant root exudation for soil-borne disease control. This project expects to fundamentally advance analysis and manipulation of root exudation, determine influence of rhizosphere microbiota on exudation, molecular responses to resting spore stimulation and to develop novel disease controls. Expected outcomes of this project include the demonstrated potential of novel disease mitigation and student training in innovative approaches to plant pathology and analytical chemistry. This sh ....Manipulating plant root exudation for soil-borne disease control. This project expects to fundamentally advance analysis and manipulation of root exudation, determine influence of rhizosphere microbiota on exudation, molecular responses to resting spore stimulation and to develop novel disease controls. Expected outcomes of this project include the demonstrated potential of novel disease mitigation and student training in innovative approaches to plant pathology and analytical chemistry. This should provide significant benefits, such as effective disease management tools.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC230100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding for Agricultural Futures. This Centre aims to develop the advanced capacity needed to secure Australia’s food and fibre production and export value into the future. Leveraging immense industry support, the Centre expects to develop and integrate cutting-edge plant and animal breeding technologies and deliver world-class training that addresses critical demand for highly skilled industry leaders. Expected outcomes include a future-ready predictive breedi ....ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding for Agricultural Futures. This Centre aims to develop the advanced capacity needed to secure Australia’s food and fibre production and export value into the future. Leveraging immense industry support, the Centre expects to develop and integrate cutting-edge plant and animal breeding technologies and deliver world-class training that addresses critical demand for highly skilled industry leaders. Expected outcomes include a future-ready predictive breeding industry able to transform data into optimised decisions, and the human capacity to drive it. This should provide significant benefits to enhance the sustainability and profitability of all major Australian agriculture sectors, including livestock, grains, horticulture, cotton, wine, dairy, forestry and fisheries.Read moreRead less