Protecting tomato crops from Fusarium wilt through the efficient application of new genetic resources. The tomato industry is a major horticultural industry in Australia, and Queensland is the major producer of tomatoes for the fresh food market. In Queensland, the tomato industry has expanded in the face of the threat that Fusarium wilt could re-emerge as a major disease problem. This research will ensure that measures can be taken quickly and efficiently to protect existing genetic resources u ....Protecting tomato crops from Fusarium wilt through the efficient application of new genetic resources. The tomato industry is a major horticultural industry in Australia, and Queensland is the major producer of tomatoes for the fresh food market. In Queensland, the tomato industry has expanded in the face of the threat that Fusarium wilt could re-emerge as a major disease problem. This research will ensure that measures can be taken quickly and efficiently to protect existing genetic resources used to control Fusarium wilt. It will also improve our knowledge about the mechanisms plants use to defend themselves against Fusarium wilt diseases.Read moreRead less
Practical application of gene silencing: is delivery of long double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) by plant cells efficient in conferring host resistance to parasitic nematodes? Nematode that attack plants cause $120 billion of crop losses worldwide. Chemicals used for their control are being phased out because of environmental concerns, and natural resistance is limited. The aim of this project is to use Australian IP to develop a new form of resistance to nematodes based on knowledge of th ....Practical application of gene silencing: is delivery of long double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) by plant cells efficient in conferring host resistance to parasitic nematodes? Nematode that attack plants cause $120 billion of crop losses worldwide. Chemicals used for their control are being phased out because of environmental concerns, and natural resistance is limited. The aim of this project is to use Australian IP to develop a new form of resistance to nematodes based on knowledge of the host-pathogen interactions. A successful outcome could contribute an additional 5-20% increase in crop yields (depending on the crop) through inherent resistance of crops to nematode pests. This would benefit rural communities and the national economy, and could also generate international royalties.Read moreRead less
Role of soil factors and transmission on propagation material of fungal pathogens in the severity of strawberry crown and root disorders. Through identification of the pathogen complexes associated with root and crown disorders, their impacts, understanding the influences of environmental conditions and rotational species, knowing the sources of major pathogens, and identification of varietal resistances to the pathogens, this project will provide a unique opportunity for growers to better manag ....Role of soil factors and transmission on propagation material of fungal pathogens in the severity of strawberry crown and root disorders. Through identification of the pathogen complexes associated with root and crown disorders, their impacts, understanding the influences of environmental conditions and rotational species, knowing the sources of major pathogens, and identification of varietal resistances to the pathogens, this project will provide a unique opportunity for growers to better manage such disorders of strawberries occurring across southern Australia. Benefits include prevention of severe losses in strawberries, making strawberry production and exports more viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly, addressing the National Research Priority 'An Environmentally Sustainable Australia' and the Priority Goal of 'Transforming existing industries".Read moreRead less
Field based molecular diagnostics for identification of plant parasitic nematodes. Nematodes are economically important pests of many agricultural and commercially grown plants. We have shown 'proof-of-concept' that plant parasitic nematodes can be identified by protein profiling using MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. In this project advanced techniques of proteomics and associated bioinformatics will be used to identify, isolate and characterise proteins that are specific to economically important ....Field based molecular diagnostics for identification of plant parasitic nematodes. Nematodes are economically important pests of many agricultural and commercially grown plants. We have shown 'proof-of-concept' that plant parasitic nematodes can be identified by protein profiling using MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. In this project advanced techniques of proteomics and associated bioinformatics will be used to identify, isolate and characterise proteins that are specific to economically important nematode species and races, and to identify diagnostic proteins or epitopes. The diagnostic proteins will be used to generate specific monoclonal antibodies that will be incorporated into immunochemical 'Lateral Flow' devices. These will provide on-site tests to identify nematodes for growers and quarantine services. Read moreRead less
Combinatorial controlled gene expression delivering crops resistant to nematodes. Root-knot nematodes cause US$130 billion crop losses worldwide pa, and at least AUS$ 450 pa in Australia. Current control methods involve fumigation, chemicals (mainly carbamates and organophosphates), natural plant resistance and biological control. The fumigants (eg methyl bromide) are being phased out because they damage the ozone layer, most of the non-fumigants are being banned because of environmental damag ....Combinatorial controlled gene expression delivering crops resistant to nematodes. Root-knot nematodes cause US$130 billion crop losses worldwide pa, and at least AUS$ 450 pa in Australia. Current control methods involve fumigation, chemicals (mainly carbamates and organophosphates), natural plant resistance and biological control. The fumigants (eg methyl bromide) are being phased out because they damage the ozone layer, most of the non-fumigants are being banned because of environmental damage and persistence in groundwater, and biological control has had limited success. These problems are addressed in this project with development of synthetic plant resistance to nematodes, which will benefit horticultural and broadacre farming by reducing pathogen losses and improving quality.Read moreRead less
Feasting on protein? Strategies of organic nitrogen acquisition by plant roots. Crops require large amounts of nitrogen for growth. Application of nitrogen fertiliser enhances yield, but causes off-site nitrogen pollution, a main threat to ecosystem integrity. Most nitrogen in soil occurs as organic complexes that are broken down by soil organism into small compounds, which are taken up roots or lost from the soil. This project will generate fundamental knowledge of how an Australian species and ....Feasting on protein? Strategies of organic nitrogen acquisition by plant roots. Crops require large amounts of nitrogen for growth. Application of nitrogen fertiliser enhances yield, but causes off-site nitrogen pollution, a main threat to ecosystem integrity. Most nitrogen in soil occurs as organic complexes that are broken down by soil organism into small compounds, which are taken up roots or lost from the soil. This project will generate fundamental knowledge of how an Australian species and a crop species with unusual root specialisations access soil organic nitrogen, thus increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use and reducing nitrogen loss. The research employs cutting-edge techniques for sustainable resource use, improved efficiency of crops and farming systems, and preservation of Australia's biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology of Phoma spp. complex and other foliar pathogens affecting pyrethrum. We will quantify the spectrum of fungal plant pathogens found on pyrethrum (Tanacetum cineariifolium L.) foliage and their relative impact on yield and pyrethrin assay. For those fungi having a significant impact on production (such as Phoma ligulicola) we will conduct detailed epidemiological studies to determine how disease levels change with environmental parameters and geographical factors. This study will a ....Epidemiology of Phoma spp. complex and other foliar pathogens affecting pyrethrum. We will quantify the spectrum of fungal plant pathogens found on pyrethrum (Tanacetum cineariifolium L.) foliage and their relative impact on yield and pyrethrin assay. For those fungi having a significant impact on production (such as Phoma ligulicola) we will conduct detailed epidemiological studies to determine how disease levels change with environmental parameters and geographical factors. This study will adapt radiometric technology for disease assessment in pyrethrum, and develop predictive models for disease development based on environmental conditions and furthermore, assess the effect of simulated climate change events on disease severity in the future.Read moreRead less
Towards a durable management strategy for ray blight in Tasmanian pyrethrum crops. This project will take a multi-factorial approach to the identification of edaphic factors and their collinearity for the prediction of foliar disease caused by the fungus, Phoma ligulicola in Tasmanian pyrethrum crops. This will allow implementation of a decision support system whereby disease management options may be weighed against site specific risk. Alternative management strategies to the current fungicid ....Towards a durable management strategy for ray blight in Tasmanian pyrethrum crops. This project will take a multi-factorial approach to the identification of edaphic factors and their collinearity for the prediction of foliar disease caused by the fungus, Phoma ligulicola in Tasmanian pyrethrum crops. This will allow implementation of a decision support system whereby disease management options may be weighed against site specific risk. Alternative management strategies to the current fungicide based system for control will also be assessed for their efficacy and role in mitigating site risk. The effect of cultural control methods such as cultivar mixtures and host resistance will be modelled on the spatio-temporal characteristics of the epidemic and compared to these in naturally occurring epidemics at specific sites.Read moreRead less
The role of plant hormones in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. The vast majority of plant species can form a beneficial symbiosis with specialised soil fungi, an association that can enhance the uptake of nutrients from the soil, improve tolerance to drought and disease and minimise soil erosion. An understanding of how plants establish and regulate this important symbiosis has the potential to contribute to the development of productive and sustainable farming systems by making efficient use o ....The role of plant hormones in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. The vast majority of plant species can form a beneficial symbiosis with specialised soil fungi, an association that can enhance the uptake of nutrients from the soil, improve tolerance to drought and disease and minimise soil erosion. An understanding of how plants establish and regulate this important symbiosis has the potential to contribute to the development of productive and sustainable farming systems by making efficient use of the limited water resources, reducing soil erosion, reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilisers and producing more nutritious fruits, vegetables and grains.Read moreRead less
Molecular tools for controlling pathogenic viruses in the seed potato industry. In this project, molecular diagnostic tools will be generated that will improve the ability of testing laboratories to deliver cost-effective virus diagnostic services to seed potato certification authorities in Australia. There will be economic benefits from increased yields of fresh and processing potatoes, higher prices in domestic and export markets, expansion of current and development of new markets, and licen ....Molecular tools for controlling pathogenic viruses in the seed potato industry. In this project, molecular diagnostic tools will be generated that will improve the ability of testing laboratories to deliver cost-effective virus diagnostic services to seed potato certification authorities in Australia. There will be economic benefits from increased yields of fresh and processing potatoes, higher prices in domestic and export markets, expansion of current and development of new markets, and licensing of tests. There will also be economic and social returns to the broader rural community by better management and control of virus pathogens, and less reliance on environmentally undesirable chemical control measures. The project will provide expert training of two PhD students in practical and molecular plant virology. Read moreRead less