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
Breeding for improved Australian hop varieties by induced mutations. Hop (Humulus lupulus) plants are vital to the brewing industry. Their main commercial products are alpha-acids and oils, which contribute to the bitter taste and aroma of beer. Hops possess different alpha-acids, including humulone (desirable) and cohumulone (non-desirable), and different oils, including humulene (desirable). Recently, beta-acids have been identified as useful compounds for emerging markets. Induced mutagen ....Breeding for improved Australian hop varieties by induced mutations. Hop (Humulus lupulus) plants are vital to the brewing industry. Their main commercial products are alpha-acids and oils, which contribute to the bitter taste and aroma of beer. Hops possess different alpha-acids, including humulone (desirable) and cohumulone (non-desirable), and different oils, including humulene (desirable). Recently, beta-acids have been identified as useful compounds for emerging markets. Induced mutagenesis will be used to alter the genetic make-up of hops, to obtain varieties with: (i) higher humulone; (ii) lower cohumulone; (iii) higher humulene; and (iv) higher beta-acids. This research will greatly assist the Australian hop industry by short-cutting traditional breeding performed by crossing.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
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
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
High Oxidation State and Related Chemistry of Organic Compounds of Palladium. Palladium is able to form compounds containing palladium-carbon bonds, and compounds of this type occur in applications such as synthesis of organic compounds. The fundamental chemistry of this class of palladium compound is to be explored, in particular for the oxidation state +IV for palladium and with a focus on reactions that are relevant to processes occurring in organic synthesis applications. Particular emphas ....High Oxidation State and Related Chemistry of Organic Compounds of Palladium. Palladium is able to form compounds containing palladium-carbon bonds, and compounds of this type occur in applications such as synthesis of organic compounds. The fundamental chemistry of this class of palladium compound is to be explored, in particular for the oxidation state +IV for palladium and with a focus on reactions that are relevant to processes occurring in organic synthesis applications. Particular emphasis is placed on chemistry involving phosphorus compounds and unsaturated organic groups bonded to palladium, and on compounds containing groups that are able to join together to depart from palladium as organic compounds containing carbon-oxygen bonds.Read moreRead less
New Directions in Alkynylpalladium and Platinum Chemistry. Reactions involving palladium or platinum compounds with organic reagents are important for the synthesis of new materials and organic molecules, including pharmaceuticals. This research program will provide a better understanding of applications involving these metals, together with advances in fundamental chemistry of wide general interest at an international level, and high quality research training in an area essential for the conti ....New Directions in Alkynylpalladium and Platinum Chemistry. Reactions involving palladium or platinum compounds with organic reagents are important for the synthesis of new materials and organic molecules, including pharmaceuticals. This research program will provide a better understanding of applications involving these metals, together with advances in fundamental chemistry of wide general interest at an international level, and high quality research training in an area essential for the continued development of modern chemical and related industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100075
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,000.00
Summary
Acoustic liquid handling robotics for bioactive compound discovery. This project aims to use a Labcyte Echo 550 acoustic dispenser with Combination Software to deliver sophisticated assay-ready screening. The Echo is the only liquid handling dispenser for 1536-well microplates and will allow Australian researchers to develop assay miniaturisation. The robotics will provide our nation’s researchers with a distinct competitive edge by enhancing assay sophistication, accuracy and reproducibility wh ....Acoustic liquid handling robotics for bioactive compound discovery. This project aims to use a Labcyte Echo 550 acoustic dispenser with Combination Software to deliver sophisticated assay-ready screening. The Echo is the only liquid handling dispenser for 1536-well microplates and will allow Australian researchers to develop assay miniaturisation. The robotics will provide our nation’s researchers with a distinct competitive edge by enhancing assay sophistication, accuracy and reproducibility while reducing cost. The expected benefits will advance the elucidation of molecular mechanisms involved in complex biological phenomena. The benefits of this are substantial, including reduction in test compound and reagents, which in turn reduces laboratory costs, conserves cells and increases data quality.Read moreRead less
Integrated biological control of Sclerotinia minor root rot of pyrethrum crops. Tasmania is a major global supplier of natural pyrethrum, producing 25% of the world's requirements. However the industry has a major problem with Sclerotinia minor, current chemical treatment being expensive and providing limited effectiveness. The aim of this project is to develop long term integrated control measures for this disease, particularly by the application of biological control agents targeting S. minor ....Integrated biological control of Sclerotinia minor root rot of pyrethrum crops. Tasmania is a major global supplier of natural pyrethrum, producing 25% of the world's requirements. However the industry has a major problem with Sclerotinia minor, current chemical treatment being expensive and providing limited effectiveness. The aim of this project is to develop long term integrated control measures for this disease, particularly by the application of biological control agents targeting S. minor at planting. It will also examine possible break-crops biocidal to the fungus, and other integrated control measures. The significance/outcomes will be improved crop productivity to the industry, improved competitiveness with overseas producers and reduced dependence on chemical pesticides.Read moreRead less