Life hanging on a thread; disrupting the structure and function of lepidopteran silking behaviour. The production and use of silk by many invertebrates is vital for their survival. We develop a means of visualising and understanding the role of silking behaviour as a survival mechanism for Helicoverpa larvae (a key world-wide pest) with a view to disrupting silking. This novel project allows us to understand not just where larvae go but what they do along the way. The project outcomes will have ....Life hanging on a thread; disrupting the structure and function of lepidopteran silking behaviour. The production and use of silk by many invertebrates is vital for their survival. We develop a means of visualising and understanding the role of silking behaviour as a survival mechanism for Helicoverpa larvae (a key world-wide pest) with a view to disrupting silking. This novel project allows us to understand not just where larvae go but what they do along the way. The project outcomes will have wide application to the study and control of lepidopteran pests in natural and agricultural ecosystems and is of interest to applied and fundamental projects associated with insect pest control, behaviour and ecology.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
Defining the evolutionary processes of resistance to the new mode of action herbicide, pyroxasulfone. The sustainability of the Australin grains industry is threatened by the continuing evolution and widespread expansion of herbicide resistant weed populations across the crop production regions. The resulting loss in herbicide efficacy is forcing producers away from the environmentally friendly practices of stubble retention and reduced tillage in an effort to control herbicide resistant weed po ....Defining the evolutionary processes of resistance to the new mode of action herbicide, pyroxasulfone. The sustainability of the Australin grains industry is threatened by the continuing evolution and widespread expansion of herbicide resistant weed populations across the crop production regions. The resulting loss in herbicide efficacy is forcing producers away from the environmentally friendly practices of stubble retention and reduced tillage in an effort to control herbicide resistant weed populations. This research is aimed at conserving a novel mode of action herbicide with efficacy on resistant Lolium rigidum populations. The success of this project will inevitably lead the pesticide industry to adopt this approach for future product development. Read moreRead less
Plant Mitochondrial Signalling and Regulation. Plant energy production is essential for successful growth and development and is essential for processes such as seedling establishment and germination. This research project intends to expand our understanding of energy regulation within the plant using advanced technologies. Such studies can provide direct benefits to the Australian agriculture community through novel targets for genetic improvements. The capacity to create such advantages is eco ....Plant Mitochondrial Signalling and Regulation. Plant energy production is essential for successful growth and development and is essential for processes such as seedling establishment and germination. This research project intends to expand our understanding of energy regulation within the plant using advanced technologies. Such studies can provide direct benefits to the Australian agriculture community through novel targets for genetic improvements. The capacity to create such advantages is economically vital for the industry and the development of such expertise within Australia will ensure we are well placed to exploit future advances in agricultural improvements and provide the capacity to further generate novel biotechnological applications.Read moreRead less
Collaborative planning support tools for optimising farming systems (CPSTOF). What you know about what you can grow is becoming a key issue in farm management. Better guidance on alternative land cropping systems that can be grown to optimise farm productivity is needed. Micro-level land classes maps have been identified hby AgWA, farmers and regional development and community groups as an urgent need to enable them to design resilient and diversified farming systems. To this end, we propose ....Collaborative planning support tools for optimising farming systems (CPSTOF). What you know about what you can grow is becoming a key issue in farm management. Better guidance on alternative land cropping systems that can be grown to optimise farm productivity is needed. Micro-level land classes maps have been identified hby AgWA, farmers and regional development and community groups as an urgent need to enable them to design resilient and diversified farming systems. To this end, we propose integrating high resolution digital multispectral images, GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis techniques to help farmers use input appropriate to the productive capacity of their paddocks and to elaborate sound farm planning based on the potential of the land for specific land uses.Read moreRead less
Gene identification and genetic marker analysis of herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum. Herbicide resistance threatens the vibrant, export-focused Australian cropping industry and environmental sustainability. The Australian herbicide resistance problem is far greater than elsewhere in the world. Herbicide resistance must be avoided, managed and reversed to ensure profitable agriculture and an environmentally sustainable landscape. This research will contribute to the national wealth through ....Gene identification and genetic marker analysis of herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum. Herbicide resistance threatens the vibrant, export-focused Australian cropping industry and environmental sustainability. The Australian herbicide resistance problem is far greater than elsewhere in the world. Herbicide resistance must be avoided, managed and reversed to ensure profitable agriculture and an environmentally sustainable landscape. This research will contribute to the national wealth through helping ensure the profitability of vital Australian export agricultural industries and the sustainability of the soil/land resource. This proposal will ensure that Australia leads international herbicide resistance research and will enable the capture of intellectual property and commercial opportunities. Read moreRead less
Adaptations of plant mitochondria during cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana: towards an understanding of plant cold acclimation. Frost damage is a major cost to agricultural producers and some crop plant species needlessly adapt to cold, when they are grown in temperate regions or in glasshouses, which leads to decreased production. The principal outcome of this project will be to greatly extend our knowledge about plant mitochondrial responses to environmental cold stress and what role th ....Adaptations of plant mitochondria during cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana: towards an understanding of plant cold acclimation. Frost damage is a major cost to agricultural producers and some crop plant species needlessly adapt to cold, when they are grown in temperate regions or in glasshouses, which leads to decreased production. The principal outcome of this project will be to greatly extend our knowledge about plant mitochondrial responses to environmental cold stress and what role they have in helping plants adapt to environmental change. An understanding of cold acclimation may allow the production of plants with altered cold acclimation phenotypes and greater frost tolerance.Read moreRead less
Molecular analysis of the symbiotic interface of nitrogen-fixing legumes. Some legumes form a symbiosis with soil bacteria (rhizobia) that convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia which is then supplied to the plant. This enables legumes to grow without application of nitrogen-based fertilizer, avoiding environmental problems such as run-off and land degradation, thereby contributing to sustainable agriculture practise. We will investigate the interactions between plant and rhizobia, focusing on ....Molecular analysis of the symbiotic interface of nitrogen-fixing legumes. Some legumes form a symbiosis with soil bacteria (rhizobia) that convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia which is then supplied to the plant. This enables legumes to grow without application of nitrogen-based fertilizer, avoiding environmental problems such as run-off and land degradation, thereby contributing to sustainable agriculture practise. We will investigate the interactions between plant and rhizobia, focusing on identifying genes and proteins which govern nutrient exchange between the partners and development of the special structures in the roots that house the bacteria. Subsequent manipulation of these genes and proteins may allow us to identify control points and enhance nitrogen fixation.Read moreRead less
Protein modifications in plant mitochondria: towards functional proteomics. Energy production within plants in cellular structures called mitochondria is vital for their growth and development and is central to the early success of germinating and growing seedlings. This project intends to analyse mitochondria within plants using state of the art instrumentation and technologies. The findings from this research have the potential to directly flow into the plant biotechnology industry and could a ....Protein modifications in plant mitochondria: towards functional proteomics. Energy production within plants in cellular structures called mitochondria is vital for their growth and development and is central to the early success of germinating and growing seedlings. This project intends to analyse mitochondria within plants using state of the art instrumentation and technologies. The findings from this research have the potential to directly flow into the plant biotechnology industry and could assist the future development of Australian agriculture through genetic improvements. The expertise developed by this work will ensure that Australia is well placed to exploit future advances in this field and to further generate the development of novel biotechnological applications in agriculture.Read moreRead less
A new approach to control of plant parasitic nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes are the fourth most important plant pathogens worldwide. The aim of this project is to develop ?proof-of-concept? of a new strategy for nematode control, based on a synthetic ?cell death? resistance gene, in which tight specificity of expression of the resistance gene is provided using two gene promoters. The work focusses on finding the best combination of promoters which are switched on by infection of plants w ....A new approach to control of plant parasitic nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes are the fourth most important plant pathogens worldwide. The aim of this project is to develop ?proof-of-concept? of a new strategy for nematode control, based on a synthetic ?cell death? resistance gene, in which tight specificity of expression of the resistance gene is provided using two gene promoters. The work focusses on finding the best combination of promoters which are switched on by infection of plants with nematodes. It is based on an Australian patent which has wide applicability in plant biotechnology. Nematode control will benefit horticultural and broadacre farming by reducing pathogen losses and improving quality.Read moreRead less