New approaches for screening cereal germplasm for enhanced microbial pathogen resistance and desirable grain texture. The trait of grain hardness (texture) is of significance to the Australian infrastructure, as exports of hard wheat contribute over 5 billion dollars per year on average to the national economy and hard wheats are also important for domestic usage. The genes responsible for grain texture also impart resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens which can cause extensive damage. ....New approaches for screening cereal germplasm for enhanced microbial pathogen resistance and desirable grain texture. The trait of grain hardness (texture) is of significance to the Australian infrastructure, as exports of hard wheat contribute over 5 billion dollars per year on average to the national economy and hard wheats are also important for domestic usage. The genes responsible for grain texture also impart resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens which can cause extensive damage. However, the Australian gene pool has very limited genetic diversity in grain textures and thus possibly in pathogen resistance. The project will work out the science behind these two traits and identify lines with new variants of textures and pathogen resistances, thus greatly benefiting the national infrastructure and local primary industries.Read moreRead less
Advanced plant breeding and food manufacturing for healthier bread. This project aims to generate bread containing high amounts of biologically available iron through targeted manipulation of plant-derived phytonutrients at several points along the wheat-to-bread supply chain. The project expects to generate new knowledge for developing healthier bread and address consumer demands for value-added food products. Anticipated outcomes are novel plant breeding and food manufacturing techniques that ....Advanced plant breeding and food manufacturing for healthier bread. This project aims to generate bread containing high amounts of biologically available iron through targeted manipulation of plant-derived phytonutrients at several points along the wheat-to-bread supply chain. The project expects to generate new knowledge for developing healthier bread and address consumer demands for value-added food products. Anticipated outcomes are novel plant breeding and food manufacturing techniques that enhance the nutritional composition of wheat grain and bread making products, resulting in higher-value agricultural commodities and breads. The project should benefit bread retailers and crop growers involved in Australia’s $4.7 billion bread market and reduce the environmental impacts of bread production.Read moreRead less
Small molecules with large effect: The dual role of nitrogen-containing metabolites in stress tolerance and nutrient recycling. The main objective of this project is to identify drought and nutrient-deficiency responsive pathways in tolerant wheat and to provide markers to breeding programs that facilitate selection of superior breeding lines. This project builds on a pilot study conducted in rice in which tolerant-specific metabolites were identified which are representative of pathways relevan ....Small molecules with large effect: The dual role of nitrogen-containing metabolites in stress tolerance and nutrient recycling. The main objective of this project is to identify drought and nutrient-deficiency responsive pathways in tolerant wheat and to provide markers to breeding programs that facilitate selection of superior breeding lines. This project builds on a pilot study conducted in rice in which tolerant-specific metabolites were identified which are representative of pathways relevant for the protection of cells from damage through reactive oxygen species (ROS) and for nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, sugars) recycling under stress. Available data suggest that these pathways are also relevant in wheat. Quantitative metabolomics, genetics, and molecular tools will be used to deliver either DNA-based or metabolomics markers to breeders.Read moreRead less