Development of molecular markers for resistance to blackleg disease (Leptosphaeria maculans) in canola. Canola (Brassica napus) is a valuable oil seed crop grown in many parts of the world and contributes annually $A450 million to the Australian economy. The overall aim of this project is to develop molecular markers for blackleg resistance using Australian germplasm along with evaluation in Australian disease nurseries which are regarded worlwide to develop the highest levels of disease pressu ....Development of molecular markers for resistance to blackleg disease (Leptosphaeria maculans) in canola. Canola (Brassica napus) is a valuable oil seed crop grown in many parts of the world and contributes annually $A450 million to the Australian economy. The overall aim of this project is to develop molecular markers for blackleg resistance using Australian germplasm along with evaluation in Australian disease nurseries which are regarded worlwide to develop the highest levels of disease pressure. Once molecular marker systems are developed and evaluated, they will be applied to facilitate the selection of Nugrain's (Industry Partner) canola breeding programs. Any molecular markers and QTL developed for Australian cultivars would find commercial application in breeding programmes.Read moreRead less
Pathogenicity genes of the blackleg fungal pathogen of canola. Blackleg disease, caused by the fungus, Leptosphaeria maculans, is the most serious disease of canola (Brassica napus) Australia and worldwide. Control strategies require knowledge of mechanisms of both plant defence (resistance) and fungal pathogenicity; little is known about such processes for blackleg. I will make pathogenicity mutants of L.maculans (unable to attack canola) and characterise the mutated genes. This project will ....Pathogenicity genes of the blackleg fungal pathogen of canola. Blackleg disease, caused by the fungus, Leptosphaeria maculans, is the most serious disease of canola (Brassica napus) Australia and worldwide. Control strategies require knowledge of mechanisms of both plant defence (resistance) and fungal pathogenicity; little is known about such processes for blackleg. I will make pathogenicity mutants of L.maculans (unable to attack canola) and characterise the mutated genes. This project will develop a better understanding of the disease process for blackleg, identify novel disease control targets in this important fungus and lead to disease resistant canola.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of Genes involved in Secondary Metabolism in the Blackleg Pathogen of Canola. Blackleg caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans is the major disease of canola. In spite of the economic importance of this fungus, little is known about its metabolic pathways, its genes and how they are organised. We have sequenced a large piece of L. maculans DNA comprising eight genes, including a regulatory gene and one that may be may be involved in producing secondary metabolites such as ....Characterisation of Genes involved in Secondary Metabolism in the Blackleg Pathogen of Canola. Blackleg caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans is the major disease of canola. In spite of the economic importance of this fungus, little is known about its metabolic pathways, its genes and how they are organised. We have sequenced a large piece of L. maculans DNA comprising eight genes, including a regulatory gene and one that may be may be involved in producing secondary metabolites such as phytotoxins. We will determine the role of these genes in metabolism and the disease process, thus providing insights into secondary metabolism and gene regulation in this important plant pathogen.Read moreRead less
A novel reversible male sterility system for hybrid seed production in canola, cotton and oilseed mustard. Demand for grains, fibre and other agricultural products has recently increased significantly. Hence, the security of food production is emerging as a critical global issue. We have identified a central component (AtMYB103) controlling tapetum and thus pollen development and designed a novel reversible male sterility system using AtMYB103. The efficient hybrid seed production systems develo ....A novel reversible male sterility system for hybrid seed production in canola, cotton and oilseed mustard. Demand for grains, fibre and other agricultural products has recently increased significantly. Hence, the security of food production is emerging as a critical global issue. We have identified a central component (AtMYB103) controlling tapetum and thus pollen development and designed a novel reversible male sterility system using AtMYB103. The efficient hybrid seed production systems developed in this project for canola, cotton and mustard will increase the productivity of the Australian oilseed and fibre industries. AtMYB103 gene is conserved among many crop plants. Hence, the new technologies and knowledge gained will be applicable to a wide range of crop plants and have important implications for the agricultural and food industries.Read moreRead less
Managing subsoil constraints for increased productivity and water use efficiency. Subsoil constraints limit crop production in up to 60% of agricultural land. This project examines the impacts of organic matter incoporation, deep placement of nutrients, use of primer crops, calcium addition and their combination on amelioration of subsoil constraints and thereby on the improvement of root growth, water use and crop yield in high-rainfall region. The best-bet management strategy will be developed ....Managing subsoil constraints for increased productivity and water use efficiency. Subsoil constraints limit crop production in up to 60% of agricultural land. This project examines the impacts of organic matter incoporation, deep placement of nutrients, use of primer crops, calcium addition and their combination on amelioration of subsoil constraints and thereby on the improvement of root growth, water use and crop yield in high-rainfall region. The best-bet management strategy will be developed.Read moreRead less
BIOSYNTHESIS OF A FUNGAL TOXIN AND ITS ROLE IN PLANT DISEASE. This project will determine how an important class of toxic molecules, epipolythiodioxopiperazines (EPTs), are made by fungi. Knowledge of the domains and actions of these genes in the biosynthetic pathway may lead to the ability to engineer secondary metabolites with altered specificity, and drugs that alleviate symptoms of secondary fungal toxicoses associated with leukemia, organ transplants and HIV AIDS. Also this project will a ....BIOSYNTHESIS OF A FUNGAL TOXIN AND ITS ROLE IN PLANT DISEASE. This project will determine how an important class of toxic molecules, epipolythiodioxopiperazines (EPTs), are made by fungi. Knowledge of the domains and actions of these genes in the biosynthetic pathway may lead to the ability to engineer secondary metabolites with altered specificity, and drugs that alleviate symptoms of secondary fungal toxicoses associated with leukemia, organ transplants and HIV AIDS. Also this project will also elucidate the role of an EPT, sirodesmin, in blackleg of canola, a disease that costs the Australian canola industry up to $50 million in losses annually. Outcomes of this project may lead to novel blackleg disease control strategies. Read moreRead less
Development of novel cereal grain products for wheat and gluten intolerant Australians. Many Australians claim to have wheat or gluten intolerances and this has led to the growing demand for wheat and gluten free grain products. The most common problems reported by individuals relate to gut symptoms and chronic fatigue. There are a number of dietary factors in cereal products that may be responsible for triggering these symptoms including the presence of poorly absorbed carbohydrates and wheat g ....Development of novel cereal grain products for wheat and gluten intolerant Australians. Many Australians claim to have wheat or gluten intolerances and this has led to the growing demand for wheat and gluten free grain products. The most common problems reported by individuals relate to gut symptoms and chronic fatigue. There are a number of dietary factors in cereal products that may be responsible for triggering these symptoms including the presence of poorly absorbed carbohydrates and wheat gluten itself. This partnership between Monash University and George Weston Foods will develop novel food products that will be better tolerated by Australians reporting wheat and gluten intolerances. This will help provide the cereal industry with a competitive edge and improve the sustainability of the Australian agriculture sector.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC210100047
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crop Development . The Centre will create a new generation of leaders in the implementation of advanced gene and field technologies for the benefit of the Australian agriculture industry. We will build the workforce and foundations that will drive translation of breakthroughs in advanced breeding, phenotyping and genetic technologies into higher-yielding crops. This will increase productivity across the sector and create new markets. Our technical trai ....ARC Training Centre for Accelerated Future Crop Development . The Centre will create a new generation of leaders in the implementation of advanced gene and field technologies for the benefit of the Australian agriculture industry. We will build the workforce and foundations that will drive translation of breakthroughs in advanced breeding, phenotyping and genetic technologies into higher-yielding crops. This will increase productivity across the sector and create new markets. Our technical training programs for graduates, trainees and industry will interface with best evidence-based practices in the wider socio-economic, regulatory and environmental contexts. Coupled with community and stakeholder engagement, the Centre will redefine and secure Australia’s future in agriculture. Read moreRead less