Race status, sources of resistance and mechanisms of resistance to Peronospora parasitica, a major threat to oilseed Brassica production in Australia. Through successful identification of mechanisms and molecular characterisation of resistance to Peronospora parasitica races and the identification of sources of host resistance against these races, breeders, for the first time, will be able to develop cultivars with resistance against the full spectrum of P. parasitica races occurring across sout ....Race status, sources of resistance and mechanisms of resistance to Peronospora parasitica, a major threat to oilseed Brassica production in Australia. Through successful identification of mechanisms and molecular characterisation of resistance to Peronospora parasitica races and the identification of sources of host resistance against these races, breeders, for the first time, will be able to develop cultivars with resistance against the full spectrum of P. parasitica races occurring across southern Australia. Benefits include prevention of severe losses in canola from downy mildew, and more viable and sustainable production with less reliance upon fungicides. This research addresses the National Research Priority 'An Environmentally Sustainable Australia' and the Priority Goal of 'Transforming existing industries', and will particularly benefit southern Australian rural communities.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354745
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
International Network for Genomics of the Root-Soil Interface (INGORSI). INGORSI brings together a new group of leading Australian and International researchers with common interests in the application of bioinformatics and genomics to understanding the root-soil interface, particularly the microbiology of this interface. The Network will communicate via a novel ?virtual? seminar room, with a research focus on molecular signals between organisms and plants of the rhizosphere that promote or pre ....International Network for Genomics of the Root-Soil Interface (INGORSI). INGORSI brings together a new group of leading Australian and International researchers with common interests in the application of bioinformatics and genomics to understanding the root-soil interface, particularly the microbiology of this interface. The Network will communicate via a novel ?virtual? seminar room, with a research focus on molecular signals between organisms and plants of the rhizosphere that promote or prevent plant growth, and also potentially impact human health. The network will facilitate high quality basic science, with linked programs that promote its application, to produce outcomes of benefit to plant crops, human health and sustainable agriculture.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outco ....The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outcomes and solutions to problems in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and protection of Australia's native flora. Researchers are struggling to create these links, constrained by disciplinary boundaries and geographical isolation. Key industries and researchers already support this proposal.Read moreRead less
Metabolomic and genetic approaches to the discovery of genes that direct carbon partitioning in plants. Plants make starch, sucrose, cell walls (fibre), oil, organic acids, vitamins and other products of great economic and social importance. The partitioning of carbon resources into such products determines crop productivity and quality. This partitioning is strongly influenced by nutrients, water and salinity. The powerful genomics resources of Arabidopsis including the new discipline of metabo ....Metabolomic and genetic approaches to the discovery of genes that direct carbon partitioning in plants. Plants make starch, sucrose, cell walls (fibre), oil, organic acids, vitamins and other products of great economic and social importance. The partitioning of carbon resources into such products determines crop productivity and quality. This partitioning is strongly influenced by nutrients, water and salinity. The powerful genomics resources of Arabidopsis including the new discipline of metabolomics, will be deployed to understand the regulation of carbon partitioning in leaves and to discover genes that direct partitioning. National research capability will be enhanced and new resources will be generated to breed crops with improved yield potential and product quality under varied environmental conditions.Read moreRead less
Discovery of the molecular mode of action of karrikins in plants. Karrikins are a newly-discovered family of naturally-occurring plant growth regulators that stimulate seed germination and seedling vigour. They were discovered in smoke and while they are centrally important in fire ecology they have far wider significance since species from non-fire-prone regions also respond to karrikins. Our research will discover how karrikins work at the molecular level in plant cells. Our discoveries will b ....Discovery of the molecular mode of action of karrikins in plants. Karrikins are a newly-discovered family of naturally-occurring plant growth regulators that stimulate seed germination and seedling vigour. They were discovered in smoke and while they are centrally important in fire ecology they have far wider significance since species from non-fire-prone regions also respond to karrikins. Our research will discover how karrikins work at the molecular level in plant cells. Our discoveries will be applied to improve growth of crop plants, to stimulate germination of weeds so that they can be eradicated, and in restoration ecology to revegetate degraded land such as minesites. Australia's world-leading position in this new important research area will be enhanced.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775763
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,000.00
Summary
High throughput orthogonal mass spectrometer for biotechnology research in WA. The new 'orthogonal' mass spectrometer will be housed at the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre at Murdoch University (SABC). The SABC is a multi-user university centre that provides equal access for researchers from all universities, state government and industry to major facilities. The equipment will provide a competitive advantage to researchers undertaking fundamental and applied projects that underpin ....High throughput orthogonal mass spectrometer for biotechnology research in WA. The new 'orthogonal' mass spectrometer will be housed at the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre at Murdoch University (SABC). The SABC is a multi-user university centre that provides equal access for researchers from all universities, state government and industry to major facilities. The equipment will provide a competitive advantage to researchers undertaking fundamental and applied projects that underpin new developments in plant and animal agriculture. Outcomes include: development of new molecular markers to speed crop improvement and quality, animal genetic improvement and health, and support for new biotechnology companies. This will benefit the community through more productive, competitive and sustainable agriculture.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