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
Isolation and characterization of cell signalling systems that activate or suppress apoptosis in pathogenic and symbiotic fungal:plant interactions. The key roles of programmed cell death (PCD) in plant disease are becoming apparent. This project will test the hypotheses that successful colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizae in plant roots requires the plant to up-regulate inhibitors of PCD; that susceptibility in plants to necrotrophic fungal pathogens requires triggering of PCD; and that resis ....Isolation and characterization of cell signalling systems that activate or suppress apoptosis in pathogenic and symbiotic fungal:plant interactions. The key roles of programmed cell death (PCD) in plant disease are becoming apparent. This project will test the hypotheses that successful colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizae in plant roots requires the plant to up-regulate inhibitors of PCD; that susceptibility in plants to necrotrophic fungal pathogens requires triggering of PCD; and that resistance is the result of activation of inhibitors of PCD. This international project will have important implications biologically and economically for control of plant disease and symbiosis, will train early career researchers in an area of international expertise and will strengthen collaboration between the US and Australian research groupRead moreRead less
Induction of multiple environmental stress tolerance in Australian native species for land rehabilitation using benzoic acid derivatives. The aim of this project is to develop methods to induce abiotic (drought, temperature, salinity) and biotic (die-back disease) stress tolerance in Australian plants by simple treatment using signalling molecules (benzoic acid derivatives) for conservation and land rehabilitation. These molecules occur naturally in plants and non-toxic. Plant establishment in r ....Induction of multiple environmental stress tolerance in Australian native species for land rehabilitation using benzoic acid derivatives. The aim of this project is to develop methods to induce abiotic (drought, temperature, salinity) and biotic (die-back disease) stress tolerance in Australian plants by simple treatment using signalling molecules (benzoic acid derivatives) for conservation and land rehabilitation. These molecules occur naturally in plants and non-toxic. Plant establishment in rehabilitation programs are very low due to exposure to stress. Furthermore, the loss to agricultural and horticultural industries resulting from environmental stresses is very high. Outcome of the project is the availability of plants with multiple stress tolerance enhancing success of rehabilitation programs with flow-through benefits to horticultural and agricultural industries.Read moreRead less