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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101560
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,589.00
Summary
Towards understanding the molecular details of canola-infection by Fusarium. This project aims at improving our understanding of how canola plants are infected by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Canola is the primary oilseed crop, and the overall third most important crop in Australia, accounting for a 3 billion AUS$ industry. Fusarium is a relatively new fungal disease to Australian canola, but projected to become a serious threat in the future. The project will provide insights into ....Towards understanding the molecular details of canola-infection by Fusarium. This project aims at improving our understanding of how canola plants are infected by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Canola is the primary oilseed crop, and the overall third most important crop in Australia, accounting for a 3 billion AUS$ industry. Fusarium is a relatively new fungal disease to Australian canola, but projected to become a serious threat in the future. The project will provide insights into the earliest stages of plant-infection by the fungus on a cellular level, using molecular biology, genetics and microscopic tools. Expected outcomes of this research include the identification of key components to improve plant defense against Fusarium, and the development of strategies to improve the plant's resilience.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
Novel methods for the production of micronutrient-enriched rice. The increasingly productive Australian rice industry generated AUD$1 billion revenue in 2012. By targeting a rice gene that we recently identified as a key regulator of iron uptake and transport, this project will produce high value, micronutrient-enriched rice grain to improve the nutritional health of people in Australia and throughout the world.
Effects of environmental factors on ecophysiological performance in the toxic cyanobacterium Nodularia. Nodularia is a toxic cyanobacterium that causes problem blooms in Australian waters and worldwide. The effects of environmental conditions on physiological processes in Nodularia are poorly understood and information on the effects on macromolecular synthesis and photosynthesis in Nodularia is limited. This project is of fundamental biological importance, making a major contribution to under ....Effects of environmental factors on ecophysiological performance in the toxic cyanobacterium Nodularia. Nodularia is a toxic cyanobacterium that causes problem blooms in Australian waters and worldwide. The effects of environmental conditions on physiological processes in Nodularia are poorly understood and information on the effects on macromolecular synthesis and photosynthesis in Nodularia is limited. This project is of fundamental biological importance, making a major contribution to understanding the impacts of environmental conditions on the physiological performance and ecology of Nodularia. The research has significance, both nationally and internationally, for the prediction of algal blooms in coastal and estuarine ecosystems, and will increase our knowledge of the factors controlling growth and toxicity of Nodularia worldwide. 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
Australia's native sorghums: a model for testing plant adaptation theories. This proposal tests an emerging theory that allocation of resources by plants to growth or defence are interrelated, not alternatives as currently assumed. Like many crops, sorghum produces toxic cyanide, especially during droughts but its wild relatives make much less. This project aims to discover why cyanide is so common in domesticated plants and why levels increase with stress. This has important implications for de ....Australia's native sorghums: a model for testing plant adaptation theories. This proposal tests an emerging theory that allocation of resources by plants to growth or defence are interrelated, not alternatives as currently assumed. Like many crops, sorghum produces toxic cyanide, especially during droughts but its wild relatives make much less. This project aims to discover why cyanide is so common in domesticated plants and why levels increase with stress. This has important implications for developing crops that are high yielding and also climate resilient. Expected outcomes include full genome sequences for all of Australia’s unique native sorghums, confirmation of new theories on the interrelationships between defence and growth and identification of new traits vital for developing the crops of the future. Read moreRead less
The roles viruses play in the decline of terrestrial orchids in Australia’s hotspot of global biodiversity. Plant viruses play both positive and negative roles in native plant health and population viability. This study will use deep sequencing and plant physiology approaches to elucidate how threatened terrestrial orchids respond to infection by exotic and indigenous viruses, allowing more informed management of critically-important ecosystems.
Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Recent evidence suggests that tree-mediated fluxes may be a significant, but overlooked source of methane to the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the magnitude and drivers of tree-mediated methane fluxes from Australia’s dominant forest types. Innovatively, we will be using a novel combination of empirical field based measurements, gas tracer experiments, microbial ana ....Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Recent evidence suggests that tree-mediated fluxes may be a significant, but overlooked source of methane to the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the magnitude and drivers of tree-mediated methane fluxes from Australia’s dominant forest types. Innovatively, we will be using a novel combination of empirical field based measurements, gas tracer experiments, microbial analysis and modelling methods. Expected outcomes are a mechanistic understanding of tree-mediated methane fluxes, helping to constrain regional, national and global methane budgets. The results of this study will help inform publicly funded greenhouse gas abatement strategies, ensuring a maximal return on investment.Read moreRead less
Advanced cryobanking for recalcitrant-seeded Australian rainforest plants. This project aims to develop an interdisciplinary research alliance to enhance the efficiency of ecological restoration for recalcitrant Australian rainforest plant species. The project expects to provide fundamental knowledge to target two major impediments to cryostorage of recalcitrant-seeded native species: desiccation sensitivity with relatively large size, and active metabolism and precocious germination. These attr ....Advanced cryobanking for recalcitrant-seeded Australian rainforest plants. This project aims to develop an interdisciplinary research alliance to enhance the efficiency of ecological restoration for recalcitrant Australian rainforest plant species. The project expects to provide fundamental knowledge to target two major impediments to cryostorage of recalcitrant-seeded native species: desiccation sensitivity with relatively large size, and active metabolism and precocious germination. These attributes severely limit the time available for effective use of collected germplasm for long-term storage. A combination of biochemical, biophysical and molecular simulation approaches will be used to optimise cryopreservation of a wide range of endangered Australian rainforest species. This should provide significant benefits such as enabling conservation agencies to greatly enhance their ability to preserve the unique Australian rainforest flora, particularly given current threats due to habitat loss and global warming.Read moreRead less