Maximising pineapple production for Australian farmers using genome editing. This project addresses the single biggest issue affecting the viability of pineapple farming in Australia and internationally: premature flowering leading to supply collapse. We aim to develop CRISPR technology to breed new pineapple varieties using non-GM approaches. Expected outcomes include the production of pineapples with resistance to premature flowering, as well as the technologies to deliver additional improveme ....Maximising pineapple production for Australian farmers using genome editing. This project addresses the single biggest issue affecting the viability of pineapple farming in Australia and internationally: premature flowering leading to supply collapse. We aim to develop CRISPR technology to breed new pineapple varieties using non-GM approaches. Expected outcomes include the production of pineapples with resistance to premature flowering, as well as the technologies to deliver additional improvements in the future. The new varieties will benefit farmers through increased production, maximising supply capability for a rapidly growing internal demand. This will benefit Australian pineapple producers through higher profitability in existing markets, as well as enabling expansion into international and future markets.Read moreRead less
Reducing environmental footprint by improving phosphorous use efficiency. While modern agriculture relies heavily on the use of phosphorous fertilizers, most of them are not used by plants and lost in runoff, resulting in a massive environmental damage through contamination of waterways (termed eutrophication). This project takes advantage of an untapped resource - a unique collection of Tibetan wild barley genotypes, to reveal key traits that confer superior phosphorus use efficiency in wild ba ....Reducing environmental footprint by improving phosphorous use efficiency. While modern agriculture relies heavily on the use of phosphorous fertilizers, most of them are not used by plants and lost in runoff, resulting in a massive environmental damage through contamination of waterways (termed eutrophication). This project takes advantage of an untapped resource - a unique collection of Tibetan wild barley genotypes, to reveal key traits that confer superior phosphorus use efficiency in wild barley and identify appropriate candidate genes and their position on chromosomes for further incorporating these traits into commercial barley cultivars. This will reduce the environmental footprint of modern agricultural practices on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems without compromising food security.Read moreRead less
Understanding Drivers Of Jellyfish Blooms In The Hawkesbury Estuary
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$196,722.00
Summary
Jellyfish blooms disrupt commercial fisheries around the world and blooms are increasing in frequency and magnitude in some regions (Condon, Pitt et al. 2013). Although the causes of jellyfish blooms are debated, they are frequently linked to anthropogenic pressures, including eutrophication, expansion of coastal infrastructure, and climate change (Pitt et al. 2018). The current jellyfish bloom in the Hawkesbury estuary is more extensive, persistent, and disruptive than previous blooms and .... Jellyfish blooms disrupt commercial fisheries around the world and blooms are increasing in frequency and magnitude in some regions (Condon, Pitt et al. 2013). Although the causes of jellyfish blooms are debated, they are frequently linked to anthropogenic pressures, including eutrophication, expansion of coastal infrastructure, and climate change (Pitt et al. 2018). The current jellyfish bloom in the Hawkesbury estuary is more extensive, persistent, and disruptive than previous blooms and may represent a long-term and sustained change to fishing conditions in the estuary. Some fishers have said they will leave the industry if blooms persist, hence this project is needed to reduce interactions between jellyfish and commercial net fishers and ensure the on-going viability of commercial net fisheries in the Hawkesbury.
The project specifically addresses the FRDC priority call for "Understanding the drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury". We will review the scientific literature and analyse existing data sets on water quality and jellyfish to identify probable environmental drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury estuary, which will enable estuary managers to prioritise which environmental conditions to manage to reduce jellyfish blooms. We will search for novel technical solutions (such as modifying fishing times or locations) that could reduce by-catch of jellyfish, assess potential ways to actively manage jellyfish (through their extraction or biological control), and co-design a long-term jellyfish monitoring program based on world best-practice with estuary managers and fishers to initiate the long-term collection of jellyfish data by stakeholders, which is essential for understanding jellyfish population dynamics and developing predictive models for jellyfish.
The drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury estuary may be linked to recent major floods. Floods are predicted to become more extreme and frequent under climate change. Hence our proposal aligns with FRDC's strategic investment opportunity for improving resilience of fishing in a changing climate. By providing information critical for managing jellyfish populations, our project also meets FRDC's F&D Plan Outcome 1 to "expand environmental management to cover areas other than stock status of target species". Through recruitment, mentoring and career development of a research fellow, our project builds capacity and capability of Australia's fisheries research and development sector (FRDC Enabling strategy IV).
Objectives: 1. Review the environmental drivers of jellyfish blooms, methods used by commercial fishers to manage interactions with jellyfish and methods that could be used to control jellyfish populations. 2. Collate and analyse existing data sets on water quality and jellyfish to identify potential drivers of jellyfish populations 3. Review jellyfish monitoring programs and co-design with stakeholders a fit-for-purpose and on-going jellyfish monitoring program for the Hawkesbury estuary 4. Engage stakeholders to locate relevant data sets and disseminate findings to end-users and beneficiaries Read moreRead less
Development Of Technical And Extension Material To Support Murray Cod Aquaculture Industry Expansion In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
The 5 July 2017 meeting of representatives from the various States involved in the Murray Cod industry agreed to three key R&D priorities to support expansion of the Murray Cod industry in Australia. They included:
1. Development of a farm management plan/manual to: provide advice on optimising production systems and water quality; review and update of existing Murray Cod culture guidelines using recent relevant publications and input from commercial operators; and identify any informa ....The 5 July 2017 meeting of representatives from the various States involved in the Murray Cod industry agreed to three key R&D priorities to support expansion of the Murray Cod industry in Australia. They included:
1. Development of a farm management plan/manual to: provide advice on optimising production systems and water quality; review and update of existing Murray Cod culture guidelines using recent relevant publications and input from commercial operators; and identify any information gaps 2. Off Flavour. Review of recent publications/work from other sectors (eg Barramundi) to prevent off flavor in Murray Cod. Murray Cod quality product assurance; and 3. Fish health and treatment (parasites, bacterial infection, Lurnea, Chilodonella, ratty tail). Review and update information on treatment options (chronic/prophylactic) for Murray Cod. Murray Cod health management strategy
This project proposal aims to address these high R&D industry priorities by developing a range of technical and extension material.
The Murray Cod industry is developing rapidly in Australia increasing from 250t 2014/15 to over 500t 2016/17. Industry forecast several thousand tonnes production by 2020 with many new farms seeking approval and new franchise business models moving forward. To capitalise on this expansion, there is a pressing need to improve extension resources.
Objectives: 1. Development of best practice production guidelines for Murray Cod aquaculture, to be used nationally 2. Extension to industry, and new investors, of the best practice production guidelines Read moreRead less
Post Harvest Application Of Electro-stunning In A Commercial Setting, Sustainable Packaging Development And New Product Development To Increase Sustainability Of Australian Farmed Barramundi
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$418,818.00
Summary
Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC. Objectives: Commercial in confidence
Development Of Molecular Detection Methods For Myxosporean Parasites Infecting Yellowtail Kingfish And Mahi Mahi
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$393,002.00
Summary
Soft flesh due to infection with myxosporean parasites irreversibly reduces the quality and market value of fish. Due to the delayed onset of the condition, infected fish can reach the consumer before soft flesh is detected, causing wastage, economic losses to affected fishers, and loss of consumer confidence.
Rapid onsite detection of myxosporean infection is vital to maximise value of landed fish, minimise environmental impacts associated with animal protein wastage, and increase prod ....Soft flesh due to infection with myxosporean parasites irreversibly reduces the quality and market value of fish. Due to the delayed onset of the condition, infected fish can reach the consumer before soft flesh is detected, causing wastage, economic losses to affected fishers, and loss of consumer confidence.
Rapid onsite detection of myxosporean infection is vital to maximise value of landed fish, minimise environmental impacts associated with animal protein wastage, and increase productivity for NSW commercial fishers, NSW fishers cooperatives and relevant fish markets.
This project focuses on outcome 2 of FRDC’s R&D plan – best practices and production systems. Fast and accurate detection of pathogens help industry identify risks faster and make informed decisions to refine and optimise best practices and production systems. There will be several benefits and impacts on society, environment, and the economy, including:
Society - fisheries productivity affects livelihoods of people working in the industry and its associated sectors - healthy and sustainable food resources Environment - reduce wastage Economic - increasing productivity through higher yields and higher market value - enhancing food/protein production improves food security and creates more employment opportunities Objectives: 1. To develop and evaluate PCR-based diagnostic tools for quantitative detection of myxosporeans in Mahi Mahi and Yellowtail Kingfish 2. To develop and evaluate in situ diagnostic tools for quantitative detection of myxosporeans in Mahi Mahi and Yellowtail Kingfish Read moreRead less
Advancing Health Economic Evaluation Measurement And Design To Support Priority Setting For Vulnerable Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
I bring well developed and unique research skills in child health economics, which is concerned with making sure the health system runs fairly and without waste. This research will make significant advancements in economic evaluation methods to ensure we can fairly evaluate health interventions for children. It will assess equity in how health care is funded for children and provide new information to support a fairer health system for children.
Who’s who in the plant gene world? As many more plant genomes are sequenced, the bottleneck is being able to interrogate and translate this data into applications for crop improvement. This project will develop and apply a population graph database, hosting genome data for the world’s major crops and their wild relatives, allowing the characterisation of gene diversity on an unparalleled scale. Analysis of this data will reveal the presence/absence and sequence diversity for classes of genes for ....Who’s who in the plant gene world? As many more plant genomes are sequenced, the bottleneck is being able to interrogate and translate this data into applications for crop improvement. This project will develop and apply a population graph database, hosting genome data for the world’s major crops and their wild relatives, allowing the characterisation of gene diversity on an unparalleled scale. Analysis of this data will reveal the presence/absence and sequence diversity for classes of genes for important agronomic traits including disease resistance, flowering time and legume nitrogen fixation which will enable plant breeders to identify and apply novel genes and allelic variants for use in breeding programmes, accelerating the production of improved crop varieties.Read moreRead less
Carboxylate exudation and phosphorus acquisition in eucalypts. Eucalypts are thought to rely on mycorrhizas to acquire phosphorus (P). Using leaf manganese concentrations in the field to proxy rhizosphere carboxylates, followed by plant growth in low P-solutions, it was shown that some, but not all eucalypts that grow on P-impoverished soils release carboxylates from their roots. This trait is a strategy of Proteaceae to access soil P, but assumed not to be used by eucalypts. This game-changing ....Carboxylate exudation and phosphorus acquisition in eucalypts. Eucalypts are thought to rely on mycorrhizas to acquire phosphorus (P). Using leaf manganese concentrations in the field to proxy rhizosphere carboxylates, followed by plant growth in low P-solutions, it was shown that some, but not all eucalypts that grow on P-impoverished soils release carboxylates from their roots. This trait is a strategy of Proteaceae to access soil P, but assumed not to be used by eucalypts. This game-changing discovery challenges the current dogma that eucalypts invariably rely on mycorrhizas to acquire P. This project will explore the significance of this newly-described trait for functioning of eucalypts more broadly and produce results that are important for conservation, restoration and forestry activities. Read moreRead less