Phosphorus - A Key Factor in the Development of Novel Perennial Herbaceous Deep-rooted Pasture Legumes. This research aims at the development of urgently needed perennial pasture legumes, to expand perennial pasture options for southern Australia beyond lucerne. The development of new deep-rooted perennial pasture legumes has enormous potential to improve nutrient and water use over large areas of agricultural land. Benefits in terms of reducing soil erosion and acidification are also likely. An ....Phosphorus - A Key Factor in the Development of Novel Perennial Herbaceous Deep-rooted Pasture Legumes. This research aims at the development of urgently needed perennial pasture legumes, to expand perennial pasture options for southern Australia beyond lucerne. The development of new deep-rooted perennial pasture legumes has enormous potential to improve nutrient and water use over large areas of agricultural land. Benefits in terms of reducing soil erosion and acidification are also likely. An understanding of the responses of new perennial legumes to soil phosphorus is a prerequisite for the development of new perennial farming systems. Overall, both environmental and financial benefits will accrue at scales ranging from individual farmers and rural industries through to the general community.Read moreRead less
Molecular approaches for the exploitation of genetic diversity in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) for profitable Australian farming systems. Subterranean clover is the most widely sown annual pasture legume species in southern Australia. It is native to the Mediterranean basin and has been sown over an estimated area of 22 million ha. This project will provide breeders with a focused core germplasm collection representing the range of genetic diversity of the around 8000 accessio ....Molecular approaches for the exploitation of genetic diversity in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) for profitable Australian farming systems. Subterranean clover is the most widely sown annual pasture legume species in southern Australia. It is native to the Mediterranean basin and has been sown over an estimated area of 22 million ha. This project will provide breeders with a focused core germplasm collection representing the range of genetic diversity of the around 8000 accessions in the original collection. The focused core collection will lead to more efficient and effective breeding of elite cultivars for sustainable and profitable farming systems to benefit wool, meat and grains industries.Read moreRead less
Genomic Synteny in Legumes; Application to Crop Breeding. Synteny is defined as the degree of colinearity between the order of orthologous genes in chromosomes of related species. New data suggests that legumes share widespread synteny. Extensive genomic resources are being accumulated for the model legume, Medicago truncatula including the full genome sequence. We propose to use these resources to uncover patterns of synteny between M. truncatula and the cultivated legumes chickpeas, lupins, ....Genomic Synteny in Legumes; Application to Crop Breeding. Synteny is defined as the degree of colinearity between the order of orthologous genes in chromosomes of related species. New data suggests that legumes share widespread synteny. Extensive genomic resources are being accumulated for the model legume, Medicago truncatula including the full genome sequence. We propose to use these resources to uncover patterns of synteny between M. truncatula and the cultivated legumes chickpeas, lupins, faba-beans, lentils and lucerne. In addition to revealing patterns of chromosomal evolution in this large plant family, we will generate genetic maps and molecular markers for use in practical plant breeding of these important crops.Read moreRead less