Practical application of gene silencing: is delivery of long double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) by plant cells efficient in conferring host resistance to parasitic nematodes? Nematode that attack plants cause $120 billion of crop losses worldwide. Chemicals used for their control are being phased out because of environmental concerns, and natural resistance is limited. The aim of this project is to use Australian IP to develop a new form of resistance to nematodes based on knowledge of th ....Practical application of gene silencing: is delivery of long double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) by plant cells efficient in conferring host resistance to parasitic nematodes? Nematode that attack plants cause $120 billion of crop losses worldwide. Chemicals used for their control are being phased out because of environmental concerns, and natural resistance is limited. The aim of this project is to use Australian IP to develop a new form of resistance to nematodes based on knowledge of the host-pathogen interactions. A successful outcome could contribute an additional 5-20% increase in crop yields (depending on the crop) through inherent resistance of crops to nematode pests. This would benefit rural communities and the national economy, and could also generate international royalties.Read moreRead less
Susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi and sensitivity to phosphorus in native Australian plants: why are they linked? Phytophthora cinnamomi is the cause of "Phytophthora dieback", recognised by the Federal Government as a major threat to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance our understanding of interactions between species belonging to two iconic Australian plant families (Proteaceae and Myrtaceae) and this serious threat. This understanding will underpin the development of ....Susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi and sensitivity to phosphorus in native Australian plants: why are they linked? Phytophthora cinnamomi is the cause of "Phytophthora dieback", recognised by the Federal Government as a major threat to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance our understanding of interactions between species belonging to two iconic Australian plant families (Proteaceae and Myrtaceae) and this serious threat. This understanding will underpin the development of new chemicals to be used in combating the pathogen. In addition, it will provide molecular markers for phosphorus insensitivity and Phytophthora resistance that will be vital for Australia's horticultural industry as well as for the successful rehabilitation of minesites in areas suffering from "Phytophthora dieback". Read moreRead less
Integrons in Xanthomonas pathovars: Do they have a role in plant pathogenicity? Bacteria in the genus Xanthomonas cause serious diseases of plants, identification being based on the plant species from which they were originally recovered. Xanthomonads contain integrons, genetic elements capable of acquiring and expressing diverse genes. In other bacterial groups, the gene content of integrons varies significantly between strains of the same species, and in many cases these genes code for cell su ....Integrons in Xanthomonas pathovars: Do they have a role in plant pathogenicity? Bacteria in the genus Xanthomonas cause serious diseases of plants, identification being based on the plant species from which they were originally recovered. Xanthomonads contain integrons, genetic elements capable of acquiring and expressing diverse genes. In other bacterial groups, the gene content of integrons varies significantly between strains of the same species, and in many cases these genes code for cell surface proteins. These characteristics are precisely those we might expect to be responsible for interactions between plants and bacteria. This project aims to examine a large collection of xanthomonads for integrons, and determine whether particular integron gene contents are associated with host-pathogen specificity.
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Meeting the challenges of Sclerotinia crown rot in a perennial production system - pyrethrum. The Australian pyrethrum industry has undergone rapid growth in the last decade, which has seen it become the second largest producer of natural insecticidal pyrethrins in the world. Current production supplies 60% of the global market, with further expansion planned. Sclerotinia crown rot is a major disease that results in plant death; reducing yields and the life of the perennial crop. This project ....Meeting the challenges of Sclerotinia crown rot in a perennial production system - pyrethrum. The Australian pyrethrum industry has undergone rapid growth in the last decade, which has seen it become the second largest producer of natural insecticidal pyrethrins in the world. Current production supplies 60% of the global market, with further expansion planned. Sclerotinia crown rot is a major disease that results in plant death; reducing yields and the life of the perennial crop. This project aims to develop more cost effective and environmentally sustainable methods of managing this disease. This will help to ensure consistent supply of pyrethrin to the world market, reduce the costs of production and increase the net return to growers.Read moreRead less
Field based molecular diagnostics for identification of plant parasitic nematodes. Nematodes are economically important pests of many agricultural and commercially grown plants. We have shown 'proof-of-concept' that plant parasitic nematodes can be identified by protein profiling using MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. In this project advanced techniques of proteomics and associated bioinformatics will be used to identify, isolate and characterise proteins that are specific to economically important ....Field based molecular diagnostics for identification of plant parasitic nematodes. Nematodes are economically important pests of many agricultural and commercially grown plants. We have shown 'proof-of-concept' that plant parasitic nematodes can be identified by protein profiling using MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. In this project advanced techniques of proteomics and associated bioinformatics will be used to identify, isolate and characterise proteins that are specific to economically important nematode species and races, and to identify diagnostic proteins or epitopes. The diagnostic proteins will be used to generate specific monoclonal antibodies that will be incorporated into immunochemical 'Lateral Flow' devices. These will provide on-site tests to identify nematodes for growers and quarantine services. Read moreRead less
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
DNA Method for Detection of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Soil and Plant Material. The need to impose strict quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of Jarrah Dieback disease hampers the activities of the mining, tourism, wildflower, nursery, and bee keeping industries. These procedures are time consuming and require a high degree of technical expertise. They result in false negatives facilitating the spread of the disease in asymptomatic material. This project will develop a DNA test for detec ....DNA Method for Detection of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Soil and Plant Material. The need to impose strict quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of Jarrah Dieback disease hampers the activities of the mining, tourism, wildflower, nursery, and bee keeping industries. These procedures are time consuming and require a high degree of technical expertise. They result in false negatives facilitating the spread of the disease in asymptomatic material. This project will develop a DNA test for detection of the pathogen in soil and plant material to make detection easier, quicker, and specific. The outcomes will be a test for detection of the dieback pathogen and technology to detect pathogens in soil samples.Read moreRead less
Molecular characterisation of the fungal disease defence response in tropical sandalwood (Santalum album). The tropical sandalwood industry in Australia is a highly profitable and expanding enterprise; however this cannot be taken for granted. Fungal diseases in tropical plantations are of increasing concern to growers and left unchecked could result in substantial economic loss and an unsustainable industry. This research seeks to understand the defence response of the tree in order to develop ....Molecular characterisation of the fungal disease defence response in tropical sandalwood (Santalum album). The tropical sandalwood industry in Australia is a highly profitable and expanding enterprise; however this cannot be taken for granted. Fungal diseases in tropical plantations are of increasing concern to growers and left unchecked could result in substantial economic loss and an unsustainable industry. This research seeks to understand the defence response of the tree in order to develop tools to combat fungal disease by rapid selection of highly resistant trees. Essential oil production is also linked to the defence response. Understanding this response as well as exploring chemical means of increasing both disease resistance and oil production will deliver a substantial economic benefit to the expanding tropical sandalwood industry.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology of Phoma spp. complex and other foliar pathogens affecting pyrethrum. We will quantify the spectrum of fungal plant pathogens found on pyrethrum (Tanacetum cineariifolium L.) foliage and their relative impact on yield and pyrethrin assay. For those fungi having a significant impact on production (such as Phoma ligulicola) we will conduct detailed epidemiological studies to determine how disease levels change with environmental parameters and geographical factors. This study will a ....Epidemiology of Phoma spp. complex and other foliar pathogens affecting pyrethrum. We will quantify the spectrum of fungal plant pathogens found on pyrethrum (Tanacetum cineariifolium L.) foliage and their relative impact on yield and pyrethrin assay. For those fungi having a significant impact on production (such as Phoma ligulicola) we will conduct detailed epidemiological studies to determine how disease levels change with environmental parameters and geographical factors. This study will adapt radiometric technology for disease assessment in pyrethrum, and develop predictive models for disease development based on environmental conditions and furthermore, assess the effect of simulated climate change events on disease severity in the future.Read moreRead less
Role of soil factors and transmission on propagation material of fungal pathogens in the severity of strawberry crown and root disorders. Through identification of the pathogen complexes associated with root and crown disorders, their impacts, understanding the influences of environmental conditions and rotational species, knowing the sources of major pathogens, and identification of varietal resistances to the pathogens, this project will provide a unique opportunity for growers to better manag ....Role of soil factors and transmission on propagation material of fungal pathogens in the severity of strawberry crown and root disorders. Through identification of the pathogen complexes associated with root and crown disorders, their impacts, understanding the influences of environmental conditions and rotational species, knowing the sources of major pathogens, and identification of varietal resistances to the pathogens, this project will provide a unique opportunity for growers to better manage such disorders of strawberries occurring across southern Australia. Benefits include prevention of severe losses in strawberries, making strawberry production and exports more viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly, addressing the National Research Priority 'An Environmentally Sustainable Australia' and the Priority Goal of 'Transforming existing industries".Read moreRead less