Synthesis and evaluation of labelled germination stimulants for determining the role of butenolide in promoting seed germination. The discovery of the germination promotive agent in smoke (a butenolide) represents a major and internationally significant scientific discovery for Australia and provides exciting opportunities for benefits in agriculture, natural lands management and restoration sciences. The activity demonstrated with a broad range of species shows that the butenolide has general a ....Synthesis and evaluation of labelled germination stimulants for determining the role of butenolide in promoting seed germination. The discovery of the germination promotive agent in smoke (a butenolide) represents a major and internationally significant scientific discovery for Australia and provides exciting opportunities for benefits in agriculture, natural lands management and restoration sciences. The activity demonstrated with a broad range of species shows that the butenolide has general applicability worldwide. This study now provides a unique opportunity for Australian research to establish a world-leading position in understanding the butenolide mode of action within plant seeds which will result in a significant advance in our understanding of the processes that regulate seed dormancy in many plant species. Read moreRead less
The evolution of specialised orchid pollination and its reversibility. This project aims to determine the changes in key floral volatile compounds underpinning pollination transitions, identify their molecular basis, and understand the ecological processes favouring reversals away from extreme specialisation. By focusing on pollination of sexually deceptive Australian orchids, this project would be the first to determine the molecular, chemical and behavioural basis of evolutionary reversals to ....The evolution of specialised orchid pollination and its reversibility. This project aims to determine the changes in key floral volatile compounds underpinning pollination transitions, identify their molecular basis, and understand the ecological processes favouring reversals away from extreme specialisation. By focusing on pollination of sexually deceptive Australian orchids, this project would be the first to determine the molecular, chemical and behavioural basis of evolutionary reversals to more generalised strategies in a group of plants facing high risk of pollinator extinction. The expected outcome, a mechanistic understanding of how pollination transitions occur, would be internationally ground-breaking, and provide crucial insights to protect this diverse but highly threatened group of plants.Read moreRead less