Genome editing to improve the dietary quality of potato. The project aims to develop non-genetically modified (non-GM) potato varieties with lower glycaemic index (GI) but good agronomic and culinary traits. Potato is the world's fourth-most important food. It is integral to the western diet and consumption is rising rapidly in Asia. However, the starch in cooked potato is readily digestible causing a rapid elevation of blood sugar levels on eating (i.e. it has a high GI). Long-term consumption ....Genome editing to improve the dietary quality of potato. The project aims to develop non-genetically modified (non-GM) potato varieties with lower glycaemic index (GI) but good agronomic and culinary traits. Potato is the world's fourth-most important food. It is integral to the western diet and consumption is rising rapidly in Asia. However, the starch in cooked potato is readily digestible causing a rapid elevation of blood sugar levels on eating (i.e. it has a high GI). Long-term consumption of meals with high GI is associated with increased risk of obesity, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This project aims to use new genome editing methods to silence key genes that influence starch composition and thus develop non-GM potato varieties with lower GI to reduce these risks.Read moreRead less
Cellular and molecular interactions of rhabdoviruses with their plant hosts and insect vectors. Viruses cause significant economic losses in agriculture, but little information is available on how plant-adapted rhabdoviruses multiply in both their plant hosts and insect vectors. This project on the localisation, transport and host defence properties of essential viral proteins will identify novel targets for improved disease control.
Control of foliar diseases in horticulture using milk components: widening applicability through understanding mechanisms. Fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and botrytis grey mould, have the potential to cause considerable losses in horticultural crops. Chemical fungicides, some of which are broad-spectrum biocides potentially harmful to human health, are applied routinely in disease management. Milk and whey, which can damage powdery mildew fungi, offer alternatives to conventional fungic ....Control of foliar diseases in horticulture using milk components: widening applicability through understanding mechanisms. Fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and botrytis grey mould, have the potential to cause considerable losses in horticultural crops. Chemical fungicides, some of which are broad-spectrum biocides potentially harmful to human health, are applied routinely in disease management. Milk and whey, which can damage powdery mildew fungi, offer alternatives to conventional fungicides. Identification of the components of milk which damage fungi, and their mechanisms of activity, will facilitate the development of environmentally sustainable strategies for management of fungal diseases in Australian horticulture. This will have particular benefits for personnel who regularly apply fungicides in glasshouses.Read moreRead less
Detection and elimination of resting spores of Olpidium vectoring lettuce big-vein disease in lettuce seedling nursery production. This project will devise nucleic acid and serology methods for detection of Olpidium brassicae, vector of lettuce big-vein disease (LBVD), during various phases of lettuce seedling production in nursery environments. It will be the first study to develop sustainable and environmentally responsible nursery best-practice protocols for integrated management of O. brass ....Detection and elimination of resting spores of Olpidium vectoring lettuce big-vein disease in lettuce seedling nursery production. This project will devise nucleic acid and serology methods for detection of Olpidium brassicae, vector of lettuce big-vein disease (LBVD), during various phases of lettuce seedling production in nursery environments. It will be the first study to develop sustainable and environmentally responsible nursery best-practice protocols for integrated management of O. brassicae in routine seedling production and for management within the lettuce industry. These protocols will ensure that the spread of LBVD from contaminated lettuce nurseries to farms is prevented. It will also be a unique study of the establishment of a disease in new land with different soils and agricultural practices.Read moreRead less
Factors responsible for host resistance to the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum for developing effective disease management in vegetable brassicas. Through successful identification of host resistance in vegetable Brassicas to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and determining the factors associated with this resistance, breeders, for the first time, will be able to develop varieties with resistance against this difficult-to-manage pathogen. Benefits include prevention of severe losses in vegetable Bras ....Factors responsible for host resistance to the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum for developing effective disease management in vegetable brassicas. Through successful identification of host resistance in vegetable Brassicas to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and determining the factors associated with this resistance, breeders, for the first time, will be able to develop varieties with resistance against this difficult-to-manage pathogen. Benefits include prevention of severe losses in vegetable Brassicas from Sclerotinia, and more viable and sustainable production with less reliance upon fungicides and toxic or ineffective fumigants. This research addresses the National Research Priority, an environmentally sustainable Australia, and the priority goal transforming existing industries, and will particularly benefit Australian horticultural communities.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms and management of inducible tolerance to synthetic insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-formulations in Australian populations of diamondback moth. Insects have a cunning ability to respond to damaging environments by evolving genetic resistance or mobilising metabolic tolerance mechanisms. Recent observations of inducible tolerance to synthetic and biopesticides, which can be transmitted to offspring by a maternal effect has the potential to cause ecological and economic prob ....Mechanisms and management of inducible tolerance to synthetic insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-formulations in Australian populations of diamondback moth. Insects have a cunning ability to respond to damaging environments by evolving genetic resistance or mobilising metabolic tolerance mechanisms. Recent observations of inducible tolerance to synthetic and biopesticides, which can be transmitted to offspring by a maternal effect has the potential to cause ecological and economic problems in agricultural production. We will use field-collected Diamondback moth (DBM), a major insect pest in canola and brassica vegetable crops, to investigate the genetic implications of inducible tolerance for the integrated management of DBM and for the design of new resistance management strategies.Read moreRead less
Molecular tools for controlling pathogenic viruses in the seed potato industry. In this project, molecular diagnostic tools will be generated that will improve the ability of testing laboratories to deliver cost-effective virus diagnostic services to seed potato certification authorities in Australia. There will be economic benefits from increased yields of fresh and processing potatoes, higher prices in domestic and export markets, expansion of current and development of new markets, and licen ....Molecular tools for controlling pathogenic viruses in the seed potato industry. In this project, molecular diagnostic tools will be generated that will improve the ability of testing laboratories to deliver cost-effective virus diagnostic services to seed potato certification authorities in Australia. There will be economic benefits from increased yields of fresh and processing potatoes, higher prices in domestic and export markets, expansion of current and development of new markets, and licensing of tests. There will also be economic and social returns to the broader rural community by better management and control of virus pathogens, and less reliance on environmentally undesirable chemical control measures. The project will provide expert training of two PhD students in practical and molecular plant virology. Read moreRead less
Phytochemistry Of Thrips Resistance In Potato And Its Influence On Acquisition And Transmission Of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. TSWV causes multi-million dollar losses to the Australian potato industry, which is the countries largest and most valuable vegetable commodity and an important source of income and employment for rural communities. Development of TSWV epidemics relies on the activity of vector thrips acquiring virus from infected plants and transmitting it to healthy potatoes. Deployment ....Phytochemistry Of Thrips Resistance In Potato And Its Influence On Acquisition And Transmission Of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. TSWV causes multi-million dollar losses to the Australian potato industry, which is the countries largest and most valuable vegetable commodity and an important source of income and employment for rural communities. Development of TSWV epidemics relies on the activity of vector thrips acquiring virus from infected plants and transmitting it to healthy potatoes. Deployment of thrips resistant potato would greatly assist disease control. This project will determine the efficacy of thrips resistance in reducing TSWV epidemics and identify the chemical basis of resistance, which could be used as a screening tool for potato breeding, and could form the basis of a synthetic chemical tool for thrips prevention in potato and other crops.Read moreRead less
The contribution of beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to sustainable tomato production in Australia. Formation of beneficial arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) by processing tomatoes has been used as an indicator of 'healthy soil' in an environmental monitoring audit of the industry in southern Australia, but field occurrence of the AM fungi and their potential contribution to tomato nutrition and productivity are not well understood. We will determine the responsiveness of widely-grown tomat ....The contribution of beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to sustainable tomato production in Australia. Formation of beneficial arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) by processing tomatoes has been used as an indicator of 'healthy soil' in an environmental monitoring audit of the industry in southern Australia, but field occurrence of the AM fungi and their potential contribution to tomato nutrition and productivity are not well understood. We will determine the responsiveness of widely-grown tomato varieties to AM inoculation and relate colonisation in the field to farming practices. The results will determine the potential benefits of AM fungi to tomato crops, in the context of development of environmentally and economically sustainable practices both in Australia and overseas. Read moreRead less
A microbiological risk assessment model for the use of reclaimed water in irrigated horticulture. The volume of reclaimed water used in Australia is increasing. A major use of reclaimed water is irrigation of horticultural crops. There are considerable associated risks including contamination of soil and plants and accidental ingestion of harmful pathogens. Whilst research on many risks has been conducted, there are knowledge gaps and information is not readily available to managers. The centr ....A microbiological risk assessment model for the use of reclaimed water in irrigated horticulture. The volume of reclaimed water used in Australia is increasing. A major use of reclaimed water is irrigation of horticultural crops. There are considerable associated risks including contamination of soil and plants and accidental ingestion of harmful pathogens. Whilst research on many risks has been conducted, there are knowledge gaps and information is not readily available to managers. The central aim of this project will be to develop a new, comprehensive mathematical risk assessment model able to simulate different irrigation and horticultural scenarios. The primary output will be a user-friendly environmental decision support system incorporating the newly developed model.Read moreRead less