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
Race status, resistance mechanisms, and new sources of resistance to Phytophthora clandestina, a major threat to subterranean clover production. Devastating outbreaks of disease caused by Phytophthora clandestina (Phytophthora root rot) since the late 1970s demonstrated the capacity of this disease to impact severely on clover pasture production across southern Australia, particularly as new races of Phytophthora have rapidly emerged to overcome the resistance of all commercial cultivars. The p ....Race status, resistance mechanisms, and new sources of resistance to Phytophthora clandestina, a major threat to subterranean clover production. Devastating outbreaks of disease caused by Phytophthora clandestina (Phytophthora root rot) since the late 1970s demonstrated the capacity of this disease to impact severely on clover pasture production across southern Australia, particularly as new races of Phytophthora have rapidly emerged to overcome the resistance of all commercial cultivars. The proposed research seeks to delineate new races of the pathogen, to identify the histological and biochemical mechanisms by which resistance to Phytophthora root rot is expressed, and to identify new sources of host resistance. This proposed research will enable breeders, for the first time, to incorporate multiple types of resistance and against different races into new host varieties.Read moreRead less
Why does phosphite protect some plants against Phytophthora but not others? Plant diseases caused by Phytophthora pose a major threat to Australia's biodiversity, horticulture and agriculture. The systemic chemical potassium phosphite is a key component of management strategies, but its effectiveness varies on different plant species. We will use molecular and biochemical techniques to understand why some plant species are protected against Phytophthora dieback by phosphite while others are not. ....Why does phosphite protect some plants against Phytophthora but not others? Plant diseases caused by Phytophthora pose a major threat to Australia's biodiversity, horticulture and agriculture. The systemic chemical potassium phosphite is a key component of management strategies, but its effectiveness varies on different plant species. We will use molecular and biochemical techniques to understand why some plant species are protected against Phytophthora dieback by phosphite while others are not. This will improve the options for managing bushland affected by dieback and will also expand our knowledge of plant disease resistance.Read moreRead less