Feasting on protein? Strategies of organic nitrogen acquisition by plant roots. Crops require large amounts of nitrogen for growth. Application of nitrogen fertiliser enhances yield, but causes off-site nitrogen pollution, a main threat to ecosystem integrity. Most nitrogen in soil occurs as organic complexes that are broken down by soil organism into small compounds, which are taken up roots or lost from the soil. This project will generate fundamental knowledge of how an Australian species and ....Feasting on protein? Strategies of organic nitrogen acquisition by plant roots. Crops require large amounts of nitrogen for growth. Application of nitrogen fertiliser enhances yield, but causes off-site nitrogen pollution, a main threat to ecosystem integrity. Most nitrogen in soil occurs as organic complexes that are broken down by soil organism into small compounds, which are taken up roots or lost from the soil. This project will generate fundamental knowledge of how an Australian species and a crop species with unusual root specialisations access soil organic nitrogen, thus increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use and reducing nitrogen loss. The research employs cutting-edge techniques for sustainable resource use, improved efficiency of crops and farming systems, and preservation of Australia's biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Understanding the control of male germ-line development by the germline-restrictive silencing factor in plants. The world population is currently increasing at an unprecedented rate, with a concomitant requirement to double the food production from the same amount of arable land. To ensure global political and social stability, equitably increasing sustainable food production without compromising environmental integrity remains a major challenge. This proposal investigates the molecular mechanis ....Understanding the control of male germ-line development by the germline-restrictive silencing factor in plants. The world population is currently increasing at an unprecedented rate, with a concomitant requirement to double the food production from the same amount of arable land. To ensure global political and social stability, equitably increasing sustainable food production without compromising environmental integrity remains a major challenge. This proposal investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying male germ line initiation and development in plants. Switching off male gamete development in some crop plants will create male sterile lines, which, when crossed with genetically distinct lines, will have the potential to produce hybrids that yield 20-30 percent more crop without additional inputs. Read moreRead less
Epigenetic programming of plant sperm cells. Most of the grains and seeds that form the world's food supply are the result of the successful functioning of sperm and egg cells during fertilisation. This proposal aims to investigate the nature of sperm cell genome programming in plants and unravel molecular processes that give these cells their unique identity. This innovative and challenging research will also provide an excellent opportunity for training the next generation of scientists. The o ....Epigenetic programming of plant sperm cells. Most of the grains and seeds that form the world's food supply are the result of the successful functioning of sperm and egg cells during fertilisation. This proposal aims to investigate the nature of sperm cell genome programming in plants and unravel molecular processes that give these cells their unique identity. This innovative and challenging research will also provide an excellent opportunity for training the next generation of scientists. The outcomes of this proposal will enhance Australia's international lead in this field and will pave the way toward the development of new approaches for sustaining and enhancing crop productivity under changing environmental conditions. Read moreRead less
A new approach to control of plant parasitic nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes are the fourth most important plant pathogens worldwide. The aim of this project is to develop ?proof-of-concept? of a new strategy for nematode control, based on a synthetic ?cell death? resistance gene, in which tight specificity of expression of the resistance gene is provided using two gene promoters. The work focusses on finding the best combination of promoters which are switched on by infection of plants w ....A new approach to control of plant parasitic nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes are the fourth most important plant pathogens worldwide. The aim of this project is to develop ?proof-of-concept? of a new strategy for nematode control, based on a synthetic ?cell death? resistance gene, in which tight specificity of expression of the resistance gene is provided using two gene promoters. The work focusses on finding the best combination of promoters which are switched on by infection of plants with nematodes. It is based on an Australian patent which has wide applicability in plant biotechnology. Nematode control will benefit horticultural and broadacre farming by reducing pathogen losses and improving quality.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outco ....The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN). We bring together plant molecular biology, entomology and analytical chemistry to transform three leading fields of Australian research into an advanced science with far reaching capabilities in innovative research and applied outcomes. Expertise studying the biochemical pathways that produce specific plant compounds and expertise in insect recognition and response to these chemicals will be brought together. This will lead to new research outcomes and solutions to problems in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and protection of Australia's native flora. Researchers are struggling to create these links, constrained by disciplinary boundaries and geographical isolation. Key industries and researchers already support this proposal.Read moreRead less
Devising a methodology for the digital soil map of the world. Soil mapping is a key part of land-resource assessment for sustainable environmental management. The output will enable the use of soil data and information to give a clear understanding of the status of, and changes in, the nation's land, vegetation and water resources and implications for their sustainable use. This global good will be used by district agricultural extension workers, and policy decision makers in developing countri ....Devising a methodology for the digital soil map of the world. Soil mapping is a key part of land-resource assessment for sustainable environmental management. The output will enable the use of soil data and information to give a clear understanding of the status of, and changes in, the nation's land, vegetation and water resources and implications for their sustainable use. This global good will be used by district agricultural extension workers, and policy decision makers in developing countries to assist in improved crop production and sustainable land management. Read moreRead less
Reducing uncertainties in greenhouse gas emissions from sub-tropical land use systems. The principle outcome of the research is the identification of sustainable land use management strategies that will ensure the continued productivity and profitability of food and fibre in the Australian sub-tropics and tropics in response to climate change whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Regional communities will benefit through a greater awareness of emission sources and sinks and exposure to viabl ....Reducing uncertainties in greenhouse gas emissions from sub-tropical land use systems. The principle outcome of the research is the identification of sustainable land use management strategies that will ensure the continued productivity and profitability of food and fibre in the Australian sub-tropics and tropics in response to climate change whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Regional communities will benefit through a greater awareness of emission sources and sinks and exposure to viable and practical strategies that promote productivity through regional diversity in land use. Improved data on greenhouse gas accounts will also ensure the Australia community is provided with full and accurate representation in international climate change fora and policy development.Read moreRead less
Functional and structural characterisation of Defective embryo and meristems (Dem) proteins involved in plant development. The proposed research will lead to advances in understanding the regulation of plant development, a process impacting on agriculture, environmental management and human health, areas designated as national research priorities. This understanding is required for modifying plant growth and architecture to fit particular environments, for example generating plants with more ext ....Functional and structural characterisation of Defective embryo and meristems (Dem) proteins involved in plant development. The proposed research will lead to advances in understanding the regulation of plant development, a process impacting on agriculture, environmental management and human health, areas designated as national research priorities. This understanding is required for modifying plant growth and architecture to fit particular environments, for example generating plants with more extensive and deeper roots to mine the soil moisture and nutrients to enhance crop productivity in Australia, and maintaining the competitive advantage of Australian agriculture in view of the range of environmental conditions encountered in this country. The project will also contribute to the health of the Australian population through consumable plants in the diet.Read moreRead less