Explaining the interactions between drought and fertiliser use efficiency using tracing and imaging techniques. With climate change, Australian agriculture is faced with periods of increasing drought and changing rainfall patterns. At the same time, Australian farmers are faced with increasing costs of fertiliser inputs (their largest variable input cost), yet have little information on how they should change their nutrient management programs to suit the changing climatic conditions. This proje ....Explaining the interactions between drought and fertiliser use efficiency using tracing and imaging techniques. With climate change, Australian agriculture is faced with periods of increasing drought and changing rainfall patterns. At the same time, Australian farmers are faced with increasing costs of fertiliser inputs (their largest variable input cost), yet have little information on how they should change their nutrient management programs to suit the changing climatic conditions. This project aims to determine the effect of drought and rainfall patterns on the efficiency of fertiliser use by crops, through examination of the effects of soil moisture conditions on the interaction between soil and added fertilisers. Read moreRead less
Characterisation and selection of phytocompound and physical seed quality characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). To develop and expand both value and volume of the Australian market share for chickpea. Retention and expansion of existing markets will occur through improved seed physical traits such as size, colour and processing efficiency, whilst creation of new markets will be achieved through enhancing novel traits such as the level of phytocompounds. In collaboration with Victoria's Dep ....Characterisation and selection of phytocompound and physical seed quality characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). To develop and expand both value and volume of the Australian market share for chickpea. Retention and expansion of existing markets will occur through improved seed physical traits such as size, colour and processing efficiency, whilst creation of new markets will be achieved through enhancing novel traits such as the level of phytocompounds. In collaboration with Victoria's Department of Primary Industry staff, genes governing chickpea quality traits will be characterised through applying novel combinations of selection and analytical methods. A multidsciplinary team of plant breeders, grains chemists and molecular biologists will advance chickpea breeding in Australia by applying cutting-edge technologies.Read moreRead less