Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100804
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
Controlling chloride in plants. This project aims to discover novel components that control how plants acquire and manage chloride. Chloride is one of the two ions that commonly cause salt stress, which is a major threat to Australia’s agriculture. Regions affected by salinity are increasing worldwide due to changing weather patterns and poor land management. Knowledge of plant chloride management is underdeveloped, despite the reduction in crop yield caused by high chloride accumulation. The an ....Controlling chloride in plants. This project aims to discover novel components that control how plants acquire and manage chloride. Chloride is one of the two ions that commonly cause salt stress, which is a major threat to Australia’s agriculture. Regions affected by salinity are increasing worldwide due to changing weather patterns and poor land management. Knowledge of plant chloride management is underdeveloped, despite the reduction in crop yield caused by high chloride accumulation. The anticipated outcome of this project will inform strategies aimed at selecting for optimised chloride management traits to generate crops with improved yield.Read moreRead less
Control points in nitrogen uptake: enhancing the response of cereals to nitrogen supply and demand. Vast amounts of nitrogen fertiliser are applied to cereal crops to maintain yields. By uncovering what limits nitrogen uptake in cereals, this project will provide the scientific basis for improving nitrogen use efficiency and decreasing fertiliser use, with significant economic and environmental benefits.
Exploring genetic diversity to identify new heat tolerance genes in wheat. This project aims to improve the selection and development of heat-tolerant wheat varieties. Heatwaves seriously reduce wheat yields worldwide, and the situation will worsen with climate variation. This project aims to apply a broad genetic scan to identify the main chromosome regions controlling heat tolerance at the sensitive flowering stage in Australian and European wheat varieties. It is expected that this knowledge ....Exploring genetic diversity to identify new heat tolerance genes in wheat. This project aims to improve the selection and development of heat-tolerant wheat varieties. Heatwaves seriously reduce wheat yields worldwide, and the situation will worsen with climate variation. This project aims to apply a broad genetic scan to identify the main chromosome regions controlling heat tolerance at the sensitive flowering stage in Australian and European wheat varieties. It is expected that this knowledge will deliver crucial breeders’ tools to select heat-tolerant varieties. The project also aims to identify genes most likely to control tolerance at these chromosome locations using gene expression profiling data, trait associations and knowledge of heat-tolerance genes from other species. It is expected that these genes will reveal molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance and create new opportunities to engineer superior levels of tolerance in cereals.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100177
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
Non invasive rapid plant phenotyping for root architecture in soil and acquisition of micro-nutrients. By combining advanced X-ray computed tomography and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in this facility, plant scientists will be able to quantify precisely the effects of root pathogens, drought and other stresses on root development in relation to plant nutrient status. This facility will be unique in Australia and provide a significant competitive advantage internationally for Australian resear ....Non invasive rapid plant phenotyping for root architecture in soil and acquisition of micro-nutrients. By combining advanced X-ray computed tomography and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in this facility, plant scientists will be able to quantify precisely the effects of root pathogens, drought and other stresses on root development in relation to plant nutrient status. This facility will be unique in Australia and provide a significant competitive advantage internationally for Australian research.Read moreRead less
Transport systems that underpin nitrogen efficient maize. This project aims to define the nitrogen transport network involved in the uptake, storage and redistribution of inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) over the developmental life cycle of maize. This information will provide novel insight into the genetic control of nitrogen use in maize and other cereal crops.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100054
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
Stable isotope analysis of environmental and physiological samples. Mass spectrometers capable of isotope analysis are essential tools for the earth and environmental sciences, physiology and palaeoecology. This project will provide mass spectrometers for both laboratory and field conditions which will ensure Australia remains at the forefront of international research, attract collaborations and lead to outcomes of global significance.
Assessing the impact of a native parasitic plant, Cassytha pubescens, on the weeds gorse (Ulex europaeus) and English broom (Cytisus scoparius). Each year invasive plants cost Australia billions of dollars through costs associated with their control and through lost agricultural production and degradation of native ecosystems. Two particularly damaging plants are gorse and broom. The problems gorse causes are so serious that it has been recognized as a Weed of National Significance (Federal Depa ....Assessing the impact of a native parasitic plant, Cassytha pubescens, on the weeds gorse (Ulex europaeus) and English broom (Cytisus scoparius). Each year invasive plants cost Australia billions of dollars through costs associated with their control and through lost agricultural production and degradation of native ecosystems. Two particularly damaging plants are gorse and broom. The problems gorse causes are so serious that it has been recognized as a Weed of National Significance (Federal Department of Environment and Heritage). Biological control efforts have seldom use native agents, and even less often, parasitic plants. This project will help to develop strategies for the control of two noxious species using a native parsitic plant.Read moreRead less
Ecology, Physiology and Phylogeography: an integrated approach to the study of the invasive marine green macroalga Caulerpa taxifolia in Australia. The green marine macroalga Caulerpa taxifolia is one of the world's worst invasive species. In Australia 'exotic strains' of this alga are a listed pest species. Invasions in NSW and SA have caused environmental harm and managing them has cost $10 million since 2000. We propose to integrate ecology, physiology and genetic analyses to provide data to ....Ecology, Physiology and Phylogeography: an integrated approach to the study of the invasive marine green macroalga Caulerpa taxifolia in Australia. The green marine macroalga Caulerpa taxifolia is one of the world's worst invasive species. In Australia 'exotic strains' of this alga are a listed pest species. Invasions in NSW and SA have caused environmental harm and managing them has cost $10 million since 2000. We propose to integrate ecology, physiology and genetic analyses to provide data to better respond to this pest, potentially savings millions of dollars per year. We will produce the first empirical evidence of the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on this marine pest, in the context of increasing coastal human populations.Read moreRead less
Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Recent evidence suggests that tree-mediated fluxes may be a significant, but overlooked source of methane to the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the magnitude and drivers of tree-mediated methane fluxes from Australia’s dominant forest types. Innovatively, we will be using a novel combination of empirical field based measurements, gas tracer experiments, microbial ana ....Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Recent evidence suggests that tree-mediated fluxes may be a significant, but overlooked source of methane to the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the magnitude and drivers of tree-mediated methane fluxes from Australia’s dominant forest types. Innovatively, we will be using a novel combination of empirical field based measurements, gas tracer experiments, microbial analysis and modelling methods. Expected outcomes are a mechanistic understanding of tree-mediated methane fluxes, helping to constrain regional, national and global methane budgets. The results of this study will help inform publicly funded greenhouse gas abatement strategies, ensuring a maximal return on investment.Read moreRead less
Investigating a novel signalling pathway for crop improvement. This project will dissect a newly identified signalling pathway in plants that regulates plant water use and carbon gain. It will deploy multiple techniques, including novel biosensors, to understand the links between the metabolism of plants and their environmental responses. The project will build partnerships with scientists at leading international institutions for enhanced outcomes, including access to specialised equipment and ....Investigating a novel signalling pathway for crop improvement. This project will dissect a newly identified signalling pathway in plants that regulates plant water use and carbon gain. It will deploy multiple techniques, including novel biosensors, to understand the links between the metabolism of plants and their environmental responses. The project will build partnerships with scientists at leading international institutions for enhanced outcomes, including access to specialised equipment and upskilling of our scientists. The generation of barley with the latest gene editing techniques aims to produce a non-GM crop with the potential for enhanced root C sequestration, lower water use and improved yield, three key goals for agricultural sustainability in the face of a drying Australian climate.Read moreRead less