The Potential of the Fungicide Phosphite to Control the Autonomous Spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Natural and Rehabilitated Ecosystems. Phytophthora cinnamomi is recognised by the Federal Government as a key threatening process to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance the existing methodologies and protocols to improve the effectiveness and persistence of phosphite to reduce or contain the autonomous spread of this pathogen through susceptible and threatened plant communities. ....The Potential of the Fungicide Phosphite to Control the Autonomous Spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Natural and Rehabilitated Ecosystems. Phytophthora cinnamomi is recognised by the Federal Government as a key threatening process to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance the existing methodologies and protocols to improve the effectiveness and persistence of phosphite to reduce or contain the autonomous spread of this pathogen through susceptible and threatened plant communities. It will provide environmental, mining and land-care organisations with improved techniques to control P. cinnamomi in a range of plant communities and environments associated with mining and natural ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Fungal pathogens threatening the sub-tropical eucalypt plantation industry in Australia. Eucalypt plantations in Australia are at risk from both native pathogens and those that have emerged on exotic eucalypt plantations and been introduced to Australia. Most of the serious pathogens of exotic plantations have emerged in the sub-tropics in climates very similar to those in Queensland. It is not known if these pathogens have already been introduced to Australia; however, increased movement of ger ....Fungal pathogens threatening the sub-tropical eucalypt plantation industry in Australia. Eucalypt plantations in Australia are at risk from both native pathogens and those that have emerged on exotic eucalypt plantations and been introduced to Australia. Most of the serious pathogens of exotic plantations have emerged in the sub-tropics in climates very similar to those in Queensland. It is not known if these pathogens have already been introduced to Australia; however, increased movement of germplasm and forest products increases the risk of introducing new eucalypt pathogens. This project will involve a detailed examination of pathogens present on eucalypts in Queensland. Studies of the diversity of pathogens and determination of their reproductive mode and their pathogenicity will enable for detailed risk assessments. Assessment of genetic trials for disease incidence will provide valuable information for future selections and breeding.Read moreRead less
Susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi and sensitivity to phosphorus in native Australian plants: why are they linked? Phytophthora cinnamomi is the cause of "Phytophthora dieback", recognised by the Federal Government as a major threat to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance our understanding of interactions between species belonging to two iconic Australian plant families (Proteaceae and Myrtaceae) and this serious threat. This understanding will underpin the development of ....Susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi and sensitivity to phosphorus in native Australian plants: why are they linked? Phytophthora cinnamomi is the cause of "Phytophthora dieback", recognised by the Federal Government as a major threat to Australia's biodiversity. This project will enhance our understanding of interactions between species belonging to two iconic Australian plant families (Proteaceae and Myrtaceae) and this serious threat. This understanding will underpin the development of new chemicals to be used in combating the pathogen. In addition, it will provide molecular markers for phosphorus insensitivity and Phytophthora resistance that will be vital for Australia's horticultural industry as well as for the successful rehabilitation of minesites in areas suffering from "Phytophthora dieback". Read moreRead less
Saprophytic Ability and Long-term Survival of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Rehabilitated Bauxite Mines and Adjacent Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) Forest. The plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is listed by the Commonwealth as a ?Key threatening process? to Australia's biodiversity. This study will examine the physical, chemical and biological factors that influence long-term survival of P. cinnamomi in a range of jarrah forest and mine site soils, by examining saprophytic ability and endogenous ....Saprophytic Ability and Long-term Survival of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Rehabilitated Bauxite Mines and Adjacent Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) Forest. The plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is listed by the Commonwealth as a ?Key threatening process? to Australia's biodiversity. This study will examine the physical, chemical and biological factors that influence long-term survival of P. cinnamomi in a range of jarrah forest and mine site soils, by examining saprophytic ability and endogenous dormancy. Managers will be provided with better tools for determining the presence and predicting the persistence of P. cinnamomi by obtaining information on the environmental factors that influence survival time in different soils and how to manipulate these to decrease the pathogen's survival.Read moreRead less
A novel role for phytochrome in dormancy release inhibition. Seed dormancy contributes to the persistence of weeds in agriculture by enabling seeds to remain viable in the soil for many years, and is a major reason why annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) has become the most economically damaging weed in Australian agriculture. Recently we discovered a new way to control dormancy release and germination in these seeds. This project to identify the changes occurring within the seeds during dormancy r ....A novel role for phytochrome in dormancy release inhibition. Seed dormancy contributes to the persistence of weeds in agriculture by enabling seeds to remain viable in the soil for many years, and is a major reason why annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) has become the most economically damaging weed in Australian agriculture. Recently we discovered a new way to control dormancy release and germination in these seeds. This project to identify the changes occurring within the seeds during dormancy release will underpin our efforts to manipulate emergence timing in order to improve the efficacy of current weed control practices and contribute to sustainable farming systems.Read moreRead less
Eucalyptus gomphocephela (tuart) decline in Western Australia. The decline and death of tuart forest in Western Australia is spectacular, widespread and a significant threat to biodiversity. There is widespread concern and political pressure because of diverse landuse pressures, yet it remains poorly understood and no remedial action is available. This project will attempt to determine the causes by examining predisposing factors (hydrological, salinity, nutrition, fire) and their interaction wi ....Eucalyptus gomphocephela (tuart) decline in Western Australia. The decline and death of tuart forest in Western Australia is spectacular, widespread and a significant threat to biodiversity. There is widespread concern and political pressure because of diverse landuse pressures, yet it remains poorly understood and no remedial action is available. This project will attempt to determine the causes by examining predisposing factors (hydrological, salinity, nutrition, fire) and their interaction with pests and diseases, and the remedial actions necessary. On the basis of these results, propose an action plan so land managers and community groups can arrest and reverse tuart decline.Read moreRead less
Is water deficit the predisposing factor associated with Agonis flexuosa (WA peppermint) decline in Western Australia? The incidence and severity of tree decline across species is now widespread in southern Western Australia. There is increasing concern about their management by agencies, landowners and the community, due to the loss of aesthetics, biodiversity and ecosystem services. This project will provide remote sensing tools to monitor peppermint health and relate declines to abiotic and b ....Is water deficit the predisposing factor associated with Agonis flexuosa (WA peppermint) decline in Western Australia? The incidence and severity of tree decline across species is now widespread in southern Western Australia. There is increasing concern about their management by agencies, landowners and the community, due to the loss of aesthetics, biodiversity and ecosystem services. This project will provide remote sensing tools to monitor peppermint health and relate declines to abiotic and biotic factors. An understanding of how water abstraction for urban development and declining rainfall predispose trees to decline, and the application of thinning regimes, fungicides and nutrient implants will provide potential tools to the wider community that can be used to manage tree health.Read moreRead less
Discovery of the physiological and molecular modes of action of butenolides in promoting seed germination and vigour in plants. The Australian discovery of butenolides opens up a new scientific frontier and new opportunities for land management, plant conservation and agriculture. Butenolides will be used to promote seed germination and plant growth in land reclamation, in conservation of species, to break dormancy in weeds so that they can be eradicated, and to promote germination and vigour in ....Discovery of the physiological and molecular modes of action of butenolides in promoting seed germination and vigour in plants. The Australian discovery of butenolides opens up a new scientific frontier and new opportunities for land management, plant conservation and agriculture. Butenolides will be used to promote seed germination and plant growth in land reclamation, in conservation of species, to break dormancy in weeds so that they can be eradicated, and to promote germination and vigour in crops. Realising the full potential of butenolides demands that we understand how they work so that creative approaches can be developed that may not even require use of the chemical. Crucially by achieving these aims ahead of international competitors we can ensure that Australia gains maximum benefit.Read moreRead less
Membrane transporters mediating 2,4-D resistance in wild radish. This project aims to identify the membrane transporter protein(s) that endows resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). Wild radish is a particular problem in Australia due to its high competitiveness with crops and widespread resistance to other herbicides. 2,4-D resistance is rapidly increasing and threatening crop production in Australia and the United States. The anticipated outcome of the projec ....Membrane transporters mediating 2,4-D resistance in wild radish. This project aims to identify the membrane transporter protein(s) that endows resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). Wild radish is a particular problem in Australia due to its high competitiveness with crops and widespread resistance to other herbicides. 2,4-D resistance is rapidly increasing and threatening crop production in Australia and the United States. The anticipated outcome of the project is to identify strategies to minimise 2,4-D resistance in wild radish by interfering with the specific transporters that confer resistance and by taking advantage of the fitness cost associated with resistance in some populations. It is expected that this will help to improve crop yields and preserve 2,4-D as an effective herbicide.Read moreRead less
Building better Brassicas: Understanding disease resistance mechanisms across the Brassicaceae. Brassica species are important crops producing cooking oil, vegetables and biofuel, grown in diverse environments with a high economic and export value. Blackleg disease, caused by the fungus Leptospheria maculans, is the most important disease of brassica crops world-wide. The newly available brassica genome sequence provides the resources to study the co-evolution of this plant and pathogen. This pr ....Building better Brassicas: Understanding disease resistance mechanisms across the Brassicaceae. Brassica species are important crops producing cooking oil, vegetables and biofuel, grown in diverse environments with a high economic and export value. Blackleg disease, caused by the fungus Leptospheria maculans, is the most important disease of brassica crops world-wide. The newly available brassica genome sequence provides the resources to study the co-evolution of this plant and pathogen. This project will characterise the evolution and conservation of resistance genes in wild and cultivated brassicas, using next-generation sequencing technology, to assess their potential for crop improvement. An understanding of the evolution of genes responsible for resistance will lead to improved plant protection strategies for brassica crops.Read moreRead less