Cellular and molecular interactions of rhabdoviruses with their plant hosts and insect vectors. Viruses cause significant economic losses in agriculture, but little information is available on how plant-adapted rhabdoviruses multiply in both their plant hosts and insect vectors. This project on the localisation, transport and host defence properties of essential viral proteins will identify novel targets for improved disease control.
Phytochemistry Of Thrips Resistance In Potato And Its Influence On Acquisition And Transmission Of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. TSWV causes multi-million dollar losses to the Australian potato industry, which is the countries largest and most valuable vegetable commodity and an important source of income and employment for rural communities. Development of TSWV epidemics relies on the activity of vector thrips acquiring virus from infected plants and transmitting it to healthy potatoes. Deployment ....Phytochemistry Of Thrips Resistance In Potato And Its Influence On Acquisition And Transmission Of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. TSWV causes multi-million dollar losses to the Australian potato industry, which is the countries largest and most valuable vegetable commodity and an important source of income and employment for rural communities. Development of TSWV epidemics relies on the activity of vector thrips acquiring virus from infected plants and transmitting it to healthy potatoes. Deployment of thrips resistant potato would greatly assist disease control. This project will determine the efficacy of thrips resistance in reducing TSWV epidemics and identify the chemical basis of resistance, which could be used as a screening tool for potato breeding, and could form the basis of a synthetic chemical tool for thrips prevention in potato and other crops.Read moreRead less
Attract and reward: a novel approach to enhancing biological control of crop pests. Pests cause serious damage to Australia's agricultural crops. Current control relies heavily on synthetic pesticides. This project will develop novel products based on natural plant compounds to attract beneficial insects into crops where they will be supported with nectar, pollen and shelter to maximise their lifespan, reproduction, residency. This use of Australia's beneficial insect biodiversity will provide ....Attract and reward: a novel approach to enhancing biological control of crop pests. Pests cause serious damage to Australia's agricultural crops. Current control relies heavily on synthetic pesticides. This project will develop novel products based on natural plant compounds to attract beneficial insects into crops where they will be supported with nectar, pollen and shelter to maximise their lifespan, reproduction, residency. This use of Australia's beneficial insect biodiversity will provide novel pest control options to help transform the vegetable and grape industries. The work will reduce reliance on conventional pesticides; thereby contributing towards Australia's environmental sustainability and providing healthier foodstuffs. Read moreRead less
Molecular tools for understanding, predicting and managing flowering and reproductive development in Brassica oleracea. This project integrates basic research with application to a significant horticultural industry, building on Australia's position as a leader in world research on molecular and genetic regulation of flowering. The project will strengthen Australia's research reputation in this field, provide new tools for cultivar screening in and management of B. oleracea seed crops. The proj ....Molecular tools for understanding, predicting and managing flowering and reproductive development in Brassica oleracea. This project integrates basic research with application to a significant horticultural industry, building on Australia's position as a leader in world research on molecular and genetic regulation of flowering. The project will strengthen Australia's research reputation in this field, provide new tools for cultivar screening in and management of B. oleracea seed crops. The project will deliver training for 3 PhD students at the interface between basic and applied research. A shortage of skilled scientists with ability to link understanding of plant development at the molecular/genetic level with improved crop management practices has been identified by the horticultural sector as a major challenge. Read moreRead less
Control of foliar diseases in horticulture using milk components: widening applicability through understanding mechanisms. Fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and botrytis grey mould, have the potential to cause considerable losses in horticultural crops. Chemical fungicides, some of which are broad-spectrum biocides potentially harmful to human health, are applied routinely in disease management. Milk and whey, which can damage powdery mildew fungi, offer alternatives to conventional fungic ....Control of foliar diseases in horticulture using milk components: widening applicability through understanding mechanisms. Fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and botrytis grey mould, have the potential to cause considerable losses in horticultural crops. Chemical fungicides, some of which are broad-spectrum biocides potentially harmful to human health, are applied routinely in disease management. Milk and whey, which can damage powdery mildew fungi, offer alternatives to conventional fungicides. Identification of the components of milk which damage fungi, and their mechanisms of activity, will facilitate the development of environmentally sustainable strategies for management of fungal diseases in Australian horticulture. This will have particular benefits for personnel who regularly apply fungicides in glasshouses.Read moreRead less
Factors responsible for host resistance to the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum for developing effective disease management in vegetable brassicas. Through successful identification of host resistance in vegetable Brassicas to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and determining the factors associated with this resistance, breeders, for the first time, will be able to develop varieties with resistance against this difficult-to-manage pathogen. Benefits include prevention of severe losses in vegetable Bras ....Factors responsible for host resistance to the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum for developing effective disease management in vegetable brassicas. Through successful identification of host resistance in vegetable Brassicas to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and determining the factors associated with this resistance, breeders, for the first time, will be able to develop varieties with resistance against this difficult-to-manage pathogen. Benefits include prevention of severe losses in vegetable Brassicas from Sclerotinia, and more viable and sustainable production with less reliance upon fungicides and toxic or ineffective fumigants. This research addresses the National Research Priority, an environmentally sustainable Australia, and the priority goal transforming existing industries, and will particularly benefit Australian horticultural communities.Read moreRead less