Mineral content of leaves and the ratio of water loss to carbon gain: environmental and genetic controls and comparison with stable isotopic measures. The ash content of leaves has promise as a cheap screen of water-use efficiency or of 'vigour' in crop plants, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. The underlying science is at the intersection of plant growth, water use and nutrition. This project will aid breeders in understanding the conditions under which the screen may work.
Membrane transporters in oxidative stress signalling and tolerance in plants. Oxidative stress imposed by salinity and drought severely limits agricultural crop production, resulting in multibillion dollar losses to farmers. Australia is one of the driest continents, with a significant proportion of arable land affected by salinity. Thus, developing salt- and drought tolerant species is critical to minimise the impact of these stresses on crop production. This project will reveal specific ionic ....Membrane transporters in oxidative stress signalling and tolerance in plants. Oxidative stress imposed by salinity and drought severely limits agricultural crop production, resulting in multibillion dollar losses to farmers. Australia is one of the driest continents, with a significant proportion of arable land affected by salinity. Thus, developing salt- and drought tolerant species is critical to minimise the impact of these stresses on crop production. This project will reveal specific ionic mechanisms mediating reactive oxygen species signalling and tolerance in plants. This will help achieve the above goal by providing plant breeders with vital information on key genes controlling oxidative stress tolerance in plants. Read moreRead less
A novel DNA motif involved in plant mitochondrial stress responses. The future of Australia's agriculture is threatened by limited water resources, temperature extremes and soil salinity. This project aims to unravel how plants are able to adapt to this continuously changing environment, by focusing on the role of mitochondria - cellular compartments essential for energy metabolism and plant stress responses.
Turning water into carbon: a synthesis of plant water-use efficiency from leaf to globe. The efficiency with which plants use water to gain carbon is a fundamental aspect of plant growth that has been frequently measured but is poorly understood. Using our new theory to draw together major datasets, the project will make a dramatic advance in our ability to understand and predict this key aspect of ecosystem function.
Phosphorus - A Key Factor in the Development of Novel Perennial Herbaceous Deep-rooted Pasture Legumes. This research aims at the development of urgently needed perennial pasture legumes, to expand perennial pasture options for southern Australia beyond lucerne. The development of new deep-rooted perennial pasture legumes has enormous potential to improve nutrient and water use over large areas of agricultural land. Benefits in terms of reducing soil erosion and acidification are also likely. An ....Phosphorus - A Key Factor in the Development of Novel Perennial Herbaceous Deep-rooted Pasture Legumes. This research aims at the development of urgently needed perennial pasture legumes, to expand perennial pasture options for southern Australia beyond lucerne. The development of new deep-rooted perennial pasture legumes has enormous potential to improve nutrient and water use over large areas of agricultural land. Benefits in terms of reducing soil erosion and acidification are also likely. An understanding of the responses of new perennial legumes to soil phosphorus is a prerequisite for the development of new perennial farming systems. Overall, both environmental and financial benefits will accrue at scales ranging from individual farmers and rural industries through to the general community.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668294
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Facility for Nitrogen and Water Analysis in Plants. Continual improvement to agricultural plant production is key to maintaining future sustainable growth in Australian agriculture. Our respective research teams are focussed on improving how plants utilise both nitrogen and water. Many questions remain with respect to where, how and when plants use and or access these important nutrients. The proposed facility will enable plant scientists to begin in-depth anal ....Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Facility for Nitrogen and Water Analysis in Plants. Continual improvement to agricultural plant production is key to maintaining future sustainable growth in Australian agriculture. Our respective research teams are focussed on improving how plants utilise both nitrogen and water. Many questions remain with respect to where, how and when plants use and or access these important nutrients. The proposed facility will enable plant scientists to begin in-depth analysis of both nitrogen transport mechanisms and the ability to model root development and water allocation in crop species. This research will ultimately lead to improved knowledge on how plants respond to their environment and where modifications can be made to generate sustainable crops suited to Australian agriculture.Read moreRead less
Propagation of terrestrial orchids for cultivation and conservation using in vitro symbiotic germination and tuberisation . The objective is to make Australian terrestrial orchids which have spectacular and unusual flower shapes and colours easier to grow, by producing tubers coated with mycorrhizal fungi. The availability of such propagules will be of value for horticulture, reintroduction of orchid species when rehabilitating mined land, and restoration of populations of rare and endangered ....Propagation of terrestrial orchids for cultivation and conservation using in vitro symbiotic germination and tuberisation . The objective is to make Australian terrestrial orchids which have spectacular and unusual flower shapes and colours easier to grow, by producing tubers coated with mycorrhizal fungi. The availability of such propagules will be of value for horticulture, reintroduction of orchid species when rehabilitating mined land, and restoration of populations of rare and endangered species. At present germination of the dust-like seeds with the appropriate mycorrhizal fungus, and handling the slow growing delicate seedlings makes these beautiful species unavailable except to the dedicated orchid enthusiast. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561161
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Joint Facility for Genome Analysis of Nutrient Transport Proteins. The joint facility for genome analysis of nutrient transport proteins is a new initiative between the University of Adelaide, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, and the University of Western Australia to use a high throughput Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen plant cDNA/cRNA collections for genes encoding nutrient transport proteins. The facility will also provide a platform to rapidly accelerate our p ....Joint Facility for Genome Analysis of Nutrient Transport Proteins. The joint facility for genome analysis of nutrient transport proteins is a new initiative between the University of Adelaide, the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, and the University of Western Australia to use a high throughput Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen plant cDNA/cRNA collections for genes encoding nutrient transport proteins. The facility will also provide a platform to rapidly accelerate our present capacity for Xenopus oocyte expression analysis of nutrient transport proteins. This facility will greatly aid our current research quantum in this field and allow for new discoveries related to nutrient transport in plants.Read moreRead less
Functional analysis of novel mitochondrial outer membrane proteins in Arabidopsis. Mitochondria play central roles in the life and death of cells. This project will characterise the functions of proteins on the mitochondrial surface, which mediate signals that define mitochondrial function, providing novel approaches to modify mitochondrial function and plant growth.
Protein Complexes and Supercomplexes of Plant Organelles. Ample parts of plant primary metabolism occur in subcellular structures called mitochondria, plastids and peroxisomes. They are vital for plant growth and development and are central to the early success of germinating and growing seedlings. This project intends to analyze the protein complexes and supercomplexes within these organelles using state of the art instrumentation and technologies. Findings from this research have the potential ....Protein Complexes and Supercomplexes of Plant Organelles. Ample parts of plant primary metabolism occur in subcellular structures called mitochondria, plastids and peroxisomes. They are vital for plant growth and development and are central to the early success of germinating and growing seedlings. This project intends to analyze the protein complexes and supercomplexes within these organelles using state of the art instrumentation and technologies. Findings from this research have the potential to directly flow into the plant biotechnology industry and could assist the future development of Australian agriculture through genetic improvements. The expertise developed by this work will ensure that Australia is well placed to meet future needs and to generally improve agricultural technology. Read moreRead less