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
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
Integrated biological control of Sclerotinia minor root rot of pyrethrum crops. Tasmania is a major global supplier of natural pyrethrum, producing 25% of the world's requirements. However the industry has a major problem with Sclerotinia minor, current chemical treatment being expensive and providing limited effectiveness. The aim of this project is to develop long term integrated control measures for this disease, particularly by the application of biological control agents targeting S. minor ....Integrated biological control of Sclerotinia minor root rot of pyrethrum crops. Tasmania is a major global supplier of natural pyrethrum, producing 25% of the world's requirements. However the industry has a major problem with Sclerotinia minor, current chemical treatment being expensive and providing limited effectiveness. The aim of this project is to develop long term integrated control measures for this disease, particularly by the application of biological control agents targeting S. minor at planting. It will also examine possible break-crops biocidal to the fungus, and other integrated control measures. The significance/outcomes will be improved crop productivity to the industry, improved competitiveness with overseas producers and reduced dependence on chemical pesticides.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
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
Impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on native vegetation in South Australia - understanding underlying mechanisms to improve management. The disease Phytophthora dieback threatens many Australian native plants and the animals that rely on them for food and habitat. This research will provide new knowledge of the susceptibility to the disease of plant species that are threatened with extinction, and of the effects of plant and soil microbial community composition on patterns of spread of the disease ....Impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on native vegetation in South Australia - understanding underlying mechanisms to improve management. The disease Phytophthora dieback threatens many Australian native plants and the animals that rely on them for food and habitat. This research will provide new knowledge of the susceptibility to the disease of plant species that are threatened with extinction, and of the effects of plant and soil microbial community composition on patterns of spread of the disease. This knowledge will assist the recovery of rare and threatened plant species and ecological communities statewide and nationwide. 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
Why does phosphite protect some plants against Phytophthora but not others? Plant diseases caused by Phytophthora pose a major threat to Australia's biodiversity, horticulture and agriculture. The systemic chemical potassium phosphite is a key component of management strategies, but its effectiveness varies on different plant species. We will use molecular and biochemical techniques to understand why some plant species are protected against Phytophthora dieback by phosphite while others are not. ....Why does phosphite protect some plants against Phytophthora but not others? Plant diseases caused by Phytophthora pose a major threat to Australia's biodiversity, horticulture and agriculture. The systemic chemical potassium phosphite is a key component of management strategies, but its effectiveness varies on different plant species. We will use molecular and biochemical techniques to understand why some plant species are protected against Phytophthora dieback by phosphite while others are not. This will improve the options for managing bushland affected by dieback and will also expand our knowledge of plant disease resistance.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of antifungal resistance in blackleg disease of canola. This project aims to determine how fungicide resistance evolves in the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, the major pathogen of the oilseed crop canola. Global food production has become more reliant on the use of antifungal agents to protect crops, however these advances are now threatened by the emergence of drug-resistant microbes. The knowledge generated by this project will be used to reduce the risk of resistance evolving in po ....Mechanisms of antifungal resistance in blackleg disease of canola. This project aims to determine how fungicide resistance evolves in the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, the major pathogen of the oilseed crop canola. Global food production has become more reliant on the use of antifungal agents to protect crops, however these advances are now threatened by the emergence of drug-resistant microbes. The knowledge generated by this project will be used to reduce the risk of resistance evolving in populations of the blackleg fungus. This will have economic benefits through ensuring increased canola yields, while providing health and environmental benefits through minimisation of use of fungicides.Read moreRead less