The functional genomics of locust migratory behaviour. Unravelling the molecular genetic basis of locust migratory behaviour will place Australia at the forefront of international biological research and simultaneously contribute to the development of new and safer ways to manage these notorious agricultural pests. We will use genomics and gene expression analyses to identify the suite of genes involved in the behavioural changes that catalyse locust swarm formation and migration. This collabor ....The functional genomics of locust migratory behaviour. Unravelling the molecular genetic basis of locust migratory behaviour will place Australia at the forefront of international biological research and simultaneously contribute to the development of new and safer ways to manage these notorious agricultural pests. We will use genomics and gene expression analyses to identify the suite of genes involved in the behavioural changes that catalyse locust swarm formation and migration. This collaborative study will enhance international relations with China, foster the development of gene-focused locust control strategies, and provide an exemplar study of an important and complex problem faced by Australia and international community.Read moreRead less
Practical application of gene silencing: is delivery of long double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) by plant cells efficient in conferring host resistance to parasitic nematodes? Nematode that attack plants cause $120 billion of crop losses worldwide. Chemicals used for their control are being phased out because of environmental concerns, and natural resistance is limited. The aim of this project is to use Australian IP to develop a new form of resistance to nematodes based on knowledge of th ....Practical application of gene silencing: is delivery of long double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) by plant cells efficient in conferring host resistance to parasitic nematodes? Nematode that attack plants cause $120 billion of crop losses worldwide. Chemicals used for their control are being phased out because of environmental concerns, and natural resistance is limited. The aim of this project is to use Australian IP to develop a new form of resistance to nematodes based on knowledge of the host-pathogen interactions. A successful outcome could contribute an additional 5-20% increase in crop yields (depending on the crop) through inherent resistance of crops to nematode pests. This would benefit rural communities and the national economy, and could also generate international royalties.Read moreRead less
Autonomous tracking and predictive modelling of Australian plague locust migratory band movement. We will use advances in robotics, engineering, mathematics and biology to develop a new computer model for the control of one of the world's most damaging pest insects: locusts. Autonomous aerial robotic systems will be used to collect data on Australian plague locusts travelling in devastating migratory bands. These data on band movement and the behaviour of individual locusts within the band will ....Autonomous tracking and predictive modelling of Australian plague locust migratory band movement. We will use advances in robotics, engineering, mathematics and biology to develop a new computer model for the control of one of the world's most damaging pest insects: locusts. Autonomous aerial robotic systems will be used to collect data on Australian plague locusts travelling in devastating migratory bands. These data on band movement and the behaviour of individual locusts within the band will be used to develop a particle physics-inspired predictive model of migratory band movement, which will be used to optimise locust control operations. Economic, environmental and social benefits will arise through reductions in the amount of time, money, manpower and insecticides necessary to combat locust outbreaks.Read moreRead less
Australian plague locust population genetics and migratory behaviour. The project will allow improved monitoring and forecasting of locusts in Australia and thereby help prevent locust outbreaks. Benefits will arise directly through greater effectiveness in reducing locust damage to crops, and indirectly to Australian rural industry generally through the economic benefits of reduced losses and locust control costs. Environmental and social benefits will also arise from reduced, better targeted u ....Australian plague locust population genetics and migratory behaviour. The project will allow improved monitoring and forecasting of locusts in Australia and thereby help prevent locust outbreaks. Benefits will arise directly through greater effectiveness in reducing locust damage to crops, and indirectly to Australian rural industry generally through the economic benefits of reduced losses and locust control costs. Environmental and social benefits will also arise from reduced, better targeted use of chemical insecticides. This in turn can produce secondary economic benefits, e.g. through enhanced growth and profitability of the organic beef industry within the main locust-outbreak area. Read moreRead less
Forecasting locust outbreaks: evaluation of an Insect Monitoring Radar network. A recently developed technology that allows high-altitude migrations of insects to be detected automatically and at modest cost will be adapted to the specific task of forecasting Australian plague locusts. A network of two 'Insect Monitoring Radars' (IMRs) will be operated in a locust outbreak area, and observation summaries, customised to identify major locust migration events and to estimate their source and desti ....Forecasting locust outbreaks: evaluation of an Insect Monitoring Radar network. A recently developed technology that allows high-altitude migrations of insects to be detected automatically and at modest cost will be adapted to the specific task of forecasting Australian plague locusts. A network of two 'Insect Monitoring Radars' (IMRs) will be operated in a locust outbreak area, and observation summaries, customised to identify major locust migration events and to estimate their source and destination regions, will be presented daily to forecasters at the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC). The potential contribution of IMRs to APLC's strategic goal of reducing chemical insecticide usage while maintaining protection of valuable crops will be evaluated.Read moreRead less
Regulation of Plant Development by Small RNAs. Understanding the roles of small RNAs and their pathways is a new field of research that is giving, and will continue to give profound insights into how multicellular organisms regulate gene expression at a genomic level. Research in this area has already led to RNA interference technology, by which almost any gene can be switched off, and there is considerable potential for other gene silencing and trait modification technologies to emerge. The pro ....Regulation of Plant Development by Small RNAs. Understanding the roles of small RNAs and their pathways is a new field of research that is giving, and will continue to give profound insights into how multicellular organisms regulate gene expression at a genomic level. Research in this area has already led to RNA interference technology, by which almost any gene can be switched off, and there is considerable potential for other gene silencing and trait modification technologies to emerge. The project will yield insights into fundamental biological processes which are expected to engender applications in agriculture and biotechnology. It will maintain and enhance Australia's position in this area.Read moreRead less
Small RNAs: what makes a plant, a plant. Understanding the roles of small RNAs and their pathways is a young field of research that is giving, and will continue to give, profound insights into how multicellular organisms regulate gene expression at a genomic level. Research in this area has already led to RNA interference technology, by which almost any gene can be switched off, and there is considerable potential for other gene silencing and trait modification technologies to emerge. The projec ....Small RNAs: what makes a plant, a plant. Understanding the roles of small RNAs and their pathways is a young field of research that is giving, and will continue to give, profound insights into how multicellular organisms regulate gene expression at a genomic level. Research in this area has already led to RNA interference technology, by which almost any gene can be switched off, and there is considerable potential for other gene silencing and trait modification technologies to emerge. The project will yield insights into fundamental biological processes which are expected to engender applications in agriculture and biotechnology. It will maintain and enhance Australia's position in this area.Read moreRead less
Characterising annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in Australia. Annual rye grass (ARG) defies modern chemical technologies through evolving resistance. Agriculture has prospect of no herbicide options for ARG control in 10 years. Traditional approaches do not provide sustainable answers. A novel study of fundamental factors influencing competitiveness of this species is warranted to achieve more strongly based management options. Benefits are a prototype for improving understanding of other weed s ....Characterising annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in Australia. Annual rye grass (ARG) defies modern chemical technologies through evolving resistance. Agriculture has prospect of no herbicide options for ARG control in 10 years. Traditional approaches do not provide sustainable answers. A novel study of fundamental factors influencing competitiveness of this species is warranted to achieve more strongly based management options. Benefits are a prototype for improving understanding of other weed species, a stronger basis for determining management of Australia's worst temperate crop weed. Bringing together knowledge of ARG's genetic diversity, the role of endophyte and its allelopathic capabilities provides a powerful basis for unlocking the barriers to the control of this species.Read moreRead less
Accelerated Domestication of Australian Grass Species Using Molecular Tools. The development of new food crops from the Australian flora will provide opportunities for new sustainable agricultural and food industries in Australia. The project targets the accelerated domestication of native species with lower tillage and fertiliser requirements, better water use efficiencies and increased salt, shade, frost and/or drought tolerances than the current introduced cereal and fodder crops. This will ....Accelerated Domestication of Australian Grass Species Using Molecular Tools. The development of new food crops from the Australian flora will provide opportunities for new sustainable agricultural and food industries in Australia. The project targets the accelerated domestication of native species with lower tillage and fertiliser requirements, better water use efficiencies and increased salt, shade, frost and/or drought tolerances than the current introduced cereal and fodder crops. This will directly benefit regional Australia. The technologies developed in the project will have wide application to accelerated domestication of other Australian plants (for agriculture and food production in Australia and internationally) and to plants found in other parts of the world.Read moreRead less