Integrated genetic regulation of photomorphogenesis in Pisum. This project will use a molecular genetic approach in garden pea to investigate the roles of photoreceptors that mediate developmental responses to light. It will define gene families encoding phytochrome, cryptochrome and phototropin photoreceptors, characterise photoreceptor gene expression, and identify mutants with impaired response to light. The mutants will be used in molecular, physiological and biochemical studies to examine h ....Integrated genetic regulation of photomorphogenesis in Pisum. This project will use a molecular genetic approach in garden pea to investigate the roles of photoreceptors that mediate developmental responses to light. It will define gene families encoding phytochrome, cryptochrome and phototropin photoreceptors, characterise photoreceptor gene expression, and identify mutants with impaired response to light. The mutants will be used in molecular, physiological and biochemical studies to examine how photoreceptors control and co-ordinate development throughout the plant via effects on plant hormone synthesis and response. Results from the project will be of practical importance in manipulating key aspects of plant growth to better suit particular environmental and agronomic objectives.Read moreRead less
IMPROVING NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY IN CROP PLANTS: ROLE OF THE AMMONIUM TRANSPORT FAMILY AMT. Improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop plants will reduce the use of environmentally damaging nitrogen fertilisers that threaten through leaching the sustainability of Australia's agricultural sector and local water ecosystems. Plants contain genes that encode transport proteins required for the uptake of nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate) from the soil. We will identify the in planta activity of the A ....IMPROVING NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY IN CROP PLANTS: ROLE OF THE AMMONIUM TRANSPORT FAMILY AMT. Improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop plants will reduce the use of environmentally damaging nitrogen fertilisers that threaten through leaching the sustainability of Australia's agricultural sector and local water ecosystems. Plants contain genes that encode transport proteins required for the uptake of nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate) from the soil. We will identify the in planta activity of the AMT family of ammonium transporters and associated signalling pathways which control the uptake and assimilation of ammonium in plants. This project will confirm the mechanisms involved in ammonium uptake from the soil and lead to the development of ammonium-nitrogen efficient crop plants.Read moreRead less
Eco-Turf: Water and nutrient use efficient turfgrasses from Australian biodiversity. Domestic water consumption in Australia is approximately 30% higher than the OECD average. Approximately one third of domestic water consumption is applied to the garden, including turfgrass lawns. Turfgrasses are significant users of fertilisers, which can lead to problems with runoff and infiltration into the water table. We will use the unique diversity of Australian couch grasses to identify new turfs for ....Eco-Turf: Water and nutrient use efficient turfgrasses from Australian biodiversity. Domestic water consumption in Australia is approximately 30% higher than the OECD average. Approximately one third of domestic water consumption is applied to the garden, including turfgrass lawns. Turfgrasses are significant users of fertilisers, which can lead to problems with runoff and infiltration into the water table. We will use the unique diversity of Australian couch grasses to identify new turfs for domestic, sportsground and amenity lawns. This project will develop tools to select turfgrasses that maintain quality with reduced inputs of water and nutrients, leading to an overall reduction in resource use and downstream ecological effects. Benefits of this project extend to urban and rural communities Australia-wide.Read moreRead less