Genomic selection: a new frontier for higher rates of genetic gain in wheat. The historical rates of genetic gain in wheat production are insufficient to meet the world's future needs for wheat-based food. Genomic selection (GS) is the most likely candidate tool that is capable of delivering the required level of genetic gain. This project will develop data-sets and statistical methods to implement GS in wheat.
Characterisation and selection of phytocompound and physical seed quality characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). To develop and expand both value and volume of the Australian market share for chickpea. Retention and expansion of existing markets will occur through improved seed physical traits such as size, colour and processing efficiency, whilst creation of new markets will be achieved through enhancing novel traits such as the level of phytocompounds. In collaboration with Victoria's Dep ....Characterisation and selection of phytocompound and physical seed quality characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). To develop and expand both value and volume of the Australian market share for chickpea. Retention and expansion of existing markets will occur through improved seed physical traits such as size, colour and processing efficiency, whilst creation of new markets will be achieved through enhancing novel traits such as the level of phytocompounds. In collaboration with Victoria's Department of Primary Industry staff, genes governing chickpea quality traits will be characterised through applying novel combinations of selection and analytical methods. A multidsciplinary team of plant breeders, grains chemists and molecular biologists will advance chickpea breeding in Australia by applying cutting-edge technologies.Read moreRead less
Seed quality and disease resistance trait mapping in lentil (Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris). To protect and increase our world lentil market share, the mission of the Australian lentil breeders is to develop lentil varieties with superior seed qualities. Three highly desirable seed quality traits are; fatter and larger shape, better splitting efficiency and resistance to blemishing by ascochyta blight infection. To speed up the development of varieties with these traits, the genetic loci governi ....Seed quality and disease resistance trait mapping in lentil (Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris). To protect and increase our world lentil market share, the mission of the Australian lentil breeders is to develop lentil varieties with superior seed qualities. Three highly desirable seed quality traits are; fatter and larger shape, better splitting efficiency and resistance to blemishing by ascochyta blight infection. To speed up the development of varieties with these traits, the genetic loci governing them will be characterised and closely associated molecular markers identified. Markers will be validated for their use in marker-assisted breeding programs via back-crossing and field and glass house testing.Read moreRead less
Pyramiding ascochyta blight (A. rabiei) resistance in chickpea. Ascochyta blight (A. rabiei) is the most devastating disease that affects chickpea production in Australia. This project will produce enhanced chickpea breeding germplasm with sustainable resistance to ascochyta blight. This will be achieved through the enrichment of highly informative genome linkage maps and the development of molecular markers closely associated with novel resistance genes. Markers will be used to screen backcross ....Pyramiding ascochyta blight (A. rabiei) resistance in chickpea. Ascochyta blight (A. rabiei) is the most devastating disease that affects chickpea production in Australia. This project will produce enhanced chickpea breeding germplasm with sustainable resistance to ascochyta blight. This will be achieved through the enrichment of highly informative genome linkage maps and the development of molecular markers closely associated with novel resistance genes. Markers will be used to screen backcrossed populations for novel resistance in order to pyramid the genes involved. The most resistant lines, to all of the A. rabiei pathotypes, will be selected for use in future resistance breeding programs.Read moreRead less
Developing Zn-dense, high-yielding wheat by molecular marker technology. The objective of this project is to identify pathways leading to the accumulation of zinc — an important element for human nutrition — in wheat. The project aims to provide biochemical and molecular markers for breeding programs that will facilitate the selection of superior breeding lines for improved human nutrition and seed health. This project builds on studies using a wheat diversity panel with 90 000 gene-based single ....Developing Zn-dense, high-yielding wheat by molecular marker technology. The objective of this project is to identify pathways leading to the accumulation of zinc — an important element for human nutrition — in wheat. The project aims to provide biochemical and molecular markers for breeding programs that will facilitate the selection of superior breeding lines for improved human nutrition and seed health. This project builds on studies using a wheat diversity panel with 90 000 gene-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, where zinc–SNP associations were identified. The project also builds on recent studies that show particular metabolites and macronutrients around anthesis are linked to improved grain zinc concentration at maturity.Read moreRead less
Enabling Molecular Plant Breeding for Drought Adaptation Using Genome-to-Phenome Modelling Technologies. Effective molecular plant breeding for improved water productivity of sorghum would generate significant economic and social benefits for rural communities in NE Australia. There is a significant opportunity to expand the sorghum industry in the region. Despite the global financial crisis, global demand for meat continues to increase, generating strong demand from intensive livestock industri ....Enabling Molecular Plant Breeding for Drought Adaptation Using Genome-to-Phenome Modelling Technologies. Effective molecular plant breeding for improved water productivity of sorghum would generate significant economic and social benefits for rural communities in NE Australia. There is a significant opportunity to expand the sorghum industry in the region. Despite the global financial crisis, global demand for meat continues to increase, generating strong demand from intensive livestock industries for feed grain. Price is projected to return to high levels given continuing use of major feed grains for biofuel. A 10% increase in sorghum production would add net value of $48M annually, much via employment. The scientific content of this project positions Australia at the leading edge globally in this emerging research field. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101407
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,524.00
Summary
Revealing and navigating a path to climate-ready crops. This project aims to investigate how well multi-dimensional biological and environmental data can be integrated to improve the prediction of plant performance under climatic fluctuations. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of quantitative genetics using an approach that combines trans-disciplinary research fields. Expected outcomes of this project include an example for how to advance conventional prediction methods ....Revealing and navigating a path to climate-ready crops. This project aims to investigate how well multi-dimensional biological and environmental data can be integrated to improve the prediction of plant performance under climatic fluctuations. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of quantitative genetics using an approach that combines trans-disciplinary research fields. Expected outcomes of this project include an example for how to advance conventional prediction methods using fundamental biological models that underlie plant growth. This will provide significant benefits, such as an enhancement of collaborative research across areas with the potential to significantly advance the general understanding of how plants interact with the environment.Read moreRead less
Reconstructing wheat evolution using ancient DNA. The domestication of wild grasses by farmers was a step change in human history; it led to the emergence of modern cereals and with them, western civilisation. This project will apply modern DNA sequencing methods to 5000-year-old cereal seeds to reconstruct the history of wheat, barley and other crops, and identify lost ancient forms and diversity.
Establishing novel breeding methods for canola improvement. It is imperative to ensure reliable food production in the coming years of climate change and increasing population. Genomics offers the greatest potential to increase food production. This project will apply genomic selection methods to accelerate canola oilseed breeding to ensure continued increases in production of this important food and national export.
Improving heat and drought tolerance in canola through genomic selection in Brassica rapa. This project aims to improve heat and drought tolerance in canola by identifying stress tolerance genes in the genetically diverse turnip family. An effective large-scale screening test for heat and drought tolerance will be developed and a number of heat- and drought-tolerant lines will be identified for genomic breeding and selection.