The UWA Institute of Agriculture - Number 34, April 2018
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The UWA Institute
of Agriculture
Number 34, April 2018
Farmers’ markets have the potential to be a significant contributor to small scale farm businesses.
Farmers’ markets fuel local economy
The Albany Farmers’ Market is a She is investigating the economic this research as there has been very
hive of activity as locals and visitors and social drivers and constraints little academic research on farmers’
make a bee-line to purchase fresh for participation in farmers’ markets, markets in WA, despite its rapid growth
produce from the region every the potential multiplier effects for over the last five years.
Saturday morning. regional agribusinesses, and will survey
farmers’ market consumers. “The research will seek answers to
UWA is working with the Western whether the potential economic
Australian Farmers’ Market Association “Farmers’ markets have the potential and social opportunities of farmers’
(WAFMA) to develop new information to be a significant contributor to small markets are actually afforded to
on the importance of farmers’ markets scale farm businesses. They are an participants and will serve as useful
for regional development. excellent outlet for fresh produce sales, evidence for decision making around
networking opportunities and market farmers markets, for example with local
UWA Master of Urban and Regional testing. I’m very passionate about the government,” Ms Payet said.
Planning student Ms Helena Shojaei, relationship between the sustainability
who was awarded the Agribusiness of the agricultural sector and urban The research is supervised by Dr
Connect Honours/Masters Regional and regional planning,” Helena said. Natasha Pauli and Professor Fiona
Research Scholarship is investigating Haslam McKenzie from the UWA School
the reasons why food producers WAFMA Chairperson Ms Jenny Payet of Agriculture and Environment and
choose to sell at farmers’ markets. said the Association is keen to support Centre for Regional Development.
IN THIS ISSUE Gene discovery for flood tolerance in rice P6 | How do Farmers use weather and forecast information P12 | Scholarship supports heat stress study P14
Director’s MLP Field Day
column held at UWA
Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique
AM, CitWA, FTSE, FAIA, FNAAS, FISPP
Farm Ridgefield
kadambot.siddique@uwa.edu.au Professor Graeme Martin
graeme.martin@uwa.edu.au
Recruitment is underway for a
Professor, or Professor of Practice UWA Farm Ridgefield hosted the
of Dryland Farming Systems. Merino Lifetime Productivity Project
We are seeking an outstanding (MLP) field day on 28 March 2018.
academic to expand farming a better understanding of fertiliser The project is a $13m investigation
systems research and teaching requirements. The SoilsWest project over ten years that involves five sites
across UWA. The incumbent will brings together partners from DPIRD, across Australia, with UWA Farm
provide leadership and develop Murdoch University, The University of Ridgefield, Pingelly being the WA site.
research capacity nationally and Adelaide and industry.
internationally including developing The project is testing whether the
interdisciplinary links in farming UWA is also involved in a soil sampling performance of sires selected at
systems. The position will bring project funded by the GRDC. Led by very young ages is carried into adult
significant strength to the University CSIRO with input from DPIRD and performance. It is funded by Australian
and Western Australia. For further industry, the research will improve soil Wool Innovation and managed
information, visit jobs.uwa.edu.au. sample collection protocols to boost through Murdoch University and the
the accuracy of determining what soil Australian Merino Sire Evaluation
The Worldwide Universities Network nutrients are available to plants. Association (AMSEA).
(WUN) conference is being hosted by
UWA in May. The program, Responding Each year the Industry Advisory Board The WA Field Day attracted about 75
to Climate Change Workshop, Water steers a half day forum on a topical producers who were brought up to
for sustainable food, renewable energy agricultural theme. I am pleased to date on progress for the first two years.
and biodiverse ecosystems under a announce this year’s industry forum Thirty rams from across Australia,
changing climate opens with a visit topic Disruptive technologies: a new including some used as ‘link sires’ to
to UWA Farm Ridgefield, and we look revolution in agriculture. Scheduled for help describe differences between
forward to welcoming members of Thursday, 26 July at the University Club sites and years, are being compared at
WUN’s Global Farm Platform to the farm. of WA the forum will no doubt stimulate Ridgefield. For each ram, semen is used
some interesting discussions. to inseminate 90 ewes.
Five students from UWA studying
grains related research at the Another key event to mark in your The producers examined the sheep born
doctoral, masters and undergraduate calendar is the annual Postgraduate in 2016 and 2017, and were given copies
level received scholarships from Showcase: Frontiers in Agriculture of the data for a wide range of measures
the Australian Grains Institute’s on Wednesday, 6 June in the including weight, fleece weight, visual
Capacity Building Project, Careers Bayliss Lecture Theatre at UWA. components, staple length and strength,
in Grain to attend the GRDC Grains The Postgraduate Showcase brings fibre diameter, CV fibre diameter, muscle
Research Update, Perth. UWA was well together some of UWA’s best PhD and fat, fetus number, breech wrinkle,
represented with several academics students at an advanced stage of their and worm egg count.
and students presenting their research research. It highlights relevant research
(see page 9). and progress being made in the area of AWI’s Program Manager Genetics and
agriculture, food science and related Animal Welfare Advocacy, Geoff Lindon
At the event, GRDC Chairman Mr John natural resource management at UWA. addressed the crowd and geneticist Dr
Woods announced that the GRDC had Bronwyn Clarke explained the way the data
increased its investment into WA soils Finally, we bid farewell to Ms Brenda were processed. AMSEA Executive Officer
and crop nutrition research in response Dagnall, Personal Assistant to IOA Ben Swain presented some preliminary
to grassroots feedback. UWA is leading Director. Brenda has spent the last 12 data on reproductive performance,
a project investigating soil nitrogen, months supporting the IOA team and with fascinating observations on
phosphorus and potassium supply we wish her all the best in her future syndicate mating that were derived
to crops, with a focus on providing endeavours. from DNA analysis of parentage.
2 The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world
The Merino Lifetime Productivity Project field day was held at UWA Farm Ridgefield.
Sheep course guides students’ career path
Participants experienced all levels of the
chain from sheep production (genetics,
breeding, and nutrition), feedlots,
trading, processing, value-adding, retail
and live export.
“This enabled the participants to
consider a wide range of supply chain
issues for both domestic and export
of sheep meat including consumer
demand and preference, markets,
Justin Hardy, DPIRD, Robert Kelly, Kojonup, Jamie Nykiel, Murdoch, Clair Payne, Murdoch,
Jie Deng, UWA and John Crabb, Livestock Shipping Services at a field visit in Kojonup. production systems, animal welfare,
quality assurance, traceability, pricing,
UWA Animal Science student Jie Deng The five-day residential program in trust, business structures and product
completed an intensive one-week Katanning and Albany was presented to development,” Mr Hardy said.
training program in January, aimed 20 participants, the majority of whom
at encouraging tertiary students to were currently studying or working in “By successfully attracting graduating
pursue a career in the agrifood sector. the Western Australian sheep industry. professionals, the course achieved
its aim to influence their early career
The Sheep Meat Value Chain training Department senior development officer choices towards the sheep industry.”
program focuses on sheep meat Justin Hardy said the course, now in its
production and markets and was second year, was a balance between the As part of their training, the students
designed by the Department of Primary theoretical concepts of agrifood supply worked in groups towards a competitive
Industries and Regional Development’s chain management and an intensive presentation on the last day which looked
Sheep Industry Business Innovation ‘walk-the-chain’ process incorporating at what the current state of the chain was
(SIBI) project. field visits and presentations from key and what the future state should aim to be
industry practitioners and leaders. via a sustainable business plan.
Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 3
Some named participants of the GIL project at the Shenzhen meeting: (from left) Professor Yong Wang of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GAAS), Dr Daniel
Mullan, Lead Breeder of InterGrain Pty Ltd, Dr Shancen Zhao, Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), Professor Zhanyuan Lu, Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and
Animal Husbandry Sciences (IMAAAHS), Professor Guijun Yan, The University of Western Australia, Professor Aimin Zhang, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS),
Professor Yong Zhang, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Professor Haibo Wang, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (HAAFS)
UWA global innovation linkage project participants
meet in China
Professor Guijun Yan year project. Representing UWA were high-throughput molecular marker
guijun.yan@uwa.edu.au development, bioinformatics
Professors Guijun Yan, Jacqueline
Batley, David Edwards and Dr Helen Liu. technologies, and multi-environment
UWA has been awarded the Global trial analyses.
Innovation Linkage (GIL) project to The aim of the project is to improve
improve wheat production from the wheat production in response to rising “The expected outcomes include
Australian federal government’s global demand, food security, and improved breeding efficiency, novel
Department of Industry, Innovation environmental changes. Wheat is one of plant material for generating high-
and Science (AusIndustry). The the most important crops in the world yield cultivars adapted to target
project includes support from seven and breeding for higher yield, better environments, and commercialisation
global partners including InterGrain, quality and more adaptability has been of the developed technologies
Chinese Academy Sciences (CAS), a constant aim of wheat improvement. including a population development
Chinese Academy of Agricultural service and DNA marker genotyping
Sciences (CAAS), Inner Mongolia Professor Guijun Yan from the School service internationally.
Academy of Agricultural and Animal of Agriculture and Environment and
Husbandry Sciences (IMAAAHS), IOA said although wheat yield has “The research outcomes will be broadly
Gansu Academy of Agricultural increased over time as a direct result available to the breeding and genetic
Sciences (GAAS), Hebei Academy of of the new varieties produced by research community and lead to
Agricultural and Forestry Sciences breeders, there is still substantial room high impact scientific publications,”
(HAAFS) and Beijing Genomics to improve. Professor Yan said.
Institute (BGI).
He said the project combines With improved wheat cultivars, this
The inaugural GIL meeting was held in the strengths of resources and project will not only meet the demands
Shenzhen, China on 20-21 November technologies in Australia and China of Australian breeding industry, but
2017 where twenty scientists from to address the industry’s demand also contribute to the world demand
participating organisations mapped for significantly improved wheat for food security and sustainability
out the basic pathway of this four yield, through germplasm exchange, through enhanced production.
4 The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world
Beefing up the West
with Genetics
How genetics and selection can be used across the beef supply chain
to increase productivity and profitability was the topic of the inaugural
Alan Sevier Memorial Lecture, held on Thursday, 15 March 2018.
The lecture, Beefing up the West Focusing on northern systems, the
with Genetics, was attended by presentation covered recent advances
approximately 60 people and delivered in beef cattle genetics including the
by beef cattle geneticist Dr David evolving field of DNA and genomic s,
Johnston from the University of New new genetic evaluation systems and
England. the development of novel traits.
Dr David Johnston and Prof Philip Vercoe at the
inaguaral Alan Sevier Memorial Lecture.
Dr Johnston is currently leading a “Advances in beef cattle genetics have
large MLA-funded breeding project the potential to change beef breeding,” The Alan Sevier Memorial Lecture is in
in Queensland and the Northern Dr Johnston said. memory of Dr Alan Sevier, an animal
Territory to develop enhanced genetic scientist with the Department of Food
evaluation of female reproduction “They can enable seedstock breeders and Agriculture WA who passed away
traits, through the implementation of to significantly increase rates of genetic in 2013.
new genomic selection techniques in progress and importantly at the
tropically-adapted beef. commercial sector, allow producers This memorial lecture has been
to better match genetics to their established with the funds set aside in
production systems and markets.” his will which he bequeathed to UWA.
Widespread strain-specific virus resistance
protects the potato crop from disease
Adjunct Professor Roger Jones and Only two potato cultivars, both
Mr Stuart Vincent established the European, carried extreme resistance
PVY resistance of 39 potato cultivars gene Ry so they never became
currently grown in Australia by infecting infected. Also, only three cultivars, one
them with Australian PVY isolates and Australasian and two European, always
studying the resulting phenotypic developed susceptible phenotypes so
reactions. They used potato cultivars lacked genes Ry, Ny and putative Nd.
originally bred in Australasia, Europe
and North America. These cultivars The findings, published recently in
were released over a 117 year period the prestigious international research
with the oldest released in 1893. journal Plant Disease, have important
Potato virus Y hypersensitive reaction implications concerning breeding
Two types of strain-specific new PVY-resistant potato cultivars,
Adjunct Prof Roger Jones hypersensitive (HR) phenotypes elicited especially for countries lacking
roger.jones@uwa.edu.au by HR genes Ny or putative Nd were healthy seed potato stocks, or where
found in 23 and 34 cultivars respectively, subsistence farmers cannot afford
Due to the recent appearance of its protecting these cultivars from spread them. An alternative to using gene Ry is
highly virulent strains, Potato virus Y of PVY ordinary (gene Ny) and D (gene incorporating as many strain-specific
(PVY) currently poses a major threat Nd) strains. Resistance genes Ny and PVY resistance genes as possible.
to potato production in developed putative Nd were present in cultivars
and developing countries worldwide. released between 1939 and 2010, or This research was funded by the
This is because it greatly decreases 1893 and 2010, respectively, occurring in Australian Produce Commission Potato
yield and disfigures potato tubers. cultivars from all three world regions. Producers’ Committee, UWA and DPIRD.
Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 5
Gene discovery
for flood
tolerance in rice
Professor Tim Colmer
timothy.colmer@uwa.edu.au
Floods can devastate crop production.
Even rice, a wetland crop which
grows in shallow water, frequently
suffers damage or loss in flood-prone
The silvery sheen along submerged portions of rice leaves is the gas layer. Credit: Ole Pedersen
regions. Inundation by water impedes
shoot gas exchange, which slows
carbon dioxide entry restricting the gene responsible for determining improvement of rice submergence
photosynthesis during the day, and rice leaf gas film retention. The team tolerance and yield stability of crops
slows oxygen uptake resulting in demonstrated that the Leaf Gas Film in flood-prone areas,” Professor
tissue hypoxia during the night. 1 (LGF1) gene determines leaf wax Colmer said.
composition, epicuticular wax platelet
A mechanism to enhance plant gas abundance, surface hydrophobicity, and The discovery was only possible
exchange with water is hydrophobic thus gas film retention and underwater because of the multidisciplinary
leaf surfaces that retain a thin layer photosynthesis for leaves of rice. collaboration which combined plant
of gas. The surface of rice leaves is physiology at UWA and U Copenhagen
hydrophobic and the leaves initially Professor Colmer said this leaf trait with the expertise in genetics and
retain gas films when submerged. This is essential for survival of rice even molecular biology of Professor
gas layer, however, diminishes with in paddy field conditions during Motoyuki Ashikari and his PhD student
time under water. the wet season and contributes to Yusuke Kurokawa who is the first
submergence tolerance. author of the paper in New Phytologist.
Together with colleagues from Nagoya Several other Japanese scientists made
University, Professor Tim Colmer and “If any variation in the gene or its important contributions in specific
Adjunct Professor Ole Pedersen from expression exists and is associated components of the study, for example
the UWA School of Agriculture and with leaf gas film retention, this could leaf wax chemical analyses, which is
Environment and IOA have identified be a future breeding target for further reflected in the co-authorships.
Grains research to boost crop production and reduce
Significant investment into WA soils Grains Research Update, Perth held in nutrient use. Worth a total of $9.7
and crop nutrition is set to increase February (see page 9). million across five years, the project will
profit from nitrogen, phosphorus be led by UWA through the SoilsWest
and potassium fertiliser inputs in The three projects will focus on alliance with DPIRD, and will involve
modern WA cropping systems. efficient soil nutrient supply leading partners from Murdoch University,
to more efficient fertiliser use, soil University of Adelaide, and other grains
Involving extensive collaboration amelioration, and developing new soil industry stakeholders.
between government, universities and sampling methods.
grains industry stakeholders, three Mr Woods said the project will improve
major new projects worth a total of UWA is leading the biggest of the knowledge about nitrogen cycling
$14.6 million were announced by GRDC three projects to improve WA grower and availability, soil phosphorus and
chairman John Woods at the GRDC profitability through more efficient potassium storage, sources of nutrient
6 The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world
Increased surveillance for viral pathogens
in Australia’s northern regions needed
Adjunct Professor Roger Jones PhD student Solomon Maina from feathery mottle virus from sweet potato
roger.jones@uwa.edu.au
the UWA School of Agriculture and from East Timor and Kununurra.
Environment and IOA tested the
The arrival of damaging new crop hypothesis that economically important PhD Supervisor Adjunct Professor
virus diseases via viruiferous insect viral crop pathogens are arriving in Roger Jones from IOA said Solomon’s
vectors blown in wind currents from northern Australia via wind-borne insect findings emphasise the need to
Indonesia, East Timor and Papua virus vectors, blown across the sea by increase surveillance for viral
New Guinea poses a biosecurity prevailing wind currents. pathogens in Australia’s northern
threat to Australian crops. regions.
Solomon obtained multiple complete
virus genomes from plant samples “Rapid action to eradicate new virus
collected across northern Australia and incursions is needed to avoid the
from the same crops in East Timor and establishment of damaging viruses,”
Papua New Guinea. He used these virus Adjunct Professor Roger Jones said.
genomes to investigate the genetic
connectivity between isolates of the “In addition, the widespread
same viruses from the three countries. occurrence of virus in Australian
His main focus was viruses of cucurbits sweet potato emphasises the need for
and sweet potato as these both enhanced virus testing in the Australian
produced many virus genomes, but national sweet potato pathogen-tested
several additional genomes were also stock program.”
obtained other crops.
Solomon’s research is funded by
Evidence of genetic connectivity was the CRC for Plant Biosecurity, and
obtained between genomes of Zucchini supervised by Adjunct Professor Roger
yellow mosaic virus from cucurbit Jones, Professor Martin Barbetti, Dr
plants from Kununurra and East Timor, Mingpei You, and Dr Owain Edwards,
Solomon prepares FTA cards containing Papaya ringspot virus from cucurbits CSIRO.
sample extracts from East Timor crop plants
preserved on them. from across northern Australia and
Papua New Guinea, and Sweet potato
fertiliser costs
supply and responsiveness of crops. partners, new ways to collect soil effective fertiliser decisions – ultimately
“Quantifying soil nitrogen supply is samples will be investigated. increasing their profitability,” he said.
crucial for grain growers, given it affects
the rate of nitrogen fertiliser required and “Current soil sample collection DPRID Managing Director of Research,
is one of the few in-season management protocols were developed in an earlier Development and Innovation Dr Mark
strategies available to improve returns on era when farming practices differed Sweetingham said collaboration
all variable and fixed costs.” significantly from those in current use,” between research agencies was an
Mr Woods said. “New ways to collect soil important feature of the projects,
UWA is also involved in the soil samples are needed by WA growers to bringing together GRDC, DPIRD, UWA,
sampling project, worth a total of $1.4 boost the accuracy of determining what Curtin University, Murdoch University,
million over three years. Led by CSIRO, soil nutrients are available to plants and CSIRO, the University of South
with input from DPIRD and industry help them make better, more cost- Australia, CSBP and Summit Fertiliser.
Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 7
Agricultural
Innovations for
Communities
in Timor-Leste
Prof William Erskine
william.erskine@uwa.edu.au
Marie-Louise Carroll, Candy Taylor, Mary-Anne Lowe and Helen Carroll at the Mike Carroll
Travelling Fellowship Award Ceremony. Researchers from UWA including
Professor William Erskine, Dr Amin
Mike Carroll Fellowship Mugera, Professor Anu Rammohan,
Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique
and Ms Pyone Myat Thu visited Timor-
Diana Boykett where she spent time engaging with soil
diana.boykett@uwa.edu.au Leste in April for the planning workshop
scientists and other PhD students.
of the Agricultural Innovations for
Communities (AI-Com) project.
Two PhD candidates Ms Mary- Candy is investigating flowering time
Anne Lowe and Ms Candy Taylor to create adapted and high yielding
AI-Com is a four-year collaborative
were awarded the 2016 and 2017 narrow-leafed lupin crops. She
research program between Timor-Leste’s
Mike Carroll Travelling Fellowship attended the International Conference
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
respectively at a ceremony at UWA’s on Legume Genetics and Genomics in
(MAF), the National University of Lorosa’e
Faculty of Science in February. Siofok, Hungary, where she presented a
(UNTL), World Vision TL, the University
flash-talk and a poster on her research.
of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and UWA,
The Mike Carroll Travelling Fellowship
with funding from the Australian Centre
was established by donations from Candy then spent two weeks in England
for Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
family, friends, colleagues and with one of her supervisors Dr Matthew
benefactors, as a memorial to the late Nelson to discuss her flowering time
The aim of the project is to improve
Dr Mike Carroll, who was associated data, write some thesis chapters and an
agricultural productivity and
with the WA Department of Agriculture invited book chapter review.
profitability in pilot communities in
for over 20 years, serving as Director-
Timor-Leste by addressing technical
General from 1990 to 1994. Rounding off the trip, Candy spent three
and social impediments to annual crop
days visiting Professor Petr Smykal at
intensification and establishing fodder
The students, both from Bunbury, Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech
tree legumes and sandalwood as a
shared details of their travels and how Republic. Whilst there, she presented
sustainable income source and land
it has improved their research studies some of her work and learnt about
management practice.
to a small group of Carroll family, phenotyping domestication traits.
friends and associates. Candy is also supervised by Prof Wallace
During the workshop HE Estanislau
Cowling, Dr Lars Kamphuis, CSIRO and
Da Silva, Minister for MAF Ministry of
Under the supervision of Dr Matthias Dr Jens Berger, CSIRO.
Agriculture and Fisheries launched a
Leopold, Dr Gavan McGrath, Dr Falko
new book on Sandalwood Production
Mathes, Dr Meng Heng Loke and Mrs Helen Carroll, who presented the
and Host-plants in Timor-Leste by Dr
Professor Daniel Murphy, Mary-Anne is awards with her daughter, Ms Marie-
Tony Page, Senior Research Fellow, USC.
investigating soil water repellence. Louise Carroll said the Fellowship reflects
the great value her late husband placed
The Mike Carroll Travelling Fellowship on international relationships, and
enabled her to participate in the his devotion to agriculture, the wider
European Geosciences Union General community and his scientific colleagues.
Assembly 2017 in Vienna, Austria where
she gave an oral presentation and Applications are currently open for the
presented a poster. 2018 travelling fellowship and close Ministerial book launch in Dili, Timor-Leste:
L to R: Mr Dan Woods (DFAT), Dr Eric Huttner
on 25 May 2018. Further details and (ACIAR), HE Estanislau da Silva (Minister of
She then travelled to the Technical information about how to apply are Agriculture), Prof William Erskine (UWA) and Dr
Tony Page (First author, USC)
University of Munich in Germany available online at ioa.uwa.edu.au
8 The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world
UWA well represented at GRDC
Grains Research Update, Perth
Diana Boykett Candy, who also attended the 2017
diana.boykett@uwa.edu.au
Research Update said she was grateful
for the opportunity to come again. “I
UWA was once again well had to work hard last year to meet key
represented by staff and students people in the industry and this year
at the annual Grains Research there were many more familiar faces.
and Development Council (GRDC) I was able to have more meaningful PhD Candidates Daniel Kidd and Candy Taylor.
Grains Research Update in Perth. discussions which has proved beneficial
Facilitated by the Grains Industry for my research,” Candy said.
Association of WA (GIWA), over 600 “This investment will be led by UWA
attendees participated in the event During the meeting, GRDC chairman - through the SoilsWest alliance with
at Crown Towers, Burswood from John Woods assured WA growers they DPIRD - and Murdoch University and
26-27 February 2018. would not miss out on investment UA, with involvement from other grains
opportunities. He said the GRDC industry stakeholders,” he said. “The
Five UWA students studying agriculture is investing in three soils and crop project will improve knowledge about
including PhD candidates Candy Taylor, nutrition research projects in WA in nitrogen cycling and availability, soil
Daniel Kidd, and Jinyi Chen, Master response to grassroots feedback. phosphorus and potassium storage,
of Agricultural Science student Guido sources of nutrient supply and
Ramirez Caceres and undergraduate The biggest of the three soils and responsiveness of crops.”
student Laura Bryant were supported nutrition projects is worth a total of $9.7
by the Careers in Grain capacity million across five years and aims to A copy of all presentations can be
building project to attend the event. improve WA grower profitability through downloaded at www.giwa.org.
more efficient nutrient use. au/2018researchupdates.
Group photo at the inaugural session of the Crop Genomics: Present and Future conference.
Crop Genomics: Present & Future
The conference on Crop Genomics: researchers to present their work and Professor Rajeev Varshney from ICRISAT
Present and Future held in Hyderabad interact with eminent scientists. and IOA said anticipated advances,
in December brought together an requirements and challenges for
impressive list of speakers from the Hosted by the International Crops sequencing data generation, analysis
field to discuss how agricultural Research Institute for the Semi-Arid as well as application of genomics for
breeding and research programs can Tropics, ICRISAT, the conference formed understanding plant biology and crop
fully utilize modern genomics tools in part of 10th anniversary celebrations improvement were discussed.
developing countries. of ICRISAT’s Center of Excellence in
Genomics (CEG). Topics discussed UWA was represented at the conference
370 participants from 139 institutes included advances in genomics, by Hackett Prof Kadambot Siddique and
from 34 countries contributed to the genome and germplasm diversity, Professor David Edwards.
22 presentations in five sessions, two sequencing base trait mapping,
panel discussions and a poster session genomics-assisted breeding, and
with 80 posters that enabled young decision support tools and databases.
Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 9
There is an urgent need for China
to develop strong policy incentives
for environmental protection and
green growth in grain production.
Going forward, China agriculture
will continue to put into practice the
vision of innovative, coordinated, rural
revitalization and green development.
The model for science and technology
backyard established by scientists
from China Agricultural University
could provide an effective approach
to realizing green development of
agriculture, by closing yield gaps in
china, by empowering smallholder
farmers through integrating researchers,
farmers, government and agro-
Agricultural wastes of resources. This is contrary
to the goal of green development
enterprises.
development of agriculture and sustainable grain
production in the future.
The Chinese government has initiated
a series of programs to promote
in China Excessive fertilisation due to the
the transformation of China’s grain
production. One of the most influential
mismanagement of chemical fertiliser plans is zero growth of fertiliser
Professor Jianbo Shen, China Agricultural in grain production has resulted in high consumption, whereby the annual
University jbshen@cau.edu.cn environmental costs. For example, the increase in total fertiliser used is less
overuse of NH4+- or urea-based of N than 1% from 2015 to 2019 (with no
Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique fertilizer caused soil pH to decrease by further increases from 2020) without
kadambot.siddique@uwa.edu.au yield penalty.
0.5 in the 2000s. Meanwhile, N overuse
can lead to high GHG emissions in grain
China is entering an impressive era of production and other environmental A novel model to address these
grain production since the reform and impacts such as N deposition, N challenges by improving the
opening up in 1978. Currently, China leaching, and high nitrate concentration sustainability of nutrient use in intensive
has 9% of the world’s arable land but in groundwater. agriculture has been proposed. This
feeds 22% of the world population. method is based on precise soil nutrient
Lack of awareness of nutrient supply to the root zone that does
Grain production has increased management and inappropriate policy not exceed its capacity, optimal root
dramatically from about 300 Mt in guidelines could explain the excessive responses and root–soil interactions,
1978 to 621 Mt in 2016, an annual fertilisation in China’s major croplands. efficient genotypes, and appropriate soil
increase of 9%. The increased rate of In most rural area of China, farming is management.
grain production has surpassed the conducted by untrained workers who do
population growth rate, resulting in an not recognise the importance of nutrient No doubt, China’s success in improving
evident decrease in the proportion of management, due to a lack of efficient sustainable resource use and increasing
malnourished people in China. knowledge transfer. grain production will enhance food
security and decrease poverty and the
However, the doubling of agricultural China’s government has made grain environmental footprint, contributing
food production since 1978 is partly production and food security a top to the global goal of sustainable
attributed to a 3-fold increase in N priority. In the 2000s, China produced development.
fertilisation, an 11-fold increase in P enough food to feed its enormous
fertilisation, and a 1.5-fold increase in population. Now, China has a new Chinese agricultural development is
the amount of irrigated cropland. Huge target for green growth in grain likely to provide valuable experience
inputs of various agricultural resources production, with high efficiency and low to other developing countries that
(fertilizers, water, insecticides etc.) for environmental risk, whilst maintaining a are facing or will soon face similar
grain production have caused enormous relatively high grain yield. challenges.
10 The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing worldSampling program to investigate Mr Sanford said as part of the
upcoming sampling program, plant and
sub clover red leaf syndrome soil samples would be collected from
up to 50 properties across the southern
agricultural region.
Researchers from DPIRD and UWA Kevin Foster, the project is part of a
have been collecting samples to broader study also funded by Meat and “Sampling will focus on properties
identify which plants are hosting a Livestock Australia and Australian Wool previously identified as having the
virus linked to subterranean clover Innovation to better understand the syndrome in 2017, including an area
red leaf syndrome, where large virus and its impact on sub clover. from Brookton to Esperance, sites from
patches or whole paddocks of clover the department’s green bridge survey
turned red and died last season. Mr Sanford said the syndrome had and farmer and grower group properties
occurred in the central and southern identified through UWA research,” he said.
Co-led by DPIRD research officer agricultural areas of WA for decades
Paul Sanford and UWA researcher but testing last season was initiated Mr Sanford said soybean dwarf virus
after severe losses occurring in some survived over summer in live plants such
areas for the first time. as summer weeds and native vegetation.
“The probable cause was identified “It is likely that rainfall in summer which
as soybean dwarf virus, after the results in a green bridge that persists
department’s laboratory tests revealed until autumn increases the risk of sub
that 80 per cent of the plants with visual clover red leaf syndrome,” he said
symptoms tested positive for the virus,
compared to only two per cent of the “If we get further summer rain the risk
plants that appeared healthy,” he said. this season will be higher. Growers may
like to consider spraying for aphids using
“We suspect other factors including an anti-feeding insecticide at two and six
environmental stress, time of infection weeks after sub clover seedlings emerge.
and root diseases contribute to the This group of insecticides prevent aphids
severity of the syndrome. Soybean feeding and therefore, reduce the risk of
dwarf virus is not a seed borne virus virus infection. Oats can also be sown
but is spread by aphids. If we can as a barrier around pasture paddocks to
Paul Sanford taking paddock samples of control the aphids there is a good disperse aphids and slow early spread
red clover in late 2017.
chance we can manage the syndrome.” into pasture from outside sources.”
Vale Dexter Davies
10 APRIL 1951 – 17 MARCH 2018
Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique member of the party, he continued to
kadambot.siddique@uwa.edu.au
provide The Nationals trusted advice
and guidance as Vice President of the
Former Wyalkatchem farmer and one party until his passing.
of regional Western Australia’s greats
Dexter Davies has passed away, aged Mr Davies will be remembered as
66. He died surrounded by family after a champion of regional WA and for
a battle with illness. his devotion to rural communities.
He leaves behind his wife Leonie,
Mr Davies held the position of daughters Mia and Emma, and
President of The Nationals WA for grandchildren Harry and Ella. His
ten years. He was elected to the WA daughter, Hon Mia Davies has led The Nationals federal vice-president
Dexter Davies with his daughter and
Legislative Council as a member for Nationals WA party since last year and WA Nationals leader Mia Davies.
the Agricultural Region in 1998. A life is the first woman to do so.
Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 11How do farmers use weather
and forecast information?
Dr Myrtille Lacoste have in its reliability and accuracy, and
myrtille.lacoste@curtin.edu.au
the more that forecast influences their
decisions.”
Weather forecasts are assumed Dr Myrtille Lacoste and Dr Marit Kragt.
to be important for productivity Most farmers accessed multiple
by allowing more accurate and weather and forecast products such
timely operations to be conducted. as BoM’s radar, Elders’ app, BoM’s 1 to into account the varied (and sometimes
However, little is known about how 7-day forecasts, WillyWeather, Weather limited) scope for improvements to
the available weather and forecast Zone, BoM’s MetEye, OCF via AWN, and impact given practices, as well as the
information actually impacts the BoM’s 4-day agricultural forecasts. heterogeneity that may exist within
management decisions of farmers. farming populations.
Dr Lacoste said these choices were
Interviews with 51 farmers from 37 mainly determined by ease-of-use, “It is important to note that pragmatic
farms across the WA grainbelt were performance, requirements for farm constraints override some
conducted to investigate what sources specific features, and the need to forecast benefits for a proportion of the
of weather information farmers use and build an ‘overall picture’ by comparing farming population,” Dr Lacoste said.
why, how it informs farming decisions, several perspectives.
and what factors make a farmer choose “Whilst weather and forecast information
one source over another. However, a lack of awareness limited are an integral part of broadacre farming
the use of many products, most notably in Australia, some practices that were
Dr Myrtille Lacoste who conducted those produced by BoM and DPIRD consensually thought to be highly
the study said the majority of for extension and decision support dependent from the forecast appear
farmers interviewed expressed great purposes. For example, a large proportion disconnected from the weather for a
confidence in the competence of the of farmers were not aware of flagship large proportion of businesses, most
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and products such as MetEye, radar rainfields notably the timing of seeding.”
considered forecasts skills to have or weather-related decision tools.
greatly improved over the years. “We must also remember that
The practices most impacted by Australian farmers already benefit from
“Confidence in forecast was very weather conditions and forecasts were some of the best services in the world
high for forecasts up to four days, general planning, spraying and sheep – including weather information. The
and a large proportion of farmers management; the least was harvesting. margin for improved benefits is smaller
acknowledged the difficulties of Impacts on seeding and fertiliser than anticipated simply because much
achieving reliable predictions at longer application varied greatly, with distinct has already been achieved.”
horizons,” Dr Lacoste said. farmer profiles identified.
The report to the Bureau of
“The shorter the predicted forecast Dr Lacoste said the study Meteorology is available online.
horizon, the more confidence farmers demonstrated that models must take
Collaboration with Jawaharlal
Nehru University strengthened
Prof Ashwani Pareek Dr Pareek is a Professor of Plant
ashwanipareek@gmail.com
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
in the Stress Physiology and Molecular
Professor Ashwani Pareek, from Biology laboratory, in the School of Life
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Sciences. His expertise is to delineate
New Delhi, India, has been appointed abiotic stress tolerance mechanism
H/Prof Siddique, Mr Watt, Prof Pareek and as an Adjunct Professor within IOA. in plants using functional genomics
Prof Mark Reynolds in the glasshouse at JNU.
12 The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing worldPlant disease workshop in the
Ord River Irrigation Area
Adjunct Professor Roger Jones He concluded by describing short and Adjunct Professor Jones also
roger.jones@uwa.edu.au presented a revised integrated disease
long term control options for the fungal
diseases damaging these annual crops. management (IDM) strategy for ZYMV
A workshop on crop diseases in Growers were most appreciative as in the ORIA which took into account
Western Australia’s tropical East little information has been available on all the findings arising from the research
Kimberley region was held at DPIRD’s local fungal disease problems in ORIA. project.
Kununurra Research Station in March
2018. In attendance was Ord River The aphid-borne virus, Zucchini The project team, which included
Irrigation Area (ORIA) growers, and yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), causes DPIRD, ORDCO and Raitech Ltd staff,
staff from the Ord River Co-operative major losses in yield and quality of was very open to advice from growers
(ORDCO), Living farms, Raitech Ltd, cucurbit crops in the ORIA. Severe which ensured its outputs were highly
UWA and DPIRD. ZYMV epidemics in ORIA melon and relevant to the cucurbit industry.
pumpkin crops threaten the industries
Presenting at the workshop were IOA’s long-term viability. Adjunct Professor Overall, the presentations were well
Adjunct Professor Roger Jones and Roger Jones summarised the in-depth received by the growers who asked
Professor Martin Barbetti from UWA’s understanding developed over ZYMV many insightful questions.
School of Agriculture and Environment disease epidemics in the ORIA resulting
and IOA. from a three-year collaborative
research project.
Presenting findings from fungal disease
research he conducted with Dr Ming This project, which was funded by
Pei You, Professor Barbetti described Royalities for Regions, the ORIA
the types of fungal disease found in cucurbit industry, ORDCO and DPIRD,
the ORIA which attack grain legumes has helped explain the roles of climate
(chickpea, borlotti bean, mung bean), and local sources of virus and aphid
cereals (especially millet) and cucurbits vectors in determining when and where
(melons, pumpkin). Common diseases ZYMV epidemics develop in different
included root rot, crown rot and years.
sudden death of melons, damping-off,
seedling and mature plant deaths in Three presentations on management of
chickpea and borlotti bean, and severe ZYMV were given including another on
powdery mildew in mung bean. cucurbit virus by DPIRD research officer
Dr Craig Webster.
besides forward and reverse genetics potential candidate genes providing visited India where they visited several
approaches with a focus on rice, abiotic stress tolerance through research institutions including JNU.
brassica and arabidopsis. diverse mechanisms. Prof Pareek has
also developed various rice mutant Prof Pareek’s appointment as
One of his major research works germplasm using γ-irradiation showing Adjunct Professor within IOA will
includes the identification and tolerance against salinity, drought and greatly strengthen research and
functional characterisation of heat stress. joint supervision collaboration of
putative osmosensory cascade “two postgraduate research students
component system” responsible for UWA Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) between JNU and UWA in life science
salinity stress tolerance in rice crop. In Mr Iain Watt and IOA Director Hackett and agriculture.
addition, he has identified few other Professor Kadambot Siddique recently
Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 13Scholarship supports heat
Westpac Future Leader Sabrina Davies
stress research
PhD Candidate Shilja Shaji from stress in lactating dairy cattle, using
Westpac UWA’s School of Human Sciences has
received a scholarship from Western
samples from milk, saliva and blood.
Future Leader Dairy to support her research
into identifying dairy cows with a
NIRS technology is a proven method
of estimating milk components in
investigates propensity to suffer heat stress. herd testing laboratories and so the
research work hopes to capitalise on
germination Heat stress has high impact on dairy
businesses, ranging from loss in milk
this technology opportunity.
production and income; reduced “If we can prove a system that enables
PhD candidate Sabrina Davies, from
in-calf rates, reduce milk and fat tests, rapid and easy identification of cows
the School of Molecular Sciences
and a higher rate of health problems that suffer more from heat stress,
is among 17 young Australians
associated with this. that will allow the farmer to take early
awarded a Westpac Future
intervention and reduce the impact on
Leaders Scholarship to undertake
The Australian dairy industry released that animal,” Shilja said.
postgraduate studies.
its new breeding value for heat
tolerance earlier this year and the “For example that may mean ensuring
Sabrina’s PhD will examine karrikins
research being undertaken through the cows with higher propensity to suffer
– the compounds that trigger plant
UWA study will add another piece to from heat stress have greater access to
germination after bushfires – to
the heat tolerance jigsaw. shade and shelter.”
understand the germination process
at the molecular level.
Under the supervision of Professor Shilja is hopeful that NIRS will offer a
Shane Maloney from the School cost-effective and accurate heat stress
By understanding how plant
of Human Sciences and Associate detection technique. She will attend
germination processes take place,
Professor Dominique Blache from the Innovation Day on 3 May where she
Sabrina’s research will increase
the UWA School of Agriculture and will speak to farmer about the impact
understanding on how to improve
Environment and IOA, Shilja will be of heat stress on their dairy herds
germination rates and help address
exploring the capacity for Near Infrared during summer.
global food shortages.
Spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect heat
“Agriculture is a large driving force in
our economy and there is a need for
innovative, sustainable practices,”
she said. “My work addresses global
challenges such as food shortage that
are important not only for Australians
but for the entire population.
“My research will contribute towards
putting Australia at the forefront of
science, leading to further growth and
prosperity of our nation.”
The scholarship will provide up to
$120,000 for research or coursework
studies, including a nine-month
leadership development program and
international experiences. She will
also gain lifelong membership to the
Westpac 100 Scholars Network, joining PhD Candidate Shilja Shaji is hopefull that NIRS will offer a cost-effective and accurate heat stress
detection technique.
a select group of inspiring leaders.
14 The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing worldAg engineer
wins 40Under40
Award
Dr Andrew Guzzomi, senior research
fellow in the Faculty of Engineering
and Mathematical Sciences has been
recognised in the 2018 40under40
Awards, announced on 7 March 2018.
L to R: Mrs Pfano Mbedzi, University of Pretoria, Dr Berhanu Fenta, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Established by Business News in 2002,
Research, Prof Wallace Cowling, UWA and Mrs Yuckmila Chooneea, FAREI, Mauritius
the 40under40 Awards celebrate the
passion, vision and achievements of
Western Australia’s finest young busi-
New plant breeding methods ness people and the contribution they
are making to the future of WA.
discussed in Mauritius Dr Guzzomi, who co-leads IOA’s
Engineering Innovations for Food
Professor Wallace Cowling new methods to improve adaptation Production research theme is an
wallace.cowling@uwa.edu.au
of crops to changing climates, and agricultural engineer whose research is
thereby improve future food security helping develop engineering solutions
The Australia Africa Universities was also evaluated. to challenging and complex global
Network (AAUN) workshop New plant agricultural problems.
breeding methods for sustainable Keynote speaker E/Prof Brian Kinghorn
use of genetic resources and security from the University of New England and In 2016, he was named WA Innovator
of food production was held at the Dr Raphael Mrode from the International of the Year for co-inventing a tool
University Mauritius in January and Livestock Research Institute, Kenya that helps regenerate mine sites
was officially opened by the Hon Mahen contributed substantially to the workshop and degraded farmland. It works by
Kumar Seerutten, Minister of Agro- by providing examples from their repeatedly exposing plant seeds to
industry and Food Security, Mauritus. experience where the new methodology flames, removing fluffy appendages and
had contributed to substantial genetic making them easier to handle, store and
More than 38 delegates of which 30 were gains in animals, trees and crops. transport. The tool which was delivered
from Africa, and the rest from Australia, in partnership with the Botanic
Switzerland, UK and USA attended, The AAUN project principal Gardens and Parks Authority enables
including several African early career investigators from UWA, University of mechanised planting and reduces costs.
researchers supported by AAUN, the Pretoria, The University of Sydney and
Crawford Fund and Syngenta Foundation University of Mauritius led discussion Dr Guzzomi is currently designing a
for Sustainable Agriculture. UWA was groups for future publications and new Master of Agricultural Engineering
represented by Hackett Professor grant proposals. program at UWA which will be rolled-
Kadambot Siddique and workshop out in 2019.
leader Professor Wallace Cowling. Professor Christine Foyer from
the University of Leeds and UWA
During the workshop new methods encouraged participants to prepare
for sustainable genetic improvement papers for submission to a future issue
in important food crops for AAUN of the journal Food and Energy Security,
partner countries were evaluated. with a focus on adapting the new
New animal breeding methods such methodology to improve crop yields in
as optimal contributions selection future changing climates.
and genomic selection may enhance
long-term crop improvement based on The workshop was supported by the
genetic diversity from crop genebanks Partnership Research & Development
and elite crop varieties. The ability for Fund of the AAUN. Dr Guzzomi (third from left) with UWA winners.
Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 15New Appointments
Mr Richard McKenna
richard.mckenna@uwa.edu.au
Richard has been an active member
Mr Richard McKenna has joined UWA as of the WA No-Till Farming Association
Farm Manager at UWA Farm Ridgefield. and participated in the Weeds CRC and
Richard holds a Bachelor of Agricultural is well placed to manage the farm and
Science from UWA and has been farming accommodate the Future Farm 2050
at Mullewa since the 1980s. He brings with Project. He and his wife, Cathy also a
him excellent experience in the theory UWA graduate in Agricultural Science will
and practicalities of cropping and great make UWA Farm Ridgefield their home
Mr Richard McKenna enthusiasm for the future of farming. from the end of April.
NEW POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS
STUDENT NAME TOPIC SCHOOL SUPERVISOR(S) FUNDING BODY
Ms Khin Lay Kyu Combined salinity and waterlogging UWA School of Agriculture Prof William Erskine; John Allwright Award;
tolerance in mungbean and Environment and IOA Hackett Prof Kadambot ACIAR
Siddique; Prof Tim Colmer
Mr Muhammad Understanding and mapping of genes UWA School of Agriculture Prof Martin Barbetti, UWA-UAF Scholarship
Azam Khan responsible for resistance against and Environment and IOA Prof. Wallace Cowling,
the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia Dr Ming Pei You,
sclerotiorum in canola (Brassica napus) Prof. Jacqui Batley
Ms Pratima Gurung Screening for drought tolerance in wheat UWA School of Agriculture Prof Guijun Yan; Self-funded
at different stages of development and Environment and IOA Adj Prof Neil Turner
Nur Shuhadah Characterisation of disease resistance School of Biological Prof Jacqueline Batley RTP scholarship
Mohd Saad (Shu) gene in Brassicas Sciences and IOA
VISITORS TO IOA
NAME OF VISITOR VISITOR’S ORGANISATION AND COUNTRY HOST DETAILS DATES OF VISIT
Dr Vijay Pooniya Endeavour Research Fellow, Indian Agricultural Dr Yinglong Chen, April – September 2018
Research Institute, India Hac kett Prof Kadambot Siddique,
Dr Jairo Palta
Dr David Johnston University of New England Prof Philip Vercoe March 2018
Mr Zhihui Wen China Agriculture University Prof Hans Lambers, January 2018 - January 2019
Assoc/Prof Megan Ryan,
Dr Jiayin Pang,
Hackett Prof Kadambot Siddique
Dr Piotr Trębicki, Department of Economic Development Jobs, Adjunct Prof Roger Jones February 2018
Transport and Resources (DEDJTR),
Professor Yongzhong Luo Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China Dr Guijun Yan, March 2018-March 2019
Adjunc t Prof Neil Turner,
Dr Hui Liu
Mrs Shaghayegh Mehravi Sari Agricultural Science and natural Resources Prof Jacqueline Batley March 2018 – August 2018
University, Sari, Iran
16 The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing worldAWARDS AND INDUSTRY RECOGNITION
NAME AWARD
Dr Andrew Guzzomi 40 Under 40 Award
Assoc/Prof Muhammad Farooq Best University Teacher Award, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan
Ms Sabrina Davies Westpac Future Leaders scholarship
NEW RESEARCH GRANTS DECEMBER 2017 – MARCH 2018
TITLE FUNDING FUNDING BODY SUPERVISORS
PERIOD
Understanding environmental drivers 2017-2020 CRC for Honey Bee Products Dr Bryan Boruff, Mr John Callow, Dr Clare Mouat,
of flora and honey bee product Dr Natasha Pauli, Dr Eloise Biggs, Assoc/Prof Samantha
production: development of Remote Setterfield
Sensing approaches for predicting
flowering events
Development of methane sensors 2018 CSIRO Dr Buddhika Silva, Assoc/Prof Gino Putrino,
Prof Lorenzo Faraone
Structure-based investigations into 2018-20 ARC Discovery Early Career Dr Joel Haywood
new modes of action for herbicides Researcher Awards
Phase 2 Proof of Concept 2017 FutureSeed Technologies Dr Janine Croser
Developing sustainable cropping systems 2017-2019 North Australia Crop Research Dr Janine Croser; Prof William Erskine
for cotton, grains and fodder Alliance Ex CRC Project
Joint Venture Agreement: 2018-26 PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia Prof William Erskine; Assoc/Prof Megan Ryan;
Annual Legume Breeding Australia Dr Phillip Nichols
Using improved markets to reduce 2018-20 ARC Discovery Early Career Mr MD Sayed Iftekhar
over-extraction of groundwater Researcher Awards
Defining factors in the control 2018-20 ARC Discovery Projects Prof Harvey Millar
of protein turnover in plants
Innovative seed technologies for 2018-2022 ARC Linkage Projects Prof Richard Hobbs, Dr Todd Erickson, Dr Jason Stevens,
restoration in a biodiversity hotspot Associate Professor Matthew Madsen, Dr Michael
Forster, Mr Vernon, Mr Anthony Pekin, Mr Alan Savage
Climate-smart landscapes for promoting 2018-21 Australian Centre for International Dr Eloise Biggs, Mr Jan Helsen, Dr Eleanor Bruce, Dr
sustainability of Pacific Island agricultural Agricultural Research ACIAR Bryan Boruff, Dr Nathan Wales, Dr Viliami Manu, Prof
systems - Phase 2 John Connell, Ms Pyone Thu
Structure-based investigations into 2018-20 ARC Discovery Early Career Dr Joel Haywood
new modes of action for herbicides Researcher Awards
Increasing profit from N, P and K fertiliser 2017-21 GRDC Mr Craig Scanlan, Prof Daniel Murphy, Dr Frances Hoyle,
inputs into the evolving cropping Dr Louise Barton, Prof Zdenko Rengel
sequences in the Western Region
Understanding the effect of air flow 2018 Department of Industry Innovation Dr Andrew Guzzomi, Dr Carlo Peressini
on fertiliser distribution and Science – AusIndustry:
Innovation Connections
Sustaining productive agriculture for a growing world The UWA Institute of Agriculture April 2018 17You can also read
