The project aim is to increase the genetic diversity available to barley breeders to improve complex traits for the benefit of South Australian growers, with a focus on drought resilience. This will include investigating two novel yield component loci from wild barley, which could improve the productivity of barley and its adaptation to warmer and drier environments. Researchers predict this approach will help boost the sustainability of grain production systems.
This project will build capacity by supporting a University of Adelaide PhD project investigating the genetic diversity and invasion origins of exotic snail lineages infesting Australian grains crops. The project is critical to inform the on-farm management of major pest snails, while simultaneously developing long term capacity for the grains industry, based in SA, in the genetics, diagnostics, ecology and management of exotic pest snails.
Field and pot experiments will be conducted to improve understanding of factors influencing establishment under low soil moisture and to provide guidelines on how to address the risks associated with dry sowing. Field trials will be conducted at three sites in the Mid North to examine the effects of crop type and sowing depth on crop establishment, growth and yield with dry sowing. Pot trials will examine effects of intermittent rainfall on seed survival and establishment in different crops. This project is a co-investment, with the SA Drought Hub providing 50% of the total funding.
Initial results into research investigating crop topping at reduced rates of paraquat following the announcement of proposed restrictions on the widely used chemical by the APVMA have been released.
South Australian researchers will investigate crop topping at reduced rates of paraquat following the announcement of proposed restrictions on the widely used chemical by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).