August 14, 2003

Source: Australian Government press release via Life Sciences Network

A new disease resistant oat variety has been launched today by Queensland's Department of Primary Industries and Rural Communities (DPI) Minister Henry Palaszczuk.

Mr Palaszczuk said the new oat variety, named Volta is resistant to a plant disease that causes major grazing losses in Queensland and New South Wales.

"Volta will be the only commercially available variety in Queensland that is resistant to leaf rust, a plant disease that costs the grazing industries an estimated $35 million a year," Mr Palaszczuk said.

"Leaf rust limits the amount of forage available for grazing and reduces forage quality, with an infected oat crop losing 30-100 percent of its ability to produce feed."

"Volta combines disease resistance with high forage yield, providing feed for beef and dairy cattle and lambs in the winter months when most other pastures are unproductive."

Mr Palaszczuk said about 500,000ha of oats are grown annually throughout central and southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.

"Existing forage oat varieties, many of which were imported, are vulnerable to leaf rust. Sixteen oat varieties released in Queensland in the last 10 years are now susceptible to leaf rust, most of them
within one or two years of release," he said.

"The DPI oat breeding team developed Volta by pyramiding multiple resistant genes into the variety, rather than relying on just one gene. This will prolong Volta's productive life."

The new variety is the product of joint venture between the DPI and Heritage Seeds. Adequate seed of Volta will be available for planting in the 2004 oat season. The new variety is named after an Italian
inventor who produced the first electric battery in 1800.