July 17, 2003

Field trials in Western Australia and South Australia are testing how a group of bacteria boost cereal yields by suppressing the activity of crop root pathogens and stimulating plant growth.

Flinders University’s biotechnology group is investigating Actinomycetes, which produce plant growth hormones while restricting root diseases.

“Actinomycetes live inside the roots of healthy wheat and other plants, including some Australian natives,” Associate Professor Chris Franco, explained.

“We found Actinomycetes could restrict the growth of several fungal root diseases, including take-all,
Rhizoctonia, pythium and fusarium by producing chemicals which kill the fungus.”

Trials in the project are part of a five-year, $10 million Soil Biology Strategic Initiative implemented by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.