Australia
April 9, 2009
Reality-based science is the
hallmark of the
Grains Research and Development
Corporation (GRDC) supported CSIRO Plant Industry Summer
Student Program.
With Western Australian grain growers estimated to have lost
about $105 million worth of crops to frost in the 2008-2009
growing season, genetic research by summer student Marlee Tucker
from the University of New South Wales may bring a solution to
crop protection a little closer.
During the 10 week program she developed a new tool for the
genetic analysis of frost tolerance in cereals.
"We're very happy with it - she's successfully set up a system
with good potential for uncovering the genetic mechanism for the
genes involved," her CSIRO supervisor, Dr Sandra Oliver said.
The research work is in its early stages, but Ms Tucker hopes
that in the long term it may lead to treatments which can be
applied in the field to help prevent frost damage.
John Harvey, GRDC Executive Manager, Varieties, says attracting
quality young talent into agricultural science careers is
critical for the sustainability of Australian agriculture. |
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