ARC research hub for sustainable crop protection
The Australia Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection will take on the global challenge of transforming crop protection technology by delivering non-GM, non- toxic RNAi based fungicides for specific fungal diseases of crops.
The Hub aims to develop and commercialise an innovative biological alternative to chemical fungicides targeting economically significant diseases of broadacre and horticultural crops. It addresses industry challenges of fungicide resistance, chemical residues in food, off-target effects and environmental harm.
An expert multidisciplinary team uniting science, commercial and social licence pathways ensures industry and consumer uptake advancing $60B Australian Agriculture. The Hub translates to increased productivity, market access and enhanced environmental credentials of Australian food.
Contact: Business Manager, ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection, T: +61 7 334 62319 or E: arcbioclayhub@uq.edu.au
Spray-on protection
UQ scientists have joined forces to develop a breakthrough that has the potential to bolster global food security. BioClay uses a plant defence mechanism known as RNA (ribonucleic acid) interference, or gene silencing, which has been used to develop genetically modified, transgenic, disease-resistant crops.
