Inspired by plant development research: Designing networks and pipelines that can be used for prediction across a range of activities in agriculture
Abstract
Modelling can extend the impact of molecular physiology research on shoot branching by linking genetic and hormonal regulation to agricultural outcomes. This seminar outlines work on strigolactones, sugar signalling, and branching network architecture, then introduces PSoup, a framework that predicts developmental behaviour and aligns with existing models and gene expression data. Its strength lies in conserved network topology and minimal parameterisation. This seminar will highlight its integration with APSIM and genomic prediction, and present a sorghum case study showing how genetic effects on tillering influence yield across environments. In future, these efforts will link molecular insights with crop-scale outcomes to advance plant network understanding and crop improvement.
Prof Christine Beveridge
Christine is mostly known for her work on shoot branching. Her favourite discoveries are that strigolactones are a plant hormone and that sugars act a bit like hormones in promoting branching – apical dominance is not just about auxins and cytokinins. Christine is most at home thinking about networks and how all the different parts work together. In recent years, Christine’s research has expanded to describing genetic and physiological networks using computational tools, with an aim to translate these into strategies for plant breeders. In addition to her senior appointments, Christine is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, an ARC Georgina Sweet Laureate Fellow, and a highly cited researcher. Her strong belief is that leadership should be inclusive, transparent and deeply rooted in equity and diversity.
Christine Beveridge, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Agriculture and Food Innovation E: c.beveridge@uq.edu.au
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
About Science Seminars
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation hosts science seminars across the disciplines of animal, horticulture, crop, food and nutritional sciences.
With a range of speakers from Australia and abroad, the series explores how high-impact science will significantly improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the tropical and sub-tropical food, fibre and agribusiness sectors.
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The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland, established with and supported by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries.