News

Tunable crops are just a spray away

Published on: 17 February 2021

The genetic control of crop growth and behaviour can be modified through traditional plant breeding or genetic engineering, but is fixed once a variety is sown. New spray-on viral transfection technology can transiently alter gene expression to fine-tune agronomic traits within the season while avoiding modifications to the genome.

Sera Susan Jacob is currently working with Australian native wattle seeds.

Exploring the cultural heritage and nutrition of wattle seeds

A journey to Australia’s red centre changed me forever. I visited Alice Springs for my first industry placement as part of my PhD research on Australian native wattle seeds.

Professor Robert Henry, pictured in his lab at UQ, says world-leading technology will emerge from Queensland in coming years. (Photo: Brad Cooper).

Why the world’s agricultural experts have their eyes on Queensland

Cutting-edge research dedicated to ending the use of chemical insecticides and exploding the fertility of food crops exponentially are among several projects under the microscope of scientists connected to the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.

Dr Samir Alahmad, discovered the two genes while investigating traits that durum wheat uses to survive in water-limited conditions.

Designer root systems to maintain durum wheat yields in drought

Published on: 10 February 2021

To help meet strong international demand for Australia’s premium durum wheat, new research has identified genetic solutions to maintain yields during drought.

A year in reflection: QAAFI sees breakthroughs in innovation despite pandemic

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) — a research institute at UQ that is supported by industry and the Queensland Government, and a Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) member — has been a driving force in the agricultural science landscape for more than 10 years, with 2020 bringing further breakthroughs in innovation, as well as a chance to reflect on key highlights over the last 12 months.

Photosynthesis: our best bet to create a food secure world

Published on: 3 February 2021

Australian agriculture plays a key role towards providing food for the planet but it is also expected to be one of the world’s most impacted areas from climate change.

Fusarium Wilt of Banana, a Recurring Threat to Global Banana Production

Published on: 27 January 2021

In this editorial on Fusarium Wilt of banana, QAAFI’s Professor André Drenth and a team of international researchers give an overview of a Research Topic they organised which will be published as an e-book on this devastating fungal disease which presents a recurring threat to global banana production.

Improving farm animal welfare – what’s it worth?

Published on: 27 January 2021

Many livestock companies are aware that Australians have growing concerns over the welfare of animals. But it costs money to improve the welfare of farm animals – often a substantial investment by the business. There are many financial, practical, and ethical factors for businesses to consider when improving animal welfare, and the optimal course of action is not always obvious.

Professor Bruce Topp leads Hort Innovation's macadamia breeding program

Cracking a tough nut for macadamia growers

Published on: 25 January 2021

Macadamia nut researchers aim to hit the genetic sweet spot by breeding macadamias with thinner-shells for increased kernel size but tougher, pest-resistant husks.

The University of Queensland's Professor Bhagirath Chauhan is part of a program assessing mungbean crops to control summer weeds.

Mungbean crops a new weapon against weeds

Growing a mungbean crop could be an excellent way to get on top of feathertop Rhodes grass, a highly competitive and difficult to control summer weed. With investment from the Grains Research and Development Corporation, a team of researchers have shown that both windmill grass and feathertop Rhodes grass can greatly reduce yield in mungbeans, yet both weed species retain a large portion of their seed when the mungbean crop is ready for harvest.

The Illuminata podcast series is produced by QAAFI PhD students Charlotte Ramba and Emily Mantilla.

Podcast series highlights the important role women in agriculture play in the STEM community

The Illuminata podcast series is produced by QAAFI PhD students Charlotte Rambla and Emily Mantilla. The series highlights the important role women in agriculture play as part of the STEM community. Interviews share real life stories about women working from the University of Queensland and how they are making an extraordinary difference to agriculture and food research.

Vice President Birgitte Skadhauge at Carlsberg Research Laboratory

Crops for the future - Tackling the challenges of changing climates

Published on: 15 January 2021

Climate change and increased population growth are challenging sustainable food production. Research led by the Carlsberg Research Laboratory with partners from the University of Queensland and the University of Copenhagen will develop climate-tolerant plants with higher yields and better nutritional value.

High praise for Hy-Gain! - Interview with Vi Shukla

Published on: 14 January 2021

In an interview with Dr Vipula (“Vi”) Shukla of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the new Luminaries section of the American Society of Plant Biologists’ Nov/Dec 2020 newsletter on pages 14-16, Dr Shukla references the Hy-Gain project on page 15.

Opinion: But the voyage is just a small part of the story

Comment piece by QAAFI's Centre for Crop Science Director Prof Ian Godwin published in Farm Weekly. "We hosted the family Christmas dinner this year. For some reason - maybe because we are a bunch of scientists and engineers - we started talking about the mega-trends of the future, such as hydrogen cars, automation and carbon neutrality."

FNQ miller and growers team up to shake up local sugarcane industry

Published on: 22 December 2020

The CRCNA's latest research collaboration is looking to break the mould for sugarcane variety R&D and deliver long-term, commercially viable diversification options for far north Queensland cane growers and millers.

Tree genomics program sequences 300 macadamia varieties to improve productivity and profitability for growers

Published on: 22 December 2020

Macadamia growers will benefit from a project that aims to advance engineering of genetic tools for tree functional genomics.

QAAFI senior research fellow Geoffry Fordyce

Pain relief more common practice

Good animal welfare and animal husbandry procedures using pain relief have taken off massively in Queensland, according to Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation senior research fellow Geoffry Fordyce.

More frequently sheared sheep are happier mothers

Published on: 3 December 2020

More frequently sheared pregnant sheep are more active, have lower stress levels and produce lambs with finer wool, according to University of Queensland research.

Orange capsicums on the menu for long-term eye health

Published on: 1 December 2020

First carrots and now capsicum have been identified as good for your eyes – and it is the nutrient linked to the orange colour that counts.

Saskia Urlass is a PhD student with the ARC Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods

One week behind the scenes of PhycoHealth

Seaweed is being consumed daily in China, Japan, and Korea, whereas in westernized countries it is mostly known as wraps for sushi. The weed from the ocean is far underestimated by our population and has many promising opportunities to being part of the daily westernized diet.