Global "avomania": Overcoming constraints to orchard productivity and fruit quality

Liz Dann is a plant pathologist and has been with QAAFI since its inception in 2010.  Her research focuses on diagnosis and management of diseases impacting production of tropical and subtropical fruit crops, and she has led the avocado pathology and disease management project for industry for the last 12 years.

In this seminar, Liz will outline the avocado industry within Australia, and discuss some of her team's research on identifying disease-causing organisms and different approaches for integrated management, including evaluation of rootstocks for tolerance to Phytophthora root rot and assessment of new products or strategies for improved tree health and fruit quality.

She has recently returned from the IX World Avocado Congress in Colombia, and visit with colleagues in Mexico, and will share some highlights from her trip.

Associate Professor Elizabeth Dann

Principal Research Fellow
Centre for Horticultural Science

Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Dann joined QAAFI’s Centre for Plant Science in October 2010. She is a plant pathologist based at the Ecosciences Precinct at Dutton Park. Her research aims to increase the productivity and quality of tropical and sub-tropical crops through improved management of diseases.

She obtained her PhD in 1995 from the University of Sydney, and undertook post doctoral research at Michigan State University, USA and at the University of Sydney, prior to joining the Plant Pathology (Horticulture) research team within the Queensland Government in 2002.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr Dann has broad expertise in the discipline of plant pathology. Her diverse area of research includes investigation of natural defence mechanisms in plants, plant disease epidemiology and diagnostics. Her research is very focused on delivering improved quality and productivity to horticultural industries through optimised disease management.

She is recognised internationally for her work on systemic induced resistance in plants and its practical implementation. A large component of her research is focused on assessing non-traditional products or treatments that may be valuable in disease management, such as compounds which activate disease resistance pathways. Such products are becoming more popular given concerns over pesticides in the environment and residues in fruit, and the drive towards more sustainable production of our food.