Current Research
Index of Research Projects
- Current projects are listed on this page
- Completed projects
| CURRENT PROJECTS |
In vitro improvement of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) resistance to the allelopathic effects of a range of weeds - Irawati Chaniago (PhD). In this study, three weed species are being studied for their allelopathic effects on a number of varieties of soybean. The weeds are nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus), Powell's amaranth (Amaranthus powellii) and paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum). These species were chosen for their importance as major weeds in soybean cultivation in tropical areas. The study is looking at the interaction between soybean and weed leachates in pot experiments, bioassays in the lab, and in vitro culture of soybean and the weeds. The study is aimed at improving the resistance of soybean to allelopathic suppression of the weeds. Supervisors are Prof Acram Taji, Assoc Prof Robin Jessop and Dr Paul Kristiansen. Financial assistance is provided by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
Factors affecting the sensitivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) to isoxaflutole and its effect on nitrogen fixation and competitive ability - Avishek Datta (PhD). Balance (75% a.i. isoxaflutole) is a relatively new herbicide used for the control of several troublesome broadleaf weeds (Indian hedge mustard, sowthistle, capeweed, prickly lettuce, wild radish, turnip weed etc.) in chickpea. Since Balance was registered and commercially released in 2001, there has been rapid and widespread adoption of this herbicide in chickpea production systems. Over 100,000 hectares of chickpeas in the northern grain region of Australia have been treated annually with Balance over the last three years. This amounts to well over half of the total chickpea cropping area in Australia. However there have been records of chickpea damage due to the application of Balance. That damage was particularly severe with one experimental line, 91025-3021. Moreover, under some conditions, all varieties were damaged at the recommended rate (100 g ha-1). A soon to be released variety, 9113-13N-2, was found to be more sensitive to Balance than the current varieties. Identifying cultivars tolerant to herbicides is important to chickpea growers because it may minimize the risk of crop injury. It has also been found that herbicides which are used for weed control in pulses can have adverse effects on nodulation and nitrogen fixation. As a result, the subsequent wheat yields may experience a decline due to lower nitrogen economy in the field. This is an alarming situation for chickpea growing areas of Australia. Given that there is a general need to increase the competitive ability of chickpea against weeds, and particularly through varietal selection, it is important that herbicide application not reduce the ability of chickpea to compete with weeds that escape herbicide treatments. With this background, we will be investigating the factors (e.g., variety, moisture, rainfall, soil type, pH, different agronomic practices etc.) that affect chickpea tolerance to Balance and look at the effect of this herbicide on nitrogen fixation and competitive ability against weeds.
The aims of the project are:
1. to assess the sensitivity of different varieties of chickpea to isoxaflutole.|
2. to assess the effects of soil factors (e.g. type, moisture) on chickpea tolerance.
3. to determine the effects of isoxaflutole on root growth, nodulation and N fixation of chickpea.
4. to monitor the effects of isoxaflutole on chickpea under different agronomic practices such as varied sowing depth, planting dates and tillage operations.
5. to determine the effect of isoxaflutole on weed competition in chickpea.
6. to assess the ability of non-destructive remote sensing (wavelength change assessments) to accurately detect isoxaflutole damage.
7. to propose use patterns of isoxaflutole that minimize herbicidal injury in chickpea.
The project is jointly funded by UNE and the Weed CRC. Avishek's supervisors are Assoc Prof Brian Sindel, Assoc Prof Robin Jessop, Mr. Craig Birchall and Mr. Warwick Felton (NSW DPI).
Ecology and Management of Serrated Tussock on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales - Tieneke Cowan (PhD). Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is a perennial grass which originates in Argentina. This is a noxious weed of temperate pastures and can cause severe reductions in pasture production. Serrated tussock is found widespread across the Southern Tablelands and has been found responsible for turning large areas of productive pastures into unproductive wastelands. Serrated tussock has been identified in the Northern Tablelands region and it is therefore important that control measures are taken promptly to ensure this weed does not become as widespread and such a major problem to production as it is currently found on the Southern Tablelands.
The three major aims are to:
1. Understand key aspects of the ecology and demographic processes regulating population growth on the Northern Tablelands,
2. assess novel and conventional control/containment and eradication options for the reduction of both plant growth and disruption of seed production, and
3. establish the framework for deciding whether to attempt to eradicate, contain or manage infestations on the Northern Tablelands.
Supervisors are Assoc Prof Brian Sindel, Assoc Prof Robin Jessop, Prof Hugh Possingham (The Ecology Centre, University of Queensland). Financial assistance is provided by the National Heritage Trust and Weed CRC .
The role of weeds as alternative hosts of Fusarium wilt in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The aims of the project are to quantify the input of Fusarium wilt inoculum into the system from different weed species and their plant parts; to determine the effects of weed management on inoculum levels in the soil; and to model inoculum dynamics for Fusarium wilt in cotton as influenced by weeds and weed management practices. The project is funded by the Cotton RDC and the supervisors are Assoc Prof Brian Sindel and Dr David Backhouse (Botany, UNE) and Dr Joe Kochman (Snr Plant Pathologist, QDPI, Toowoomba).
Grazing management for the long term utilisation and control of Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) - Charles Grech (PhD). The project aims to increase the feed utilisation of Chilean needle grass (CNG) and the welfare of animals grazing infested pastures - whilst minimising the production of viable seed and dominance of CNG in pasture populations. Collaborating organisations included the DPI Victoria ( Frankston, Bacchus Marsh, Attwood, Geelong) and NSW Agriculture (Glen Innes, Goulburn) . Supervisors are Assoc Prof Brian Sindel, Dr David McLaren (DPI Victoria) and Dr David Chapman (Univerisity of Melbourne). Funding is provided by the Natural Heritage Trust and Weed CRC.
Further information on this project
Weeds Educational Officer - Susanna Greig, Ph (02) 6773-2809. An Educational Officer was appointed through the CRC for Australian Weed Management, to develop greater awareness of weed issues in the wider community. This is being achieved by developing projects aimed to educate the younger generation in primary and secondary schools nationwide. To date projects developed include:
* The “Lord of the weeds” competition. Click here for more information. Due to the large amount of interest from teachers nationwide, this competition will be running each year.
* “Killing us slowly” Primary unit of work is currently being trialed by teachers around Australia for evaluation and modification. The unit is linked to the curriculum documents in every state and territory and provides all the resources required for the activities suggested.
Future projects include the development of an online game to be placed on the Weed CRC’s website and story books for lower primary students.
Characterisation and depletion of glyphostae resistant ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) soil seed banks and other potentially resistant weeds in the northern grain region - Sandeep Narwal (PhD). Dependence on herbicides for weed control is equivalent to treating the symptoms of a disease without actually curing the disease, but for many farmers there has been little choice. They would be far better served if they could control weed seed dormancy, germination and mortality, so weed problems could be prevented, rather than controlled as weeds appeared. While herbicide resistance has been much slower to develop in the northern grain region of Australia due largely to summer cropping options, resistance is now appearing and farmers are contemplating alternative methods such as cultivation to control weeds and to deplete the soil weed seed bank. However, relatively little is known about weed seed banks and their dynamics in this summer rainfall environment and particularly how control methods aimed at managing herbicide resistant weeds such as glyphosate resistant ryegrass will affect the dynamics of ryegrass and other weeds e.g. black bindweed, liverseed grass and barnyard grass that have also been identified as at risk of developing resistance. The project is funded by UNE and the Weed CRC and Sandeep's supervisors are Assoc Prof Brian Sindel and Assoc Prof Robin Jessop.
The project aims are:
1. To characterize and monitor weed seed banks at glyphosate resistant ryegrass sites and non resistant sites on the Liverpool Plains under a range of farm management practices.
2. To assess the dynamics and mechanisms involved in the recruitment of these seed banks at different soil depths.
3. To determine how quickly the viability of seeds in the soil declines when affected by factors such as depth of burial, temperature and moisture levels in different agro climatic zones.
4. To determine the management practices (tillage options, alternative herbicides, crop rotations and residue burning) that accelerate seed bank exhaustion.
5. To correlate seed bank data with seedling emergence.
The ecology and management of Aristida latifolia (feathertop) in the Mitchell Grasslands of western Qld - David Phelps. David is with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries at Longreach. Supervisor: Assoc Prof Brian Sindel.
Delivery of best weed management practices for meat sheep producers - Mark Trotter. The aim of this project is twofold - to identify best weed management practices currently used by sheep meat producers in Australia, and to make those readily adoptable practices known to others in the industry in an innovative way. Supervisor: Assoc Prof Brian Sindel.