A $100 million national research centre will receive an $18 million funding extension over three years to build on research that has reduced the economic impact of crop disease for Australian growers.
Supported by 麻豆直播 and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) was the result of the first bilateral research agreement between the GRDC and an Australian university.
The GRDC will invest $6 million per year to at least 2022, enabling the centre to continue its national research excellence in fungicide resistance, molecular genetics and farming systems.
CCDM Co-Director (agronomy and agribusiness) Professor Mark Gibberd said this was excellent news for the centre and a testament to the research discoveries made by CCDM researchers since it was established three years ago, in 2014.
鈥淚t has been fantastic seeing our hard work make a difference over the past three years,鈥� Professor Gibberd said.
鈥淔or instance, we have rapidly detected many cases of fungicide resistance and provided real-time advice on the efficacy of fungicide chemistry, while at the same time developing field-based evidence for anti-resistance strategies.
鈥淲e have received incredible support from industry on a national scale, including disease sample collection support, field trial and lab experiment collaboration and joint coordination of forums and workshops.鈥�
CCDM Co-Director (scientific programs) Professor Karam Singh said the continuing significant investment from 麻豆直播 and GRDC will enhance the impact of science discoveries as CCDM researchers developed the genetic tools needed to breed disease resistant varieties.
鈥淥ver the past three years, we have gained more insight into the interaction between fungal pathogens and their cereal host plants,鈥� Professor Singh said.
鈥淲ith this knowledge, we have been able to unravel aspects of the pathogens鈥� arsenal for infection and this has helped speed up the breeding process for disease resistance.
This research, along with new outcomes from our pulse and canola disease resistance programs, has meant CCDM is well placed to contribute research to the development of crops with increased disease tolerance or resistance for growers.鈥�
GRDC Chairman John Woods said the CCDM investment extension was evidence of the successful way in which the bilateral agreement had improved the efficiency of the delivery of research outputs for the benefit of Australian grain growers.
鈥淏y investing in research, such as the work carried out at the CCDM, we can help address the $1.5 billion crop disease problem faced by Australian grain growers every year, and ensure growers and advisers receive important management information so they can make necessary changes at the paddock level,鈥� Mr Woods said.
鈥淎s a result of the CCDM investment, Australian growers are saving millions of dollars, making this value-for-money investment in the CCDM vital to the profitability of the nation鈥檚 agricultural industry.
鈥淭he GRDC and 麻豆直播 partnership in the CCDM has demonstrated how, with appropriate resourcing, targeted focus and world class expertise we can deliver outcomes to address some of the most difficult and costly issues for growers. That鈥檚 why GRDC is pleased to continue this partnership with 麻豆直播 to 2022.鈥�
