R&D Projects
Finger lime (Citrus australasica), an Australian native citrus with high commercial potential, faces significant challenges, including short shelf life, physiological disorders, preharvest and postharvest diseases such as Diaporthe citri, a common pathogen across multiple citrus species. Early and accurate detection of this pathogen is essential for sustainable disease management and minimising postharvest losses. This project is developing a highly sensitive, rapid, field-deployable, CRISPR-Cas12a-based molecular diagnostic tool for detection of Diaporthe citri, integrated with a lateral flow assay (LFA) for easy visual detection. This novel system enables on-site disease identification within approximately 60 minutes, providing growers with real-time disease surveillance.
P2-042
Mission MushVroom will be the first study to cultivate and grow mushrooms in space. Oyster mushrooms are the perfect space crop, helping astronauts meet their nutritional needs on long-duration space missions like those to Mars, while closing the loop in plant agriculture and helping to minimise inputs and waste. They are quick to grow, double in size every day, and have nutrients found across food groups, including the unique ability to make vitamin D on UV exposure- the only supplement currently given to astronauts on the International Space Station.
P1-046
Wheat production has increased compared to previous years, but further improvements are essential to meet the needs of the growing global population. Leaf structural traits are crucial parameters in determining plant’s response and productivity under heat stress in many crops including wheat. However, the relationships among leaf structural traits, sugar and starch content, grain carbohydrate profile and heat tolerance in wheat remain unclear. This project will combine field and laboratory studies with metabolomics to investigate the link between leaf characteristics and grain quality, focusing on carbohydrate profiling. Metabolomics is a powerful tool for studying the biochemical composition of wheat grains, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) will enable identification and quantification of primary and secondary carbohydrate metabolites influenced by heat stress. This study aims to determine the significance of source-sink interactions between leaf structural traits and grain production and quality in relation to heat tolerance in wheat
P2-041
P2-040
In ProgressLight-mediated regulation of carotenoids that enable photoprotection to boost crop performance
Light altering films (LAF) offer an innovative greenhouse covering, selectively transmitting around 80% photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) while reducing heat from non-PAR wavelengths. LAFs block 85% ultraviolet (UV), 58% far-red, and 26% red light, resulting in a 19% reduction in PAR. Light intensity and spectral quality affect photoreceptor activity and physiological processes. Light plays a key role in carotenoid synthesis, with plants adapting to light fluctuations through various cellular, biochemical, and molecular adjustments. The absorbed light drives photosynthesis and dissipates excess energy via thermal mechanisms. Photosystems I and II include Chi a, Chi b, B-Carotene, and xanthophylls (Zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, violaxanthin), which quench excess PSII energy. Variations in light quality and quantity affect xanthophyll cycling, sustaining photoprotection. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) is crucial for dissipating excess light energy as heat, preventing oxidative damage. Currently there is limited knowledge of how the light spectrum affects foliar photoprotection and carotenoid-mediated nonphotochemical quenching affect crop yield.
This project seeks to generate new knowledge of how altering the light spectrum via Light altering films (LAFs) modulates carotenoid biosynthesis, NPQ and hence foliar photoprotection will impact crop yield in a variety specific manner.
P2-040
This project will look at linking mechanical stress and bioactive carotenoid signals to resistance against insect herbivory in plants. It will hypothesize that "mechanical stimulation will trigger the hyperaccumulation of apocarotenoid bioactive signals that modulate defense to insect herbivory."
P2-039
Smart, sustainable, resilient food systems require smart, sustainable, resilient transport systems at the location, regional, national and international scale. The development of short-term and long-term transport, land use and infrastructure plans to support such systems is contingent upon effective freight scenario planning, which encompasses potential drivers of change in the freight task and future trends in supply chains, including technology, demographics, climate change energy sources and emissions, and unplanned events. However, collecting accurate freight data poses significant challenges and is often expensive. Existing freight models lack the necessary flexibility to incorporate and reflect dynamic changes due to the nature of one-time data collection. Consequently, these limitations hinder a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of infrastructure and land use plans.
P1-041
P2-030
In ProgressPollination of novel and emerging food crops grown under protected cropping conditions
this research project, we will test the potential of 3-4 insect taxa, honeybees (Apis mellifera), stinglees bees (Tetragonula carbonaria) and Eristaline hoverflies (Eristalis tenax and Eristalinus punctulatus) to satisfy the pollination requirements for a range of novel, hi-tech pollinator-dependent crops of interest to Costa Group.