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
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
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.
P2-030
Globally, climate change-induced warming is posing a major challenge to increasing crop yields in cropping systems including protected cropping systems. Research to improve heat tolerance in these systems have largely focused on leaf traits, in part due to limitation in techniques for investigating other plant parts.
P2-035
Berries are highly pollinator-dependent crops, and while managed pollinators such as honey bees, are effective pollinators, the establishment of the Varroa mite has resulted in fewer honey bee colonies in the region and hence growers have reduced access to pollination services. Wild pollinators are also known to visit berry flowers and established research has now demonstrated their efficiency is often equivalent to the honey bee.
P2-033
Global increase in night temperature is associated with significant crop yield losses. For vegetables, grains and fibre crops (including tomato, wheat, and cotton), yield reductions can be up to 3–10% per 1°C increase in night temperature. This project investigates how warm nights reduce crop yield and will identify traits that confer tolerance to warm nights.
P2-034
