Future crops

Resource	Description	Thumbnail
Optimised fertigation improves yield and quality of cucumbers for resource efficiency and economic return in high-tech greenhouses Paper	In this paper, the research team highlighted the potential benefits of maintained fertigation impacting productivity and quality of greenhouse cucumber varieties, identifying differential expression of key potassium transporter genes, linking fertigation management to plant responses.
Sonic-induced cellular vibrations unzip intertwined anther cone trichomes to trigger floral self-pollination and boost tomato fruit size Paper	In a Future Food Systems project with funding partner Perfection Fresh Australia, led by Western Sydney University, researchers have developed an acoustic-induced pollination solution for protected cropping that uses inexpensive precision photoacoustic technology to enhance horticultural tomato crop production, supporting sustainable production and breakthroughs in pathogen control.
Optimal energy-efficient shade screen and ventilation control settings for a greenhouse covered with light-altering films Paper	Explore the latest findings from an Future Food Systems-supported collaborative project between Western Sydney University, LLEAF and Hort Innovation, focused on optimising glasshouse energy management by investigating energy consumption under different shading, light-altering, and ventilation conditions.
Advances in molecular genetics have increased knowledge of Tuber species’ life cycle and population genetic structure, indicating ways to improve yield Paper	In this review, the ‘Truffle Cultivation for Industry Expansion’ project team explore how molecular techniques can improve truffle orchard management, from assessing mycorrhization to identifying contaminant fungi and bacteria. A deeper understanding of the truffle lifecycle is key to successful farming, and this paper highlights critical knowledge gaps, helping both researchers and farmers make informed decisions for better yields in less time
Chris Wilkins – LLEAF Showcase (Research Showcase 2024) Video	Chris Wilkins presenting a showcase from LLEAF (Research Showcase 2024)
‘Characterisation of capsaicinoids’ with Mursleen Yasin Video	Watch FFS PhD student Mursleen Yasin talk about the 'Characterisation of capsaicinoids' FFS project
‘Characterisation of capsaicinoids’ with Dr Sunil Panchal Video	Watch Dr Sunil Panchal talk about the 'Characterisation of capsaicinoids' FFS project
Andrew Tilley – Value-adding to Globe Artichokes (Research Showcase 2024) Video	Andrew Tilley (Murdoch University and FFS PhD student) – 'Value-adding to Globe Artichokes' (FFS Research Showcase 2024)
Dr Richard Thomas and Gareema Pandey – Optimising blueberry fruit nutritional quality Video	Dr Richard Thomas (WSU and FFS project leader) and Gareema Pandey (WSU & FFS PhD student) – 'Optimising blueberry fruit nutritional quality using controlled spectra and mild stress treatment via polytunnel innovation' (FFS Research Showcase 2024)
Mt Lindesay Video	Dr Mark McHenry and his wife, Dr Julia Anwar McHenry grow specialty globe artichokes on Mt Lindesay Farm, near Denmark, WA. As partners in a four-year, Future Food Systems-backed project, they work with researchers at Murdoch University including ANPC scientist Dr Ruey Leng Loo and PhD student Andrew Tilley to quantify beneficial properties in globe artichokes, notably long-chain inulin.
Unravelling inulin molecules in food sources using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization magnetic resonance mass spectrometry (MALDI-MRMS) pipeline Authors: Sung-Tong Chin, Berin A. Boughton, Melvin C.L. Gay, Alyce C. Russell, Yimin Wang, Vimalnath Nambiar, Mark P. McHenry, Elaine Holmes, Jeremy K. Nicholson, Ruey Leng Loo Paper	Inulin, a polysaccharide characterized by a β-2,1 fructosyl-fructose structure terminating in a glucosyl moiety, is naturally present in plant roots and tubers. Current methods provide average degrees of polymerization (DP) but lack information on the distribution and absolute concentration of each DP.
Mahesh Galappaththi, PhD student Video	Working with mycologists at Murdoch University and with innovative growers Drs Mark and Julia Anwar McHenry on their farm near Denmark, WA, FFS-backed PhD student Mahesh Galappaththi, originally from Sri Lanka, is exploring ways to ensure successful colonisation of host trees’ root zones by some of the world’s most delectable truffle species.
Vertical Patch Video	The Vertical Patch team explains the company’s state-of-the-art indoor growing system.
Andrew Tilley – Phenolics in Globe Artichokes (FFS Research Showcase 2023) Video	Murdoch University PhD student Andrew Tilley presenting 'Phenolics in Globe Artichokes' at the 2023 FFS Research Showcase
Assoc. Prof. Kirsty Bayliss – Novel microbiome technologies to increase profitability for Aus horticulture (FFS Research Showcase 2023) Video	Murdoch University Assoc. Prof. Kirsty Bayliss presenting 'Novel microbiome technologies to increase profitability for Aus horticulture' at the 2023 FFS Research Showcase
Dr Hongwei Liu – Novel bio-based solutions for effective management of key root pathogens (FFS Research Showcase 2023) Video	WSU's Dr Hongwei Liu presenting 'Novel bio-based solutions for effective management of key root pathogens' at the 2023 FFS Research Showcase
Prof. Zhonghua Chen – Sustainable fertigation for high yield and quality vegetables in PC (FFS Research Showcase 2023) Video	WSU Prof. Zhonghua Chen presenting 'Sustainable fertigation for high yield and quality vegetables in Protected Cropping' at the 2023 FFS Research Showcase
Phil Thomas – Microbial rhizosphere diversity in glasshouse hydroponic crops (FFS Research Showcase 2023) Video	UNE PhD student Phil Thomas presenting 'Microbial rhizosphere diversity in glasshouse hydroponic crops' at the 2023 FFS Research Showcase
Namal Jayasuriya, PhD student Video	Eranda Namal Jayasuriya moved from Sri Lanka to Singapore to Sydney to pursue a passion for computer science. As part of the CRC’s ‘IoT for indoor cropping’ project team, he’s conducting sophisticated image analysis to monitor indoor crops
Improving Blueberry Fruit Nutritional Quality through Physiological and Genetic Interventions: A Review of Current Research and Future Directions Authors: Priti Krishna, Gareema Pandey, Richard Thomas and Sophie Parks Paper	This review highlights how interventions such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photo-selective films, and exposure of plants to mild stresses, alongside developing new varieties with desired traits, could be used to optimise the nutritional quality, particularly the content of polyphenols, of blueberry grown under covers.
Dr Alex Soeriyadi – LLEAF Video	Hear Sydney-based agripreneur Alex Soeriyadi, an industry partner in the FFSCRC’s ‘Smart glass’, ‘Glasshouse films’ and ‘Methane reduction’ projects, discuss his light-spectra-shifting, crop-enhancing agricultural film LLEAF-Red and the trials it is undergoing at Western Sydney University.
Prof. Oula Ghannoum Video	Hear Western Sydney University Professor Oula Ghannoum, crop scientist, key researcher on several FFSCRC projects and the project lead for the new $6.8m 'Automated Crop Monitoring for Protected Cropping Systems' project.
Dist. Prof. David Tissue Video	Hear Dist. Prof. Tissue talk about the ongoing trials of new retrofit films that aim to reduce heat and boost growth and yield in glasshouse-grown crops, involving Western Sydney University scientists, Hort Innovation, various industry partners and FFS.
Commercialisation of Australian native rice – Prof. Sagadevan G. Mundree Authors: Dr John Ashton (Sanitarium) Video	Professor Sagadevan Mundree, Head of QUT’s School of Biological and Environmental Science, is helping to turn a low-value commodity, faba beans, into healthy, high-value baked goods. Hear Prof. Mundree talk about his work in value-adding and future foods, at 2020's Research Showcase
New product development Authors: Maria Veronica Chandra-Hioe Publication	This report was authored by Maria Veronica Chandra-Hioe with contributions from Merran White.
Next-generation protected cropping facilities Authors: Valeria Almeida Lima, Greg Leslie Publication	This report reviews current best practices and technology for protected cropping facilities and explores research trends in the sector as first steps towards advancing the technological capabilities of Australia’s indoor horticultural industry and delivering solutions that meet Southern Hemisphere industry-specific needs.
Luminescent Light Emitting Agricultural Film (LLEAF): The next evolution of protected cropping to increase crop productivity sustainably – Dr Alex Soeriyadi Authors: Dr Alex Soeriyadi Video	LLEAF P/L CEO Dr Alex Soeriyadi is working with Hort Innovation, DPI and Western Sydney University scientists to trial his prototype agricultural films on glasshouse-grown blueberry and lettuce crops. Here, he explains how it all works.
Remote sensing technology in protected cropping – Mark Cardamis & Dr Yimeng Feng Authors: Mark Cardamis & Dr Yimeng Feng Video	Remote sensing technology in protected cropping
Australian native rice commercialisation Website	Although currently not commercially available, Australian native rice has potential as a high-nutrient, culturally identified food.
Intensive Berry Production Using Greenhouses, Substrates and Hydroponics: Is this the way forward? Authors: Nicky Mann Publication	PCA’s Nicky Mann, 2014 Nuffield Farming Scholar, used her bursary to study indoor berry production across the world. She came back with numerous insights and suggestions for targeted R&D.
Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2019/20 Publication	Information on the four subsectors listed above are available to download free of charge as four separate pdf documents.
Protected cropping Authors: S. G. Chavan, Z. H. Chen, O. Ghannoum, C.I. Cazzonelli and, D. T. Tissue Publication	Current technologies and target crops
Smart crop monitoring Authors: C. R. Maier, Z. H. Chen, C. I. Cazzonelli, D. T. Tissue and O. Ghannoum Publication	Precise phenotyping for improved quality and protected cropping management
Australian native rice commercialisation Website	Australian native rice has potential as a high-value, low-volume, Indigenous culturally-identified, nutritious food, but currently it is not commercially available. There is strong interest among Australian Indigenous communities in enterprises based on native plant species and growing interest in native plant foods among consumers.
Plant-Based Meat Mind Maps: An Exploration of Options, Ideas and Industry Authors: Lagally, C. et al. Article	An array of new products formulated to mimic beef, chicken and pork, use plant protein – typically, extracts from soy or pea – as their base ingredients
‘Alternative Proteins: The Race for Market Share Is On.’ Authors: Bashio, Z. et al. Article	In this recent report, McKinsey & Co. survey future opportunities and likely market share for the array of alternative proteins on the market and in development.
The Changing Landscape of Protein Production: Opportunities and challenges for Australian agriculture Publication	The expanding plant-based protein industry could unlock opportunities for Australian agrifood producers, contends this February 2020 report.
Hungry for Plant-Based: Australian Consumer Insights Publication	This 2019 consumer survey examines the factors driving an expected rise in demand for plant-based foods and alternative proteins across Australia in coming years.
How many people can Australia feed? Article	Could Australia double the number of people it feeds by 2061? The Conversation says yes, provided we adopt three strategies: increase productivity, reduce food waste and eat more sustainably.
Food, Planet, Health: Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems Report	The global adoption of healthy diets from sustainable food systems would safeguard our planet and improve the health of billions, argues the EAT-Lancet Commission in this compelling report.
Capturing the Prize: The A$200 billion opportunity in 2030 for the Australian food and agribusiness sector Authors: Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL) Report	This report from the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre, FIAL, identifies 19 opportunities that could boost the value-addition capability of Australia's agrifood sector to $200b+ p.a. by 2030.
Could Alternative Proteins be a Solution to Fight Climate Change? Link	This lively panel discussion about actual and potential alternative sources of protein formed part of the EAT Stockholm Food Forum 2019.
Light‐limited photosynthesis under energy‐saving film decreases eggplant yield Authors: Sachin G. Chavan, Chelsea Maier, Yagiz Alagoz, Joao C. Filipe, Charles R. Warren, Han Lin, Baohua Jia, Michael E. Loik, Christopher I. Cazzonelli, Zhonghua H. Chen, Oula Ghannoum, David T. Tissue Paper	Light‐limited photosynthesis under energy‐saving film decreases eggplant yield
Maridulu Budyari Gumal : The Sphere Authors: Merran White Article	SPHERE: Working together for good health and wellbeing
Size of the Prize: An Overview of 16 Opportunities for Australian Food & Agribusinesses Authors: Food and Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) Report	FIAL's Overview of 16 Opportunities for Australian Food & Agribusinesses

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