Program 2

Dr Chris Lehnert – Robotic Physical Interaction in Challenging Environments

Dr Chris Lehnert – 'Robotic Physical Interaction in Challenging Environments' (FFS Research Showcase 2025)

‘Acoustic-induced pollination in protected cropping’ with Assoc. Prof. Chris Cazzonelli

In this video, Assoc. Prof. Cazzonelli explains how precision pollination technology is advancing crop production. By using high-frequency sound waves, sonication promotes tomato pollination as effectively as conventional methods – delivering a sustainable and precise solution for protected cropping.

‘Sustainable fertigation in protected cropping’ with Sonali Koundal

Watch FFS PhD candidate Sonali Koundal talk about the FFS 'Sustainable fertigation in protected cropping' project. Sustainable vegetable production in diverse environments like Australia and Qatar face constraints related to climate, water use efficiency, and nutrient management. Conventional fertigation practices may not optimise both yield and crop quality under varying regional conditions.

Photosynthetic acclimation in rice

Nutrient-driven photosynthetic acclimation in rice

This PhD project investigates how rice genotypes vary in their capacity to acclimate photosynthetic and respiratory functions under heat stress, and whether these responses are modified by the availability of N and P. The study combines controlled environment trials at the University of New England (UNE) Australia, field experimentation at the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Columbia, and simulation modelling using ORYZA software at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Philippines. This integrative approach enables both empirical and predictive assessments of heat stress responses across a range of nutrient regimes.

‘IoT for indoor cropping’ with Mark Cardamis

Watch FFS PhD student Mark Cardamis talk about the 'IoT for indoor cropping' FFS project

Tech makes biosecurity easier for growers

Tech makes biosecurity easier for growers

A new $1.7 million mapping initiative is expected to change how fruit growers will soon respond to biosecurity threats. Drawing on citizen science by asking apricot, cherry, dried fruit, lychee, nectarine, peach and plum producers to log location data through an app, this technology could help protect Australian fruit from pests and disease. The aim…

Predicting photosystem II heat tolerance in crops

Predicting photosystem II heat tolerance in crops

This project integrates high-throughput phenotyping, machine learning, and molecular biology to develop a non-invasive method for predicting Tcrit and investigating the regulatory mechanisms underlying its acclimation. The goal is to identify genotypic variation and physiological traits linked to PSII resilience and to enable rapid, scalable selection of heat-tolerant genotypes across both horticultural and broad-acre crops.

Mapping the future: Australia’s first national protected cropping dashboard

Mapping the future: Australia’s first national protected cropping dashboard

Australia’s protected cropping sector – encompassing glasshouses, shade houses, polytunnels, and nets – has been rapidly expanding, but until recently, there was no comprehensive, centralised data on the distribution, scale, or types of systems nationwide. This lack of visibility hindered efforts in yield forecasting, infrastructure planning, workforce coordination, disaster response, and biosecurity preparedness.

Optimising post-harvest strategies for sustainable management of finger lime

Optimising post-harvest strategies for sustainable management of finger lime

This project is developing a CRISPR-Cas12a-based molecular diagnostic tool, integrated with a lateral flow assay (LFA) for visual detection. Designed for field deployment, the system allows rapid, sensitive identification of Diaporthe citri infections directly in orchard conditions. With results available in approximately 60 minutes, this approach enables real-time disease surveillance and early intervention.

Optimised fertigation improves yield and quality of cucumbers for resource efficiency and economic return in high-tech greenhouses

Optimised fertigation improves yield and quality of cucumbers for resource efficiency and economic return in high-tech greenhouses

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

Sonic-induced cellular vibrations unzip intertwined anther cone trichomes to trigger floral self-pollination and boost tomato fruit size

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.

Plant pathogens, microbiomes, and soil health

Plant pathogens, microbiomes, and soil health

Healthy soil is vital for ecosystem sustainability and global food security. However, anthropogenic activities that promote intensive agriculture, landscape and biodiversity homogenization, and climate change disrupt soil health. The soil microbiome is a critical component of healthy soils, and increasing evidence suggests that soils with low diversity or homogenized microbial systems are more susceptible to…

Linking leaf traits to carbohydrate profiles of wheat grains under heat stress

Linking leaf traits to carbohydrate profiles of wheat grains under heat stress

This project investigates the connections between leaf structure, sugar and starch dynamics, and grain carbohydrate profiles in wheat under heat stress. Through a combination of field and laboratory experiments and advanced metabolomics techniques using LC-MS, the study will identify and quantify the key primary and secondary carbohydrate metabolites that influence grain quality. The focus is on understanding the source-sink interactions between leaves and grains to reveal how structural and metabolic traits contribute to heat tolerance.

Investigating Light-Altering Films for enhanced photoprotection and crop yield

Investigating Light-Altering Films for enhanced photoprotection and crop yield

This project explores how modifying light spectra with LAFs impacts carotenoid-mediated photoprotection, particularly through NPQ, which safely dissipates excess light energy as heat. By investigating changes in carotenoid profiles and NPQ activity under altered light conditions, the research aims to determine how different spectral compositions affect photosynthetic efficiency and stress tolerance. The study will assess variety-specific responses to LAFs, focusing on their influence on yield, photoreceptor activity, and xanthophyll cycle dynamics.

Exploring resistance to insect herbivory in plants

Exploring resistance to insect herbivory in plants

This project will investigate how mechanical stress (such as touch or wind) influences the plant’s internal defence systems, specifically focusing on apocarotenoid bioactive signals derived from carotenoids. It hypothesises that mechanical stimulation induces the accumulation of these compounds, which in turn modulate resistance to insect herbivory. The research will explore the biochemical and physiological pathways involved in this response.

Tech-powered banana picking and more at the ARM Hub Industry Day

Tech-powered banana picking and more at the ARM Hub Industry Day

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub (ARM Hub) has celebrated half a decade at the forefront of Australia’s tech manufacturing sector with an Industry Day. Queensland-based research institute welcomed leaders and researchers from across manufacturing, AI and robotics to their HQ in Northgate, Brisbane, for a series of talks and networking events designed to help…

Pollination of novel and emerging food crops grown under protected cropping conditions

Pollination of novel and emerging food crops grown under protected cropping conditions

This research project investigates the potential of select insect species to serve as effective pollinators for a range of innovative crops. By assessing the pollination efficiency and compatibility of alternative insects, the study aims to identify species that can complement or enhance existing pollination systems tailored to specific crop needs and production conditions.

The rhizosphere microbiome can sustainably protect field-grown tomato crops against soil-borne pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes

The rhizosphere microbiome can sustainably protect field-grown tomato crops against soil-borne pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes

Roots of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) are vulnerable to soil-borne pathogenic fungi, bacteria and nematodes. Current control methods for these biotic stressors have limitations, necessitating the need for new eco-friendly alternatives. The rhizosphere microbiome is an effective natural barrier to invasion by soil-borne pathogens, and there is scope to harness this inherent capacity to improve…

Banana Peels: A Genuine Waste or a Wonderful Opportunity?

Banana Peels: A Genuine Waste or a Wonderful Opportunity?

Banana is the second-highest fruit produced in the world and is a staple food for over 400 million people. Only 40% of the crop is utilised, leading to 114 million tonnes of banana waste annually. Banana peel constitutes about ~40% of the whole fruit, and it is considered a domestic and food industry waste. It…

Optimal energy-efficient shade screen and ventilation control settings for a greenhouse covered with light-altering films

Optimal energy-efficient shade screen and ventilation control settings for a greenhouse covered with light-altering films

Introduction: Energy management in protected cropping is imperative to sustainably produce food. Optimal energy consumption in a protected cropping facility strongly depends on infrastructure control settings and meteorological conditions. This study aimed to optimise glasshouse energy management by investigating energy consumption under different shading, light-altering and ventilation conditions. Methods: We compared energy consumption used in…