· To evaluate the level of allicin (a health compound found naturally in garlic) in Australian garlic crops. To identify the garlic varieties and production methods that favour the formation of allicin in the plant, and to evaluate the opportunity for market diversification (Australian grown garlic as a source of allicin for national and international pharmaceutical companies).

in the area of cholesterol reduction. The compound responsible for these benefits is called allicin. Allicin has been investigated as an alternative to current cholesterol-lowering treatments, which are synthetic and expensive to produce. Initially, the level of allicin was found to vary greatly between batches, causing the extraction process to become uneconomical. This project aimed to reduce product variability by identifying the factors affecting allicin formation during the growth and storage of garlic

§ To raise walnut yields from 1.5 to 4 tonnes per hectare.

§ To reduce the time needed for commercial yields from 10 to 4 years.

§ To improve the quality of the produce.

§ To facilitate the expansion of the walnut industry.

1. total yield and quality of spears;

2. the levels of carbohydrates in the plant and how this effects objective 1;

3. root system development (length and distribution); and 

crown health and longevity

· To diversify existing farming methods of wheat/sheep/canola and reduce imports of herbs. A solar dryer was also needed to help and encourage the growing of herbs. Overall the aim was to reduce imports of herbs to Australia

§ to develop methods for easy identification of the selected three species of Prostanthera ; 

§ to study their characteristic texture,smell and taste and the stability of these properties with storage and with cooking;

§ to identify the major chemical constituents of the oils;

§ to investigate the possible side effects after eating by studying published reports involving each constituent; and finally, 

§ to look into the antimicrobial activity of the oils from Prostanthera

The characteristic fragrance of the Prostanthera was stable for at least 5 months in two of the species; and was in evidence after microwaving but was completely destroyed by baking. 

The major chemicals in the Prostanthera oils were identified. The stability of the oils was also tested. The oil of P. incisa retained its properties best with storage.

A review of publications on biological studies of the chemical components of the oils led to the conclusion that consumption of moderate quantities, about 4.5 g, of the dried leaf, or of the oil equivalent ( about 0.2 ml) should not lead to ill effects.

The oils of P. incisa and of P. rotundifolia showed weak antimicrobial activity, and this activity was still present in the oils of specimens that had been stored for 5 months

All three Prostanthera possess a strong bitter taste. The removal or the reduction of the chemicals causing this bitterness would enhance the commercial applications of the mints.

Antimicrobial activity, whilst present in P. incisa and P. rotundifolia, is not potent enough to render them the sole food preserving component in a mixture

§ To identify opportunities in Australia to: produce non-wood fibres by diversifying agricultural practices and growing special crops; and to develop non-wood fibre products by utilising agricultural residues from cereal straw, bagasse and other crops.

§ To determine: which fibres have the greatest potential for profitability and market growth; and which products are the most suitable for development in Australia

Although it may appear economically viable to manufacture panel board from straw, a new venture is unlikely to succeed, because two major companies dominate the local market in which there is excess capacity.

There are significant opportunities for bast fibres to be used in the manufacture of non-woven industrial textiles, particularly for insulation materials (replacing fibreglass batts) and automotive interior textiles, such as door panels and floor mats.

Kenaf would be the most economical fibre to produce for non-woven applications, because of its high growth rate. The dryland conditions in Australia are ideally suited to the production of the un-retted fibre which is utilised in these products.

The market for composite materials is in its infancy, and requires detailed study. The automotive market is the furthest advanced and has a particular interest in bast fibres because of their biodegradability.

There may be a small opportunity in the production of hemp oil seed for nutrition, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

Development in bast fibre retting technology should be monitored and assessed, to determine their potential to deliver a competitive advantage to Australia. Key requirements are the production of extremely high quality fibre, with low water usage and minimal impact on the environment.

· To develop a business plan for the coffee growing and processing industry in the Northern Rivers region of NSW in conjunction with participants in the industry

Outcomes

For the industry to grow successfully at the projected level, the price premium for green beans needs maintaining or even improving. These circumstances dictate the development of an effective industry body, acceptable to all in the industry, and which administers:

· Quality assurance procedures

· Promotion of the product through a regional label

· Research and development

· Education and dissemination of information

· Collection of production statistics and harvest quality

· A means of funding the above taks

· A peak industry body be set up, encompassing everyone in the industry

· The industry strategic plan be adopted and implemented, and

· Funds be raised to help the industry body administer its functions

· To better understand, strengthen and develop the Australia Olive product market

· To enhance the human capital of the Australian Olive Industry

· Attract financial capital to the Australian Olive Industry

· Disseminate information on research and development opportunities

· Establish industry networks

§ Overcome the emphasis on the production end of the industry, ensuring industry structures have representation from all stages of the supply chain

§ Develop strategies for market entry for Australian olive products

§ Conduct detailed research into the table olive market

· To develop the methods of utilising green ants as an effective biological control agent of the major cashew insect pests, to provide a low-input, but cost-effective tool for cashew growers, to assess the impact of the ants on honey-dew producing pests and to implement the biological control program

It appears that the minor honey dew producing insect pests cannot become the major pests after this technology is used because green ants have no influence on the natural enemies of these minor insect pests. Although green ants are aggressive, in general, they have no impact on the arthropod diversity. Commonly used herbicides and fungicides in cashew orchards had no impact on green ants.

Seven sequences of the formation, establishment and development of green ant colonies were determined. The methods of identifying the queen tree and the queen ant nest in a green ant colony were developed. Two types of ant trails were identified within each colony. Twisted polystrings can be used as ant bridges to facilitate ant communication and movement. Factors such as the proximity of native vegetation with established colonies of the ants, bush fire, presence of queens, fierce fights and heavy rainfall of more than 60mm per event, are the most important factors influencing colonisation, distribution and maintenance of green ants in cashew orchards.

· identify new crops with good prospects for commercial development, by conducting the necessary R&D and 

· investigate their commercial potential and by taking appropriate action to foster their commercial development.

· Individual counselling, using the 10 Points of Planning,

· Networking and information sharing, through the publications listed below, Information Days using a sideshow-alley model, DOOR Marketing Short Courses, the First Australian New Crops Conference at Gatton in July 1996, presentations at conferences and workshops and the servicing of individual enquiries from new crop entrepreneurs, primary producers and other interested parties and

· Commercialisation of new crop industries, using the 13 Steps of New Crop Commercialisation.

· Recommendation 1: New crops developers should be encouraged to tender for the research they require through the appropriate research providers.

· Recommendation 2: Primary producers should be encouraged to consider the Do Our Own Marketing Research (DOOR Marketing) Short Course as their introduction to the process of selection of new crops suitable for research and development.

· Recommendation 3: Researchers should be encouraged to play a facilitation role in the research and development of new crops industries.

Australian New Crops Web Site (http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au)

Listing of Potential New Crops for Australia

Directory of New Crop Workers in Australia

New Crops Do Our Own Marketing Research (DOOR Marketing) Manual

· The aim of this project was the isolation and identification of the chemical structure of antiviral compounds from Australian bush medicine plants and thus development of demand for cultivation of these plants

Activity-guided fractionation of the root extract of D. longifolia resulted in the identification of chrysophanic acid (1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone) as the anti-polioviral component. Anthraquinones have not previously been found to inhibit non-enveloped viruses.

Chrysophanic acid inhibited an early stage in the poliovirus replication cycle and it may act as an inhibitor of proteases cleaving the picornaviral polyprotein.

E. australis yeilded polyphenolic compounds responsible for the anti-HCMV activity.