RIRDC Completed Projects in 2000-2001 & Research in Progress as at June 2001

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To Wildflowers and Native Plants Completed Projects




2.8 WILDFLOWERS AND NATIVE PLANTS  RESEARCH IN PROGRESS
PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION
BAF-2A	Development of Boronia heterphylla for improved commercial application	Mr George Lullfitz	(08) 9405 1607	Boutique Australian Flora
BAF-3A	Development of Scholtzia for improved commercial application	Mr George Lullfitz	(08) 9405 1607	Boutique Australian Flora
DAN-181A	Grafting Eriostemon australasius	Mr Jonathan Lidbetter	(02) 4348 1931	NSW Department of Agriculture
DAQ-262A	Identify and evaluate the commercial potential for new foliage and cutflower species from north Queensland	Ms Kaylene Bransgrove	(07) 4048 4645	Department of Primary Industries – Qld
DAV-161A	Postharvest protocols to increase numbers of exportable Australian wildflower species	Dr Virginia Williamson	(03) 9210 9222	Department of Natural Resources and Environment
DAV-175A	A practical workbook of postharvest treatments for wildflowers	Dr John Faragher	(03) 9210 9222	Department of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic)
DAV-184A	Developing Leptospermum as an export cut flower crop: phase 2	Mr Tony Slater	(03) 9210 9222	Department of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic)
IHA-1A	An integrated ethylene management system for the waxflower industry	Mr Douglas Hall	(08) 9272 9281	Innovating Horticulture Australia
UA-52A	Production and postharvest handling of eucalypt bud and flower lines	Professor Margaret Sedgley	(08) 8303 7249	The University of Adelaide
UWA-54A	Preparation and publication of a protocol for obtaining intellectual property rights for plants	Prof John Considine	(08) 9380 1783	University of Western Australia


 
 

Project Title	Development of Boronia heterophylla for improved commercial  application
RIRDC Project No.:	BAF-2A
Start Date:	1/10/99
Finish Date:	30/09/02
Researcher:	Mr. George Lullfitz
Organisation:	Boutique Australian FloraPO Box 34 WANNEROO WA 6065
Phone:	(08) 9405 1607
Fax:	(08) 9306 2933
Objectives	· To provide a series of clones of Boronia heterophylla which have been developed and exhibit a wide range of flowering times (earlier/later) and flowering habit. This will enable growers and exporters to supply the flower market with this sought after and established product with more continuity.
Current Progress	Boronia heterophylla has been grown for the cut flower market for many years. Supplies have been sourced from natural and cultivated stands until recently when picking from natural stands has been terminated by government intervention. The existing time over which the flowers are available is short. It is important to develop a range of new clones which provide a wider range of flowering times thereby enabling the market to be supplied over a longer over a longer period of time. This project aims to produce new clones and hence extend the flowering time for this product. Several clones had been selected and one or two plants produced from each clone. These plants were planted in the ground at a property of a commercial flower grower located south west of Perth for the purpose of stock plants. Each clone was initiated into tissue culture and each received identical treatments. Over the next eight months three of these clones failed to survive despite identical treatments. The plants from which the explants were taken also died during the summer. This highlights the need that potentially important clones be established in tissue culture as a means of preserving the genetic material whilst plant numbers remain small. Also, it reveals that different clones of the same species show significant variations in propagation success. The remaining clone had been selected from an early flowering plant in a natural population. This clone is multiplying steadily in tissue culture. Some difficulty has been found in successfully transferring plants from in vitro conditions to soil media. However, three plants have been established into pots for preliminary evaluation this winter. Further plants will be propagated by tissue culture, cuttings and grafting to increase the plant numbers for more extensive evaluation next year in both nursery and field conditions.


 

Project Title	Development of Scholtzia for improved commercial application
RIRDC Project No.:	BAF-3A
Start Date:	1/10/99
Finish Date:	30/09/02
Researcher:	Mr. George Lullfitz
Organisation:	Boutique Australian Flora PO Box 34 WANNEROO WA 6065
Phone:	(08) 9405 1607
Fax:	(08) 9306 2933
Objectives	· To formally assess and deliver to industry a range of improved Scholtzia involucrata varieties from the existing plants along with the cultural information required for the commercial application in the Australian floriculture industry
Current Progress	Scholtzia involucrata forms a significant part of the market share for export cut flowers from Australia.  Several superior clones had been selected from natural populations over a period of time. These were selected to provide a broad range in flowering times, thereby enabling supply of the product to be more continuous and less pressure for the commercial growers. In addition to flowering period, variations were found in the size of the inflorescence, flower colour and plant vigour. The major effort over the past year has been establishing the trial plot, propagating the plants and planting them into the plot. Over 200 plants were propagated from the clones. The numbers produced were not as high as was anticipated therefore; more will be propagated to supplement those already existing. The plants were planted in the field plot during April and May 2001. The purpose of planting in a field plot rather than pots in the nursery was to enable a more realistic comparison with conditions experienced by commercial growers. Early evaluation of the clones suggests flowering times from mid-November to mid-February. More detailed evaluation will be made during the next flowering season from October 2001 to February 2002.


 

Project Title	Grafting Eriostemon australasius
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-181A
Start Date:	23/6/99
Finish Date:	30/6/02
Researcher:	Mr Jonathan Lidbetter
Organisation:	NSW Agriculture Locked Bag 21 Orange NSW 2800
Phone:	(02) 4348 1931
Fax:	(02) 4348 1910
Email:	jonathan.lidbetter@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· Develop Eriostemon australasius as a cut flower crop with superior selections extending the flowering season and site suitability to include heavier soil types · Bring a range of E. australasius selections into commercial production on suitable rootstocks · Overcome the difficulty of propagating superior cut flower forms and field survival problems · Shorten the lead time in developing cultivated Eriostemon as a major domestic and export crop
Current Progress	To identify elite clonal material, five natural populations of Eriostemon australasius have been surveyed. Significant variation was found in petal colour, petal width, flower diameter, leaf size and plant vigour. Grafting of material collected from natural populations onto seedlings has enabled 30 varieties to be rapidly brought into cultivation. Seedling rootstocks allow the rapid formation of a successful graft union with ‘semi-hardened off’ grafted plants back on drip irrigation in the glasshouse within as little as five weeks. Similarly, tissue cultured material has been grafted successfully. As tissue cultures can be easily shipped this means scion material can readily be transferred between locations. Tissue cultures treated with colchicine can also be evaluated without the need for developing roots as has been shown with grafting of the first putative polyploids. First flowering of grafted scions from both natural and tissue culture origin will occur this August in as little as eight months from grafting with 25 varieties expected to flower. Twelve month old grafted plants are now up to a metre tall in comparison to a standard cutting which may take twelve months to form roots. These techniques allow for the establishment of mother stock material to provide shoots for future scion or cutting production. In our endeavour to make cultivation of Eriostemon australasius on heavy soils possible we have tested a number of hardy rootstocks. Grafts with three related genera have failed to establish a long-term compatible combination although initial union and growth were observed in all cases. Alternate rootstocks are being examined.


 
 
 

Project Title	Identify and evaluate the commercial potential for new foliage and  cutflower species form north Queensland
RIRDC Project No.:	DAQ-262A
Start Date:	01/09/99
Finish Date:	30/11/02
Researcher:	Ms. Kaylene Bransgrove
Organisation:	Department of Primary Industries (Qld) Queensland Horticulture Institute 28 Peters Street MAREEBA QLD 4880
Phone:	(07) 4048 4645
Fax:	(07) 4048 4645
Email:	bransgk@prose.dpi.qld.gov.au
Objectives	· The identification of the export potential of a range of new foliage and cutflower species native to north Queensland. · Establish propagation, establishment, agronomic and postharvest requirements for new species. · Determine preliminary compatibility for production in other regions in Australia
Current Progress	Vaselife trials of most flower and foliage species have been conducted, the remainder to be completed as material is produced by field stock. Propagation trials have been completed and field trials of all species are established.  Vase life trials have shown that all foliage species have a long vaselife, with some species lasting up to 5 weeks after harvest. Flower species have had vase lives in the order of 10 days after harvest. Dry storage treatments have illustrated that, overall, 10ºC is the best temperature for dry storage of tropical, rainforest, foliage native to north Queensland and that the vase life of a number of species was not affected by dry storage. Field trials are in progress at sites across the range of climates on the Atherton Tableland and are showing excellent plant establishment and growth. The species are all also showing an excellent response to preliminary manipulation of plant growth habit, producing lateral growth in addition  to apical growth.


 
 
 

Project Title	Postharvest protocols to increase numbers of exportable  Australian wildflower species
RIRDC Project No.:	DAV-161A
Start Date:	5/05/99
Finish Date:	31/08/01
Researcher:	Dr Virginia Williamson
Organisation:	Department of Natural Resources & Environment Private Bag 15 SCORESBY BUSINESS CENTRE VIC 3176
Phone:	(03) 9210 9222
Fax:	(03) 9800 3521
Email:	Virginia.Williamson@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	· An analysis of whether suberin inhibiting treatments can be used to enhance water uptake and increase vase life of selected Australian native flowers. This will further enhance the export reputation of Australian cut flowers and increase the number of exportable species. Recommendations from the project will be made to industry. The species tested will be decided with industry, but could include Boronia, Cassinia, Grevillea, Leptospermum, Pimelea and Thryptomene.
Current Progress	Suberin is an hydrophobic substance deposited in plants as a general response to wounding. Suberin-inhibiting treatments have included cycloheximide and salicylhydroxamic acid. Further experiments will test other suberin-inhibiting chemicals.  The genera studied have responded positively to the suberin-inhibiting treatments, except when ethylene was involved in senescence. Ethylene appears to be the most important factor in the senescence of flowers that are sensitive to it. Silver thiosulphate (STS) treatments and ethylene exposure were used to determine whether ethylene contributes to a particular flower’s senescence. Baeckea virgata, Crowea exalata and Lophomyrtus x ralphii ‘Krinkly’ were all sensitive to ethylene. However, only Crowea and Lophomyrtus responded positively to STS treatment. A shorter STS pulse might reduce the toxicity symptoms observed in Baeckea. Other experiments have been aimed at physically removing the blockage at the cut end of stems. These included recutting stems daily; keeping stems in high or low water levels; and a washing treatment to flush the base of stems. All these treatments have improved vase life, although the washing experiment was complicated by reduced bacterial numbers in the washed treatment. Transmission Electron Microscopy will also be used to visualise the formation of suberin in cut stems for the first time.


 

Project Title	A practical workbook of postharvest treatments for wildflowers
RIRDC Project No.:	DAV-175A
Start Date:	01/05/00
Finish Date:	30/09/01
Researcher:	Dr. John Faragher
Organisation:	Department of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic) Agriculture Victoria Knoxfield Institute for Horticultural Development Private Bag 15 Scoresby Business Centre VIC 3176
Phone:	(03) 9210 9222
Fax:	(03) 9800 3521
Email:	faragherj@knoxy.agvic.gov.au
Objectives	· The objective is to produce a user-friendly workbook, which provides growers and exporters with the practical information they need to handle and treat flowers so that they retain excellent quality during export and marketing. This will contribute to RIRDC's objective of enhancing the ability of exporters to deliver quality product.
Current Progress	Wildflower growers and exporters have been consulted to help make the book meet their needs. In particular, the Flower Export Council of Australia, who are sponsors, and the Australian Flora and Protea Growers Association, have provided detailed advice. Other growers’ organisations, individual exporters and research and extension workers are being consulted. Amcor Fibre Packaging and Clearpac, who market Chrysal, are also sponsors. The authors will be J. Faragher, T. Slater and V. Williamson from Knoxfield and Prof D. Joyce. Doug Hall from WA and other researchers, extension workers, growers and exporters are contributing. The format will be a loose-leaf folder, of about 100 pages. The style will make the book easy to understand and use. The three major sections of are: Basic postharvest treatments for all flowers, including descriptions of typical handling chains and recipes for pulsing solutions. Postharvest treatments for about 25 individual crops, including black and white photos of the species. Additional information, such as costs and benefits of treatments, chemical use, disinfestation, storage, drying and dyeing and transport. The book is being drafted during May 2001, it will be published in late 2001 and sold at an affordable price by RIRDC.


 
 
 

Project Title	Developing Leptospermum as an export cut flower crop: phase 2
RIRDC Project No.:	DAV-184A
Start Date:	1/7/2000
Finish Date:	30/9/2003
Researcher:	Tony Slater
Organisation:	Agriculture Victoria
Phone:	03 9210 9222
Fax:	03 9800 3521
Email:	Tony.Slater@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	· The production of superior Leptospermum hybrids that can continuously supply cut flowers for the market, through a breeding program using superior selections.
Current Progress	During the last flowering season the superior forms of Leptospermum were used as parents in the breeding program. 700 crosses were performed providing 87 different combinations of parents. To date, 461 crosses initiated nut development and 96 nuts from 30 crosses have been harvested. The crosses that have low success rates will be further investigated for reproductive barriers and the usefulness of embryo rescue. The selection of interesting forms has been extended to identify and collect material from related genera. Of the 6 related genera that were previously identified, 27 cultivars from 13 species and 4 genera have been collected from commercial sources. A further 2 genera are planned to be collected in the near future. The floral morphology and reproductive biology of two species within related genera have been examined to date, to include these in the breeding program. The interstate comparison of plant growth and flowering was continued. An indication of the extent of flowering in the last season was conducted by examining the number of nuts present on plants. Further postharvest experiments have been conducted to improve vaselife by looking at the effect of vase solutions or pulses of acids, anti oxidants, solvents and enzyme inhibitors. Trials looking at recutting of the stem and the effect of time between harvest and placement in water have also been conducted.


 
 
 

Project Title	An integrated ethylene management system for the waxflower  industry
RIRDC Project No.:	IHA-1A
Start Date:	01/01/01
Finish Date:	31/03/04
Researcher:	Mr. Douglas Hall
Organisation:	Innovating Horticulture Australia Principal Consultant 68 Shaftesbury Avenue BAYSWATER WA 6053
Phone:	(08) 9272 9281
Email:	iha@git.com.au
Objectives	· This project will significantly improve the quality, consistency and image of Waxflower exported from Australia. This will be achieved by establishing a scientifically based ethylene management system as a standard component of Waxflower production across the majority of the national industry. The management system will incorporate both STS- and 1-MCP-based anti-ethylene treatments and will be compatible with Quality Assurance systems such as AQAF, ISO9002 and SQF2000. Strong collaborative interactions and training activities, throughout the project, will deliver important generic outcomes - changed attitudes to quality management and improved quality practices. A Manual describing the system and how to use it will be produced.
Current Progress	The project consists of three major activities: 1. establish within grower-exporter supply chains around Australia a system for monitoring and improving the effectiveness of anti-ethylene treatments,  2. improve the effectiveness of commercial application of STS by developing improved protocols based on a better understanding of the impact of environmental, variety and harvest factors commonly encountered in commercial situations,  3. develop a commercially viable system for applying the gaseous anti-ethylene agent, 1-MCP, to Waxflowers. The major focus has been constructing the monitoring system for activity 1 at export facilities in WA and NSW. In parallel with this activity, workshops have been conducted in NSW, QLD, VIC and WA to raise awareness among growers, exporters, State Agriculture Departments and other stakeholders in the floriculture industry of the project, its aims and how they will be achieved in partnership with industry.  A fundamental principal of this project is the synthesis of research, development, implementation and training into a holistic approach to the innovation process. During the coming flowering season the focus will be on training the industry operators to competently use the monitoring system and the data generated, and proceeding with activities 2 and 3.


 

Project Title	Production and postharvest handling of eucalypt bud and flower  lines
RIRDC Project No.:	UA-52A
Start Date:	20/09/99
Finish Date:	05/07/04
Researcher:	Professor Margaret Sedgley
Organisation:	Adelaide University, Department of Horticulture, Viticulture and Oenology, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, GLEN OSMOND SA 5064
Phone:	(08) 8303 7248
Fax:	(08) 8303 7116
Email:	margaret.sedgley@adelaide.edu.au
Objectives	· Hybridisation of novel eucalypt lines for fresh bud and flower cut stems · Field trials of the novel lines to develop training and pruning regimes for optimum production · Investigation of clonal propagation of superior lines · Development of postharvest treatments to allow transport of quality product to distant markets · Investigation of marketability of lines
Current Progress	Hybridisation. Pollinations between a range of species using stored pollen have commenced and seed collection will commence in September.  Field trials. Hybrids that have reached reproductive maturity have been assessed using selection criteria to identify superior individuals, with several selected for further development. Training methods for young hybrids are being devised in consultation with the industry. Pruning Trials. A large scale pruning trial on 10 species commenced and is assessed monthly for growth. Clonal Propagation. Research into in vitro micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis is progressing, as is the development of optimal grafting techniques and scion/rootstock combinations. Cutting experiments are underway. Postharvest. Trials to assess the vase life of superior individuals are ongoing.  Investigation of marketability of lines. As soon as superior lines reach a point where sufficient material is available, market acceptability will be assessed.


 

Project Title	Preparation and publication of a protocol for obtaining intellectual  property rights for plants
RIRDC Project No.:	UWA-54A
Start Date:	01/06/00
Finish Date:	01/06/01
Researcher:	Prof. John Considine
Organisation:	University of Western Australia Plant Science, Faculty of Agriculture NEDLANDS WA 6907
Phone:	(08) 9380 1783
Fax:	(08) 9380 1108
Email:	consid@cyllene.uwa.ed.au
Objectives	· To support the expansion of plant breeding and improvement activities by making available, to Australian plant developers, a simple guide to intellectual property associated with plants and its protection, management and commercialisation. Such a guide will be aimed at both the plant breeders and beginners to the plant commercialisation process. It will highlight the basics that the plant breeder needs to know to enable exploitation of the commercial potential of new plant varieities and avoid inadvertent actions that might prevent protection or commercilisation of such valuable plant research. The guide will focus on rights in, and use examples from experience in, native flowers, crops and pastures and other foods species.
Current Progress	In recent years Intellectual Property Rights have become the currency that supports modern plant improvement programs. In this project we are developing a background document that will provide information in a form readily accessible to the non-specialist breeder, nurseryman or horticulturist. The document will set out the full range of options available within Australia and signatories to World Trade Organisation and International Convention for the Protection of Plant Breeders (Variety) Rights (UPOV). It will also include discussion of the United Nations Convention (Rio Convention) regarding ownership of Intellectual Property Rights, especially in developing nations. Options discussed will include guides to the appropriate use of Plant Breeders Rights, Patents, Trade Marks, Licences and Agreements. A check list of issues to be considered in each will be appended as will a table of authorities who may be approached for more specialised advise.