Pasture Seeds - RIRDC Completed Projects in 2001-2003 & Research in Progress as at June 20023

|| Home || Search || Contact || Free Publications || Eshop || Privacy Statement ||

RIRDC Completed Projects in 2002-2003 & Research in Progress as at June 2003
BACK TO INDEX

To Pasture Seeds Projects Completed Before 2001-02 || Research In Progress

3.7 PASTURE SEEDS - COMPLETED PROJECTS
PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION

Improved Production Efficiency

US-85A	Development of an integrated control strategy for "lucerne yellows" disease in lucerne	Dr. Geoff Gurr	(02) 6360 5551	The University of Sydney
CSE-86A	Improved pollination of seed lucerne	Dr. Denis Anderson	(02) 6246 4148	CSIRO Entomology

Environmental Issues for Industry

DEB-3A

A water balance study for lucerne seed production resourced by an underground aquifier

Mr. James de Barro

(08) 8756 2777

De Barro Agricultural Consulting

Improved Production Efficiency

Project Title: Development of an integrated control strategy for "lucerne yellows" disease in lucerne

RIRDC Project No: US-85A

Researcher: Dr. Geoff Gurr

Organisation: The University of Sydney

Phone: (02) 6360 5551

Fax: (02) 6360 5590

Email: ggurr@orange.usyd.edu.au

Objectives To identify the cause of the important disease 'lucerne yellows'; to determine how it is spread; and to devise, test and extend a strategy for best practice disease management.

Background Lucerne yellows is one of several major lucerne diseases in NSW and has a particularly severe impact on seed production, causing death of plants and reduced vigour in those that survive. The magnitude of this disease problem was assessed in an earlier RIRDC pilot project (US-75A). That estimated annual losses in NSW and SA to $7M pa.

Research The project has used electron microscopy, molecular biology and traditional plant pathology methods to investigate the cause of the disease. Field surveys explored spatial and temporal development of symptoms in newly sown lucerne and the relevance of non-crop vegetation. Several field experiments explored scope for symptom alleviation as well as disease management via control of vector insects. Transmission test have investigated vector species.

Outcomes Electron microscopy and molecular biology methods have identified a new species of phytoplasma (and no other pathogen) associated with diseased plants. Field surveys showed that newly sown crops develop symptoms within 32 weeks of sowing and that within-field distribution of symptomatic plants was highest in sections of the crop margin. No indications of seed borne transmission have been found. Leafhopper transmission is supported by results. Field distribution of leafhoppers was correlated with disease levels and they were found also on some field-side weed species. Experimental treatments of non-crop vegetation with herbicide or insecticide reduced catches of leafhoppers and reduced disease levels. A range of possible symptom alleviation treatments failed to reduce disease levels in a field experiment.

Implications Results indicate that even newly-sown crops are at risk of infection of lucerne yellows – a disease caused by a novel phytoplasma and transmitted by leafhoppers. Disease management appears possible by reducing immigration of vectors from non-crop vegetation adjacent to the crop. Pesticide applications may accomplish this though scope exists to develop physical barriers as a low-input strategy.

Publications Pilkington L. J., et al. Detection and identification of a phytoplasma associated with ‘Australian lucerne yellows’ disease. Plant Pathology (submitted)
Pilkington L. J., et al. (2001). First report of a phytoplasma associated with ‘Australian lucerne yellows’ disease. New Disease Reports, (unpaginated) <http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/index.htm>.
Pilkington, L. J., et al. (2003). Australian lucerne yellows: Spatial and temporal analysis of symptom severity and purported vector density. 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Pilkington, L. J et al. (2003). Limiting immigration of suspected vectors of Australian lucerne yellows disease. 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Pilkington, L. J et al. (2001) 'Lucerne yellows' disease - TEM and molecular studies. Conference Handbook, 13th Biennial Plant Pathology Conference, 24-27 September 2001, Cairns, Australia. p 276.

Project Title: Improved pollination of seed lucerne with leafcutter bees

RIRDC Project No: CSE-86A

Researcher: Dr. Denis Anderson

Organisation: CSIRO Entomology

Phone: (02) 6246 4148

Fax: (02) 6246 4000

Email: Denis.Anderson@csiro.au

Objectives To improve the profitability of the lucerne seed industry by significantly increasing yields through improved pollination. The research will faciltiate the establishment of a leafcutter bee industry by: · Improving current quarantine import protocols for leafcutter bees
· Developing methods to improve the recovery of leafcutter bees released on to lucerne crops
· Identifying and characterizing pests and pathogens of imported bees and their offspring
· Production of a booklet outlining requirements for successfully importing leafcutter bees and multiplying these in different Australian environments.

Background There is significant scope for improving profits from producing lucerne seed in Australia. Annual production of lucerne seed is only about one-third of that achieved in the US and Canada and the difference is largely attributed to better pollination in the US and Canada from the use of leafcutter bees (Megachile rotundata).
Early attempts to establish leafcutter bees in Australia were unsuccessful. In 1997 the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) commissioned a risk assessment on the bees and later that year approved a procedure for importing them from Canada. Two introductions followed: 300,000 cells containing prepupae from Canada in September1997; and 450,000 cells containing prepupae from Canada in December 1998.

Research Adult leafcutter bees were reared from these cells in CSIRO’s high security quarantine facility in Canberra and released on to lucerne crops in NSW. However, very few bees survived. Their failure to survive was attributed to the severe quarantine treatments they passed through prior to release.
The current project was designed to build on the lessons learnt from the 1997-98 introductions. In the first year (1999), 110,00 leafcutter bee prepupae that had been carried-over in cold storage from December 1998 introduction were reared into adults in quarantine and released on to lucerne crops in NSW and the ACT. In May 2000 and May 2001 a further 700,000 and 1.2 million Canadian leafcutter bee prepupae were introduced and similarly processed. During each of these introductions attempts were made to (a) improve quarantine procedures, (b) improve the way bees were released to, and managed on, lucerne crops and, (c) identify new pests and parasites affecting the bees in the Australian environment.

Outcomes · An improved procedure for importing Canadian leafcutter bees.
· Identification of (a) high temperatures and (b) the production of second generation bees within the same season, as factors that will affect the future management of leafcutter bees in Australia.
· Identification of a parasitoid (Melittobia hawaiensis) a cuckoo bee (Coelioxys sp.) and several moth species, as pests that will affect the future management of leafcutter bees in Australia.

Implications · An improved procedure for importing Canadian leafcutter bees will lead to the establishment of the bee in Australia.
· Methods are needed for managing second generation and parasitoids under Australian conditions.

Environmental Issues for Industry

Project Title: A water balance study for lucerne seed production resourced by an underground aquifier

RIRDC Project No: DEB-3A

Researcher: Mr. James De Barro

Organisation: De Barro Agricultural Consulting

Phone: (08) 8756 2777

Fax: (08) 8756 2778

Email: dbac@lm.net.au

Objectives Account for and quantify the water used in flood irrigated lucerne seed production on the four typical irrigated soil types in the Upper South East of South Australia. This water audit will be performed by measuring water pumped from the aquifer, lucerne seed crop water use, evaporative losses from the irrigation channel and flood bay and the percentage of water return back to the aquifer beyond the lucerne root zone. The recorded data will be used to review the accuracy of the crop area ratio system used for water allocations in the Tatiara Prescribed Area which is based only on estimates of crop water requirements. The data will also provide a quantified understanding of the fate of water pumped from the aquifer to flood irrigate lucerne seed crops and allow for an equitable use of any metered volumetric allocation system that may be instituted in future. The research will create a benchmark set of data for use in further research aimed at improving the efficiency of irrigation systems using the underground water resource.

Background The Australian lucerne seed industry is worth over A$100 million to the Australian economy with 85% of Australia’s total lucerne seed production occurring in the Tatiara and Coonalpyn Downs region of South Australia, an amount equivalent to the seed exported each year worth over A$13 million. The majority of production in the Tatiara and Coonalpyn Downs area is from irrigated crops sourcing water from underground aquifers. The administration of the Water Resources Act 1997 involves the review of allocation of water in the five Prescribed Wells Areas in the South East and annual levies to be paid on the allocations in the form of dollars/megalitre of licence. Research aimed at determining the fate of water pumped from the aquifer to irrigate lucerne seed crops is required to re-assess the accuracy of the current area based water allocation system used in the Tatiara proclaimed region and provide a water audit to permit fair use in any enforced metered volumetric allocation system. The project represents cost-effective research to understand the destination of pumped water and provide quantified knowledge on which to conduct further research to improve irrigation efficiency.

Research The research quantified the volume pumped per hectare of lucerne seed produced, the channel losses (drainage and evaporation), volume delivered per hectare, evaporative losses, crop water use and drainage back to the unconfined aquifer from where water was pumped from.

Outcomes The methodology and the equipment used were proven effective for the research. Derived lucerne water use factors were accurate for use in determination of the estimated crop water use calculations and compared well to raw water use data. Lucerne water use was consistent from season to season and the research provided an excellent relative guide to what happens to the water pumped for seed production.
Channel leakage varied from site to site and ranged from 3.5 – 13.5% of water pumped. Evaporative losses off channel and soil surface were negligible. Increasing the volume pumped decreased the water use efficiency, although reduced the irrigation time per hectare irrigated. This occurred due to the soil only being able to hold a fixed volume of water over which water freely moves through the profile back into the unconfined aquifer. The reduction in irrigation time was not sufficient to more efficiently deliver the increased volume pumped and hence reduce the amount applied per hectare of seed produced.
Between 35% and 59% of water pumped was used by the lucerne seed crop. Evaporative losses ranged from 0.0% to 5.3% and between 0.0% and 7.8% of pumped water remained in the soil profile after harvest of the seed crop. The balance of pumped water that returned to the aquifer varied between 40% and 74.5%.

Implications The water balance for irrigated lucerne seed production using the underground aquifer system in the South East of South Australia was determined. The research determined the current water volumes required to be pumped to maintain current irrigation practices for lucerne seed production in the zone of the research.

Publications De Barro, James (2003); Dividing the droplet: A water balance study for lucerne seed production resourced by an underground aquifer. Final Report to RIRDC

Project Title:	Development of an integrated control strategy for "lucerne yellows" disease in lucerne
RIRDC Project No:	US-85A
Researcher:	Dr. Geoff Gurr
Organisation:	The University of Sydney
Phone:	(02) 6360 5551
Fax:	(02) 6360 5590
Email:	ggurr@orange.usyd.edu.au
Objectives	To identify the cause of the important disease 'lucerne yellows'; to determine how it is spread; and to devise, test and extend a strategy for best practice disease management.
Background	Lucerne yellows is one of several major lucerne diseases in NSW and has a particularly severe impact on seed production, causing death of plants and reduced vigour in those that survive. The magnitude of this disease problem was assessed in an earlier RIRDC pilot project (US-75A). That estimated annual losses in NSW and SA to $7M pa.
Research	The project has used electron microscopy, molecular biology and traditional plant pathology methods to investigate the cause of the disease. Field surveys explored spatial and temporal development of symptoms in newly sown lucerne and the relevance of non-crop vegetation. Several field experiments explored scope for symptom alleviation as well as disease management via control of vector insects. Transmission test have investigated vector species.
Outcomes	Electron microscopy and molecular biology methods have identified a new species of phytoplasma (and no other pathogen) associated with diseased plants. Field surveys showed that newly sown crops develop symptoms within 32 weeks of sowing and that within-field distribution of symptomatic plants was highest in sections of the crop margin. No indications of seed borne transmission have been found. Leafhopper transmission is supported by results. Field distribution of leafhoppers was correlated with disease levels and they were found also on some field-side weed species. Experimental treatments of non-crop vegetation with herbicide or insecticide reduced catches of leafhoppers and reduced disease levels. A range of possible symptom alleviation treatments failed to reduce disease levels in a field experiment.
Implications	Results indicate that even newly-sown crops are at risk of infection of lucerne yellows – a disease caused by a novel phytoplasma and transmitted by leafhoppers. Disease management appears possible by reducing immigration of vectors from non-crop vegetation adjacent to the crop. Pesticide applications may accomplish this though scope exists to develop physical barriers as a low-input strategy.
Publications	Pilkington L. J., et al. Detection and identification of a phytoplasma associated with ‘Australian lucerne yellows’ disease. Plant Pathology (submitted) Pilkington L. J., et al. (2001). First report of a phytoplasma associated with ‘Australian lucerne yellows’ disease. New Disease Reports, (unpaginated) <http://www.bspp.org.uk/ndr/index.htm>. Pilkington, L. J., et al. (2003). Australian lucerne yellows: Spatial and temporal analysis of symptom severity and purported vector density. 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand. Pilkington, L. J et al. (2003). Limiting immigration of suspected vectors of Australian lucerne yellows disease. 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand. Pilkington, L. J et al. (2001) 'Lucerne yellows' disease - TEM and molecular studies. Conference Handbook, 13th Biennial Plant Pathology Conference, 24-27 September 2001, Cairns, Australia. p 276.

Project Title:	Improved pollination of seed lucerne with leafcutter bees
RIRDC Project No:	CSE-86A
Researcher:	Dr. Denis Anderson
Organisation:	CSIRO Entomology
Phone:	(02) 6246 4148
Fax:	(02) 6246 4000
Email:	Denis.Anderson@csiro.au
Objectives	To improve the profitability of the lucerne seed industry by significantly increasing yields through improved pollination. The research will faciltiate the establishment of a leafcutter bee industry by: · Improving current quarantine import protocols for leafcutter bees · Developing methods to improve the recovery of leafcutter bees released on to lucerne crops · Identifying and characterizing pests and pathogens of imported bees and their offspring · Production of a booklet outlining requirements for successfully importing leafcutter bees and multiplying these in different Australian environments.
Background	There is significant scope for improving profits from producing lucerne seed in Australia. Annual production of lucerne seed is only about one-third of that achieved in the US and Canada and the difference is largely attributed to better pollination in the US and Canada from the use of leafcutter bees (Megachile rotundata). Early attempts to establish leafcutter bees in Australia were unsuccessful. In 1997 the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) commissioned a risk assessment on the bees and later that year approved a procedure for importing them from Canada. Two introductions followed: 300,000 cells containing prepupae from Canada in September1997; and 450,000 cells containing prepupae from Canada in December 1998.
Research	Adult leafcutter bees were reared from these cells in CSIRO’s high security quarantine facility in Canberra and released on to lucerne crops in NSW. However, very few bees survived. Their failure to survive was attributed to the severe quarantine treatments they passed through prior to release. The current project was designed to build on the lessons learnt from the 1997-98 introductions. In the first year (1999), 110,00 leafcutter bee prepupae that had been carried-over in cold storage from December 1998 introduction were reared into adults in quarantine and released on to lucerne crops in NSW and the ACT. In May 2000 and May 2001 a further 700,000 and 1.2 million Canadian leafcutter bee prepupae were introduced and similarly processed. During each of these introductions attempts were made to (a) improve quarantine procedures, (b) improve the way bees were released to, and managed on, lucerne crops and, (c) identify new pests and parasites affecting the bees in the Australian environment.
Outcomes	· An improved procedure for importing Canadian leafcutter bees. · Identification of (a) high temperatures and (b) the production of second generation bees within the same season, as factors that will affect the future management of leafcutter bees in Australia. · Identification of a parasitoid (Melittobia hawaiensis) a cuckoo bee (Coelioxys sp.) and several moth species, as pests that will affect the future management of leafcutter bees in Australia.
Implications	· An improved procedure for importing Canadian leafcutter bees will lead to the establishment of the bee in Australia. · Methods are needed for managing second generation and parasitoids under Australian conditions.

Project Title:	A water balance study for lucerne seed production resourced by an underground aquifier
RIRDC Project No:	DEB-3A
Researcher:	Mr. James De Barro
Organisation:	De Barro Agricultural Consulting
Phone:	(08) 8756 2777
Fax:	(08) 8756 2778
Email:	dbac@lm.net.au
Objectives	Account for and quantify the water used in flood irrigated lucerne seed production on the four typical irrigated soil types in the Upper South East of South Australia. This water audit will be performed by measuring water pumped from the aquifer, lucerne seed crop water use, evaporative losses from the irrigation channel and flood bay and the percentage of water return back to the aquifer beyond the lucerne root zone. The recorded data will be used to review the accuracy of the crop area ratio system used for water allocations in the Tatiara Prescribed Area which is based only on estimates of crop water requirements. The data will also provide a quantified understanding of the fate of water pumped from the aquifer to flood irrigate lucerne seed crops and allow for an equitable use of any metered volumetric allocation system that may be instituted in future. The research will create a benchmark set of data for use in further research aimed at improving the efficiency of irrigation systems using the underground water resource.
Background	The Australian lucerne seed industry is worth over A$100 million to the Australian economy with 85% of Australia’s total lucerne seed production occurring in the Tatiara and Coonalpyn Downs region of South Australia, an amount equivalent to the seed exported each year worth over A$13 million. The majority of production in the Tatiara and Coonalpyn Downs area is from irrigated crops sourcing water from underground aquifers. The administration of the Water Resources Act 1997 involves the review of allocation of water in the five Prescribed Wells Areas in the South East and annual levies to be paid on the allocations in the form of dollars/megalitre of licence. Research aimed at determining the fate of water pumped from the aquifer to irrigate lucerne seed crops is required to re-assess the accuracy of the current area based water allocation system used in the Tatiara proclaimed region and provide a water audit to permit fair use in any enforced metered volumetric allocation system. The project represents cost-effective research to understand the destination of pumped water and provide quantified knowledge on which to conduct further research to improve irrigation efficiency.
Research	The research quantified the volume pumped per hectare of lucerne seed produced, the channel losses (drainage and evaporation), volume delivered per hectare, evaporative losses, crop water use and drainage back to the unconfined aquifer from where water was pumped from.
Outcomes	The methodology and the equipment used were proven effective for the research. Derived lucerne water use factors were accurate for use in determination of the estimated crop water use calculations and compared well to raw water use data. Lucerne water use was consistent from season to season and the research provided an excellent relative guide to what happens to the water pumped for seed production. Channel leakage varied from site to site and ranged from 3.5 – 13.5% of water pumped. Evaporative losses off channel and soil surface were negligible. Increasing the volume pumped decreased the water use efficiency, although reduced the irrigation time per hectare irrigated. This occurred due to the soil only being able to hold a fixed volume of water over which water freely moves through the profile back into the unconfined aquifer. The reduction in irrigation time was not sufficient to more efficiently deliver the increased volume pumped and hence reduce the amount applied per hectare of seed produced. Between 35% and 59% of water pumped was used by the lucerne seed crop. Evaporative losses ranged from 0.0% to 5.3% and between 0.0% and 7.8% of pumped water remained in the soil profile after harvest of the seed crop. The balance of pumped water that returned to the aquifer varied between 40% and 74.5%.
Implications	The water balance for irrigated lucerne seed production using the underground aquifer system in the South East of South Australia was determined. The research determined the current water volumes required to be pumped to maintain current irrigation practices for lucerne seed production in the zone of the research.
Publications	De Barro, James (2003); Dividing the droplet: A water balance study for lucerne seed production resourced by an underground aquifer. Final Report to RIRDC