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

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To Rice Completed Projects

3.4 Rice - Research in Progress
Project No	Project Title	Researcher	Phone	Organisation
Varietal improvement & pure seeds maintenance
ANU-42A	Transgenic glasshouse facilities for transgenomic rice project	Prof Murray Badger	(02) 6125 3741	Australian National University
CMB-2A	Rice transgenomics project	Dr Andrzej Kilian	(02) 6246 4519	CAMBIA
CSP-8A	A gene machine for functional genomics of rice	Dr Narayana Upadhyaya	(02) 6246 5491	CSIRO Plant Industry
DAN-167A	Rice improvement	Dr Russell Reinke	(02) 6951 2516	NSW Department of Agriculture
DAN-183A	Rice grain quality 3	Dr Melissa Fitzgerald	(02) 6951 2656	NSW Department of Agriculture
DAN-204A	Evaluating Diversity Array Technology (DArT) in the rice breeding program	Dr Russell Reinke	(02) 6951 2516	NSW Department of Agriculture
DAN-212A	How does molecular architecture of starch determine viscosity of rice?	Dr Melissa Fitzgerald	(02) 6951 2656	NSW Department of Agriculture
RRA-3A	Alternative methods and cultural practices for establishing seed and nutritional plots	Mr Russell Ford	(03) 5886 1391	Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd
RRA-4A	Improved seed storage and segregation for advanced breeding lines	Mr Russell Ford	(03) 5886 1391	Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd
UQ-99A	Increasing cold tolerance in rice by selecting for high polyamine and gibberellic acid content	Dr. Naidu Bodapati	(07) 3896 9639	The University of Queensland
USC-6A	New markers for Australian rice improvement	Prof Robert Henry	(02) 6620 3010	Southern Cross University
Crop establishment
US-115A	Ecology and biology of nuisance algae in rice fields	Dr Adrienne Grant	(02) 9351 4488	The University of Sydney


 

Agronomy/crop physiology
ANU-53A	Next stage of developing a competitive rice inoculant strain	Prof Barry Rolfe	(02) 6125 4054	Australian National University
DAN-207A	Continuing on-farm yield improvement based on agronomy, crop modelling and rice physiology	Dr Ranjith Subasinghe	(02) 6951 2679	NSW Department of Agriculture
Crop nutrition
DAN-185A	NIR for improved fertilizer predictions II	Mr John Oliver	(02) 6938 1816	NSW Department of Agriculture
DAN-200A	Improving quality through physiology - partitioning and transport of nitrogen and sulphur in rice	Dr Huub Kerckhoffs	(02) 6951 2736	NSW Department of Agriculture
Crop protection
AGR-8A	Rotational weed control practices for rice	Mr Malcolm Taylor	(03) 5872 2892	Agropraisals Pty Ltd
DAN-203A	Sustainable management of invertebrate rice pests	Dr Mark Stevens	(02) 6951 2611	NSW Department of Agriculture
Sustainable farming systems
CSL-16A	Assessment of pesticide impacts on the biological health of the rice ecosystem	Dr Rai Kookana	(08) 8303 8450	CSIRO Land and Water
DAN-201A	Permanent beds for sustainable cropping systems on rice farms	Mr Geoff Beecher	(02) 6951 2725	NSW Department of Agriculture
UCA-6A	Sustainable management of on-farm biodiversity in the rice growing industry: vertebrate wildlife resources	Mr. Sean Doody	(02) 6201 2796	University of Canberra
UCS-34A	Waterfowl movements in agricultural and natural wetland landscapes	Dr David Roshier	(02) 6933 2538	Charles Sturt University
UTS-5A	Development of a passive sampler device for polar pesticides	Dr Ross Hyne	(02) 9514 4138	University of Technology, Sydney
Technology transfer & communications
DAN-162A	Better extension programs for improved rice yields	Mr John Lacy	(03) 5883 1644	NSW Department of Agriculture
IRE-5A	Quality rice production in South Eastern Australia	Ms Lucy Kealey	(02) 6964 5232	Irrigation Research & Extension Committee
IRE-6A	Capacity building for a productive and sustainable rice farming system	Mr Peter Draper	(02) 6960 1550	Irrigation Research & Extension Committee
Harvesting, storage, handling and transport
CSE-88A	New aeration controller for flat bed storage	Mr James Darby	(02) 6246 4197	CSIRO Entomology
Milling and processing
BRE-3A	Production of novel rice flour fractions	Dr Michael Southan	(02) 9888 9600	BRI Australia Ltd
UJC-8A	Development of improved molecular detection methods for Bacillus cereus toxins	Dr Graham Burgess	(07) 4781 5472	James Cook University
UMU-30A	Rice-based diets for protection against intestinal bacterial infections	Dr John Pluske	(08) 9360 2012	Murdoch University


 

Project Title	Transgenic glasshouse facilities for transgenomic rice project
RIRDC Project No.:	ANU-42A
Start Date:	1/5/2000
Finish Date:	30/6/2004
Researcher:	Prof. Murray Badger
Organisation:	Australian National University Research School of Biological Sciences PO Box 475 CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601
Phone:	(02) 6125 3741
Fax:	(02) 6125 5075
Email:	murray.badger@anu.edu.au
Objectives	For Rice Transgenic Glasshouse Facility (RTGH) Project: · A transgenic glasshouse facility and research infrastructure for the support of rice biotechnology in Australia · A broader academic focus on rice biotechnology in Australia, through interaction of a range of rice related projects conducted at ANU and other places with the RTGF. This project is a companion to the Rice Trangenomics Program (RTP) project application from CAMBIA. The outcomes of this companion program are: · A mutant population for which the rice genome has been extensively tagged. · A population of rice lines with novel traits useful for breeding and biotechnology. · Sequences/physical locations of developmentally regulated genes active in specific tissues and/or cell types. · Sequences/physical locations of genes identified via Loss-of-Function and Gain-of-Function mutations. · Lines with spatially and temporally defined patterns of transcriptional activator expression. · Better understanding of rice/plant biology to be used for rice genetic improvement.
Current Progress	We have made the following progress in the continuing operation of theTransgenic glasshouse facility to support the rice transgenomic project. 1. The Transgenic glasshouse facility has remained fully operational since September 2001 and several generations of transgenic rice material have been produced during the last year. The glasshouses continue to operate well. 2. The glasshouses at Weston Creek have been phased out of use and all material is now grown in the new ANU glasshouse facilities. Unfortunately the Weston glasshouses were destroyed in the January 2003 Canberra bushfires. 3. The glasshouse facility was toured by those who attended the RIRDC Rice gene technology workshop in November 2002. The workshop was an opportunity to discuss the management of the glasshouses and future research that may be undertaken. There was particular interest in future screening of the transgenic rice material for useful phenotypic traits. 4. In an effort to expand available glasshouse and field facilities for the phenotype screening phase of the rice transgenomics project we have submitted a joint infrastructure grant with Charles Sturt University to the ARC LIEF funding program. If successful, we will build complementary compartmentalised controlled glasshouse and contained field growth facilities at ANU and Charles Sturt University. These will be available for use by the rice transgenomics project for collaborative research between ANU, CAMBIA and Charles Sturt.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Rice transgenomics project
RIRDC Project No.:	CMB-2A
Start Date:	1/3/2000
Finish Date:	28/2/2005
Researcher:	Dr. Andrzej Kilian
Organisation:	Center for the Application of Molecular Biology to International Agriculture (CAMBIA) GPO Box 3200 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	(02) 6246 4519
Fax:	(02) 6246 5303
Email:	a.kilian@cambia.org.au
Objectives	Expected outcomes of the project include: · A mutant population for which the rice genome has been extensively tagged · A population of rice lines with noval traits useful for breeding and biotechnology · Sequences/physical locations of developmentally regulated genes active in specific tissues and /or cell types · Sequences/physical locations of genes identifies via Loss-of-Function and Gain-of-Function mutations · Lines with spatially and temporally defined patterns of transcriptional activator expression · Better understanding of rice/plant biology to be used for rice genetic improvements
Current Progress	During the last year we have continued development and characterisation of our population of Transcriptional Activator Facilitated Enhancer Trap (TAFET) lines. We have analysed c. 600 T1 families for reporter gene expression and phenotypic variation. In addition, selected families were analysed for T-DNA segregation which resulted in confirming co-segregation of T-DNA and reporter gene expression. We also expanded a population of "random" TARGET lines, which contain insertions of transactivator-responsive Upstream Activating Sequence (UAS) DNA tags. Activation of chromosome regions containing UAS tags is expected to generate novel phenotypes in the last phase of the project when we combine TAFET and TARGET T-DNAs in one plant. In 2002 we used biolistic transformation for TARGET line generation in order to increase the copy number beyond the average of 2 T-DNA copies obtained using the Agrobacterium method for TAFET lines. This year we were able to increase the copy number of UAS insertions using Agrobacterium transformation to 4 copies per line and generated over 3000 T0 lines. Our main achievement in the last 12 months has been the successful validation of the performance of the transactivation system through genetic crossing of several TAFET lines exhibiting defined reporter gene expression pattern with TARGET lines which have UAS tags linked to another reporter gene.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	A gene machine for functional genomics of rice
RIRDC Project No.:	CSP-8A
Start Date:	1/10/2001
Finish Date:	30/9/2004
Researcher:	Dr. Narayana M. Upadhyaya
Organisation:	CSIRO Plant Industry GPO Box 1600 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	(02) 6246 5491
Fax:	(02) 6246 5000
Email:	narayana.upadhyaya@csiro.au
Objectives	Outcomes: · Resources for high throughput insertional mutagenesis for use in gene discovery at Plant Industry and other collaborating laboratories.  · Seed library of rice lines containing insertions in different genes (Gene Machine) . · A major player in the international effort on "Rice Functional Genomics" by contributing substantially to the global "Rice Gene Machine". · A key intellectual property position for the Australian rice industry in the area of cereal genomics. Deliverables: · National and international collaborations with at least 5 different laboratories. · A seed library of 10, 000 rice mutant lines each tagged with T-DNA and /or transposons generated by us and 50,000 through combined effort with collaborating laboratories. · Expression pattern of ~2000 tagged genes under normal growth conditions. · DNA sample from each line for cloning and sequencing of DNA flanking insertions. · Pooled DNA samples from groups of lines for use in "reverse genetics". · Mutant phenotypes and sequences of 500-1000 tagged dominant genes. · A ~10% contribution to the global "Rice Gene Machine" by CSIRO Plant Industry and collaborators.
Current Progress	Our efforts in hosting the international workshop "Towards Building a Global Rice Gene Machine" (http://grgm.pi.csiro.au/home.htm) have now led to the formation of the "International Rice Functional Genomics Consortium" (http://www.iris.irri.org/IRFGC/ ). We are one among 18 institutions (from 10 countries and two international agricultural research centres) represented on the Interim Steering Committee. The mandate of the IRFGC is to coordinate international rice functional genomics research and to build common strategies. We are taking a very active part in this global initiative. Sharing our resources will allow us to access resources being developed by other members of this international consortium for identifying agronomically-important rice genes for further exploitation both in classical and transformation breeding. In addition we are developing direct collaborations with researchers at Embrapa Rice and Beans Unit, Brazil (http://www.embrapa.br/english/units/centers/cnpaf.htm), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Brazil and Amis Department, Biotrop Program, CIRAD, Montpellier, France (http://www.cirad.fr ). Our newly designed gene constructs and tagging system has a four-fold higher efficiency in screening for insertion mutant lines. With this improved system we will be able to produce 5000 independent lines per year. We have commenced phenotyping our first set of rice insertion lines (in conjunction with the NSW Agricultural Genomics Centre funded project) involving not only CSIRO researchers but also researchers from NSW agriculture who are involved in R&D activities funded by RIRDC. Several mutants affecting agronomically –important traits such as seedling vigour, plant architecture, flowering, male sterility and altered seed characteristics have been identified and the corresponding genes isolated. We are exploring the possibility of performing the phenotyping trials under field conditions in collaboration with researchers at Charles Sturt University and NSW Agriculture next year. A mock trial with non-transgenic rice will be conducted this growing season as a feasibility study. Nationally, we are keen for other rice researchers to make the best use of the resources being developed in this project as discussed in the second joint meeting of CSIRO, CAMBIA and RSBS Functional genomics staff held on 21-11-2002. Wheat and barley researchers are also keen to make use of our "Rice Gene Machine" to identify wheat/barley genes of agronomic importance using the power of comparative genomics.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Rice improvement
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-167A
Start Date:	1/7/1998
Finish Date:	31/7/2003
Researcher:	Dr. Russell Reinke
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Yanco Agricultural Institute PMB YANCO NSW 2703
Phone:	(02) 6951 2516
Fax:	(02) 6955 7580
Email:	russell.reinke@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· This project has two main thrusts. The first is the development of improved cultivars for the NSW Rice Industry, and the second is the provision and maintenance of genetically pure seed of all current and potential cultivars. Major outcomes will be the production of new and improved varieties of various quality classes, including a medium grain with shorter growth duration, long grain, fragrant and arborio types and possible release of other cultivars meeting appropriate yield and quality criteria. Other outcomes will include increased efficiency of cultivar development through the incorporation of tightly focused selection strategies for seedling vigour, cold tolerance, reduced stress cracking in grain and freedom from chalk. These improvements will be included as the results of associated research programs are made available from Rice CRC and other projects. Other major outcomes will be the provision of detailed performance data or potential new cultivars in all rice growing area.
Current Progress	The principal outcome from the rice improvement program in 2002/2003 was the release of the medium-grain variety "Quest" at the annual Rice Field Day in March. Quest has shorter growth duration than the industry mainstay Amaroo, providing a saving in water while maintaining similar yield to Amaroo. A total of 9 advanced breeding lines were tested, including 5 medium grains, 3 long grains and 1 arborio type. All advanced medium grains had a shorter growth duration than Amaroo but had similar or slightly higher yield. YRM64 and YRM65 are sister lines to the recently released Paragon. YRM67 has the highest yield potential of the advanced medium grains, but may have more chalk in the grain. YRM66 has consistently low chalk but has not yielded as well as the other lines. The most promising advanced long grain, YRL125, contains two different textural types as well as smooth and pubescent types and will therefore need further purification. The Arborio type, YRB4, has higher yield than Illabong and suitable grain quality in all other respects. Seed increase of all these advanced lines will continue in 2003/2004. Significant seed of the large-grained YRM54 is available, and given successful market evaluation, YRM54 could be released with around 4,000 tonnes produced in 2003/2004.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Rice grain quality 3
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-183A
Start Date:	1/1/2000
Finish Date:	31/12/2004
Researcher:	Dr. Melissa Fitzgerald
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Private Mail Bag YANCO NSW 2703
Phone:	(02) 6951 2656
Fax:	(02) 6951 2719
Email:	melissa.fitzgerald@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· The project has two main goals. The first is to improve our capacity to evaluate the quality of cross-bred lines in the breeding program, and the second is to understand the processes that operate in the developing plant that influence the expression of quality attributes. The project will focus on understanding chalk and texture in all classes of rice, and grain extension in basmati style rices. Major outcomes will be (i) to ensure that new varieties developed by the breeding program meet specific quality criteria for different markets, and (ii) information that will assist breeders to make informed selections, and will enable us or associated projects to develop molecular marker technology to allow us to identify those lines rapidly and reliably that have desirable quality.
Current Progress	Quality Evaluation: The quality evaluation program is currently in progress for milling quality and physical parameters. Most of that program is starting to show signs of wear, and the time is coming for us to investigate new technology and different ways to measure physical and milling quality of rice. The cooking quality component has been completed, and 2200 lines were assessed by molecular marker in about half of the time that wet chemistry would have taken. The marker revealed about 60 heterozygotes, which otherwise would not be determined. Gelatinisation temperature was also measured on all these samples by DSC and the numbers were very revealing.  Understanding Quality: Research on the effect of high temperatures on grain quality has revealed slight differences in amylose content but large and significant differences in amylose structure. The amylose from all temperature sensitive varieties tested showed that high temperature caused significant loss of high molecular weight linear chains, and a significant increase in lower molecular weight branched chains. These branched chains were not semi-crystalline like amylopectin, but much lower molecular weight than that. The different amylose structure clearly effects the polymeric way that solubilised amylose acts when cooked or processed.


 
 

Project Title	Evaluating Diversity Array Technology (DArT) in the rice breeding program
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-204A
Start Date:	1/7/2002
Finish Date:	31/12/2003
Researcher:	Dr. Russell Reinke
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Yanco Agricultural Institute PMB YANCO NSW 2703
Phone:	(02) 6951 2516
Fax:	(02) 6955 7580
Email:	russell.reinke@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· To assess the utility of using Diversity Array Technology (DArT) for improvement of quantitatively inherited traits such as grain yield and quality within the NSW rice breeding program.
Current Progress	The seedlings of 39 diverse rice accessions from Yanco germplasm collection were analysed for DNA polymorphisms using the DArT technology. A preliminary diversity panel was generated from Japonica, Indica and Glaberrima types. The version of DArT technology employed Miniature Inverted Repeat Transposable Element (MITE) display to generate genomic representation. A preliminary test of the DArT-MITE system’s ability to detect DNA sequence variation was conducted using pair-wise comparisons of four rice accessions (Basmati, Nipponbare, WAB 450-11-1 P31-1 HB and 9311). About 10% of candidate polymorphic clones from 384 clones library were detected between Basmati and 9311 and 14% between Basmati and Nipponbare. This indicates that the DArT-MITE system is likely to provide good genome coverage with polymorphic markers. A series of populations were selected from the 2002/2003 rice breeding program for DArT analysis. These include 6 populations with Basmati 370 as a parent, and 4 populations with high-vigour West African germplasm as a parent. Seedlings from each population will be grown in October 2003 and the DArT analysis carried out at CAMBIA during November and December 2003.


 

Project Title	How does molecular architecture of starch determine viscosity of rice?
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-212A
Start Date:	1/1/2003
Finish Date:	31/12/2005
Researcher:	Dr. Melissa Fitzgerald
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Private Mail Bag YANCO NSW 2703
Phone:	(02) 6951 2656
Fax:	(02) 6951 2719
Email:	melissa.fitzgerald@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· Determine molecular structure of starches using techniques of synthetic polymer chemistry. · Determine how molecular structure of starch influences physical process during cooking. · Determine how molecular structure then influences some sensory properties of cooked rice and rice.
Current Progress	The molecular structure of starch polymers within rice plays a crucial rule in determining both the cooking properties and the final texture and sensory properties of individual rice varieties. Correlating the structure with the properties of rice varieties will enable the selective breeding of rice crops with desirable end-use properties. In this project we are investigating two key areas. 1. How the molecular structure of starch influences physical processes during cooking · Specifically, probing the structural determinants of starch granule swelling that are responsible for the increased viscosity and eventual breakdown of starch granules during cooking. · We are using rheological and physical sizing techniques to investigate the manner in which linear low molecular weight amylose, leached from starch during cooking, influences the swelling and viscosity of intact rice starch granules. 2. How molecular structure influences sensory properties of cooked rice · Specifically, the role of molecular structure and architecture in determining the diffusion of starch polymers and small molecules in cooked starch pastes, solutions and gels. · We are using a confocal scanning laser microscope and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to relate the molecular structure of different rice starches to variations in diffusion properties and texture / consistency of cooked pastes and gels.


 

Project Title	Alternative methods and cultural practices for establishing seed and nutritional plots
RIRDC Project No.:	RRA-3A
Start Date:	1/7/2000
Finish Date:	31/12/2003
Researcher:	Mr. Russell Ford
Organisation:	Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd "Old Coree" RMB 72 JERILDERIE NSW 2716
Phone:	(03) 5886 1391
Fax:	(03) 5886 1695
Email:	rrapl@bigpond.com.au
Objectives	· To develop a plot seeder which provides precision seed and fertiliser placement for improved rice crop establishment. · It is envisaged to trial both sod seeding (direct drill) and combine seeding techniques with many new sowing attachments that are available today.
Current Progress	Testing of the plot seeder continued at RRAPL in the 2002-2003 rice season. Plots were sown on the 20th October 2002 and received their first of three flushes on the 22nd October 2002.The plots were sown to a randomised block design with four replications.  The two toolbars consisted of eleven separate implements. These include variations of Janke, Barton (Flexi-coil), Great Plains, Stubble King and Stubble Warrior. The control was a 14 Janke Standard tyne assemblies spaced at 175mm. Early visual observations concluded that the direct drill plots were quicker to emerge compared to the combine sown plots by 2-3 days. This could be attributed to the combine sown plots being slightly deeper and bigger clods of dirt on the surface. The seeding depth results showed that the Janke Double discs and the Stubble King had minimum variation between the direct drill and the combine sown plots. Results showed that the Barton Disc Opener was significantly higher for emergence counts in the direct drill plots. The Janke Standard Parallelogram, Janke Double Disc and the Great Plains Parallelogram all out performed the control in the combine-sown plot. A small trial was conducted using Barton Disc Openers that compared three different sowing rates, 25,50,100 and 150kg/ha in the two differently prepared soils. Results showed that the lowering of the seeding rate to 100kg/ha did not affect yield, whilst maximum multiplication from seed occurred between 25 to 50kg per hectare sowing rate. Further trials are required. Additional trials were conducted at Leeton Farm and RRAPL comparing varieties, seeding implements and seeding rates. This also allowed the handling capabilities of the plot seeders to be compared between soil types and existing seeders already in use. Results have shown some wide variation. Lighter seeding units appeared to give better results in the Leeton Farm soils.


 

Project Title	Improved seed storage and segregation for advanced breeding lines
RIRDC Project No.:	RRA-4A
Start Date:	1/12/2001
Finish Date:	31/12/2004
Researcher:	Mr. Russell Ford
Organisation:	Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd "Old Coree" RMB 72 JERILDERIE NSW 2716
Phone:	(03) 5886 1391
Fax:	(03) 5886 1695
Email:	rrapl@bigpond.com.au
Objectives	The principal outcome will be the establishment of a seed repository for all rice varieties in commercial production, and to improve techniques for drying, storage and cleaning of all early-generation rice seed. The objectives are: · to store significant quantities of seed of both existing and new cultivars that have unique grain quality attributes, to enable rapid seed production when new markets arise · to reduce the risk of genetic changes occurring in long-term cultivars by storing an adequate quantity of nucleus seed which is used each year for the production of breeders seed · to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between cultivars during the early phases of the pure seed scheme, through establishing a facility that is completely separate from any paddy receivals.
Current Progress	A major part of this project has been implemented during the past 12 months. This includes:  · A new seed cleaning and storage shed has been erected to house the seed cleaning equipment, one tonne bin storage, drying racks for bins, as well as the cool room and office equipment. · The cool room has been installed to handle 20 tonne of long duration seed storage. · Development and implementation of a quality assurance program for all rice seed handled by Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd (RRAPL). This QA program includes a full label and traceability system and also sampling and testing of each seed lot for foreign seeds and impurities by an independent body. Varietal purity of all varieties is also tested (NSW Agriculture) using micro-satellite markers. · A computer system has been installed to remotely control and monitor all aeration, cooling, and automatic weather station information via radio and wireless technology at the seed shed site. · A new software package has been developed to aid in the receival and updating of stocks on hand.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Increasing cold tolerance in rice by selecting for high polyamine and gibberellic acid content
RIRDC Project No.:	UQ-99A
Start Date:	1/7/2001
Finish Date:	30/9/2003
Researcher:	Dr. Naidu Bodapati, Dr. Thusitha Gunawardena, Prof. Shu Fukai
Organisation:	The University of Queensland School of Land and Food Sciences ST LUCIA QLD 4072
Phone:	(07) 3896 9639
Fax:	(07) 3365 1188
Email:	n.bodapati@uq.edu.au
Objectives	· To investigate if higher natural polyamine and/or gibberellic acid (GA)-accumulating ability of rice cultivars will result in higher cold tolerance. · To determine if the cultivars with higher cold tolerance at the establishment stage will also have higher cold tolerance at reproductive stage.
Current Progress	Series of experiments (i.e. 7 at seedling stage and 4 at reproductive stage) have been completed. We found a significant positive correlation between spermine accumulation and seedling vigour at low temperature among 10 cultivars. Addition of an appropriate concentration of gibberellic acid (GA-3) promoted seedling vigour of rice at low temperature. There was also large variation in seedling vigour among 206 F7 (RILs) populations and also 200 F3 lines in the field and glasshouse at low temperature. In another experiment with 32 cultivars, HSC-55 and Plovdiv-22 showed the least sterility. There was a significant relationship between dry matter production under cold stress at seedling stage and spikelet sterility under cold conditions during panicle development, showing some evidence that cold tolerance at the establishment stage is related to that at the reproductive stage. The number of engorged pollen grains were determined from 32 cultivars treated at low temperature during pollen development to examine the relationship with sterility. One F7 (Millin/HSC-55) population showed large variation in sterility when exposed to low temperature at reproductive stage. Chemical analysis of this population is being conducted to examine the relationship between polyamine and seedling dry weight at low temperature. Results will be included in the final report.


 
 

Project Title	New markers for Australian rice improvement
RIRDC Project No.:	USC-6A
Start Date:	1/1/2003
Finish Date:	31/7/2006
Researcher:	Prof. Robert Henry
Organisation:	Southern Cross University Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics Faculty of Resource Science and Management PO Box 157 LISMORE NSW 2480
Phone:	(02) 6620 3010
Fax:	(02) 6622 2080
Email:	rhenry@scu.edu.au
Objectives	· To continue the development of molecular markers to support rice improvement in Australia. Microsatellite markers will be developed for key traits of importance in the breeding program. Methods for routine use of these markers in breeding selection will be adapted for use in Yanco. Traits targeted for molecular marker development will be identified in consultation with the rice breeding team.
Current Progress	Blast disease poses a risk to the Australian rice industry. The Yanco breeding program has utilised three rice lines of Egyptian origin as the source of blast resistance. The near isogenic line Pi 4 is the donor of resistance for two of the Egyptian lines. The gene that confers blast resistance to Pi 4 is Pi-ta2. Pi-ta2 is known to reside near the centromere of chromosome 12. Microsatellites in the vicinity of Pi-ta2 that are polymorphic between the Egyptian lines and locally adapted parental lines have been identified. This work is being extended to confirm all other locally adapted parents are polymorphic at these loci.  Gelatinisation temperature is important in determining the cooking properties of rice. This may be due to different alleles of the enzyme starch synthase IIa determining amylopectin chain length profiles. Association mapping is being used to determine if sequence differences in the starch synthase IIa gene explains observed differences in gelatinisation temperature in rice varieties in the Australian breeding program. Fragments of the starch synthase IIa gene have been amplified and sequenced from varieties with high and medium gelatinisation temperatures.  SNP mapping has significantly narrowed the known region in which the fragrance gene resides.


 

Project Title	Ecology and biology of nuisance algae in rice fields
RIRDC Project No.:	US-115A
Start Date:	1/7/2002
Finish Date:	30/10/2005
Researcher:	Dr. Adrienne Grant
Organisation:	The University of Sydney School of Biological Sciences, A08 SYDNEY NSW 2006
Phone:	(02) 9351 4488
Fax:	(02) 9351 4119
Email:	agrant@bio.usyd.edu.au
Objectives	· Survey indicator sites in the major rice-growing districts to identify which algal species cause the greatest problem/nuisance to rice crops. · Determine the source of the algae and their periods of most intense competition with rice. · Identify possible cultural methods for reducing competition.
Current Progress	Rice farmers have reported problems with green and brown 'slime' which have been attributed to an excess of algal growth. In particular, brown 'slime' can cause serious damage to rice crops by coating the leaves and stems of 2-3 leaf stage rice seedlings preventing them from growing above the water. We found very low levels of chlorophyll a, an indicator of green algae, in water from supply channels. Preliminary analyses of farm soil samples revealed that the brown 'slime' was bacterial in origin. We have isolated a species of iron oxidizing bacterium (putatively Gallionella sp.). To determine whether fertilizers contribute to proliferation of bacteria, we added urea, superphosphate and water to several samples: two from farmers who always experience a 'slime' problem, one from a farmer who only occasionally experiences a problem and one from a farmer who never experiences a problem. We incubated them under temperature and light conditions similar to those found during the rice growing season. Within 6 days, in the 2 samples from soils with a frequent slime problem, the water turned red-brown and increased numbers of bacteria were observed. The other 2 samples remained clear. Possible methods for controlling 'brown slime' are being investigated.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Next stage of developing a competitive rice inoculant strain
RIRDC Project No.:	ANU-53A
Start Date:	1/7/2001
Finish Date:	15/6/2003
Researcher:	Prof. Barry Rolfe
Organisation:	Australian National University Genomic Interactions Group Research School of Biological Sciences GPO Box 475 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	(02) 6125 4054
Fax:	(02) 6125 0754
Email:	rolfe@rsbs.anu.edu.au
Objectives	· Evaluate the rice and bacterial derived signals that contribute to the successful bacterial colonisation and occupancy of the root rhizosphere of Australian rice cultivars. This will enable the optimisation of the interactions between Australian rice cultivars and chosen rice growth promoting Rhizobium inoculant strains.
Current Progress	Due to a recent development in the research associated with this project it has been agreed that the project be terminated and funds returned. Once the new line of research is pursued a revised proposal to continue this research will be developed.


 
 

Project Title	Continuing on-farm yield improvement based on agronomy, crop modelling and rice physiology
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-207A
Start Date:	1/7/2002
Finish Date:	30/12/2007
Researcher:	Dr. Ranjith Subasinghe
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Yanco Agricultural Institute PMB YANCO NSW 2703
Phone:	(02) 6951 2679
Fax:	(02) 6955 7580
Email:	Ranjith.Subasinghe@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· Improved farm yields through genetic and crop-management gains, based on a knowledge of rice physiology by developing and improving MaNage Rice and other decision support systems for ricegrowers and advisers, with most emphasis on nitrogen nutrition and its interaction with low temperature.
Current Progress	Version 5.2 of maNage rice was released to growers during the year. Modules for calculating water use and for advising on harvest and drainage were included for the first time. These were based on weather data that is downloaded from the Griffith CSIRO system. This version created additional interest – particularly through the water use calculator in a very difficult season. Six trials were sown to extend the information for expanding maNage rice for new varieties. The trials compared newer varieties Paragon and Quest with their older counterparts – Amaroo and Millin. The trials used 0, 90 and 240 kg N/ha at permanent flood with half of the plots topdressed with 90kg N/ha at panicle initiation. Trial results were very variable with no clear cut guidance on the newer cultivars. Paragon gave similar yields to Amaroo. There has been a suggestion in past trials that Paragon became more sterile with higher nitrogen rates. This was not reflected in yields in this season although Paragon did seem to take up more nitrogen by panicle initiation. Quest, on the other hand did yield less than Amaroo at higher nitrogen rates and this was probably due to increased susceptibility to lodging. Quest yield was generally superior to that of Millin. The new Principal Investigator for this project is Dr Ranjith Subasinghe, Research Agronomist, Yanco Agricultural Institute.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	NIR for improved fertilizer predictions II
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-185A
Start Date:	1/7/1999
Finish Date:	31/7/2003
Researcher:	Mr. John Oliver
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute PMB WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650
Phone:	(02) 6938 1816
Fax:	(02) 6938 1809
Email:	john.oliver@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· The project will continue to research and improve NIR spectroscopy technology relevant to the RCL NIR Tissue Testing Service, operated for rice growers by Ricegrowers' Co-operative Limited. The major new initiatives for this triennium will include: 1. Implement a growth stage calibration, based on findings from the previous project, to check the growth stages indicated by growers when they submit samples. 2. Increase the through-put of samples analysed per hour whilst reducing dust pollution. 3. Further automate data handling to reduce the chance of errors and provide more reliable advice to growers. 4. Determine the ability of the NIR to report the Mg:K ratios in plant tissue as an indicator of potential grain quality.
Current Progress	The NIR Rice Tissue Test has been in operation since 1988. It is a valuable service for rice growers because it is a rapid and objective measurement of the nutrient status of the developing rice crop. Knowledge of the nitrogen uptake by the crop allows informed decisions to be made as to how much, if any, fertiliser is needed for the crop yield to be economically maximised. This is particularly important in a year of unusual climatic conditions, as in the 2002-2003 season, when the average N-uptake was 151 kg N /ha, compared to only 114 kg N /ha the previous season and a long term average of 126 kg N /ha. The NIR Rice Tissue Test was devised to assist growers to decide on the amount of nitrogen to apply to the growing crop. The test has resulted in an overall gain in yield of about 0.6 tonne / ha. A recent economic evaluation indicated that the NIR Tissue test, coupled with the maNage Rice program, has returned to rice growers some 8.8 times the money spent on them over the last 16 years. Since the commencement of the NIR testing service in 1988, when 125 farms were tested, the service is now used by over 40% of rice farmers; it provides more information, with a shorter turn around time and requires fewer staff. In the 2002-2003 rice season growers participated in a pilot remote sensing trial aimed to help them determine which areas in their crops to sample.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Improving quality through physiology - partitioning and transport of nitrogen and sulphur in rice
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-200A
Start Date:	1/5/2002
Finish Date:	31/7/2003
Researcher:	Dr. Huub Kerckhoffs
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Yanco Agricultural Institute PMB YANCO NSW 2703
Phone:	(02) 6951 2736
Fax:	(02) 6951 2719
Email:	huub.kerckhoffs@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· To determine whether growing temperature affect the capacity of the plant to develop pools of nitrogen and sulphur for redistribution to developing grains. · To provide an initial understanding of processes operating in the rice plant that influence the capacity of the plant to supply nitrogen and sulphur to the developing grain. This will give direction for appropriate future research that will progress the understanding to the point which could identify strategies for managing nutrients during plant growth.
Current Progress	Principal Investigator has left. Report still to be finalised.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Rotational weed control practices for rice
RIRDC Project No.:	AGR-8A
Start Date:	1/7/2002
Finish Date:	31/7/2006
Researcher:	Mr. Malcolm Taylor
Organisation:	Agropraisals Pty Ltd RMB 1553A COBRAM VIC 3644
Phone:	(03) 5872 2892
Fax:	(03) 5872 2838
Email:	malcolmc.taylor@bigpond.com
Objectives	· To develop rotational programs of herbicides coupled with integration of cultural weed control methods for rice. · To promote adoption of these practices by improving farmer and agronomist knowledge of these issues through conduct of field days, publishing results in a format suitable to growers and assistance with preparation of annual weed control bulletins.
Current Progress	GULLIVER (azimsulfuron) and WILDCAT (fenoxaprop) were demonstrated in three herbicide program performance evaluations alongside all other major programs. GULLIVER controlled advanced barnyard grass (but not silvertop grass). WILDCAT followed by MCPA proved highly damaging to rice in one trial. Other significant outcomes of these experiments were that BASAGRAN M60 (bentazon plus MCPA) efficacy was impaired where ponded water remained in the plots at spraying and sequential treatments including SATURN (thiobencarb) @ 2 leaf stage rice were useful against late barnyard grass flushes. Tank mixtures of carfentrazone with MCPA were evaluated as a means of overlaying multiple modes of herbicidal action against aquatic broadleaf and sedge weeds. The two herbicides were consistently synergistic or additive against dirty Dora, however slight antagonism was recorded against water plantain, starfruit and arrowhead. BASAGRAN M60 proved more effective than carfentrazone plus MCPA against advanced water plantain. Two trials examining mixtures of MAGISTER (clomazone) and STOMP (pendimethalin) in drill sown rice were inconclusive due to excessively cloddy seedbeds and duck damage. SOFIT (pretilachlor) was evaluated as a pre-flood residual herbicide for water seeded rice in two experiments. Rice injury was excessive with pre and post flood, pre-sow treatments of pretilachlor, whilst post-sowing applications gave inadequate efficacy. Field inspections of the above trials were conducted with local agronomists in January 2003.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Sustainable management of invertebrate rice pests
RIRDC Project No.:	DAN-203A
Start Date:	1/7/2002
Finish Date:	31/7/2005
Researcher:	Dr. Mark Stevens
Organisation:	NSW Department of Agriculture Yanco Agricultural Institute Private Mail Bag YANCO NSW 2703
Phone:	(02) 6951 2611
Fax:	(02) 6951 2719
Email:	mark.stevens@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	· Develop sustainable options for the management of key invertebrate rice pests. · Commercial trials of chlorothalonil will be conducted as a precursor to a registration claim for this material, and initial development work on niclosamide will be undertaken. Snail dormancy will be investigated as a precursor to developing economic thresholds for this pest. Imidacloprid, oviposition deterrents, and the bacterial insecticide BTI will be evaluated against bloodworms in the laboratory and field, and an ongoing study on blood worm colonisation patterns will be completed. Additional data will be generated on the toxicity of agrochemicals to the aquatic earthworm Eukerria saltensis.
Current Progress	Despite ongoing dry conditions a successful bloodworm trial was completed in December 2003. Vectobac® WG, which contains the biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, was evaluated at rates of 2 to 6 kg product/ha and provided 71 to 92% control of the main target group over 19 days. Species level identification of recovered larvae suggests almost total control of Chironomus tepperi, reflected by a 156 % increase in successful plant establishment in the 2 kg/ha treatment relative to the untreated control. Three snail control trials using chlorothalonil were conducted in commercial rice crops under an APVMA permit. Results were highly variable, with snail mortality varying from 5 to 95%. Soil type and algal load may be affecting the performance of this chemical, and a laboratory study has been initiated to determine if this is the case. Laboratory studies with niclosamide have provided valuable data suggesting that this material may provide more reliable snail control than chlorothalonil. Thrips samples taken from rice crops across the northern section of the MIA have provided no evidence for Stenchaetothrips biformis (Asian Rice Thrips) being present in the area.


 
 
 
 

Project Title	Assessment of pesticide impacts on the biological health of the rice ecosystem
RIRDC Project No.:	CSL-16A
Start Date:	1/10/2001
Finish Date:	31/07/2005
Researcher:	Dr. Rai Kookana