| Project
Title: |
Improvement
of rice breeding by biotechnology approach |
| RIRDC
Project No. |
US-143A |
| Researcher: |
Dr
Norman Darvey |
| Organisation |
The
University of Sydney
Plant Breeding Institute
- Cobbity
PMB 11
CAMDEN NSW 2570 |
| Phone |
(02)
9351 8828 |
| Fax |
(02)
9351 8875 |
| Email |
normd@camden.usyd.edu.au |
| Objectives |
·1 Provide double
haploid plants as a service to rice breeders.
·2 Provide breeders
with DH populations containing cold tolerance characteristics.
·3 Applyication of
microspore culture to replace anther culture for large scale production
of DH plants.
·4 Produce DH lines
which reduce water use or increase water use efficiency within the rice
industry.
|
| Background |
Within
the previous project from the Rice-CRC, we carried out research on the
use of biotechnology to improve rice breeding, with particular reference
to cold tolerance breeding. An isolated microspore culture technique has
been developed to produce double haploid plants (true – breeding plants)
from hybrids F1s. This technology only takes one generation
to produce true breeding progenies, something that would take six to eight
generations using conventional plant breeding techniques. The current work
was carried out with a view to improving plant regeneration from this system
so as to make it works efficientlcy for medium to large scale double haploid
plant production.
To improve cold tolerance
of Australian rice varieties, several cold tolerant varieties have been
introduced to Australia from China. Some of these varieties are native
to high altitude regions, where average daily temperature and minimum temperature
is much lower than that in the Australian rice growing region. These varieties
have been used in crosses with commercial Australian varieties. |
| Research |
A
two-step induction culture procedure demonstrated improved plant regeneration
in the microspore culture system. Some doubled haploid plants have been
produced by this technology. More crosses have been made between Australian
commercial varieties and Chinese cold tolerant varieties. Some cold tolerant
plants have been selected from previous crosses and backcrosses to Australian
parents. Production of double haploid plants from these crosses and backcrosses
are underway with a view to cold tolerance breeding and development of
molecular markers for cold tolerance selection. |
| Outcomes |
·5 Improved technology
for double haploid plant production.
·6 Improvement of
cold tolerance in Australian varieties.
|
| Implications |
·7 Isolated microspore
culture should produce double haploid plants on a medium to large scale
for rice breeding within three to five3-5 years.
·8 Cold tolerant germplasm
introduced from Yunnan, China holds great potential for improvement of
cold tolerance in Australian rice varieties.
|
| Publications |
|
| Project
Title: |
New
markers for Australian rice improvement |
| RIRDC
Project No. |
USC-6A |
| Researcher: |
Professor
Robert Henry |
| Organisation |
Southern
Cross University,
Centre for Plant Conservation
Genetics
Faculty of Resource Science
and Management |
| Phone |
(02)
6620 3010 |
| Fax |
(02)
6622 2080 |
| Email |
rhenry@scu.edu.au |
| Objectives |
· To produce molecular
markers for implementation in rice breeding for the selection of improved
rice germplasm by 2006.
|
| Background |
Molecular
markers are pieces of DNA that flag the presence or absence of particular
traits allowing selection to be undertaken on the basis of a simple laboratory
test. In comparison with direct measurement of traits, these tests offer
several advantages including being free from the confounding affects of
the environment, a single platform test for multiple traits and early generation
testing, often before the trait can be measured by other means. The objectives
of this project were to identify, adapt and evaluate molecular markers
for use in the Australian rice breeding program. |
| Research |
The
research involved the evaluation of germplasm and development of markers
for the major fragrance gene (fgr), rice starch gelatinisation temperature,
blast disease resistance and hybrid rice. |
| Outcomes |
A
competitive allele specific PCR assay for the polymorphism that is responsible
for rice fragrance was developed and accurately predicted the fragrance
status of each of the individuals within a population of plants derived
from a cross of fragrant and non-fragrant parents. The assay can be used
to detect heterozygous individuals and mixed populations.
The temperature at which
rice starch gelatinises is an important component of rice eating quality.
Sequence analysis of 70 rice varieties that differed by starch gelatinisation
temperature (GT) allowed identification of DNA differences which led to
amino acid changes that were associated with two statistically significant
GT classes. A competitive allele specific PCR assay was developed for this
trait. The markers detect all possible genotypes which impact upon GT.
After molecular analysis
of candidate varieties, rice varieties BL14 and BL24 were found to carry
blast resistance genes which are well characterised at the molecular level
and hence allow accurate application of molecular marker technology. On
the basis of this finding, varieties BL14 and BL24 were chosen as donors
of resistance in a pre-emptive breeding program for blast disease resistance.
The laboratory test that distinguishes between hybrid A and B lines was
checked and found to work with 12 hybrid rice lines imported from China |
| Implications |
Molecular
markers for three important traits in rice, fragrance, GT and blast resistance,
are available for use in the Australian rice breeding program. |
| Publications |
Bradbury,
L.M.T., Henry, R.J., Jin, Q., Reinke, R.F. and Waters, D.L.E. (2005) A
perfect marker for fragrance genotyping in rice. Molecular Breeding. 16(4):279-283.
Waters, D.L.E., Henry, R.J.,
Reinke, R.F. and Fitzgerald, M.A. (2006) Gelatinization temperature of
rice explained by polymorphisms in starch synthase.
Plant Biotechnology Journal.
4:115–122. |
| Project
Title: |
NIR
to enhance precision crop management |
| RIRDC
Project No. |
DAN-222A |
| Researcher: |
Dr
Alison Bowman |
| Organisation |
NSW
Department of Primary Industries
Wagga Wagga Agricultural
Research Institute
Private Mail Bag
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650. |
| Phone |
02
6938 1999 |
| Fax |
02
6938 1809 |
| Email |
alison.bowman@dpi.nsw.gov.au |
| Objectives |
· An evaluation
of the potential of available airborne scanning NIR sensors to determine
variations in dry matter and shoot composition (eg nitrogenN and starch)
across rice crops.
· An understanding
of the limitations of fresh tissue analysis by airborne NIR sensors
· Calibrations for
nutrients in fresh rice tissue for use in interpreting data obtained from
airborne NIR sensors.
· A basis on which
to keep the Tissue Testing Service in line with the latest technology.
|
| Background |
This
project investigated the potential of combininge the precision of the NIR
Rice Tissue Test with the sampling ease and overall "picture" provided
by remote sensing imagery. Current remote sensing used in the rice industry
produces a map distinguishing areas of differing vegetative growth, which
can aid in determining where to take samples for NIR analysis but it is
not a direct measurement of plant nutrients. |
| Research |
Remote
sensing techniques were investigated to assess their potential to remotely
determine plant nitrogen status. |
| Outcomes |
Strong
correlations were developed for the remote assessment of % of nitrogenN
and nitrogen uptake in rice crops by satellite sensors. |
| Implications |
The
future use of remotely sensing the nutrient status of rice crops will depend
on: the continued availability of suitable sensors, the development of
timely protocols for the delivery of data and the continual improvement
of calibrations. |
| Publications |
|
| Project
Title: |
Permanent
beds for sustainable cropping systems on rice farms |
| RIRDC
Project No. |
DAN-201A |
| Researcher: |
Mr
Geoff Beecher |
| Organisation |
NSW
Department of Primary Industries |
| Phone |
(02)
6951 2725 |
| Fax |
(02)
6955 7580 |
| Email |
geoff.beecher@dpi.nsw.gov.au |
| Objectives |
·10 To increase
the sustainability, resource use efficiency, yield and profitability of
rice based cropping systems through improved soil, water and nutrient management
using permanent beds.
|
| Background |
To
remain profitable and environmentally sustainable farmers need to be able
to readily respond to market opportunities, increase productivity, increase
water use efficiency and manage watertables (and thereby soil salinisation
and drainage water salinity). Switching to a permanent bed system may offer
advantages including increased cropping flexibility, higher crop yields
of crops traditionally grown on the flat in rotation with rice, increased
opportunity of double-cropping, reduced cost of earthworks ( the same layout
being used for all crops) and better disease, weed and pest control through
increased rotation possibilities. Our hypothesis was that increases in
profitability, water use efficiency, sustainability, and ease of management,
can be achieved through changing from cropping systems where rice is grown
on the flat to permanent bed cropping systems. |
| Research |
The
research evaluated the performance of several rice based summer and winter
crop sequences on conventional flat, permanent raised beds and sub surface
drip irrigated permanent bed irrigation layouts. |
| Outcomes |
It
is concluded that the growth and yield performance of rice on raised beds
was equal to that achieved on conventional flat layouts. This is dependant
on the application of deep water conditions being maintained through early
pollen microspore for protection of the rice crop from cold temperature
induced sterility for all layouts. The performance of winter crops (barley,
wheat) on beds was generally adequate although delayed sowing following
rice crops and limited access to irrigation water in early spring has possibly
constrained yield outcomes compared to single season crops. Dry climatic
conditions during the trial period meant that advantages of raised beds
(eg reduction in waterlogging) were not expressed for winter crops. Soybeans
performed well using surface/furrow or subsurface drip irrigation. |
| Implications |
The
ongoing adoption of terraced zero graded bankless channel rice layouts,
including raised beds, appears likely given the increased cropping choice
and flexibility and the significantly reduced labour requirement made possible
by this type of layout. The adoption of these layouts will be constrained
to locations where existing land grades allow creation of zero graded layouts
with appropriate terrace widths (landforming costs not being excessive)
and steps to allow adequate drainage and to where access to large irrigation
flows are available in order to achieve satisfactory short duration water
on/water off times for crops other than rice. |
| Publications |
H.
G. Beecher, B. W. Dunn, J. A. Thompson, E. Humphreys, S. K. Mathews and
J. Timsina (2006) Effect of raised beds, irrigation and nitrogen management
on growth, water use and yield of rice in south-eastern Australia. Australian
Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(10) 1363–1372.
Geoff Beecher, Brian Dunn,
Shayne Mathews, John Thompson, Rajinder Pal Singh, Liz Humphreys, Jagadish
Timsina, Kieran O’Keefe & Daniel Johnston (2006). Permanent lateral
beds in bays for sustainable cropping systems on rice farms. IREC Farmers
Newsletter Large Area no. 174 Summer 2006-07 pp.4-8. |
| Project
Title: |
Waterfowl
movements in agricultural and natural wetland landscapes |
| RIRDC
Project No. |
UCS-34A |
| Researcher: |
Professor
Nicholas Klomp |
| Organisation |
Charles
Sturt University |
| Phone |
(02)
6051 9905 |
| Fax |
(02)
6051 9897 |
| Email |
nklomp@csu.edu.au |
| Objectives |
·11 To determine
the movement responses of waterbirds to changes in wetland availability
and analyse interactions with landscape structure at local and regional
scales in the rice-growing region of New South Wales and at broad scales
across inland Australia so that predictions may be made about likely damage
to rice crops.
|
| Background |
Waterfowl
damage to rice crops is a significant problem for the rice industry worldwide.
The management and conservation of waterfowl requires an explicit understanding
of the broad scale movements of waterfowl and patterns of habitat utilisation
at local and regional scales. |
| Research |
This
project examined long-distance movements of tagged grey teal (Anas gracilis)
and the relationship between those movements and environmental cues such
as heavy rainfall and/or flooding. Twenty three birds were tracked for
up to 879 days using satellite telemetry. |
| Outcomes |
Tagged
birds moved large distances (up to 978 km) between occupied sites in a
short period (hours), remained in the vicinity of those sites for extended
periods (months), ventured up to 900 km from their point of release and
travelled more than 4000 km in one year. The rate ofn movement was at times
extraordinary with average speeds up to 99 kph for extended periods. The
context of movement for individual birds differed with some moving to small
wetlands in regions of little water and others responding precisely to
large rainfall and/or flooding events hundreds of kilometres distant. The
data suggest that nomadic waterfowl respond to multiple cues for movement,
that some cues operate over hundreds of kilometres, that not all cues are
related to contemporary weather patterns and that spatial memory plays
a role in navigation over large distances. |
| Implications |
For
individual rice growers the turnover within local populations of waterfowl
is likely to be high, making efforts to mitigate adverse effects temporary
and strategies such as decoy cropping likely to be ineffective because
any resource is within reach of the whole of the population within the
basin for however long those resources are available. |
| Publications |
Roshier
DA, M Asmus and M Klaassen. What drives long-distance movements in nomadic
Australian grey teal Anas gracilis? Ibis (in review)
Roshier DA, V Doerr and E
Doerr. Animal movement in dynamic landscapes: interaction between
behavioural strategies and resource distributions Oecologia (in
review)
Roshier DA, NI Klomp and
M Asmus (2006). Movements of a nomadic waterfowl, Grey Teal Anas gracilis,
across inland Australia—results from satellite telemetry spanning 15 months.
Ardea 94, 461—475
Tracey JP, R Woods, D Roshier,
P West and GR Saunders (2004). The role of wild birds in the transmission
of avian influenza for Australia: an ecological perspective. Emu
104, 109–124 |
| Project
Title: |
Quality
rice production in South Eastern Australia |
| RIRDC
Project No. |
IRE-5A |
| Researcher: |
Ms
Lucy Kealey |
| Organisation |
Irrigation
Research & Extension Committee |
| Phone |
(02)
6963 0815 |
| Fax |
(02)
6964 0517 |
| Email |
kealey@dragnet.com.au |
| Objectives |
·12 To improve the
profitability and sustainability of rice growing and the rice industry
in NSW by producing a technical reference publication "Ricegrowing in New
South Wales" for ricegrowers and industry service personnel.
|
| Background |
A
reference publication, Rice Growing in New South Wales, was produced
in 1984. Over the subsequent 15–20 years many new technologies were developed
and new practices adopted in the light of the changing rice growing environment.
A new project was funded to completely revise and significantly rewrite
and build upon the information in Rice Growing in New South Wales. |
| Research |
A
new publication was planned, based on revision of the previous rice publication
and with additions of new chapters and information relevant to the rice
industry in the early 2000s. Experts from NSW DPI, Charles Sturt University
and CSIRO, and rice growers, authored and reviewed each chapter. |
| Outcomes |
The
resulting publication Production of Quality Rice in South Eastern Australia
provides rice growers and the rice industry with the most up-to-date
information, as well as a comprehensive grounding in the principles of
rice growing. The publication is presented as a series of 18 booklets,
which are stored in a ring binder. |
| Implications |
The
publication provides a source of reference material for rice growers that
is easy to read and understand, providing information that helps the rice
grower better understand the rice growing systems and the principles behind
rice growing practices.
The publication has resulted
in a large body of information that could be adapted to electronic formats,
or could be broken down into small sections for inclusion in other extension
programs. |
| Publications |
Production
of Quality Rice in South Eastern Australia (2000) eds. LM Kealey and WS
Clampett. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation, Canberra,
ACT, Australia. |
| Project
Title: |
Capacity
building for a productive and sustainable rice farming system |
| RIRDC
Project No. |
IRE-6A |
| Researcher: |
Mr
Peter Draper |
| Organisation |
Irrigation
Research & Extension Committee |
| Phone |
(02)
6960 1550 |
| Fax |
(02)
6960 1600 |
| Email |
Peter.draper@icf.org.au |
| Objectives |
·13 To provide mechanisms
to build the capacity of rice growers (including the transfer of technology)
for the rice R&D program which will lead to more profitable and sustainable
rice and general irrigation farming systems in southern New South Wales.
|
| Background |
The
rice industry in southern NSW and northern Victoria has a farm gate value
of over $300 million per annum generating a further $500 million per annum.
Rice is the major irrigated broadacre crop and in most cases represents
the majority of farm income for individual rice growers. It is therefore
essential that the rice farming system operates at optimum productive efficiency
and in an environmentally sustainable manner. This project aims to ensure
that the results of the extensive rice R&D program (including the CRC
for Sustainable Rice Production) are firstly informed and enriched by the
growers themselves and incorporated into best management practices and
adopted by rice growers and other irrigators as soon as possible. The project
aimed to increase the likelihood of this adoption by building the capacity
of rice growers through communication of information and interactive exposure
to new technology and practice. |
| Research |
The
IREC Executive Committee in conjunction with the RIRDC Rice Research and
Development Committee (in particular the Committee’s Sustainability/Extension
Liaison Group) and NSW Agriculture, expanded the existing successful technology
transfer program, focusing on capacity building for rice farmers using
a range of mediums and techniques. The core of the program including pre-season
and special rice grower meetings; rice grower discussion groups; written
material, e.g. Farmers’ Newsletter and the Ricecheck manual; field
days will remain. In response to the changing information needs of rice
growers, the program will also included an internet-based e-mail service. |
| Outcomes |
This
project delivered:
· Pre-season rice
technology meetings in all rice producing districts;
· Rice discussion
groups throughout the production season;
· A major rice field
day each season;
· Three editions of
the Farmers’ Newsletter each year;
· Two annual Irrigated
Farm Competitions to improve water use efficiency;
· Regular planning
and review meetings to ensure the relevance of irrigation R&D;
Interactive Internet/e-mail
service |
| Implications |
This
project has assisted with the extension or important information to the
rice industry grower base through a range of mechanisms and agencies. While
drought has curtailed production in recent years and the number of growers
is declining, it is important to maintain strong extension and delivery
mechanisms. It is clear that when water resource availability returns to
normal, there will be a large rise in rice production and growers will
continue to demand up to date information about the best practices relating
to their industry, and to the whole of the rice farming system. |
| Publications |
Three
editions of the Farmers’ Newsletter each year. |
