Program Overview

Strategies and Expectations

Key strategies for 2010-11

• Support variety selection trials where there is preliminary evidence of sufficient variability to substantially enhance yields of desired compounds through selection. Aim to integrate classical breeding approaches with new approaches in molecular genetics that can shorten the breeding cycle
  • for example oil mallee selection using molecular genetics
• Promote the collation, documentation and sharing of best management practice for selected species where there is industry support for dissemination and promotion of the material to members and potential entrants e.g. artemisia, sandalwood, oil mallee
• Support testing and evaluation of product qualities and effectiveness in defined uses where lack of information is constraining market opportunities. Industry must be able to explain the expected market impact and provide material support for the testing and evaluation e.g. medicinal crops
• Support research into new products where Australian producers are well placed to grow the resulting industry in terms of producing the oils or extracts and/or manufacturing and marketing the product e.g. aroma and flavor products from plant waste and essential oils as antimicrobial coatings for medical applications
• Develop an audit and database of research capacity
• Attendance at international meetings and conferences
  • e.g. attendance at international standards Committee meetings
• Newsletters and workshops where required to provide information to industry and strengthen research capacity and coordination
  • Essential Oil Producers Association of Australia Newsletter
  • Oil Mallee Workshop.

Expected key outputs for 2010-11

• A report and production protocols detailing the process for post harvest processing of boronia
• A series of diagnostic tools that will enable the oil mallee industry to ensure that only the appropriate chemotypes are selected for use in plantations
• A set of diagnostic tools for gene variants associated with increased yield of oil from Eucalyptus loxophleba that should be able to be applied to other species of Eucalypts
• A national workshop to provide intense theoretical and practical training for industry members and students
  • an audit of research skills available to the essential oil industry with a focus on the availability of chemical expertise in oil analysis
• A report, factsheets and web materials outlining best practice sandalwood silviculture and host selection
• Four editions of an electronic publication of the Essential Oil Producers Association of Australia Newsletter with improved technical content and research updates selection
• The development of antimicrobial coatings from the pure essential oil constituents of 1,8-cineole, citronellal and citral
• An amended standard for Backhousia citriodora essential oil which will define more completely its chemical composition and thus guard against adulteration with other lemon-scented oils as well as lemon-scented compounds, natural or synthetic
• An updated code of practice and best practice guide for the oil mallee industry (available in hardcopy and online).

Expected key outcomes for 2010-11

• Improved productivity through a lowering of production costs per kilogram of extract and a resultant increase in export for boronia extract
• A larger product range and further market differentiation in boronia, fennel, parsley and dill as a result of conversions of glycosides to volatile extracts
• Increased yields for peppermint oil
• Increased capacity for oil mallee industry to make earlier selections in the breeding program
• Increased skills and capacity in essential oil chemistry and associated genetics in Australia
• Improved understanding of the effect of different host systems in a major tropical sandalwood production area for Australia on yield, growth and oil production
• Improved industry capacity through the provision of current knowledge of major issues impacting on the essential oils industry
• A methodology developed to maintain chemical functionality and antimicrobial activity of the pure essential oil constituents for medical applications
  • a market for Backhousia citriodora oil based on consistent high quality and genuine product
  • an informed industry body in relation to the most up to date science and practice in relation to oil mallee production