Russian wheat aphid experts convene in Singapore to safeguard Australian crops

Scientists from across the globe convened last week at a workshop focused on the Russian wheat aphid; a pest that could be devastating to Australia’s barley and wheat crops.

The workshop was held from April 26 – 28 in Singapore and attended by 27 of the world’s top wheat aphid scientists. Our chairman, Professor John Lovett and Murdoch University’s Associate Professor Mehmet Cakir hosted the two and a half day workshop.

The CRC along with our participant organisation Grains Research and Development Corporation sponsored the workshop, while Murdoch University and CSIRO offered their expertise in developing the scientific program.

Australia is currently free of the Russian wheat aphid and through international collaboration this workshop provided scientists with the opportunity to continue safeguarding Australia’s crops from this serious and harmful pest. An incursion of the Russian wheat aphid would be devastating to Australia's $5 billion wheat industry.

A wide range of presentations were given throughout the workshop including CRC researchers, Dr Owain Edwards, Dr Susan Fuller and Dr Gerald Reeck. CRC presentations were based on Russian wheat aphid research from project CRC40006 and PhD project CRC60111.

CRC40006 led by CSIRO’s Dr Owain Edwards is focused on research involving genomic sequencing of the salivary glands of the aphids, in an attempt to map how they evolve to secrete new forms of proteins that wheat plants no longer recognise as precursors to attack. QUT’s Dr Susan Fuller is supervising Bo Zhang, our PhD candidate based in China. Dr Fuller gave a presentation on Bo’s behalf, discussing the invasion genetics of Russian wheat aphid in western China and worldwide. Dr Gerald Reeck is also working on the PhD project with Dr Fuller and Ms Zhang. He presented work on the characterisation of proteins secreted in aphid saliva.

The international workshop provided an opportunity for scientists to present their research, as well as the opportunity for further discussion and collaboration. To enhance these networking opportunities, the program also included two social functions, a trip to Singapore Zoo and a formal dinner held at the Orchard Hotel.