Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity

2 New Program Coordinators positions available

KNOBELM — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:08:03 +0000

The Plant Biosecurity CRC is looking for 2 x Program Coordinators to manage the science portfolios of specific research programs in alignment with the PBCRC’s Strategic Plan and to ensure that the programs are delivering against their agreed objectives.

Details of the roles and how to apply can be found on the Careers page.

The Leaflet December 2011

CRICHTONA — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:51:19 +0000

CRCNPB Principal Scientist recognised with Howard Medal

CRICHTONA — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:18:09 +0000

The CRCNPB’s Principal Scientist, eminent entomologist Dr James Ridsdill-Smith, has been recognised for his achievements over 40 years in research on the behaviour, ecology and management of insect and arthropod pests of pasture plants by being awarded the inaugural AW Howard Medal and Oration.

Recognised for lifetime achievements and contributions to the Australian pasture industries, and the quality of his research and professional leadership Dr Ridsdill-Smith’s work led to better control of redlegged earth mites, of aphid pests of lupins, of ground-dwelling scarab beetles and grass grubs, and of pod-borers of chickpeas.

The AW Howard Memorial Trust Committee, and friends and colleagues associated with the Australian Pasture research community gathered for the historic presentation in the Victoria Room of the Edinburgh Hotel, Mitcham on Monday, 28 November.

Outgoing AW Howard Memorial Trust Committee chair, Professor Rob Lewis made the presentation to Dr Ridsdill-Smith who then delivered an Oration on his life’s work.

Dr Ridsdill-Smith described how, beginning with an early interest in natural history, he has endeavoured to combine modern theoretical and technological science with an observational and natural history approach during his 40 year career in entomology.

His approach to developing new strategies for the control of insect pests in pastures has been based on detailed biological and ecological research. Large numbers of insects are present in pastures. Some, like pasture scarabs and redlegged earth mite, are plant pests, while the bush fly is a dung-breeding pest. Others, like dung beetles and thynnine wasps, are beneficial insects. Pastures have a “carrying capacity” for insects as they do for livestock. Insects represent a “hidden force” in pastures, as loss of production from insect feeding is highest when pastures are growing well although at this stage damage may not be visible.

Dr Ridsdill-Smith described how research leading to detailed knowledge of the insect’s life-cycle was critical in understanding the effect of dung beetles on bush fly control, and in developing the TIMERITE spray programme to kill redlegged earth mite at the one time in the year when there were no eggs present. The complexity of insect communities in pasture systems makes them hard to study, and, using dung beetles as his model, Dr Ridsdill-Smith discussed how insect diversity might be used as an index of sustainable systems.

“Another approach to pest control is developing plant resistance, and pre-breeding research helped to develop screening methods and to identify mechanisms of resistance to various pests in sub-clovers, lupins and chickpeas. Collaboration with plant chemists through the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) enabled the identification of a range of plant compounds which inhibited pest feeding,” Dr Ridsdill-Smith said.

“There have been many benefits from research into pest insects. Effective control of redlegged earth mite using TIMERITE provided very high production benefits to farmers, whereas the introduction of dung beetles has provided benefits to the wider community through the control of bush flies.”
However, Dr Ridsdill-Smith did point out that not all research succeeds in providing measurable benefits, and he gave several examples from his own research. He also acknowledged the support and collaboration he has enjoyed throughout his career from scientists in a wide range of disciplines.
Looking to the future, Dr Ridsdill-Smith expressed concern that more funding should be made available for ecological research to provide the detailed understanding of pest insects which is essential to deliver advances in pest control and to get closer to delivering optimum production in pastures.

Dr James Ridsdill-Smith being presented with the Howard Medal.

CRC bid is successful

MCKIRDYS — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:21:35 +0000

We received the much awaiting phone call yesterday morning and it was confirmed that we would receive funding for six more years and 93% of the total cash we sought would be provided.

Being successful has taken two years and the input of many people. Now we have six months to pull together the program and finalise the signing of agreements.

I have received countless emails congratulating us on the successful bid. There is too many to respond to individually. Hopefully this blog will be read by all and I thank everyone for their kind words and look forward to catching up over the coming months as we prepare for the 1 July start.

Simon

View past editions of Simon's Blog.

PBCRC rebid gets nod

CRICHTONA — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:21 +0000

The CRCNPB is very pleased to announce it has been successful in its bid for additional funding from the CRC Program. The PBCRC has received funding from the federal government for six years, commencing 1 July 2012.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who helped us achieve this fantastic result.

Interview completed

MCKIRDYS — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:56:34 +0000

It started with a 30 minute powerpoint (presented by John Lovett and myself) and was followed by 90 minutes of questions from a panel.

The panel comprised three members of the CRC Committee plus two technical experts. There was also a number of observers from DIISR. The questioning covered the content of our research programs including some detailed questions on two of our exemplars. The relationship with the new National Biosecurity Flagship was addressed in some detail and there was several questions in relation to the legacy of the CRC after six years.

The team performed well with everyone getting to respond to at least one question. In addition to John and I, the team members were Martin Barlass, Paul De Barro, Jon Durham, Andrew Inglis, Bill Roberts, Shashi Sharma, Alison Stewart and Ruth Wallace. The last week has been busy for the whole team in preparing for the interview and I thank them for their committment to the CRC.

I would also like to thank many other people who have contributed to the bidding process over the last 12 months.

The decision should be announced before Christmas and if it is similar to last year we may hear in the first week of December. We have done as much as possible to be successful this year and given the commitment from our participants across industry, government and academia, the level of cash committed and our international reach we should be optimistic.

View past editions of Simon's Blog.

Australia, China join on global food security

CRICHTONA — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:41:24 +0000

The Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB) has developed
memoranda of understanding with two leading Chinese science agencies and a university to
mount joint research programs aimed at curbing losses of grain and other vital crops to
insects, moulds and plant diseases.

“Food security is a top national priority for China – and Prime Minister Julia Gillard has
recently made it one for Australia as well. It is becoming a critical issue around the world.
This is a deal that makes good sense from every perspective,” the CEO of CRCNPB Dr Simon
McKirdy said today.

“When we visited China to sign these agreements, we were told food is in fact the Chinese
government’s number two priority overall. And we saw clear evidence of the massive
reinvestment and technical tooling-up they are now making in food and agricultural science.
Compared with what’s happening in Australia, it is huge – and the new partnership means
we now stand to benefit from their investment in science.”

The CRC signed MOUs with the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine and the
Chinese Academy of State Administration of Grain and will shortly sign a third with
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University. These provide primarily for increased joint
research, and greater exchange of scientists and PhD students between the partners.

The initial research focus of the new collaboration will be in diagnostics – timely
identification of plant pests and diseases – and in the management of pests in stored grain.
“Worldwide, humanity loses anywhere between 8 and 20 per cent of its annual grain
harvest to insects and moulds – that’s enough food to feed every hungry person on the
planet,” Dr McKirdy explains.

“Australia is recognised as a world leader in dealing with insect pests in stored grain, and the
Chinese are keen to partner with us in this area.

“Also they really emphasised their concerns about the need to reduce the use of fumigants
and other chemicals used in food production.

“Australia has particular skills in developing clean, green approaches to grain hygiene and
China is keen to find non-chemical solutions to grain pests, so this works well for both of
us.”

The benefits from joint research collaboration can potentially flow on to other countries,
helping to improve global food security in general, Dr McKirdy says.

China is a major market for Australian grain and horticultural exports, with potential to grow
significantly, he adds. The biosecurity collaboration will assist this development. “Australia
will benefit by building a greater understanding of the import requirements for Australian
produce (as they apply to plant biosecurity) which will assist our grains and horticulture
industries develop further markets in China.”

More information:
Dr Simon McKirdy, Chief Executive Officer, CRCNPB, 02 6201 2412
Max Knobel, Communications Manager, CRCNPB, 0402 327 087
http://www.crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

A printable version of the media release is available here.

Dr Simon McKirdy with the Chinese delegates signing the MOU.

Back to The Leaflet.

Wiping out pests without wiping out vineyards

CRICHTONA — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:02:41 +0000

In an international breakthrough for pest control, Australia scientists have developed a new way to wipe out invading pests of tree crops or vines – without having to destroy the crops.

“The usual way to control a major pest invasion in an orchard or vineyard is to dig up all the trees or vines and burn them,” explains the Chief Executive Officer of the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB), Dr Simon McKirdy.

“This can cause heartbreak, destroy livelihoods and disrupt a whole industry. In the case of vines that may be 100 years old, the loss is irreplaceable. We decided there had to be a better way.”

A team of CRCNPB researchers led by Dr Mark Sosnowski of the South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI) has joined hands with their American plant biosecurity colleagues to run an offshore trial in which they have proved it is possible to exterminate a dangerous crop disease – without destroying the farm.

Their chosen target was a fungal disease not yet found in Australia, known as black rot – a devastating disease of vines.

“Our approach was to try out various disease control strategies in the field, under real life conditions,” Dr Sosnowski explains “As black rot does not occur in Australia, we had to do the final tests with the live disease in the US, where it is endemic.”

The researchers started their trials in Australia using a local fungal disease called black spot that behaves similarly to black rot. In the first year they cut the infected vines right back to the trunk and sprayed them, while litter on the ground was cleared and burned. This achieved 90 per cent control of the disease. READ MORE

How Aussies put the sting on a stripey pest

CRICHTONA — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:03:19 +0000

Media Release: 12 September 2011

An army of keen-eyed Australian families has helped notch up a vital victory in the never-ending war on a ferocious and painful invader.

European wasps have been consistently exterminated from the pleasant homes, gardens, farms and parks of Perth, Western Australia, in the process demonstrating the effectiveness of a national defence approach to dealing with damaging invaders.

“We’re absolutely delighted how effective the wasp control in WA has been,” says Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB) Chairman, Professor John Lovett. “Essentially, like the famous Coastwatch in World War II, it is about ordinary Australians who keep their eyes peeled for signs of invasion. We can then send in the ‘troops’ to defeat it.”

The stripey, aggressive European wasp (Vespula germanica) was first detected in Tasmania in 1959, then crossed to mainland Australia in 1977. It has since become established in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

The wasp also showed up in Perth for the first time in 1977, and has done so almost every year since, hitching rides on cargo from the Eastern States.

But in WA, every single one of its nests has been wiped out.

If even one survived, it would breed queens in their thousands, enough to populate the whole State with wasps, a CRCNPB report has found. READ MORE