Our research
Resources
The purpose of a gene catalogue is to list the names and genomic details of individual genes of a species in a way that minimizes duplication, is acceptable to scientists involved with the species, and in the case of a domesticated species, can be communicated to the wider community.
Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has a huge, triplicated genome and its genetic nomenclature requires unique rules that are internationally acceptable and can be applied to this hexaploid species, as well as its tetraploid and diploid relatives.
The first list of gene names for wheat was published in 1956. In 1968 the Third International Wheat Genetics Symposium held in Canberra requested a formal Wheat Genetics Catalogue that continues to the present time.
1. Morphological and Physiological Traits (doc, 270KB)
Cereal rust research
The Cereal Rust Laboratory hosts the Australian Cereal Rust Control Program (ACRCP), which continues one of the longest running research efforts at the University of Sydney. Cereal rust diseases are the most important biotic constraints to cereal production globally. The ACRCP conducts research on all rust pathogens of wheat (common and durum), barley, oat, triticale and cereal rye, with a very strong emphasis on tracking changes in pathogen virulence (pathogen surveillance) across the Australian continent and disease control by resistance breeding. Visit the cereal rust research page to find out more.
Breeding research
Cereal breeding largely focuses on wheat; Australia’s most important grain crop, but also includes barley, triticale and durum wheat to a lesser extent. Since the commercialisation of wheat breeding the PBI focuses on wheat ‘pre-breeding’ and research. This entails trait and gene discovery, the development of molecular tools to assist the transfer of these traits to cultivars and fundamental understanding of plant physiology and plant responses to stress.
Work includes the development and implementation of genomic strategies for the improvement of crown rot resistance, heat tolerance and nutritional quality in wheat, and the development and improvement of wheat hybrid systems that allow farmers to exploit hybrid vigour.
The institute coordinates the introduction, evaluation and dissemination of international wheat and barley diversity under the CIMMYT Australia ICARDA Germplasm Evaluation program (visit CAIGE website) and maintains a wheat double haploid service.
Our research is now well supported by the newly established University of Sydney node of the Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN) based in Narrabri. The APPN vision is to transform Australian plant science using innovative phenotyping, automation and data science to solve our nation’s biggest agricultural challenges
Grassland based food ecosystems and their potential genetic improvement have become a recent research focus in response to our changing climate.
Primary contacts:
- Professor Richard Trethowan (breeding)
- Dr William Salter (physiology and plant phenomics)
- Associate Professor Guy Roth (native grasses)
- Dr Rebecca Thistlethwaite (heat tolerance)
The PBI hosts the northern arm of Australia’s faba bean breeding program and provides new, high-yielding and disease resistant cultivars to farmers. The program targets the improvement of key constraints such as yield potential, rust, ascochyta and virus resistance and tolerance to drought, heat and frost.
We are also researching chickpea and lentil adaptation to heat and drought stress, yield potential and nitrogen fixing ability. New chickpea germplasm, combining new traits with improved adaptation, is developed and research into new ways of growing chickpea in a changing climate is challenging old concepts.
Legume research is also well supported by the new University of Sydney APPN node including the development of novel high throughput phenotypic screening tools and data pipelines for legume crops.
Primary contacts:
- Dr Kedar Adhikari (faba beans)
- Professor Brent Kaiser (legume biology)
- Dr William Salter (physiology and plant phenomics)
- Professor Richard Trethowan (breeding)
Indian mustard research and breeding focuses on the improvement of biomass, grain yield, oil content and quality and chemical constituents of the seed and meal that have marketable value.
The dominant crops in northwestern NSW are wheat and chickpea. Optimising the integration of mustard into this farming system as a break crop with bio-fumigation benefits is a primary research focus.
Research also explores new and alternative uses for mustard including extraction of glucosinolates for use in the food, biofuel and pharmaceutical industries.
Primary contact:
- Professor Richard Trethowan (breeding)
- Graeme Rapp (agronomy)
Horticulture
Horticultural breeding and associated research encompass cytology, embryology, pathology, propagation, culture and sustainable production. The breeding programs are based on the philosophy of releasing “minimum input” varieties in response to decreasing availability of resources, the need to protect the environment and the likelihood of unfavourable changes in climate.
Plants are bred that have reduced requirements for water, fertiliser and pesticides, and where possible, simpler cultural requirements. Biodiversity protection is also important and promising new lines are carefully assessed before release to ensure that they do not have weed-like tendencies. Breeding activity is centred on herbaceous ornamentals and horticultural vegetable crops.
Each of these areas is supported by post-graduate student research. Herbaceous ornamentals are mainly bred through PBI’s joint venture company, NuFlora International (visit NuFlora), which has achieved a global market for its cultivars of various species. Vegetable crops are bred with funding from a range of sources including research contracts with industry, co-operative arrangements between PBI, industry and Australian government agencies and international competitive research grants.
Primary contacts:
- Professor Richard Trethowan (general information)
- Dr Ruijin Li (breeding)
Indigenous grasslands
Grasslands in regional Australia
Aboriginal people sustainably produced food from native ecosystems for thousands of years, including the world’s oldest bread. We work with Aboriginal people, farmers and industry to bring this system to modern agroecosystems and foods.
The Indigenous Grasslands for Grain projects work with Aboriginal people to bring this system to modern agroecosystems and foods.
Primary contact:
- Dianne Hall
- Professor Richard Trethowan (breeding)