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Recognition for young researcher searching for pulse breakthroughsh


Australia
March 31, 2014


GRDC Managing Director John Harvey (left) presents Jonathan Plett from the University of Western Sydney with his GRDC-sponsored 2014 Science and Innovation Award for Young People in Agriculture. Photo: Steve Keough Photography

A young plant molecular biologist has received national recognition for his research which has the potential to improve production in food crops not only in Australia but in developing countries around the world.

Jonathan Plett from the University of Western Sydney has been honored in the 2014 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture. The science awards recognise big ideas from young rural innovators who contribute to the success of Australia’s agriculture sector.

Dr Plett was named the recipient of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Award for his research into whether chickpea plants bred to be disease-resistant are also able to take advantage of beneficial microbes in the soil.

His project focuses on disease resistance to two chickpea pathogens, Phytophthora and Ascochyta blight, which together are responsible for $13 million in lost productivity and $43.8 million spent on disease control each year.

Dr Plett says he is looking for a set of specific genes that allow crops to be resistant to these common diseases but still form beneficial relationships with soil microbes.

“A lot of great research has gone into breeding new crops that are resistant to diseases. But these crops are also very dependent on soil microbes. Bacteria and fungi in the soil help crops grow by giving them nutrients.”

Dr Plett said he was “stoked” about the project and the chance to undertake research likely to have an impact on people’s everyday lives.

“You name it – all crops that we depend on for our food are attacked by diseases but also interact with beneficial microbes in the soil,” he said.

Dr Plett hopes that his work could be broadened to include other agricultural crops such as wheat and potatoes in the future.

GRDC Managing Director John Harvey said Dr Plett was a deserving recipient of the award.
“The GRDC, on behalf of growers and the Australian Government, is very supportive of any research efforts that have the potential to combat costly crop diseases and improve productivity,” Mr Harvey said.

“Another important focus of the GRDC is building research skills and capacity in the grains industry, so it is very encouraging to have someone as young and enthusiastic as Jonathan setting a great example for other aspiring researchers and scientists.”

Supported by the GRDC and other rural industry partners, the Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture provide assistance to 18 to 35-year-olds to undertake a project on an emerging scientific issue or innovative activity over the next twelve months.

The awards aim to encourage science, innovation and technology in rural industries and help to advance the careers of young scientists and innovators through national recognition of their research ideas.

More information about the awards is available via www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards.



More news from: GRDC (Grains Research & Development Corporation)


Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: March 31, 2014

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