Research interests

• Integrated disease management in pulse and oilseed crops
• Disease resistance screening methods for pulse and oilseed crops
• Biosecurity issues relating to the Australian pulse industry
• Epidemiology of diseases affecting pulse and oilseed crops in Australia

Background

Mr Lindbeck is based at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute where he leads research on the management of pulse and oilseed diseases in southern NSW.

Kurt first joined NSW Agriculture* in 1995 as a Technical Officer in Plant Pathology, working on the management of lupin and field pea diseases in southern NSW. In 2001, he joined the Victorian Department of Primary Industries as a Plant Pathologist, based in Horsham. During this time Kurt worked closely with the National Pulse Breeding programs on the screening of breeding lines for resistance to disease. He also led the Victorian component of two ACIAR projects investigating the epidemiology and management of pulse diseases in Australia and Syria. In 2004, Kurt was seconded to Biosecurity Australia for 4 months to review import policy for grain legume seed entering Australia.

Mr Lindbeck re-entered service with NSW DPI in February 2008 as a Pulse and Oilseed Pathologist. His current work involves providing pathology support to the field pea and canola evaluation programs and lupin breeding program at Wagga Wagga. This includes screening breeding material for disease resistance and development of disease management advice for industry.

*NSW Department of Primary Industries was formed on July 1, 2004 through an amalgamation of NSW Agriculture, NSW Fisheries, State Forests of NSW and the NSW Department of Mineral Resources.

Qualifications

• B. App. Sc (Agriculture)(Hons). 1995.  Charles Sturt University
• Currently studying PhD (Part time) – University of Melbourne

Current projects

• DAN 00115 Integrated disease control for broad leaf crops with varietal selection and crop management for southern NSW and northern Victoria
• University of Melbourne - Identification of resistance genes in Australian canola cultivars through development of a differential set of blackleg isolates

Recent Publications

Lindbeck KD, Bretag TW and Materne MA (2008) Field screening in Australia of lentil germplasm for resistance to botrytis grey mould. Australasian Plant Pathology, 37(4): 373-378

Tivoli B, Baranger A, Avila C, Banniza S, Barbetti M, Chen W, Davidson J, Lindbeck K, Kharrat M, Rubiales D, Sadiki M, Sillero J, Sweetingham M, Muehlbauer F (2006) Screening techniques and sources of resistance to foliar diseases caused by major necrotrophic fungi in grain legumes. Euphytica, 147 : 223-253

Galloway J, MacLeod WJ and Lindbeck KD (2004) Formation of Didymella lentis, the telemorph of Ascochyta lentis, on lentil stubble in the field in Victoria and Western Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 33: 449 – 450

Simpfendorfer S, Heenan DP, Kirkegaard JA, Lindbeck KD and Murray GM (2004) Impact of tillage on lupin growth and the incidence of pathogenic fungi in southern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 44: 53 – 56.

Lindbeck KD, Murray GM, Nikandrow A, Priest M, and Dominiac BC (1998) Survey for anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in crop lupins (Lupinus angustifolius, L. albus) and ornamental lupins (L. polyphyllus) in New South Wales. Australasian Plant Pathology, 27 : 259 - 262.

Professional associations and activities

Member, Australasian Plant Pathology Society

Fields of Research

• 070308 Crop and Pasture Protection (Pests, Diseases and Weeds)
• 070305 Crop and Pasture Improvement (Selection and Breeding)
• 060704 Plant Pathology
• 060505 Mycology

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Pulse plant pathology
• Disease resistance screening
• Disease epidemiology
• Botrytis grey mould
• Ascochyta