August 2007 issue - Science and Research Updates

HORTICULTURE | Consumer preferences drive innovation in fresh produce
Consumers are driving new technologies and innovations in the way fresh fruit and vegetables are prepared for market, according to the organisers of the Australasian Postharvest Conference being held in Terrigal this week.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/innovation-in-fresh-produce

| NSW DPI soils scientist amongst world's top ten
Soils are regarded as one of the last frontiers: the basis of all life on dry land. And according to the respected international journal Soil & Tillage Research, scientific interest in soils is growing.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/soils-scientist

WEEDS | Eco-tilling detects resistance
A new molecular tool to help farmers address one of the major threats to conventional agricultural - herbicide resistance - has been developed by NSW DPI and Japanese researchers.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/ecotill-detects-resistance

PLANT BREEDING | Winner backs conventional breeding
Conventional breeding and agronomic research are the key to improved wheat yields in the medium term, says the 2007 Farrer Memorial Medal award winner.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/farrer-medallist

PLANT PROTECTION | Watch on exotic pests near cities
The highest likelihood of incursion of a serious exotic plant pest or disease is in the vicinity of domestic dwellings near our major cities, according to risk assessments.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/exotic-pests-near-cities

RECYCLING | Mulches restore poor catchments
Research has found that composting can reduce sediment transport by up to 90 per cent and help vegetation to establish on degraded sites.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/mulches-restore-poor-catchments

ANIMAL DISEASE | Composting livestock carcases
Composting could be a solution to managing animal mortalities caused by exotic disease outbreaks such as foot and mouth disease.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/carcase-composting-works

FISHERIES SCIENCE | Redfin at new borders
Fish researchers are investigating whether populations of redfin perch in the Wollondilly catchment are carrying a virus that can devastate popular angling fish such as Murray cod, native perch species and trout.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/redfin-in-new-waters

WATER SCIENCE | Eureka prize for water work
Research which is helping to ensure efficient use of water in the Murrumbidgee catchment has been awarded the 2007 Eureka Prize for Water Research and Innovation.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/eureka-prize

SALINITY | Restoring tsunami-affected veg soils
Four field trials in Aceh, Indonesia, are examining how to restore the fertility of tsunami-affected soils used for vegetable production.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/restoring-veg-soils

AGRONOMY | Supporting a specialty grain - spelt
The EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is developing an agronomic package to help organic grain producers optimise quality and yields of the specialty grain, spelt.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/spelt-points-to-wider-gain

ANIMAL PRODUCTION | Live pig scans cap research career
At the culmination of a 40-year career, principal research scientist Roger Giles has delivered to the pig industry the latest computer technology for assessing pig carcases.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/live-pig-scans-cap-research-career

VITICULTURE | Tackling young vine decline
Death or decline of young grapevines, a problem for many wine-grape growers in southern NSW, is being investigated by the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre at Wagga Wagga.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/august-2007/tackling-young-vine-decline