February 2007 issue - Science and Research Updates

PLANT PROTECTION | 'Stem rust is back' says world expert
Australian wheat growers have been warned that one of the world’s most devastating diseases of wheat, stem rust, is back.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/stem-rust-is-back-says-world-expert

PLANT PROTECTION | Climate change affects plant disease risk
Higher CO₂ levels could change the nature and severity of plant pests and diseases affecting agriculture.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/climate-change-affects-plant-disease-risk

PLANT PROTECTION | Close eye on new wheat stripe rust
It is too early to know which popular wheat varieties will be most susceptible to a new wheat stripe rust pathogen found in eastern Australia.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/close-eye-on-new-wheat-stripe-rust

PLANT PROTECTION | A threat to global food security
International agricultural agenices are on the alert because of a new threat in Eastern Africa, a virulent cereal rust known as Ug99.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/rust-diseases-threat

HORTICULTURE | Fruit flies identified from DNA 'signature'
The most economically important fruit fly species can now be identified from their DNA ‘signature’, a development which could avert future devastating outbreaks.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/fruitflies-dna-signature

HORTICULTURE | New quarantine treatments for fresh fruits exported to Asia
Gosford researchers are examining quarantine treatments that can be applied to ensure exported fruits are free of Queensland fruit fly.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/new-quarantine-treatments-fruit

HORTICULTURE | The next big things: gacs and gow gees
A cucumber called gac, a berry known as gow gee, and a wild pepper are among 26 Vietnamese plants which may have commercial potential in Australia.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/growing-gacs-and-gow-gees

FISHERIES SCIENCE | New laboratory opened
The oldest fisheries laboratory in the southern hemisphere, at NSW DPI's Cronulla fisheries research centre, has undergone a $1 million upgrade.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/science-boost-at-cronulla

DAIRY CATTLE | Robotic milking goes smoothly
Lack of pasture has been the only limitation in assessing the capacity of the new automatic milking system at Camden. Six months after the FutureDairy high-tech robotic facility opened, researchers say the project has had a smooth start.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/new-robotic-dairy

ANIMAL PRODUCTION | West Coast heifers prove their efficiency
Heifers bred in NSW for feed efficiency in NSW and then transported to Western Australia show that their genes are what is important.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/west-coast-girls-efficient

ANIMAL PRODUCTION | New feed efficiency experiment
A much larger experiment to evaluate the performance of cows with superior genetics for feed efficiency is being carried out in a new CRC project.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/new-developments-feed-efficiency

POSTHARVEST | Providing consumers with what they want
Consumers are looking for 'quality, speed, safety and nutrition in fresh produce', according to DPI postharvest researcher, Dr Jenny Ekman.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/consumers

CLIMATE SCIENCE | Role of pastures in locking up carbon
NSW DPI is to study the role of pastures in locking up carbon under a range of management practices in central and southern NSW.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/climate-action-grant

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES | New way with old man saltbush
A novel way to integrate saltbush into mixed farming systems to help lift productivity and profitability across the NSW wheat-belt on the southern, central and northern slopes and plains is being investigated.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/february-2007/new-way-with-oldman-saltbush