March 2008 issue Science and Research Updates

CLIMATE CHANGE | Two major new initiatives to address climate change announced
Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald has launched two major new initiatives to address climate change. 
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/climate-change-initiatives

ANIMAL DISEASE | EMAI develops new test for anthrax
New testing methods have helped to quickly contain the state’s worst incident of anthrax in 20 years.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/new-test-for-anthrax

PLANT IMPROVEMENT | NSW DPI researcher receives international award
DPI researcher Dr Rod Mailer received the Timothy L Mounts Award.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/researcher-receives-international-award

FISHERIES SCIENCES | Researchers combine to rehabilitate seagrass beds
A new three-year research program to develop methods for cultivating the seagrass Posidonia australis for small-scale rehabilitation has recently been funded by the NSW Environmental Trust.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/rehabilitate-seagrass-beds

FISHERIES SCIENCES | Progress towards a grey nurse shark breeding program
NSW DPI continues its significant research effort towards the development of a breeding program for the grey nurse shark.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/grey-nurse-shark-breeding-program

FISHERIES SCIENCE | Reducing the impact of irrigation pumps on fish
A new NSW DPI project aims to reduce the impacts of irrigation pumps on fish communities by developing protective screens preventing the extraction of native fish from main river systems.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/irrigation-pumps-impact-on-fish

PLANT PRODUCTION | 10 tonne average yields achieved in irrigated winter cereals project
High average yields in winter cereal crops are attainable with existing varieties, the results from the first 12 months of a major irrigated winter cereal project led by NSW DPI have shown.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/10-tonne-average-yields

SOILS SCIENCE | Protecting water from phosphorus run-off
Soil phosphorus and runoff concentrations take a long time to decline, once they build up from application of phosphorus fertiliser and are sensitive to application of more.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/phosphorus-run-off

PEST CONTROL | Natural bio-enemy trade snowballs
Natural enemies of weeds, and insect and animal pests have a great deal more to offer in the continuing effort to reduce pesticide use in Australia, according to Dr Leigh Pilkington, the organiser of a major international conference on biological control held in Sydney earlier this month.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/natural-bio-enemy

PEST CONTROL | Bio solution for pasture pest
Irrigated lucerne growers in the Tamworth, Mudgee, Riverina and Hunter regions could soon have a safe biological solution to a major lucerne pest.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/march-2008/bio-solution-for-pasture-pest