November 2006 issue - Science and Research Updates

HORTICULTURE | Vegetable industry doubles water-use efficiency
Australia’s vegetable industry is roughly twice as efficient in its use of water as it was a decade ago, according to a new national report.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/vegetable-industry-doubles-water-use-efficiency

PLANT BREEDING | Genomics enhance drought and disease resistance
Genetic ‘signposts’ used in research are helping to breed crops more capable of handling drought, climate change, diseases and pests.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/genomics-enhance-drought-and-disease-resistance

PLANT PROTECTION | Breakthrough with major pulse disease
A breakthrough has been achieved in the quest to breed chickpea varieties with improved resistance to the most significant disease of chickpeas in northern NSW.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/breakthrough-with-major-pulse-disease

PLANT PRODUCTION | New legumes for drier environments
A national program is under way to identify new earlier maturing and drought tolerant pasture legumes that will adapt to climate change.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/new-legumes-for-drier-environments

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT | Eavesdropping on sharks
Researchers are hoping to find out more about the endangered grey nurse and great white sharks through a tagging research project that uses special underwater listening devices.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/sharks-wired-for-sound-and-survival

HORTICULTURE | Marketing the “missing link” for Asian veges
Cooking demonstrations of Asian vegetables are helping to bridge the marketing “missing link” and encourage consumers to buy Asian vegetables.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/marketing-the-missing-link-for-asian-veges

POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGIES | Essential oils control disease in fresh produce
Essential oils may hold the key to controlling post-harvest diseases in fresh fruit and vegetables.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/essential-oils-help-control-postharvest-disease

COAL | NSW explores clean coal technologies
The NSW government is to become a partner in the CO2 Cooperative Research Centre, which is exploring ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from coal.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/nsw-exploring-clean-coal-technologies

PLANT PROTECTION | Managing fruit fly on the PNG frontline
NSW DPI is keeping an eye on a potential billion dollar pest for Australia – fruit fly from Papua New Guinea.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/managing-fruitfly-png-frontline

WEEDS | Aquatic plants checked for potential weed menace
Identifying potential major aquatic weeds in home fish tanks or fish ponds is an important component of protecting Australian waterways.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/fishtank-plants-potential-weed-menace

PLANT BREEDING | New crop varieties unveiled
Two new crop varieties - one oat and one feed barley - which boast improved yield, increased grazing capacity and disease constraints have been released.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/dpi-unveils-new-crop-varieties-gerogery

PLANT BREEDING | Organic spelt field day
Spelt varieties from a research project which aims to lift the yield and quality of the ancient wheat will be highlighted at a field day in southern NSW next month.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/november-2006/organic-spelt-field-day-yanco