October 2009 Issue - Science and Innovation Updates

FOOD SECURITY | Food Security - action plan to sustain our harvest

 The NSW Government has unveiled an action plan to tackle the growing global problem of food security, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/research,-productivity-and-food-security

PESTS | Peaceful nuke target
Peaceful use of atomic energy includes developing better methods to sterilise fruit flies, to stop them breeding.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/peaceful-nuke-target

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY | Every Cambodian's mobile tool
SMS messaging, emerging as a valuable tool for grower information campaigns among vegetable producers in Western Sydney, is also breaking down grower resistance to some technology in Cambodia.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/every-cambodians-mobile-tool

SOIL HEALTH AND FERTILITY | On-farm measurement of nitrates in leafy vegetables
Optimising nitrogen application in intensive vegetable production relies on being able to adjust N supply during crop growth, so monitoring needs to be quick, cheap, accurate.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/on-farm-measurement-of-nitrates-in-leafy-vegetables

NEW POSITION | New director brings wealth of experience to Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
John Oliver has been appointed Industry & Investment NSW's new director at Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute and brings valuable experience to the role, including almost 40 years in the cereal industry.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/new-director-wwai

INNOVATION | Longer lasting wheat to fuel flexible farms
A bold new project to introduce perennial wheat to local farms has the potential to address climate variability by putting extra flexibility into farming systems.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/longer-lasting-wheat

PESTS | Bunchy top aphid targets
Entomologists are seeking the holy grail of banana bunchy top control - a banana aphid eradication method - in a combined effort with industry to bring an end to the 100-year war against the worlds most devastating banana viral disease.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/bunchy-top-aphid-targets

PLANT MANAGEMENT | Timing key to macca hedging
Late November to early December is emerging as the ideal time to hedge macadamia trees, according to new research from Industry and Investment NSW.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/timing-key-to-macca-hedging

AWARD | Winner hails Farrer legacy
Farrer Memorial Medal winner, Dr Rod Mailer, has hailed government support for plant breeding programs and is emphatic that it should be maintained.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/winner-hails-farrer-legacy

GENOMICS | Sydney hosts plant genomics workshop
Australias top agricultural geneticists will meet tomorrow in Sydney to examine progress in unlocking the secret of plant genetics, debate the outcomes and plan future research directions. Around 20 NSW Agricultural Genomics Centre (NSWAGC) researchers will gather in Sydney on 8 October for a genomics workshop.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/plant-genomics-workshop

INNOVATION | New chickpea variety underpins Australian export status
Industry & Investment NSW researchers are cementing Australias position as the worlds largest chickpea exporter with the official release of a new variety that will further protect the States crop against disease.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/updates/issues/october-2009/new-chickpea-variety