Browsing by Author "Magarey, R"

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Development of commercial molecular biological assays for improved sugarcane soil health and productivity : final report 2018/009
(Sugar Research Australia Limited) Magarey, R; McKay, A
Project research has shown that the DNA-based molecular assays for Pachymetra chaunorhiza, Pratylenchus zeae and Meloidogyne species quantify soil populations in field samples, confirming research undertaken in project 2016047, and has also confirmed the importance of sampling strategy and storage for obtaining representative data. Some further research is needed with P. chaunorhiza to ensure the accuracy of the molecular assay; the focus should be on sample storage conditions, amongst other things. Soil samples were processed from soil health projects, plant breeding selection trials and industry samples sent to the Tully soil assay laboratory.
Diseases of Australian sugarcane field guide
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2019) Magarey, R
This guide has been designed for practical 'in-field' use. Text is kept to a minimum and symbols are used to convey information.
Diseases of Australian sugarcane field guide
(BSES, 2013) Magarey, R
This guide has been designed for practical ‘in-field’ use. Text is kept to a minimum and symbols are used to convey information.
Integrated pest management of stem borers and insect vectors of viral diseases of sugarcane : final report 2006/147
(BSES, 2009) Magarey, R; Sallam, N; Samson, P
This report provides detail on an ACIAR-funded project (HORT/2006/147) meeting between Australian and Indonesian staff to review project activities, and to plan further research, development and extension for the next 12 months. Rob Magarey also visited Jakarta to speak with ACIAR staff to keep them informed of project developments and outputs.
Plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes associated with sugarcane in North Queensland
(ASSCT, 2018) Bull, J; Stirling, GR; Magarey, R
SURVEYS OF NORTH Queensland sugarcane soils indicated that root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus zeae) was the most important nematode pest because it occurred in most fields and was often present at high population densities. However, the presence of root knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) in sandy soils and the relatively widespread distribution of moderately pathogenic nematodes such as stunt nematode (Tylenchorhynchus annulatus), stubby root nematode (Paratrichodorus minor), ring nematode (various Criconematidae) and dagger nematode (Xiphinema elongatum) suggested that in most fields, several nematode species were feeding on roots and contributing to root health problems. With regard to the free-living nematode community, survey results showed that bacterial-feeding nematodes were much more common than fungal-feeding nematodes and numbers of omnivorous and predatory nematodes were relatively low. Collectively, these findings suggest that the biological status of many north Queensland sugarcane soils is relatively poor. In addition to having high numbers of plant-parasitic nematodes they have low numbers of fungal-feeding nematodes. This indicates that fungi are not an important component of the detritus food web and this has implications for the ecosystem services they provide: decomposition of recalcitrant forms of organic matter; aggregation of soil particles; enhancement of plant nutrient uptake; improvement of disease resistance in plants; and suppression of pests and pathogens. The lack of omnivorous and predatory nematodes also has implications for pest suppression, as these nematodes help regulate populations of plant-parasitic nematodes.
PNG: a long-term sugarcane research partner
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2016) Magarey, R
A research collaboration with Papua New Guinea is helping to put the Australian industry on the front foot and prepare for biosecurity risks.
Preparing the Australian sugar industry for exotic disease threats: final report 2009/033
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2015) Magarey, R; Samson, P; Braithwaite, K; Thompson, N; Sallam, N
Previous field resistance trial data for downy mildew, Ramu stunt and Sesamia grisescens collected in PNG since the mid-1980s were accessed, analysed and information used as a foundation for project field resistance screening research. 2. Pot methods for moth borer resistance screening were reviewed, a visit to South Africa was made to view pot trial methodology and rapid test resistance screening research plans developed. 3. Field resistance screening trials for the moth borers (Sesamia grisescens and Scirpophaga excerptalis) and the diseases (downy mildew, (Peronosclerospora spp.) and Ramu stunt (tenuivirus)) showed promise in project research. Data collected has been analysed and resistance ratings for Australian commercial varieties assigned and loaded into SPIDNet. 4. A rapid resistance screen for the moth borers (manual infestation of test plants) and downy mildew (using oospores mixed into potting soil) show promise, but each method requires further refinement. 5. The causal agent of Ramu stunt was confirmed as a tenuivirus and a diagnostic assay validated. Suspect disease specimens can now be confidently assayed, should an Australian incursion occur. Some pathogen variation was noted around PNG; it is unknown if this will affect varietal resistance reactions. 6. Molecular tools for assaying for downy mildew were also developed; suspect disease specimens for DM can also now be confidently assayed. Significant DM pathogen variation in PNG was noted, with three taxa identified. One of these may be a new Peronosclerospora species. 7. The project has led to major steps forward in relation to knowledge of these pests and diseases. Our capacity to identify, manage and advise the Australian sugarcane industry with regard to PNG pests and diseases has improved greatly. The industry is now in a strong position to deal with the major pest and disease threats present in PNG.
Resistant varieties are the only solution to Pachymetra root rot
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Plunkett, G; Magarey, R
Pachymetra root rot (Pachymetra) is a major disease which will reduce your yields. In a survey of the Tully Mill area in 2004, the economic loss from Pachymetra totalled over $900,000. Resistant varieties are the only control to this disease.
SRA scientists preparing to combat foreign threats
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2015) Magarey, R
SRA scientists have recently received funding for research into exotic pest and disease threats in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The role of root growth and activity in determining sugarcane productivity : SRDC final report CLW002 (previously CSS02 & CSS2S)
(1999) Magarey, R; Nable, R; Reghenzani, J; Smith, J; Berthelsen, S; Grace, D; Robertson, M
Research conducted in this project aimed to better understand the relationship between root and shoot growth, in areas such as how the size of the root system affects shoot growth, do particular root parameters have a controlling influence on shoot growth, how do soil characteristics affect root penetration rates, and how the root system develops through the life of a sugarcane crop. This was achieved through the application of a wide range of experimental techniques in both the glasshouse and field situation. The study of root systems in sugarcane is difficult - due to the size of the crop and the length of the cropping period. As a result there have been few previous studies on sugarcane root systems in Australia, and indeed around the world. A number of techniques were either developed, or adapted, in this project research. A soilless aeroponic culture technique was installed and refined at Tully Sugar Experiment Station. This allowed sugarcane roots to be examined on a daily basis and root measurements made, or root pruning to occur. This overcame the difficulty of dealing with the bulky, opaque soil medium. A tall pot system was adapted for sugarcane where sugarcane could be grown for an extended period in controlled conditions. This enabled plant water relations to be studied in association with modification to root growing conditions. Root image analysis techniques were further refined for sugarcane, allowing measurement of both whole glasshouse-grown root systems, or the quantification of root lengths in material from soil cores obtained in the field. A technique for growing sugarcane with a split root system was also adapted enabling the direct and indirect effects of water stress and root pruning in a soil culture to be examined, and the likely presence of root signals as a mechanism for control of shoot growth. Studies using these techniques facilitated an examination of the relationship between roots and shoots under various experimental conditions - ranging from controlled conditions with no soil in the glasshouse, through other soil-based glasshouse trials, to the field situation. This gave depth to project results and a broader understanding of root-shoot relationships using a range of experimental observations.