Browsing by Author "University of Queensland (UQ)"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

An assessment of the application of DNA markers to studies of genetic diversity and marker assisted selection in sugarcane : SRDC Final report SD99001
(1999) Carroll, B; McIntyre, L; Berding, N
The project objectives were as follows:
Analysis of sugarcane productivity trends in the wet tropics at a district level : SRDC final report
(2001) McDonald, L
This project provided an in-depth re-analysis of district level data for cane yield, sugar content, and sugar content per hectare for the mill districts of Mulgrave, Babinda, and Tully and an evaluation of the estimates of changes in productivity for the period from 1958 to 1995, as derived by Leslie and Wilson (1996). Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) methodology (Patterson and Thompson, 1971) was shown to be applicable to the analysis of productivity data at the district level. Importantly, this methodology can now be implemented with readily available computer software (Gilmour et al., 1996). Its capacity to deal with unbalanced data sets (varieties change over time and across districts) is particularly useful. REML enables a more rigorous and complete estimation of productivity trends over time when adjusting for variety and variety  environment interactions than previously used methods. For the period under investigation, some of the increased cane yield (tonnes of sugarcane per hectare) was due to improved varieties while the decrease in sugar content was due to other factors. As a result, sugar content per hectare remained relatively stable during this time.
Assessment of bulk segregant analysis and marker- assisted selection for economically important traits in sugarcane : SRDC final report BS138
(1998) Carroll, B; Berding, N; McIntyre, L
The main aim of this project was to assess the feasibility of bulk segregant analysis (BSA) and marker-assisted selection for important traits in sugarcane. The target trait for this feasibility study was rust resistance. Initially, crosses were successfully made between susceptible and resistant parents to produce two mapping populations. Unfortunately and surprisingly, we were not able to identify fully susceptible clones in four separate rust trials on the two populations. Poor rust development occurred in the first bench trial in 1996 at Meringa (including clones known to be susceptible), and the second trial in January 1997 was a total failure due to lack of rust development. The third rust resistance trial was conducted in Meringa in July 1997, but all of the clones in the mapping populations were resistant. The fourth rust trial on these two populations was completed at the start of 1998, and the results confirmed that all of the clones in these two initial mapping populations were resistant to common rust. Lack of segregation for rust resistance within progeny of sugarcane crosses had not been observed previously by sugarcane breeders in Meringa. This unexpected problem delayed the project as BSA could only proceed after a mapping population segregating for rust resistance had been identified.
Development of a streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) tool for assessing the environmental benefits of progressive cane growing : SRDC Final report UQ045
(SRDC, 2012) Renouf, M; Allsopp, P
The Australian sugar industry faces continuing expectations to demonstrate environmentally sustainable sugarcane growing practices. This has been driven by moves to protect water quality (through the Australian Government’s Reef Water Quality Protection Plan and the Queensland Government’s Reef Protection Legislation), requirements to develop best-practice guidelines, and also by opportunities to participate in greenhouse gas abatement through the Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative.
High efficiency production of transgenic sugarcane plants
(1994) Bower, R; University of Queensland
The efficiency of gene transfer into embryogenic callus of sugarcane has been increased tenfold by optimisation of particle bombardment conditions, and there is a corresponding increase in stable transformation frequencies. The method routinely yields approximately 2 independent transgenic plants per cm2 of bombarded embryogenic callus for sugarcane varieties anlenable to tissue culture. Genes coprecipitated on separate plasmids are cotransformed at high efficiency, which will facilitate introduction of agronomic genes. Materials needed for recovery of transgenic plants can be halved through improved selection protocols, allowing the recovery of hundreds of independent transformed plant lines. The improved method is now in use in BSES and CSIRO as well as UQ laboratories Since the completion of this project, the transformation system has been shown to be effective on a range of major commercial varieties, and over 70 lines from seven cultivars are currently in field trials.
Masterclasses in soil health and soil biology for the sugar industry : Final report 2016/025
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2018) Stirling, G; Evers, A; Young, A; Anderson, J; Garcia-Cuenca, S
A total of 252 sugar growers, productivity services staff and others attended a series of Master Classes in Soil Health/Soil Biology that were held in 2017 and 2018. During those classes they had the opportunity to see some of the microscopic organisms that are found in soil and learn how sugar farming systems could be modified to improve soil biological health. The classes were run by Dr Graham Stirling (Biological Crop Protection), Dr Anthony Young (University of Queensland), Dr Jay Anderson (University of Queensland) and Mr Sebastien Garcia-Cuenca (Sugar Research Australia). However, the highlight of each class was the presentation by one of three growers: Ashley Petersen, Tony Chapman and Simon Mattsson. They explained how they were able to modify their farming system and discussed the soil health and economic benefits they had obtained. Each class concluded with a discussion on how growers could move forward and improve the health of their soils. The process involved identifying the key soil constraints that were limiting productivity; developing an action plan to rectify the problems; modifying the farming system in some way; and then instigating a monitoring program to confirm that benefits had been obtained. Feedback from the participants indicated that the classes were a resounding success. Comments were overwhelmingly positive and compliments such as “excellent course: engaging and interesting”, “the use of microscopes, practical application was great!” and “continue this every year!” were received. Those who attended clearly enjoyed the classes and most indicated that they were willing to accept the challenge of implementing a soil improvement plan.
Sugar communities and resilience to change : opportunities for enhancing women's participation in sustainability initiatives
(Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC), 2008) Jakku, E; Bellamy, J; Bohnet, I; Finlayson, W
This project was funded by SRDC, in partnership with CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and the University of Queensland. The project commenced in November 2005 and this final report, completed in November 2008, summarises the key outputs, outcomes and lessons that have emerged from the project.