Perth, Australia: Genetics experts and plant scientists from across Australia are coming together for a $41 million national initiative to revolutionise tree crop breeding. Launched through Hort Innovation, the five-year initiative, titled “Genetics for Next Generation Orchards,” is a collaboration among Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Murdoch University, the University of Queensland (UQ), and Western Sydney University (WSU). Murdoch University, in particular, will work closely with the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and The University of Adelaide on their project component.
Professor Rajeev Varshney, Director of Murdoch University’s Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, will lead the project in Western Australia. “We are proud to be part of this initiative aimed at transforming the future of tree crop industries across Australia,” said Professor Varshney. “Funded by Hort Innovation’s Frontiers investment programme, the goal is to develop new varieties of almonds, apples, citrus, macadamias, and mangoes to ensure their long-term viability and global competitiveness.”
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The project will integrate genomic insights and molecular markers into practical crop breeding programmes. “We aim to develop a mobile-based intelligent farm system that empowers breeders to make informed decisions, selecting new crop varieties with optimal trait combinations for future demands,” added Professor Varshney.
“To stay globally competitive, Australian orchard production systems must evolve to produce new varieties and adopt orchard practices that enhance compatibility with automation, improve resilience to climate change and disease, and ensure earlier and more consistent flowering and fruiting, speeding up returns on investment for farmers, MU said in a press release.
Evolutionary geneticist Professor Peter Prentis spearheads the ambitious initiative from QUT’s School of Biology and Environmental Science. “Our objective is clear. We want to usher in the next generation of orchard crops that are more efficient and equipped to tackle the challenges of modern agriculture,” said Professor Prentis.
The Murdoch University research team includes Professor Rajeev Varshney, Dr. Vanika Garg, Dr. Penghao Wang, and Anu Chitikineni.
Photo Credit: Queensland University of Technology, Australia
