ACPFG Annual Report

ACPFG II
Following the major review in 2006, a research strategy
for the next five years was developed and refined during 2007.
In the new research plan, further development and
enhancement of technologies will continue and activities will
be targeted at understanding the genetic and molecular basis
of two key stresses; drought and salinity. These stresses are
of fundamental importance to Australia and are predicted to
grow in significance both here and overseas.
The new research program has been made possible by
three elements:
»» ACPFG’s strong technology base;
»» gene discovery work that has occurred over the past five
years; and
»» new national and international linkages.
In devising the research strategy through to 2012 it has been
necessary to consider the strengths established in ACPFG,
the likely technological and resource advancements that may
occur over the next five year period and the most effective
methods for smoothly integrating ACPFG into broader aspects
of Australian cereals research and the extensive international
programs underway or in development.
Funding requests were made in 2007 to the ARC, GRDC and
SA Government and there were negotiations with UA, UM,
UQ, Vic DPI and UniSA. Shareholders and the ARC have now
committed $36.6m in cash funding to ACPFG II and a further
notional in-kind contribution of $45.6m. A total of $82m has
therefore been committed.
A key component of ACPFG’s role includes fundamental
scientific research of the highest international quality.
Relatively long-term and flexible funding has enabled
ACPFG to tackle difficult scientific problems such as the
highly complex genetic, biochemical and physiological
basis for tolerance to drought and salinity. The strength of
the fundamental research, as measured for example by
publications, will underpin our ability to understand and
define complex biological systems and processes and will
ACPFG II Cash Funding
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 TOTAL
ARC* $2,223,986 $2,223,986 $2,313,835 $2,360,112 $2,407,314
GRDC $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
SA $1,750,000 $1,772,000 $1,816,500 $1,862,000 $1,908,500
UA $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000
UM $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000
UQ $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000
UniSA $300,000 $300,000 $300,000 $300,000 $300,000
$7,473,986 $7,495,986 $7,630,335 $7,722,112 $7,815,814 $38,138,233
remain essential for the development of strategies to enhance
tolerance in Australian cereals to the ravages of drought and
rising salinity.
The establishment of clear delivery paths for the outcomes
of genomics research will become a major activity during
the next five years. While the processes for delivery of
conventional germplasm and molecular markers are well
established in Australia, the pathway for delivery of genetically
modified wheat and barley has yet to be developed. ACPFG
will continue to exploit those traditional delivery paths for
markers that arise from the gene discovery programs. In all
cases, the highest priority for ACPFG will be to ensure rapid
and broad adoption of emerging technologies in Australia.
Opportunities for revenue generation will be explored,
particularly in overseas markets, but will be secondary to the
delivery of benefits to the Australian cereal industry.
ACPFG has established the commercial contacts necessary
to ensure “freedom to operate” and has been developing
strategies and options for the delivery of enhanced cereal
varieties to Australian producers. These will now be
implemented and fully tested.
The strategic plan envisages the first GM field trials will be
conducted in 2008 and applications have been made to the
OGTR for these. Although these early trials will be largely
directed at establishing systems and processes needed to
manage such trials, it is planned to have barley and wheat
engineered for enhanced tolerance to salt, boron and grain
quality in trials in 2009, with trials of lines with enhanced
drought and frost tolerance planned for 2010.
ACPFG will continue to expand its education and community
programs. The “Get into Genes” and “Gene Juice Bar”
programs, run with the Molecular Plant Breeding CRC, are
currently delivered in South Australia and Victoria. Expansion
into Queensland and Western Australia is planned over the
next two years. An ambitious target
envisages that by 2012 over half of the
senior biology students at secondary
schools in the states concerned
will have attended these programs.
Postgraduate training will be extended
through a new masters program at
Adelaide, taught largely by ACPFG
staff. PhD student numbers will be
held at around 30.
*Assumes indexing at 2%
10 2007 ACPFG ANNUAL REPORT