June 2010

SCHOOL OF PLANT BIOLOGY Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Research Projects for Prospective 4th Year, Honours, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc Preliminary Students in 2011

Marine Systems

Cropping Systems

Natural Terrestrial Systems

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SCHOOL OF PLANT BIOLOGY

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 3

FACILITIES AND RESEARCH SUPERVISION .............................................................................. 4

SELECTION OF TOPICS FOR 4TH YEAR, HONOURS AND GRADUATE DIPLOMA STUDENTS ......................................................................................................................................... 5

FURTHER POSTGRADUATE STUDY - MSc AND PhD OPTIONS .............................................. 5

THE THREE RESEARCH AREAS OF THE SCHOOL .................................................................... 7

1. CROPPING SYSTEMS ........................................................................................................... 7

2. MARINE SYSTEMS ............................................................................................................... 7

3. NATURAL TERRESTRIAL SYSTEMS ................................................................................ 8

PROJECTS FOR 2011 ......................................................................................................................... 9

OTHER ORGANISATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SCHOOL OF PLANT BIOLOGY .......... 39

THE BOTANIC GARDENS & PARKS AUTHORITY ............................................................... 41

THE CENTRE FOR LEGUMES IN MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE ............................. 47

THE COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION (CSIRO) ......................................................................................................................................... 51

FUTURE FARM INDUSTRIES CRC ........................................................................................... 53

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD WESTERN AUSTRALIA ......................... 55

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION ............................................... 56

UWA INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE ...................................................................................... 61

WORSLEY ALUMINA PTY LTD ............................................................................................... 64

FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND SCHOLARSHIPS ............................................................................ 65

JENNIFER ARNOLD MEMORIAL RESEARCH GRANT ........................................................ 67

THE BOTANIC GARDENS AND PARK AUTHORITY ............................................................ 68

GRAINS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TRAINING AWARDS ....... 69

THE GROWER GROUP ALLIANCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ......................................... 70

RAY HART MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ................................................................................ 71

KINGS PARK SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS ............................................................................... 72

JANICE KLUMPP AWARD ......................................................................................................... 73

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THE SCHOOL OF PLANT BIOLOGY

FOURTH-YEAR, HONOURS, GRADUATE DIPLOMA, MSc PRELIM PROJECTS AVAILABLE IN 2011

INTRODUCTION A variety of fourth-year projects and programmes in The School of Plant Biology and research partner organisations are available to students who have completed three years of study towards a Bachelor of Science degree either at this University or elsewhere. Whether you undertake a project or a programme depends on the degree in which you are enrolled. The Fourth-Year project comprises the four-part FNAS Research Project (SCIE4501 – SCIE4504), and makes up 24 of the 48 points you need to pass in your fourth year. The FNAS Research Project is not an honours project as such, but the mark for the project will be taken into account when determining whether you will graduate with honours. The Level 4 project gives you a taste of what is involved in undertaking supervised research. A separate information booklet outlining the organisational details of the Level 4 project will be issued later. Assessment for the FNAS Research Project is based on the ungraded Research Proposal and 1st Semester Seminar, and on the graded Literature Review (20%), 2nd Semester Seminar (10%) and the Research Report (70%). These details will be confirmed at the start of your project. The Honours programme is normally for students proceeding immediately from the third year of their BSc degree course (e.g. with a major in Botany, Marine Biology, Conservation Biology or Climate Studies). It typically consists of a research thesis completed in approximately 9 months of full-time study or over 17 or 21 months of part-time study. Entrance into the Honours programme also requires that a student has obtained at least 65% in their science major. The Honours programme comprises the four units listed below. In these units students will receive basic training in a variety of generic skill areas, all necessary for you to work effectively as a professional scientist, as well as undertaking, under supervision, a major research project. FNAS Research Orientation (SCIE7471) (6 points) This unit will provide an introduction to basic areas of “doing” science, based on student needs. Areas to be covered may include: philosophy of science, scientific presentation, ethics, statistics and data management, data quality assurance protocols, computer packages, library facilities and bibliographic tools, time management, occupational health and safety, special licensing and / or equipment operation. FNAS Research Preparation (SCIE7472) (6 points) Students will develop a research project proposal incorporating a broad literature review. Students will present seminars on their proposal and literature review. FNAS Special Topic (SCIE7473) (6 points) Students will undertake a special topic that will complement their research. While the topic is expected to be taken by all students, if a particular student has a special requirement (e.g. a standard Level 3 unit or, because of special circumstances, a Level 2 unit) alternative arrangements may be possible. FNAS Research Thesis (SCIE7474 – SCIE7478) Students will carry out a programme of independent research and present the research outcomes. In the Honours programme you will be working with a particular supervisor or supervisors and with other members of the School, in an area of research that you find personally interesting. We know, in qualifying for this programme, that you can absorb scientific information and reproduce it under examination conditions. In the Honours year, you will demonstrate that you can gather, generate, distil and communicate scientific information to your peers. At the end of the year, our staff will assess your performance in

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comparison with others who have passed through the School, and in relation to what we can expect from someone working in the particular programme you have selected. Of course, the research problems addressed and the methods of approach will differ amongst students, as they will depend upon the area of expertise in which each student is being trained; for example, some programmes may be essentially descriptive, others experimental. Nevertheless, there are some general features and qualities to be sought in all research, and these will be outlined in the Honours Information booklet to be provided at the commencement of the programme. This booklet will also outline the assessment procedures for each unit.

The Graduate Diploma programme is designed for students who already hold a Pass Degree and subsequently wish to extend their qualifications/expertise. The programme is substantially the same as for the Honours but may include course work in place of one or more sections of the normal Honours programme.

COMMENCEMENT OF COURSES

The Honours and Graduate Diploma programmes usually commence two weeks before the normal start of semester, either in February or, for mid-year starts, in July. You should keep this point in mind if planning to be away from Perth or working over the summer break. For 4th-year projects the commencement date is normally the beginning of semester 1. The precise dates will be advised later.

FACILITIES AND RESEARCH SUPERVISION

The School of Plant Biology is particularly well equipped for a wide range of projects in plant research. Facilities and equipment include: HPLC units, gas chromatographs, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (housed in the School of Earth and Environment), portable infra-red gas analysers, portable chlorophyll fluorescence equipment, and UV/VIS spectrophotometers. The West Australian Biogeochemistry Centre, housed within the School, also provides facilities for measurement of stable isotopes through high precision mass spectrometry. The School is well equipped for molecular biology, radio isotope work and plant pathology. Computing facilities include IBM compatible PCs, Apple Macintosh computers and connections to the Campus network and the Internet. The School has a close association with the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis through joint research programmes. The School maintains a reference herbarium of the flora of the southwest of the State. There is also a well-equipped photographic darkroom available. Field work is facilitated by a well maintained fleet of vehicles, including 4WD’s and boats.

The School utilises a number of serviced glasshouses providing extensive bench space, and access to controlled growth cabinets and constant temperature rooms, including PC2 facilities. About one hectare of garden space is available on site and space is available at a field station at Shenton Park, about 6 km away. The School controls two relatively undisturbed areas of native vegetation within the metropolitan area (at Shenton Park and the Alison Baird Reserve, Kenwick), and is in close proximity to Kings Park and Bold Park, which each contain about 300 hectares of relatively undisturbed native vegetation and 17 hectares of developed botanical gardens.

Based within the School, The International Centre for Plant Breeding Education and Research provides advanced education and research in plant breeding to enhance the world’s future supply of plant-based food, fibre and industrial raw materials in an era of changing climates. The School has an integral role in the UWA Institute of Agriculture. The Institute is the University’s gateway to education, training and research in agriculture and resource management. The Institute is based in FNAS and integrates the Faculty’s activities with those of other groups in the University with interests in agriculture, land and water management, rural economy, policy and development, food and health.

While much of the south-western part of Western Australia has been cleared for agriculture, large habitat areas comprising native flora, often approaching pristine conditions, have been preserved through a system of National Parks and Reserves. The proximity of this unique natural resource to the modern facilities available in the School makes botanical research at this University particularly attractive. Joint research interests are encouraged between the School and institutions having practical needs for the information generated. These institutions include Dept. of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, CSIRO, Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Dept. of Planning and Infrastructure, Environmental Protection Authority, Dept. of Water, WA Water Corporation, Forest Products Commission and a number of mining and forestry companies. Projects involving joint participation with other institutions and/or other Schools at this University can involve the participation of outside supervisors.

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SELECTION OF TOPICS FOR 4TH YEAR, HONOURS AND GRADUATE DIPLOMA STUDENTS Projects suitable for 4th year/honours/postgraduate diploma students are given in the following pages, broadly grouped into the School’s Three Strategic Research Areas and with the names of academic staff and post-doctoral research staff who would supervise the projects. Each student normally has at least two supervisors. The School encourages you to bring your own ideas for topics other than those listed. In this case you should approach an appropriate supervisor, including staff in the School who may not have projects listed below. For further information on Fourth-Year Projects see Dr Guijun Yan or, for the Honours and Graduate Diploma Programmes, contact the appropriate Honours Course Coordinator. Agricultural Science Animal Science Climate Studies Conservation Biology & Management Genetics and Breeding Horticulture Landscape Management Natural Resource Management

Associate Professor Guijun Yan Telephone: 08 9380 1240 Email: guijun.yan@uwa.edu.au

Honours (Genetics)

Associate Professor Susan Barker Telephone: 08 6488 2435 Email: susan.barker@uwa.edu.au

Honours (Botany) Honours (Conservation Biology)

Associate Professor Patrick Finnegan Telephone: 08 6488 8546 Email: patrick.finnegan@uwa.edu.au

Honours (Marine Biology) Honours (Marine and Coastal Management) Honours (Marine Science)

Associate Professor Euan Harvey Telephone: 08 6488 2416 Email: euan.harvey@ uwa.edu.au

FURTHER POSTGRADUATE STUDY - MSc AND PhD OPTIONS The research areas given in this handbook may be of interest to students enrolling for an MSc or PhD degree. Students intending to enrol at this higher level should contact the Postgraduate Co-ordinator: Professor Tim Colmer Telephone : 08 6488 1993 Email : tdcolmer@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

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SCHOOL OF PLANT BIOLOGY

THE THREE RESEARCH AREAS OF THE SCHOOL 1. CROPPING SYSTEMS The Cropping Systems focus includes broadscale agricultural and the horticultural areas of research. Agriculture and horticulture apply and integrate the disciplines that form the foundation of modern plant sciences – genetics & plant breeding, ecology and physiology, developmental biology, molecular biology and natural product chemistry. These areas of research are also greatly impacted by the interactions of plants with pathogens, an area covered by the discipline of plant pathology. Opportunities exist for professional career development and for crop scientists to contribute to global social and economic well-being. Research funds are increasingly directed towards these goals and many opportunities for collaboration exist with organisations such as CSIRO, Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Food (WA), Future Farm Industries CRC, international aid organisations and researchers from other Schools in the University. Academic staff: Emeritus Prof. Craig Atkins Dr Kenneth Flower Assist. Prof. Michael Renton Prof. Martin Barbetti Winthrop Prof. Hans Lambers Assoc. Prof. Megan Ryan Assoc. Prof. Susan Barker Assist. Prof. Matthew Nelson Winthrop Prof. K. Sivasithamparam Prof. Tim Colmer Prof. Julie Plummer Assoc. Prof. Erik Veneklaas Assist. Prof. Michael Considine Winthrop Res. Prof. Steve Powles Assoc. Prof. Guijun Yan Assoc. Prof. Wallace Cowling Assist. Prof. Charles Price 2. MARINE SYSTEMS The University of Western Australia has a multidisciplinary programme of Marine Science research and teaching that transcends Faculty and School boundaries and has been consolidated within the UWA Oceans Institute. Staff from the School of Plant Biology have a broad range of interests in Marine Ecology. Research interests and activities range from habitat mapping, basic taxonomy and physiology of marine plants to population and community ecology of plants, invertebrates and fishes. Research is currently conducted in areas as diverse as Esperance, Albany, Cape Naturaliste, Rottnest, Cockburn Sound, The Abrolhos Islands, Shark Bay, Ningaloo, and overseas such as Malaysia, Oman and Brazil. Challenging questions relate to the functioning of marine plants and animals in their environment and on the significance of their communities for the fisheries industry. Important collaborative research links are with Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, CSIRO Marine Research, Department of Fisheries, RMIT Faculty of Engineering, Western Australian Marine Science Institution, and State Natural Resource Management agencies and community groups. The Western Australian coast is long, covering latitudes from tropical to temperate, with a variety of coastal habitats and hence, an interesting and diverse marine flora and fauna. Western Australia provides many opportunities to study the adaptations of marine plants and animals to their environment and the interactions between them. In particular, research is carried out into the processes which influence the distributions of marine flora and fauna, from the biogeographical scale to their ecophysiology, and the significance of physico-chemical controls versus biological interactions in the partitioning of marine habitats. This research is extended into the examination of disturbed (polluted) habitats, and more practical applications such as prediction of environmental impacts. The timing of the start of the research projects listed below will vary depending on weather patterns and equipment availability. If you have any queries please contact the supervisors listed to discuss. Scuba diving is a useful, but not essential skill for potential students unless specifically listed for a project. Again, please contact potential supervisors to check. Academic staff: Assoc. Prof. Euan Harvey Assist. Prof. Michael Renton Dr Thomas Wernberg Winthrop Prof. Gary Kendrick

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3. NATURAL TERRESTRIAL SYSTEMS This research area focuses on issues arising through the interactions of plants with their physical and climactic environments, with each other and with symbiotic and pathogenic microbes. A major theme is plant conservation and environmental rehabilitation. All scales of biological organization are examined, from the molecular to ecosystem level. Many interactions occur between members of this staff group and the other research areas within the School along with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, the Bushfire CRC, Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Food (WA), Department of Environment and Conservation, the Forest Products Commission, a variety of mining companies, special interest groups and other stakeholders. Western Australia, especially the southwest corner, is regarded as one of the world's hot-spots of terrestrial and marine plant diversity. Many researchers focus on the communities, species and genes found in the region, and employ the best available systematic, evolutionary, ecological and physiological science to underpin their work. Others work on threatening processes and their mitigation, such as loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction, fragmentation of wild areas, dieback disease, invasion by feral animals and weeds, salinity and nutrification. Academic staff: Emeritus Prof. Craig Atkins Dr Pauline Grierson Assist. Prof. Michael Moody Assoc. Prof. Susan Barker Winthrop Res. Prof. Richard Hobbs Assist. Prof. Pieter Poot Assoc. Prof. Mark Brundrett Dr Siegy Krauss (BGPA) Assist. Prof. Charles Price Prof. Tim Colmer Assist. Prof. Etienne Laliberté Assist. Prof. Michael Renton Prof. Kingsley Dixon (BGPA) Winthrop Prof. Hans Lambers Prof. Erik Veneklaas Assoc. Prof. Patrick Finnegan

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SCHOOL OF PLANT BIOLOGY

PROJECTS FOR 2011 The projects being offered and project ideas for development are listed below under the name of the main supervisor. The supervisors are listed alphabetically by last name.

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EMERITUS PROFESSOR CRAIG ATKINS Room 2.20 Botany Building; Ph 9380 2262; Email: catkins@cyllene.uwa.edu.au PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY, PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Research Interests The regulation of gene expression in relation to nodule development, N2 fixation and N metabolism in

legumes is a major area of research. Current projects include the isolation of enzymes and genes involved in ureide and purine biosynthesis, studies of enzyme and gene regulation, organelle isolation from nodules, dual targeting of single gene products to 2 organelles (plastids and mitochondria) and a detailed examination of the ultrastructure of Rhizobium infected cells. A second area involves studies of the molecular mechanisms of short and long distance transport in plants, especially of nitrogenous solutes and of factors regulating seed development. A number of projects are related specifically to the genetic improvement of the major grain legume crop of WA, the narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius). These will use recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering and could involve the use of HPLC and GC/MS analysis. Signals transported in phloem of lupin Plants are continually responding to signals that allow them to modify their development in response to their changing environment. A good example is the way many plants analyse environmental conditions to determine when to produce flowers. The signalling molecule “florigen” involved in this most basic process (flowering) has still not been identified but it is known to be transported in phloem. We are trying to identify this and other signalling molecules in phloem by isolating peptides and small regulatory RNAs (called microRNAs, miRNA and small interfering RNAs, siRNA). We have identified a number of miRNAs in phloem and aim to determine which genes they target, how they are transported around the plant and how they affect developmental processes. Other work aims to identify peptide signals transported in phloem. 1. Use a GFP gene with a miRNA binding site within it to study sites of miRNA action in transgenic

Arabidopsis. 2. Lupin seeds are currently being studied to see whether they are a good alternative to soybean as a

human food. Lupin milk products have been developed and lupin protein extract can be used in a similar way to soybean meal in food processing industries. However there is evidence that lupin seed causes an extremely severe allergic reaction in some individuals. You could identify the proteins in lupin seeds which cause the allergic reactions.

Other project ideas

• Physiological, biochemical, microbiological or structural studies of the ant:bacteria:extrafloral nectary association in cowpea and other legumes.

• Molecular biological studies of the regulation of gene expression in N2-fixing legume nodules, particularly in relation to nitrogen assimilation and purine/ureide biosynthesis.

• Development of techniques for genetic transformation and regeneration of transgenic lupins (Lupinus

angustifolius).

• Studies of abscission in lupins using novel non-abscising mutants.

• Establishment of the molecular basis for source/sink relations in legumes.

• Molecular studies of flower and pod abortion in lupins.

• Studies on localisation of purine biosynthesis enzymes. This project will study the mechanisms by which enzymes are transported into plastids and mitochondria. This could be studied using immunolocalisation, plant transformation and in vitro import techniques.

• The role of plant hormones in determining the partitioning of assimilates in plants.

• Isolation and characterisation of a cytokinin-specific isomerase from developing legume embryo tissues.

• Isolation and molecular characterization of phloem mobile ‘signals’ of biotic and abiotic stresses in lupins.

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PROFESSOR MARTIN BARBETTI Room 1.104 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 3924; Email: mbarbett@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

PLANT PATHOLOGY AND MYCOLOGY In January 2004 I commenced with the School of Plant Biology following more than 30 years as a Plant Pathologist with the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia identifying, researching and resolving plant pathology issues through ‘on-farm’ research in relation to pathology problems facing the wool, oilseed, pulse, cereal, horticulture, meat and dairy industries of Western Australia. Consequently I have wide interests in relation to plant pathology and mycology applicable across the whole of the agricultural sector. The Plant Pathology program at UWA is a collaborative program with Professor Sivasithamparam (6488 2497; email: siva@cyllene.uwa.edu.au) and Dr Hua Li, both also in the School of Plant Biology, and all projects will have the benefit and security from joint supervision and enjoy a strong network of support within the group. Professor Siva has a wide range of expertise and has supervised many 4th year, Honours and PhD projects at UWA. It is the vision of this Plant Pathology group to foster both plant pathology and mycology interest and skills development in each generation of students passing through UWA.

DISEASES OF CROPS We have a very active Brassica pathology program (among several other programs as well) here at the University and the plant pathology group at UWA was the first anywhere to report the occurrence of a new resistance-breaking race of the blackleg fungal pathogen, Leptosphaeria maculans, that overcame the Brassica rapa ssp. sylvestris-derived single dominant gene resistance, and which has since broken out and caused severe damage to canola crops across Australia. The Plant Pathology group at UWA currently is a world leading group in terms of diseases of oilseed Brassica crops, and has strong international linkages to leading research programmes on Brassicas both nationally (Victoria) and internationally (France, the United Kingdom and Poland). Current programs include durability of polygenic and single dominant gene-based host resistance in oilseed Brassicas and how this relates to changes in Brassica-pathogen interactions and in the pathogen populations; understanding infection processes of the blackleg pathogen; ways of disrupting the pathogen life cycle; etc. In addition to blackleg disease, we have active in relation to Australian spring-type canola varieties for a range of other diseases such as downy mildew (Hyaloperonospora parasitica), white rust (Albugo candida), Sclerotinia (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) and white leaf spot (Pseudocercosporella capsellae) in relation both to host resistance, host-pathogen interactions and also in relation to defining the survival mechanisms and parasitic behaviour of these pathogens under the Mediterranean conditions that prevail in much of southern Australia and particularly in WA. We also have programs investigating the race status of these pathogens in Australia.

DISEASES OF PASTURES The Plant Pathology group at UWA currently has a strong collaborative research program on understanding and managing diseases of pasture legumes, including both those which have been (e.g. subterranean clover, annual medic) or are being developed (many new annual and perennial species) for Western Australia. Particular fungal diseases of current research include Phytophthora root rot, clover scorch disease, rust, and Cercospora on subterranean clover, Rhizoctonia root rot and Botrytis blight of new pasture legume species, and Phoma on medic and its role in stimulating phyto-oestrogens in annual medics. All pasture disease projects will be in collaboration with Dr Ming Pei You from the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food. In conjunction with the UWA pathology group, a program is planned that will look at the causes, impact and epidemiology of diseases on new alternative pasture legumes.

DISEASES OF HORTICULTURE, FLORICULTURE AND FORESTRY There are currently programs within the School investigating Lettuce Big Vein disease in Lettuce and on root and crown diseases of strawberries in Western Australia. We also have a planned program involving Sclerotinia on vegetable Brassicas Please also contact me if you are interested in any pathogen of any other crop, including all pulse and cereal crops

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SUSAN BARKER Room 1.121 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 2435; Email: sjbarker@plants.uwa.edu.au Research Background I was appointed at UWA in 1998 to help bring molecular biology and molecular genetics research tools into the Faculty. This role suits me perfectly as I have very wide ranging interests, and I have co-supervised projects as varied as: genetics of white coat colour in alpacas; development of seedless citrus; characterization of heritage olive trees in Western Australia; zinc nutrition in barley; towards cloning a self incompatibility gene from Phalaris; mapping a mycorrhizal symbiosis gene in tomato; genetic modification of lupin for improved agronomic traits including disease resistance and herbicide tolerance; characterization of the role of apoptosis in blackleg disease of canola; assessment of genetic diversity in a native pasture species; etc (for a complete list please contact me!). Research Advice I sometimes find myself giving advice to students about half way through their research project when they realize that they need to develop a genetic or molecular biology approach to answer their research question. If you find yourself in this situation of needing advice at any stage in your research, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to advise you about what might be your next steps. Research supervision Examples of current projects are listed below. Contact me if you would also like to discuss other options, including projects that you have developed yourself, or if you would like to involve me as a second supervisor in order to accomplish a small genetic analysis as part of your project.

• Characterisation of the genome of arbuscular mycorrhzal fungi This challenging and novel project involves chromosomal visualization and gene amplification from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal extracts. For students wanting to experience a classic molecular biology research endeavour and to have the opportunity of a high caliber research publication from their project work.

• Feeding Gilbert’s Potoroo: Australia’s most endangered marsupial This project is offered in collaboration with Dr Mark Tibbett (SEGS) and also will involve supervision by Dr Tony Friend, DEC. Identification of novel translocation sites for this endangered marsupial requires knowledge of the host plant species that support growth of the fungal fruiting bodies (truffles) on which these marsupials survive. The project will involve field collection of fungal fruiting bodies, potoroo scat and the short roots surrounding the fruiting bodies, then DNA sequence analysis to identify the plant hosts that support the fungal growth.

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MARK BRUNDRETT Room 215 Botany Building; Ph 6488 2212; Email: mark.brundrettr@.uwa.edu.au ENDANGERED WHEATBELT ORCHIDS Quantify and understand habitat requirements and threatening processes impacting on a rare orchid in highly fragmented landscapes. Gain knowledge required for sustainable management and make direct contributions to recovery actions for an endangered species, while working in collaboration with DEC and community groups. ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF ORCHID FUNGAL ASSOCIATIONS Discover the role of highly specific fungal interactions on the dispersal of on rare and common orchid species by investigating the distribution of compatible fungi in soils. Help us to gain a greater understanding of the habitat requirements of orchids by studying their fungi. MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS DIVERSITY IN A BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT Investigate the diversity of the Glomalean fungi - the oldest group of true fungi, in our ancient landscapes (collaboration with Dr Susan Barker). Investigate diversity using a range of isolation and molecular techniques. Identify fungi with help from international collaborators. ECOLOGY OF MYCORRHIZAL ASSOCIATIONS Study ecological and functional aspects of mycorrhizal fungus associations in natural ecosystems, by investigating the relative dominance of plants with different types of mycorrhizal fungal associations in different habitats. POLLINATION BIOLOGY OF WINTER FLOWERING ORCHIDS Determine if co-flowering orchids share pollinators and investigate why there are many similar looking taxa in genera such are Pterostylis (or are they really different)? Is there a link between winter orchids and fungus fruiting?

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PROFESSOR TIM COLMER Room 1.127 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 1993; Email tdcolmer@cyllene.uwa.edu.au SALINITY TOLERANCE IN PASTURE LEGUMES Pasture legumes with greater salt and waterlogging tolerance than current legume options are required to make saline land more productive. Several opportunities are available for research projects in this field, depending on the interests of the student. Some examples are given below:

• Variation for salt tolerance within Medicago polymorpha. Recent experiments have found

variation in salt tolerance within a commercial cultivar of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha).

Further experiments are needed to determine the source of this variation and utilise it for developing

a more salt tolerant burr medic cultivar.

• Evaluating Medicago intertexta as a source of genes for salt tolerance. Medicago intertexta is a

medic with little commercial value but is known to colonise saline areas. Experiments are needed to

screen M. intertexta germplasm to identify salt tolerant cultivars. These cultivars can then be

selected for making interspecific crosses between M. intertexta and barrel medic (Medicago

truncatula), with the aim of producing a more salt tolerant barrel medic.

• The interactive effects of salinity and waterlogging on rhizobia for Melilotus siculus. Previous

studies have found that M. siculus has excellent tolerance to salinity and waterlogging, yet the

rhizobia often fails in the second year of establishment. New strains of rhizobia have been

developed for Melilotus siculus, and this project would test these under salinity and waterlogging

treatments to identify more tolerant strains for field evaluation.

Depending on the topic, the project would be conducted in collaboration with representatives from UWA, the Centre for Ecohydrology, Department of Food and Agriculture Western Australia (DAFWA), or the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FFI CRC). Students would be eligible to apply for a DAFWA undergraduate studentship program with the possibility of a bursary. Paid work over the summer with DAFWA can also be arranged. Other projects involving salt and waterlogging tolerance of pastures or crops are also possible.

Primary contact: Prof Tim Colmer, School of Plant Biology tdcolmer@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Other potential supervisors/collaborators, depending on the project: Dr Natasha Teakle, Centre for Ecohydrology/School of Plant Biology natasha.teakle@uwa.edu.au Dr Phil Nichols, DAFWA pnichols@agric.wa.gov.au Dr Ed Barrett-Lennard, Centre for Ecohydrology (DAFWA)/School of Plant Biology egbarrettlennard@agric.wa.gov.au A/Prof Mike Ewing, FFI CRC mike.ewing@futurefarmcrc.com.au

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MICHAEL CONSIDINE Room 2.131 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 1783; Email: michael.considine@uwa.edu.au Research Interests The sensitivity of metabolism, development and phenology to environmental stress, particularly heat, is my primary interest. This spans physiology and agronomy through to redox and carbohydrate metabolism; i.e. primary metabolism and the energy transactions and signalling. Major crops of interest are grape and apple. All of my projects involve industry interaction, particularly with the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) and grape growers. Current projects include

• The effects of high temperature (low latitude) on the phenology, particularly bud initiation, dormancy, flowering and flower retention, in grape. This is an ARC Linkage grant with the Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology and two industry partners; DAFWA and the Gascoyne Table Grape Growers’ Association. This research spans physiological field-research through to detailed molecular and metabolic profiling technologies. There are many opportunities to travel and participate in a range of disciplines. Equally, there is much to be done in glasshouse trials, from physiological and developmental observation to microscopy and metabolic analysis. For example, is the temperature or duration of dormancy critically important to fertility and if so, what metabolic events underlie this? We’d like you to be part of this team.

• Identifying the metabolic effects of sulphur dioxide in grape. Conventionally it is thought that SO2 merely acts as an antimicrobial but our research shows significant activation of antioxidants and large scale effects on the molecular network in grape. The extent and pathways of sulfur assimilation are not known, nor are the resulting pathways to stress. These have been explored in other plants but only in leaves. This of great interest, both intellectually and for industry to find an alternative to and antimicrobial which is increasingly “on the nose”. You contribution to this project could include investigating the effects on sulfur assimilation into “higher” sulfur compounds or the effects on redox-sensitive metabolites such as ascorbate and glutathione.

• Identifying apple and plum varieties with elite levels of flavonoids and validating pharmacological effects, including antioxidant activity. This project works in collaboration with the Pharmacology group at RPH and the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) via and ARC Linkage grant.

Other aspects of grape quality and development are key interests, including effects of leaf roll virus on wine quality. Technologies employed in my research include metabolic profiling, photosynthetic and respiratory activity, enzyme kinetics, and molecular technologies. This is just a snap-shot of potential projects. Please contact me if any of the ideas or keywords grab your attention. I have broad connections in molecular biology, pharmacology and agriculture so just knock on my door or send me an email. Thanks, Mick

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PROFESSOR WALLACE COWLING Room 2.102 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 7979; Email: wallace.cowling@uwa.edu.au PLANT MOLECULAR GENETICS and PLANT BREEDING

Our group works towards a better understanding of genetic improvement of plants for agriculture – including a wide range of activities in population genetics and evolutionary theory, applied canola breeding, molecular markers and gene identification, and the function of disease resistance genes and gene products. A wide range of research is undertaken within the group, for example:

• Interspecific crossing in Brassica species to improve canola (Brassica napus)

• Understanding Brassica chromosome structure and unusual genomic interactions in meiosis

• Mapping and identifying a gene for blackleg disease resistance in canola

• Understanding the molecular basis of disease resistance and susceptibility in blackleg of canola

• Finding gene-specific markers for oil quality traits in canola, such as high oleic, low linolenic oils

• Testing concepts of strategic evolution for crop breeding, based on whole genome marker selection

• Building the first gene-based map of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius)

• Genetic distance and micro-evolution of canola in Australia, China, India, Canada and Europe.

• The genetic basis of heterosis (hybrid vigour) in canola.

4th Year Project or BSc Honours Ideas:

How do genes & environment influence flowering time in canola? (with Assist Prof Matthew Nelson). We know surprisingly little about how genes and environment interact to control flowering time in canola. In order to adapt canola to changing climates, we need to understand how the environment (temperature and day-length) interacts with genes to alter flowering time in canola.

Centromere mapping in Brassica interspecific hybrids (lead by Assist Prof Matthew Nelson) Every chromosome of every eukaryote species has one functioning centromere that is crucial for cell division. Little is known of the location of centromeres in the genetic maps of most species, including Brassica species (e.g. canola). We have developed a model system using the interspecific hybrid F1 of

Brassica napus × B. carinata for mapping Brassica centromeres.

Characterisation of domestication genes in lupin (lead by Assist Prof Matthew Nelson)

We are investigating genes underlying domestication traits such as early flowering, pod shattering and alkaloid content in narrow-leafed lupin. This project will draw resources from the lupin genome sequencing project (a collaborative project between UWA and CSIRO) and prior genetic mapping work in the group.

The molecular role of a canola blackleg resistance gene in canola (with Dr Susan Barker) We have located the region in the canola genome that contains a major resistance gene. Research within the group indicates that susceptibility to blackleg is an active response to the pathogen whereby plant cells die by programmed cell death. This project would define the function of the resistance gene in canola.

Studies on centres of origin and diversity in Brassica juncea (with Dr Sheng Chen)

Brassica juncea is genetically diverse, with two main centres of diversity in India and China. Whole-genome molecular marker diversity analysis shows that Indian and Chinese accessions are present in two major genetic subgroups of B. juncea. In this project, we will compare the phenotypic diversity of B. juncea germplasm from Australia, China, Europe and India. We will include vegetable-type B. juncea accessions in addition to oilseed types. We will test for association of phenotype with diversity in B. juncea.

Tolerance of Brassica rapa to heat and drought stress (with Dr Sheng Chen & W/Prof Neil Turner)

Oilseed Brassica napus lacks heat and drought tolerance, and has narrow genetic diversity. Oilseed B. rapa (annual turnip rape or field mustard), one of the progenitors of B. napus, is genetically extremely diverse and is an ideal genetic resource for heat and drought tolerance. This project will evaluate the effects of heat and drought stress on the reproductive physiology of B. rapa using a number of parameters such as pollen viability, pollen germination in vitro, pollen tube growth in vitro and in vivo. The aim is to develop effective and reproducible protocols for large-scale screening for heat and drought tolerance before or during flowering and fertilization in B. rapa, and to find genes for heat and drought tolerance for incorporation into B. napus.

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PERMANENT VISITING PROFESSOR KINGSLEY DIXON Director, Science, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, West Perth - Phone 9480 3614 Email: kingsley.dixon@bgpa.wa.gov.au Web: http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/science/staff/kingsley-dixon CONSERVATION BIOLOGY AND RESTORATION ECOLOGY Seed Biology ~ Restoration Ecophysiology ~ Cryogenics in conservation ~ Restoring degraded sites ~ Rehabilitate disturbed/mined lands ~ Rescuing our terrestrial orchids ~ Invasive weed research ~ Saving endangered flora from extinction ~ Climate change effects on native flora ~ and much more. Based in the Science Laboratories at Kings Park and Botanic Garden, students would work alongside more than 45 research scientists and postgraduate students. Kings Park and Botanic Garden enjoys an international reputation for excellence in biodiversity conservation science, undertaking integrated research focused on practical outcomes in native plant biology, rare plant conservation and bushland restoration. For information about Prof Dixon and the research at Kings Park and Botanic Garden, please visit http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/o/content/section/6/29/ Honour students can choose from a wide range of projects, or are welcome to suggest their own. Areas of supervision expertise include: Seeds for life – research native plant biology, ecology and dormancy release. Research projects could include - using a recently discovered compound to investigate whether synchronized germination is possible, or seeking the optimum techniques to trigger germination of native plant seeds for effective propagation, or stimulating germination of exotic (weed) species for improved control, or the most effective way of storing seeds into the millennium, or how to improve the efficiency of seedling survival in bushland restoration. Restoration Ecophysiology – research plant responses to abiotic (salinity, drought and heat) stress factors, and use plant signaling compounds to regulate stress responses. Research projects could include - seeking ways to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in native plant seeds/seedlings, or improving the use of native plants in mining and agricultural landscapes. Propagation for conservation of our rarest species – biotechnological research is critical to the success of off-site conservation and translocation of endangered plant species. Research projects could include - in vitro technology (tissue culture, micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis), cryostorage and mass production of plants for restoration/translocation projects. Bringing back the bush – involves undertaking innovative research and operations to enhance, rehabilitate and restore the conservation of degraded lands including urban bushland remnants, agricultural and post-mined lands. Research projects could include - the effects of changed site conditions such as topsoil in restoration success, or ways to optimize seed broadcast and seedling establishment, or why weeds are so invasive. Rescuing our terrestrial orchids – orchids have a complex ecological relationship with fungi which provide essential nutrients. They are a flagship species for investigating changes in natural ecosystems. Research projects could include - pollination ecology and natural vs artificial pollination, or how climate changes impact on mycorrhizal interactions, growth, flowering and reproductive success. More detailed project information can be found in the Kings Park and Botanic Garden section of this booklet, or by telephoning Prof Kingsley Dixon on 9480 3614.

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PATRICK FINNEGAN & DR RICARDA JOST Room 2.123 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 8546; Email: patrick.finnegan@uwa.edu.au PLANT MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY Research Interests Every plant cell contains at least 30,000 genes! We are working to understand how each cell determines which subset of these genes will be expressed into proteins at any given time in the life cycle of a plant. We know that the specific sub-set of genes that are expressed is tailored to cell function – for example, leaves make photosynthetic enzymes, roots do not – but the mechanisms of the decision making process are very murky and few of the genes involved have been identified. To better understand these complex mechanisms, we are researching molecular physiological questions within two broad areas of plant biology. 1) Plant mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Like us, plants consume oxygen through respiration. As in animals, mitochondrial respiration in plants is necessary for the production of usable chemical energy (ATP). Plant mitochondria are also responsible for many other vital biochemical functions and so are critical for successful plant growth and reproduction. Generally, plant cells die if they are unable to produce the correct mitochondrial proteins at the correct time. Therefore, the appropriate patterns of gene expression are absolutely crucial to plant cell viability. We are keen to identify and characterize the activity of the proteins that are responsible for controlling mitochondrial protein expression. I am also interested in how these proteins are activated by cell development or in the plant’s response to stress, such as a change in the environment, wounding or exposure to chemicals. 2) Plant nutrient acquisition. We add chemical fertilizers to our gardens because plant growth and productivity requires the acquisition of inorganic nutrients from the soil. In the absence of phosphate, most plants increase the expression of the proteins that transport phosphate from the soil into the plant cell. In addition, some plants produce specialized root structures to enhance nutrient acquisition. For example, Hakea and Grevillea produce cluster roots to improve phosphate availability. There is also the fascinating possibility of a link between phosphorus nutrition and the susceptibility of some native plants to die-back caused by the phytopathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. With the assistance of research students, and using native and model plants, we are identifying the genes that control the up-take and transport of phosphate around the plant and are possibly responsible for linking phosphorus nutrition with die-back susceptibility. My philosophy. I believe it is absolutely essential for a research student to investigate a research question that they are truly interested in answering. While we have listed some project ideas below, we would be pleased to discuss any other ideas that fall within the two general areas presented above. This collaborative approach will allow interested students to formulate a project that best serves their career goals. Ideas for possible projects Identify the genes and localize the proteins that allow Hakea and Grevillea roots to transport unlocked soil phosphorus into root cells (in collaboration with W/Prof. Hans Lambers, Plant Biology, and Assoc. Prof. Martha Ludwig, Biomedical, Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences). Identify the genes and proteins that may underlie a link between plant phosphorus nutrition and susceptibility to the die-back pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi (in collaboration with W/Prof. Hans Lambers, Plant Biology). Discover the genes and proteins responsible for protecting plants against phosphate starvation (in collaboration with W/Prof. Hans Lambers, Plant Biology). Identify the proteins that bind to and control the function of mitochondrial DNA in plants. Track the movement of selected fluorescently-labelled proteins through plant cells to determine if the proteins are destined for the mitochondria. Determine the genes that are involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in plants and discover how these genes are regulated.

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DR KEN FLOWER Teleconference room; 1st Floor CLIMA Wing; Ph 6488 4576; Email: ken.flower@uwa.edu.au

My work involves agronomy and farming systems, with an emphasis on conservation agriculture (no-tillage). A number of project ideas are listed below, however I would be pleased to discuss and develop any projects related to this general area of study. 1. Improving soil with black diatomite – Adveco fertilisers Adveco Fertilisers manufactures and supplies a suite of soil conditioners and fertilisers to agricultural and

horticultural markets in Australia and New Zealand (www.adveco.com.au). Diatomite is a chalk-like, soft,

siliceous sedimentary rock. It is very porous and chemically inert. Diatomite has a number of uses including

agriculture where it can be used to retain moisture, reduce compaction and help in the slow release of

nutrients.

There are two projects available: Project 1 - The soil amelioration potential of black diatomite.

Carbon is considered an essential element for plant growth and is also known to positively affect soil. In recent years there has been a growing trend towards researching high C products such as biochar, as a means of increasing plant yield, improving fertiliser use efficiency, increasing water retention and beneficial soil microbes. Black diatomite is naturally high in C and may contribute significant benefits to plant growth and soil health. Adveco Fertilisers is interested in researching the potential of black diatomite to be used as a soil ameliorant and would like to quantify its effects on plant growth and soil characteristics. Project 2 - The effect of black diatomite on the suppression of Crown Rot in wheat.

Adveco Fertilisers has been researching the potential of black diatomite to suppress the negative effects of Crown Rot (Fusarium pseudograminearum), a serious disease of wheat. The disease has estimated costs to growers of about $80 million per year in lost production. There are currently no chemical options registered for Crown Rot suppression. Field trials indicate that black diatomite may suppress the effects of Crown Rot by up to 30%. Adveco Fertilisers would like to conduct a research project to gather additional data on disease suppression and to possibly determine the mode of action responsible for the suppression of Crown Rot.

2. Crop nutrition projects (Collaborator Dr Stephen Loss and Dr Andreas Neuhaus CSBP)

• Effects of stubble on Flexi-N utilisation by crops when applied with a boomspray compared to

banding

• Effect of Muriate of Potash (KCl) vs Sulphate of Potash on seedling establishment and growth

• Comparison of Cu and/or Zn applied in Flexi-N banded vs incorporated in a NPS granule

• Comparison of application methods (banded, foliar) and sources for Cu and/or Zn

• Effects of ironstone gravel content on N and P uptake in wheat

3. Role of gravel in wheatbelt soils (Collaborator/s Dr Bill Bowden DAFWA)

Gravel is a largely ignored but important component of soils. Gravel, as an inert addition to a soil, has a

diluting effect on the amount of stored water and nutrients. Some classes of gravels are not necessarily

inert and can absorb water and nutrients. Gravels introduce heterogeneity into soils which can have

positive and negative effects on crop production. This project will use an understanding of the gravel

content of soils to re-investigate a range of soil processes with the objective of better managing the

gravel soils of WA The results will have relevance for the wide geographic distribution of gravelly

and stony soils cropped in Australia.

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DR PAULINE GRIERSON, DR MATTHIAS BOER, DR GREG SKRZYPEK & THE ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH GROUP Room 2.16 Botany Building; Ph 6488 7926; Email pfgblue@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Website: http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/home/research/research_centres/ergo

ECOLOGY & BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS Do you like getting out in the bush? Getting hot and dirty (and sometimes wet)? Doing analytical work in the lab? Identifying plants and working collaboratively with DEC, CSIRO, forest and mining industries? Interested in applying science to better management of our natural environment? The Ecosystems Research Group (ERGo) has an extensive research programme focussed on key processes that determine the productivity and long-term sustainability of natural ecosystems. As process-based ecologists, we study:

� impacts of bushfires on ecological processes and relationships between productivity and biodiversity

� carbon and nutrient cycling in forests and semi-arid ecosystems, including the Pilbara � litter decomposition and ecosystem functioning, including organic matter inputs in to streams � constraints to water and nutrient acquisition and use by trees under a range of conditions � the ecological water requirements of riparian ecosystems � understanding vegetation response to climate change using tree rings to construct climates

(dendroclimatology) Most research that we undertake is strongly field-based, with study sites across much of WA. We complement our field studies with comprehensive analytical work in the laboratory and in the glasshouse. Project ideas for 2009 - please feel free to discuss any other ideas that you may want to pursue with Pauline, Matthias or Greg How low can you go?: Vulnerability to cavitation in Australian conifers & shrubs (with Dr Tim Bleby & Dr Jochen Schenk) Vulnerability or resistance to cavitation (the development of ‘air bubbles’ in xylem) is an important trait of drought tolerance. This project would examine vulnerability to cavitation in a range of species across a rainfall gradient and within an evolutionary context and explore whether lower vulnerability helps explain the ability of different genera to survive in arid environments. Litter decomposition and root interactions under Allocasuarina fraseriana

Allocasuarina fraseriana is a fire-sensitive species in the understorey of jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest. Actinorhizal roots often proliferate through the litter and probably contribute to N acquisition and litter decomposition. This project will characterise aspects of litter quality and decomposition by looking at different chemical and biological indices including root-microbe associations and how these associations may affect nitrogen cycling processes. Hydraulic structure and function of deep roots of tall trees

Deep roots are the key to success for many large tree species that grow in seasonally dry environments, yet we know next to nothing about how deep roots are constructed or how they work. This project would examine the structural and functional characteristics of deep roots that allow tall trees to efficiently uptake and transport water from deep in the soil profile. The project would include sampling deep roots of karri trees via cave systems in the southwest of WA. Root segments would be measured in the laboratory for (1) xylem anatomy using microscopy techniques (xylem vessels are the microscopic 'pipes' plants use to transport water), (2) how efficiently they conduct water, and (3) how vulnerable they are to cavitation (the development of 'air bubbles' in xylem). The aim of the project would be to compare deep and shallow roots and assess how the number and width of xylem vessels relates to the amount of water that can be transported (hydraulic efficiency) and the likelihood that water transport may break down due to cavitation under drought conditions (hydraulic safety). This project would be co-supervised by Dr Tim Bleby, Research Associate in the School of Plant Biology (bleby@plants.uwa.edu.au). Other possible research topics:

• Oxygen isotopes of sediments as records of environmental change

• Plant species effects on organic matter cycling in freshwater bodies in WA (with CSIRO Land & Water)

• Predicting canopy leaf area in plantations and native forest

• Nutrient cycling in termite mounds and ant nests

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR EUAN HARVEY Room 1.12 Botany Building Link; Ph 6488 2416; Email euanh@cyllene.uwa.edu.au THE ECOLOGY AND DEMOGRAPHY OF MARINE FISH Euan Harvey's main research interest is in the processes which influence the structure and distribution of marine fish across a broad range of habitats and depths. He has research programs investigating the effects of fishing on the structure of Western Australian demersal fish. He is also interested in how, and why algal disturbance influences the structure of reef fishes. Euan is also supervising research on sponge ecology and has a research collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science investigating natural products from marine invertebrates and the potential for aquaculture of sessile marine invertebrates. Many of these projects use underwater photogrammetry as a sampling technique. Project Ideas 1. Physical factors influencing the structure of demersal fish assemblages at Ningaloo Reef. Supervisors: Drs Euan Harvey, Jessica Meeuwig and Howard Choat. 2. Why does marine algal assemblages in temperate Western Australia affect the abundance and species

composition of reef fish assemblages? (Applicant should be a competent and experienced SCUBA diver). Supervisor: Drs Euan Harvey and Gary Kendrick. 3. The effect of fishing closures on reef fish assemblages at the Ningaloo Reef (Applicant should be a

competent SCUBA diver). Supervisor: Drs Euan Harvey, Jessica Meeuwig and Howard Choat. 4. The influence of tidal flows on demersal fish assemblages in Shark Bay. Supervisor: Drs Euan Harvey, Jessica Meeuwig and Stephen Newman. If you have other ideas please talk to Gary Kendrick, Jessica Meeuwig or myself

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PROFESSOR RICHARD HOBBS, DR RACHEL STANDISH, DR LORI LACH, DR MIKE PERRING Room G.33 Botany Building; Ph 6488 4691; Email: rhobbs@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Web: www.plants.uwa.edu.au/research/ecosystem_restoration PLANT ECOLOGY APPLIED TO CONSERVATION & RESTORATION South-western Australian ecosystems are remarkable on a global scale for their floristic diversity and the strong abiotic controls on ecosystem processes—nutrient-impoverished soils, summer drought, fire. For these reasons, they are valuable “end points” for understanding many of the key ecological theories that underpin ecological restoration. Yet our ability to restore these ecosystems is limited by the very qualities that make these ecosystems so unique. This means that south-western Australia is a very interesting and challenging place for a restoration ecologist to work! Research in the Hobbs lab is grounded in theory but driven by an interest in developing practical outcomes for restoration in a rapidly changing world. We use an experimental approach to research that is informed by observations of what occurs in nature and we encourage students to do the same. We have listed some projects and co-supervisors below. These projects include a mix of fieldwork, lab work and/or glasshouse experiments. Also, we are happy to help students develop their own ideas as long as these fit within the broadly defined research interests we have described above. Nurse plants in restoration

Pioneer shrubs often facilitate the establishment of later arrivals in woody ecosystems where environmental stress and low productivity would otherwise limit recruitment. These shrubs are often referred to as ‘nurse plants’. To date, the majority of evidence for nurse plants originates from the Mediterranean Basin. Nurse plants could also play an important role in the restoration of degraded landscapes in south-west Australia. The aim of this project is to determine if there is evidence of facilitation between nearest neighbours in restoration plantings. It would include fieldwork and computer-based modelling, and would be supervised by Dr Rachel Standish and Dr Michael Renton (School of Plant Biology).

Ridgefield multiple ecosystem services experiment (RiMESE)

The Ecosystem Restoration Lab group has planted 14,000 plants across 21 hectares at the UWA Ridgefield Farm under an experimental design of 10 replicates of 10 different treatments that vary in plant diversity and plant nutrient-acquisition strategy. Our primary aim is to investigate trade-offs between carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services such as resistance to weed invasion and the maintenance of biodiversity. There are numerous opportunities for students to develop projects or build on existing lines of research within this large experiment. These could include projects comparing the different treatments in terms of: the relationships between insects and plants, their resident soil fauna associated with leaf litter decomposition, their suitability for symbiotic rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi, and links between belowground and aboveground mutualists. These would be supervised by one or more of Drs Rachel Standish, Lori Lach, and Mike Perring.

What pollinates our native plants? Approximately 50% of the plants in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region are found nowhere else in the world. For most of them we know very little of their pollination ecology, though some 70% are believed to be insect pollinated. Many are likely pollinated by the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), but it is unknown how effective this introduced pollinator is at transferring pollen and whether the original native pollinators remain. Research on this project would involve field observations and pollinator exclusion experiments on a select number of insect-pollinated native plant species in urban bushlands around Perth. The project would be supervised by Dr. Lori Lach.

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WINTHROP PROFESSOR GARY A KENDRICK Room 1.24 Botany Building Link; Ph 6488 3998; Email garyk@cyllene.uwa.edu.au ECOLOGY AND DEMOGRAPHY OF MARINE PLANTS Gary Kendrick’s main research interest is the dynamics of populations and assemblages of marine macroalgae and seagrasses. His research has focussed on the influence of recruitment on the demography and persistence of species, and the scaling of demographic patterns to assemblage structure of marine macroalgae, and to seagrass landscapes. He is presently involved in the assessment of biodiversity for marine conservation purposes, and the relationship between recruit survival and rhizomatous growth on the distribution and abundance of seagrasses in shallow subtidal landscapes. Project Ideas 1. Seagrass growth patterns (Ability to SCUBA dive essential). Supervisors: Dr Gary Kendrick and Dr

Marion Cambridge 2. Recruitment ecology of Posidonia species. Supervisors: Dr Gary Kendrick and Dr Marion Cambridge 3. Influence of clonal growth of seagrasses on the development of seagrass meadows. Supervisor: Dr Gary

Kendrick 4. Root oxygen release by seagrasses . Supervisors: Dr Marion Cambridge and Dr Tim Colmer 5. The role of disturbance in structuring marine algal assemblages in temperate Western Australia

(Applicant should be a competent and experienced SCUBA diver) Supervisor: Dr Gary Kendrick 6. Local to regional dispersal and recruitment patterns in Ecklonia radiata and Sargassum spp. (Applicant

should be a competent SCUBA diver). Supervisor: Dr Gary Kendrick 7. Variation in the Seed Production of Posidonia. Supervisors: Dr Gary Kendrick and Dr Marion

Cambridge (The applicant must be a competent snorkeller, preferably with SCUBA qualifications). 8. The effect of epiphytes in limiting light to seagrass leaves: The role of physical structure Dr Gary

Kendrick and Dr Marion Cambridge (The applicant must be a competent diver).

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ADJUNCT PROFESSOR SIEGY KRAUSS Senior Research Scientist (Conservation Genetics), Kings Park and Botanic Garden; Ph 94803673; Email:siegy.krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au CONSERVATION GENETICS I head up the conservation genetics laboratory team at Kings Park, where we are applying molecular tools such as AFLP, microsatellites, population genomics and DNA sequencing for largely practical genetic contributions to native plant conservation, ecological restoration, systematics and native plant breeding. We also use these tools for a better understanding of key evolutionary processes within natural plant populations such as mating and dispersal. In collaboration with Dr Matt Barrett, Dr Janet Anthony, Dr Ann Smithson, Dr Paul Nevill, Dr Liz Sinclair and Dr TianHua He, we offer honours and 4th year research projects within the following broad topics:

• Seed sourcing for ecological restoration. A major issue affecting restoration success. How do we determine the extent of the local genetic provenance? Applying molecular tools such as AFLP or microsatellites for the rapid genetic assessment of population genetic structure is one powerful contribution. Various species from the Swan coastal plain and Darling Scarp (as well as marine seagrass meadows) are available for population genetic assessment in a genetic provenance context. In addition, there are opportunities to develop and assess patterns of variation in non-neutral markers being developed for iconic species such as tuart, to more directly assess adaptive variation. What are the consequences of sourcing seed from non-local populations? Opportunities exist for cross-pollination experiments to assess the negative genetic consequences of wide outcrossing (outbreeding depression). Additionally, glasshouse growth trials and/or reciprocal transplant experiments provide powerful tests for the extent of local adaptation and “home-site advantage”.

• Direct assessment of dispersal within and among native plant populations. Quantifying dispersal of pollen and seed within and among plant populations is critical for understanding these important evolutionary dynamics that affect, and are affected by, genetic structure, especially in a conservation and management context with widespread habitat fragmentation and climate change. Are fragmented populations doomed, or able to move, in response to climate change? Is inbreeding increased in fragmented populations due to genetic isolation, and does this affect the long-term viability of populations? What is the impact of introduced honeybees on pollen dispersal and mating in plants historically pollinated by vertebrates? Powerful molecular tools such as microsatellites and AFLP, coupled with statistical approaches for paternity and/or population assignment, offer the potential to generate exciting new data on direct estimates of dispersal in banksias, peas, seagrass, darwinias, orchids, and sedges.

• Resolving evolutionary relationships and taxonomies using DNA sequences. DNA sequences provide powerful data to generate accurate taxonomies, and to identify the systematic evolutionary relationships among taxa. The accuracy of this knowledge underpins the effectiveness of all other biodiversity conservation and management activities. In addition, recent interest and progress internationally in DNA barcoding offers exciting opportunities for the rapid identification and cataloguing of species, but still requires development and local application. We offer a wide range of opportunities in molecular systematics, that extend to horticulturally and/or conservation significant groups such as grevilleas, kangaroo paws, sedges, wax plants and seagrasses, as well as research in the development of DNA barcoding tools in key local plant taxa.

More information, see the BGPA page in this booklet, or www.bgpa.wa.gov.au

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR ETIENNE LALIBERTÉ Will join UWA from the end of 2010 Email: etienne.laliberte@pg.canterbury.ac.nz (no UWA address yet) Please visit www.elaliberte.info for more information.

What my main research interest is When children look at plants, they don't think of species names. Rather, they see plants with tough leaves, some with spiny stems, and some that taste awful. As we grow older, many of us shy away from this way of looking at the world, instead opting for the more efficient approach of storing information by simply putting names on things. Perhaps partly because of this, much of community ecology has been built with a taxonomic view of the world, with species as the main objects of study. But nature cares little about species names and instead “sees” plants much like children do. The ecological forces at play during community assembly act on individuals possessing different morphological or physiological attributes that directly or indirectly influence their fitness. Rebuilding community ecology from functional traits is thus currently a major and fast-moving field in ecology, and this is what I'm most excited about. That said, the idea is not to throw away the concept of species altogether – on the contrary, the hope is that by focusing on functional traits, we can come full circle and better understand (and hopefully predict) patterns of species composition and species diversity.

What you could work on with me Because I just got on board here, all I can sell you at the moment are ideas, not detailed projects. You should see this as an opportunity to tailor your own project around your interests, as long as they overlap my own interests. If you have another idea for a project that fits within the overall theme of my research, then I'll be happy to discuss this further with you.

Trait-based plant community assembly How do trait distributions vary along environmental gradients? Are co-occurring species/individuals functionally more different from each other under some environmental conditions than others? Answering these questions can provide insights on the processes that structure communities. This would involve field work and statistical modeling. There is also a possibility of a field experiment, but logistics would have to be worked out.

Predicting plant community structure I'm very keen to provide further empirical tests of a recently-developed, trait-based model of community assembly that gives quantitative predictions about plant community structure – which species should be found in a community and in what proportions. This is arguably one of the main goals in ecology. Do you feel up for the challenge? This may or may not involve field work, but would certainly involve statistical modeling.

Species coexistence and belowground strategies One of the reasons put forward to explain the stable coexistence of many plant species within communities is that intra-specific competition should be greater than inter-specific competition. In nutrient-impoverished Kwongan strong competition for limited soil resources may be crucial. Are individuals exhibiting particular nutrient acquisition strategies more likely to be surrounded by neighbors showing different strategies? This would certainly involve field work (sampling of individual shrubs within large plots, possibly at Mt Lesueur) and, again, statistical modeling.

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WINTHROP PROFESSOR HANS LAMBERS Room 1.120B Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 7381; Email: hans.lambers@uwa.edu.au Web: http://ps-hlambers.agric.uwa.edu.au/ ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF MANAGED AND NATURAL SYSTEMS In collaboration with Dr Steve Burgess, Greg Cawthray, Professor Kingsley Dixon, Dr Patrick Finnegan, Dr Martha Ludwig, Dr Jiayin Pang, Dr Pieter Poot, Dr Mike Shane, Dr Erik Veneklaas For more information, please refer to Prof Lambers’ website: http://ps-hlambers.agric.uwa.edu.au/

• Carbon metabolism, exudate production and phosphorus acquisition in cluster roots of Proteaceae and Cyperaceae: physiological and molecular processes involved in nutrient acquisition from severely nutrient-impoverished soils.

• Phosphate toxicity and susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi (‘dieback’) in Proteaceae: why are they linked?

• Rarity of species in the Banksia genus: highly specialised nutrient-acquisition mechanisms appear superior on severely nutrient-impoverished sites, but maladaptive in other habitats.

• Phosphate-acquisition strategies in native legumes with potential as pasture species.

• Great Sandy Desert minesite rehabilitation and ecophysiology: how do native plants deal with the harsh growing conditions, and which combination of soil and vegetation will behave as a store-and-release cover (with Newcrest-Telfer).

• Causes of the decline of iconic Eucalyptus species (jarrah, tuart) in the metropolitan area. Following a survey of declining trees in Kings Park parkland in comparison with trees in adjacent native bushland, there is now a need for detailed ecophysiological glasshouse studies. A top-up scholarship of $5,000 is available from Kings Park for a student taking on this project, as well as $2,500 for the cost of operation.

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MICHAEL L. MOODY Room 2.11A Botany Building; Ph 6488 2215; Email: miclmood@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Co-affiliation with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) including the WA Herbarium BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND PLANT SYSTEMATICS Research interests: Plant systematics is the science that includes and encompasses traditional taxonomy (description, identification, nomenclature, and classification of plants) and the more modern concepts of phylogeny reconstruction using morphology and molecular data. A major goal of plant systematics is to record and describe the vast diversity of plant life. Southwest Western Australia is one of the major biodiversity hotspots in the world with many new species still being described! My research incorporates the use of molecular and morphological data under a phylogenetic framework to examine plant diversity, phylogeography, conservation genetics, hybridization and invasiveness. Research in Plant Diversity and Systematics: Western Australia is still in a phase of species discovery. Many plant species have yet to be named and described. There are many projects available using molecular data in combination with morphology under a phylogenetic framework to interpret species limits and relationships among Western Australian plant taxa. This methodology can greatly facilitate our ability to determine the status of potentially rare and endangered species. The phylogenetic hypotheses for these groups can also be used to examine other topics such as the evolution of character traits and biogeographic patterns over time and space. Also DNA barcoding is being developed for rapid identification of rare and invasive species. Research Project Ideas: 1) The development and use of molecular markers for species level Eucalyptus identification and phylogeny

-Newly developed nuclear intron markers are being developed for Eucalyptus. The utility of the markers need to be tested across the genus and used for species level phylogeny of important WA groups to test species and subspecies hypotheses.

2) Phylogeny, taxonomic diversity and conservation genetics of freshwater aquatic plants -Myriophyllum callitrichoides ssp. striatum occurs only in highly isolated ephemeral freshwater pools in the Kimberly Region of WA. A new taxon has recently been discovered in the species complex and further analysis of diversity needs to be conducted using DNA data and phylogeny. Further species discovery is possible. (Collaboration: Matt Barrett and Russell Barrett, King’s Park) -Diversity and phylogeography among aquatic plants of ephemeral pools in southwest, WA

3) Mycorrhizal diversity among key flowering plant groups of WA (Myrtaceae and Fabaceae) (Collaboration: Mark Brundrett) 4) Grevillea phylogeny, conservation genetics and horticulture (Collaboration: Siegy Krauss) 5) Many other potential projects are available, especially regarding taxa of conservation concern. Bring along your ideas.

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MATTHEW NELSON Room 1.127 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 3671; Email: mnelson@plants.uwa.edu.au CROP GENOMICS AND BREEDING

We are entering a pivotal period in crop breeding. The bad news is that crop productivity is struggling to keep up with increasing demand for food and fodder, with projections that the World will demand 70% more than current production levels by 2050. The good news is that there are more tools than ever in the hands of plant breeders. One of the most powerful tools is genomics, which has the potential to transform the efficiency of selection in breeding programmes. New genome sequencing technologies are making the discovery of genes underlying important crop traits much easier than could have imagined even 5 years ago.

I am part of the UWA / CSIRO team sequencing the genome of Australia’s most important grain legume species: narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius). There is plenty of scope for students wanting to make their mark on crop breeding by identifying genes controlling key domestication traits in lupin: the genes that make the difference between crop varieties and their wild relatives. I particularly focus on genetic and environmental influences on flowering time in lupin and canola. There are also ongoing projects in other crop and pasture legumes and in Brassica species (such as canola) where your input could result in new discoveries and new genomic tools for crop breeding.

If your research interests lean more to basic genetics and evolution, you can join me in asking questions about genome evolution such as how polyploidy has shaped chromosome evolution in crop species and their wild relatives, and in exploring the mechanisms for polyploid formation. Or about the genetic control of meiotic behaviour such as chromosome pairing and meiotic cell division.

Here are some specific project ideas:

• Finding genes underlying domestication traits such as early flowering, pod shattering and alkaloid content in narrow-leafed lupin. This project will draw resources from the lupin genome sequencing project (a collaborative project between UWA and CSIRO).

• Investigating allelic diversity of different gene pools of narrow-leafed lupin such as Australian and European cultivars, landraces and collections from the wild (in collaboration with Dr. Bevan Buirchell (DAFWA) and Dr. Jens Berger (CSIRO)).

• Mining genomic resources for marker-assisted breeding of Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa), a drought tolerant pasture legume. Traits that could be targeted are drought tolerance, flowering time or furanocoumarin biosynthesis (in collaboration with Dr. Daniel Real (DAFWA) and Dr. Natasha Teakle (UWA)).

• Despite the massive impact that the time to flowering makes on canola yields, we know surprisingly little about how genes and environment interact to control flowering time in canola. With climate change already upon us, we must get a clearer understanding of how the environment (temperature and day-length) interacts with genes to result in flowering time variation in canola varieties. Join with us to redress this knowledge gap to help develop canola adapted to climate change (in collaboration with Prof. Wallace Cowling).

• Every chromosome of every eukaryote species has one functioning centromere that is crucial for cell division. Despite the vital role of centromeres, we don’t know even know where they are located in the genetic maps of most species, including Brassica species (e.g. canola). We have developed a

model system using the interspecific hybrid F1 of Brassica napus × B. carinata for mapping Brassica centromeres.

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PROFESSOR JULIE PLUMMER Room 2.125 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 1786; Email: jplummer@cyllene.uwa.edu.au HORTICULTURAL CROPS Research is required for improved production strategies in a range of horticultural crops. Some projects will be linked with Department of Agriculture WA. There is a large group within Plant Biology working on Brassica crops. Many Brassica species produce a range of oil, vegetable and spice crops. We are exploring and developing new germplasm with these species to create new crops. This study would explore molecular genetic relationships, wide crosses, embryo rescue in tissue culture and assessment of progeny. Projects related to the WA Apples and Pear Industry. Joint with WA growers and Stephanie Whitehand, Pome Industry Development Officer. LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT Plant Management: City Councils, Main Roads A range of projects is available with various city councils in Perth or with the Department of Main Roads. These are related to management of streetscapes, parks, gardens and remnant bushland. Some of these may be linked with work experience or Summer Scholarships. FORESTRY - Tree breeding and genetic deployment of hardwood species, fine timbers and extractives. Forestry has the opportunity to solve a number of the major environmental challenges facing Australia, for example, the stabilisation of salinity through adapting trees to survive and pump water from high saline water-logged areas, carbon sequestration and the production of a biodiesel seed crop and identifying new tree crops for the demands of the carbon model in low rainfall areas. Forestry also has the challenge to meet Australia's insatiable demand for wood products through the selection and deployment of highly site-efficient wood producing trees ranging from the low rainfall areas of the south-west to the high rainfall tropical regions of northern Australia. The waste produced from these needed products will play a major role in alternate next generation fuel solutions. A range of projects are available; all are supported and co-supervised by the Forest Products Commission. Projects concerning salt and waterlogging tolerant hardwoods like Eucalyptus species are available. Several projects are available on the sandalwood species, both tropical (Santalum album, and others) and the native S. spicatum. Such research projects include the cell biology of sandalwood, essential oil biosynthesis and biochemistry and molecular biology. Projects relating to sandalwood are co-supervised by Professor Emilio Ghisalberti (Chemistry) and Dr Chris Jones (Plant Biology). SEED BIOLOGY A range of projects is available on Australian, agronomic or weedy species. These projects may include work experience and/or a Scholarship. Projects relate to seed collection and handling, seed storage, dormancy and germination and seedling establishment in rehabilitation areas. AGRICULTURAL CROPS Biofuels (with Dr Guijun Yan) Production of Alternative oilseeds for biodiesel is a growth area not only in WA but across the world. We have several projects examining interspecific hybridization, molecular genetics, cytogenetics, physiology (seeds, drought stress, salinity stress) Legumes (with Drs Heather Clarke and Janine Croser): Tissue culture of chickpea and wild Cicer relatives: developing new techniques for use in breeding and selection of chickpea for rescue in vitro of very young embryos

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR PIETER POOT Room 2.127 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 2491; Email: pieterp@plants.uwa.edu.au Co-affiliation with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). PLANT CONSERVATION BIOLOGY/PLANT ECOPHYSIOLOGY SW Australia is one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots as a result of its extraordinary plant diversity AND the great threats that many species face. Over 50% of the flora is endemic with many of these species restricted to a small geographic range. However, other species are much more widespread. What factors cause these large differences in success amongst species? Why are some species extremely rare and others very common? What roles do chance, local specialization, competitive ability, or phenotypic plasticity (i.e. the ability to adapt to a variety of environments) play in explaining species distribution patterns? I have mainly been researching these types of questions by focusing on species from shallow-soil habitats (granite outcrops, ironstone communities) as these habitats contain many restricted-range species and contain up to 25% of our flora. Below you will find some examples of possible project topics. Note that for some of the suggested projects timing is crucial (most species only flower during a few months a year!) and a project may need to start earlier then is indicated in this booklet. Also, I’m more then happy to discuss and consider any of your own project ideas! Specialisation of rare species to shallow-soil habitats: comparisons with common congeners

Recently we showed that rare species from shallow-soil ironstone communities have a specialized root system morphology that may explain their success in their own habitat as well as their failure in others. However, we do not know how general these observations are and how plastic the root systems of these rare species are compared to those of common ones. Possible projects involve: (a) testing whether species restricted to other shallow-soil environments (e.g. granite outcrop communities) have similar root system morphologies, (b) determining how plastic their root systems are compared to that of common congeners, in response to water and nutrient availability, and (c) determining their drought tolerance Rare plant species biology/ecology and translocation success (with DEC)

DEC is responsible for the conservation of our rare and threatened flora. For many of the critically endangered species either Interim or Full Recovery Plans have been written or are currently being prepared. However, despite these efforts, for many species we do not have enough understanding of their biology/ecology (i.e. habitat requirements, pollination biology, associations with other species) or the specific threats facing them. Due to the large number of declared flora species and the many DEC officers involved in managing them, there are numerous possibilities for projects. One of these projects involves the assessment of the reproductive success, breeding system and pollination ecology of one of our rarest plants, Banksia (formerly Dryandra) montana, of which only 45 plants survive in the wild. Other possible projects involve the translocation of glasshouse grown seedlings of DRF flora back into their native habitat to either augment existing populations or create new ones. These projects would involve various treatments (e.g. fencing, watering, removing existing vegetation etc) to ascertain how translocation success can be improved. Note that for all these DEC related projects timing is crucial and you need to contact me or Dave Coates (see DEC section) soon!

Weed biology/ecology (with Rachel Standish and Kings Park)

For many of our declared rare flora weeds are listed as one of the major threats. However, a lack of knowledge of the biology of many weed species hampers our efforts to eradicate them. Often an increase in nutrient and/or water availability (e.g. on roadsides) is thought to give weeds an advantage. Possible projects could involve glasshouse studies that compare growth and development of some major weed species, with that of native species they compete with, under different levels of watering and nutrition.

Role of facilitation in Wheatbelt restoration (with Rachel Standish and Michael Renton)

The aim of this project is to determine if there is evidence of facilitation between nearest neighbours in restoration plantings. Do some plant species improve the success of others by ameliorating the local environment? This project would include fieldwork and computer-based modelling.

Is climate change responsible for woodland decline (with Erik Veneklaas, Michael Renton)?

There are several opportunities for projects within the newly funded Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland & Forest Health (also see Erik’s and Michael’s sections). Some scholar ships for 4th year projects will be made available within the next year.

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WINTHROP PROFESSOR STEPHEN POWLES & Dr’s Roberto Busi, Danica Goggin, Todd Gaines, Michael Walsh and Qin Yu AUSTRALIAN HERBICIDE RESISTANCE INITIATIVE (AHRI) Room G.008 Agriculture North Wing; Ph 6488 7833; Email: stephen.powles@uwa.edu.au HERBICIDE RESISTANCE IN CROPS & WEEDS: RESEARCH PROJECTS FROM MOLECULAR GENETICS OF RESISTANCE THROUGH TO ON-FARM MANAGEMENT ISSUES AHRI is a GRDC and ARC funded multi-disciplinary research team investigating herbicide resistance in weed and crop species. Full details of AHRI people and research projects can be seen on the website http://ahri.uwa.edu.au Potential AHRI supervisors for 2011 student research projects are Prof. Powles, Dr’s Busi, Goggin, Gaines, Walsh, Yu. Each year, students undertake their final year research project within AHRI. Some students who see their future in broadacre cropping undertake applied projects whereas others acquire more fundamental training by undertaking a biochemical/genetics based research project. Because of the diverse projects underway in AHRI (see website http://ahri.uwa.edu.au), fourth year students can conduct research ranging from biochemistry and molecular genetics of resistance, simulation modeling of crop weed management, herbicide evaluations in the lab, glasshouse and field, agro-ecology of resistance, seedbank dynamics, through to on-farm management. We aim for students to undertake a research project of sufficient quality to result in them being an author on a scientific paper published in an international research journal. AHRI has close contacts with grain growers, farmer groups, public and private sector crop agronomists and with the Department of Agriculture and there is the opportunity to work with individuals from these groups. AHRI research projects in 2011 include work on resistance in annual ryegrass, wild radish and wild oats.

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR CHARLES A. PRICE Email: charles.price@biology.gatech.edu (no UWA address yet)

Will join UWA from the end of 2010

Biological Scaling

Life involves the maintenance of an internal homeostatic environment that differs from external surroundings. In order to remain alive, organisms must use energy to move resources along energetic gradients and across semi-permeable membranes. The rate at which this occurs, is to a first approximation, a function of the surface area available for exchange and the mass of the organism. Natural selection has operated on these two fundamental dimensions (and many others of course) to produce a dizzying array of organic form. By itself, this variety of form is overwhelming. However, evolutionary convergence and functional trait analysis have demonstrated that organisms living in similar environments often share physiological, morphological and functional traits. This suggests that simple rules and physical laws may determine many aspects of organic form. In my lab, we work on furthering our understanding of how physical laws help to govern the ecology and evolution of organic form and flux, with special emphasis on plant geometry and in particular, plant distribution networks due to their potential to integrate across so many other aspects of plant form and function.

The general approach I use to investigate this variability is called biological scaling. Put simply this is the investigation of how changes in size, usually mass, influence traits that contribute to survival and reproduction both within and across species. For example, if surface area for exchange scaled as the 2/3 power of organism volume, this would suggest that organisms can be approximated by simple geometric objects (i.e. a sphere, or cylinder). However, scaling analyses often reveal that such exponents differ from simple geometric expectations. How and why does this occur? I use tools ranging from modeling, image analysis, allometry, trait measurement, gradient analysis and a variety of statistical tools to investigate these questions both within and across species. To date I have used terrestrial plants and a model system, however I am eager to apply these questions to marine systems as well.

Designing student projects

I find student projects are most successful when we identify projects that are of interest to us both. Biological scaling is a broad field, and many types of projects fit within its domain. Below are just a few examples of the types of questions students might investigate: there are many others. These questions are general and could be applied to natural or managed systems. How does photosynthetic surface area and mass scale with total plant mass within and across species, and how does this scaling lead to species segregation within and across communities? What determines how plants partition leaf, stem and root mass and surface area and how is this partitioning influenced by factors like competition or resource availability? Are the dimensions of key photosynthetic apparatus, such as the number of chloroplasts per unit leaf tissue, or the density of stomates, invariant or allometric with interspecific plant size? Why are leaf networks redundant (loopy), how does redundancy scale, and do different species have different levels of redundancy due to factors like water stress, disease or herbivore pressure?

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR MICHAEL RENTON Agriculture Central Wing; see Plant Biology Office; Ph 6488 1959 Email: mrenton@cyllene.uwa.edu.au As a plant modeller, I am interested in using computer, mathematical and statistical models to help understand all aspects of how plants grow and interact with their environments. This can be at the scale of genes, physiology, structural development, environmental interactions, ecological interactions, or the long-term processes of evolution. I am fascinated by the way models can give us insight into the relationships between plant processes occurring at different scales eg. how the ways that different species compete for resources in different ways lead to varying degrees of productivity in a field of crops or a forest; or how the interaction between genetics, management, seed ecology, inter-species competition and environment can increase or decrease the risk of developing herbicide resistance; or how the interaction between environmental effects and physiological processes lead to the intricate structure of a tree. I also think models can play a very important role in experimental design, in identifying which areas of enquiry need to be focused on. Honours scholarships of up to $6000 may be available for these projects, from organisations including CSIRO, GRDC, DAFWA, the Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest and Health and several CRCs. I have listed some possible projects below, and encourage you to talk to me about any other projects you might be interested in, especially if you have some background or interest in modelling, maths or computer science. I also encourage you to talk with me about including some modelling work in any other plant biology Honours project you are developing with another supervisor, especially if you are interested in adding invaluable and sought-after modelling skills to your repertoire! Tactical and Strategic Decisions in Agro-ecological Systems – Dealing with Risk, Variability, Uncertainty

and Tradeoffs in a Changing Climate (in conjunction with CSIRO)

This project will investigate the tradeoffs, risk, variability and uncertainty in agro-ecological systems with the aim of identifying strategies for dealing with them most effectively. The project will use existing models and possibly develop these models further. These issues are of particular relevance in a time of conflicting demands (between agricultural production, carbon sequestration and conservation for example) changing climate and increasing climate variability. Modelling Plant Interactions and Ecosystem Resilience (with DAFWA or Centre for Forest Health)

Plant competition and interaction occurs in crop fields, pastures, forests, deserts, and any other place that plants grow. What makes some plants more successful than others, and how can we predict what the result will be when different species are competing in different conditions and adapting to changing climates?

Modelling the Evolution of Resistance (in conjunction with DAFWA, CRC Plant Biosecurity and/or WAHRI)

Understanding what factors lead to the evolution of resistance in weeds and insect pests, and how this resistance can be avoided is one of the most important challenges facing agriculture, and computer models are an essential tool in gaining this understanding. This project will involve using existing simulation models of population dynamics and the development of resistance. The models will be used to simulate previously conducted field trials and experiments in order to validate the models and/or prioritise areas for future improvement and/or to investigate and evaluate possible management strategies for avoiding and/or delaying the development of resistance. Modelling Weed Seedbank Dynamics and/or Crop-Weed Competition (in conjunction with DAFWA, GRDC)

This project will involve using existing simulation models of weed seedbank dynamics, such as the Weed Seed Wizard and RIM. The models will be used to simulate field trials that have been conducted around Australia, in order to validate the models and prioritise areas for future improvement. The focus of the project will depend on the background and interest of the applicant – no prior expertise in modelling is required. Modelling the Interactions between Physiology, Structure and Environment

The beautiful and intricate structures of plants (from seagrass, to wheat, to frangipanis) are a result of complex and dynamic interactions between inbuilt rules of morphogenesis, physiological processes and environmental influences. Can models give us insight into how these structures emerge?

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MEGAN RYAN Ground Floor Agriculture CLIMA/CRC Wing; Ph 6488 2208; Email: megan.ryan@uwa.edu.au

Areas of interest � New annual and perennial pasture species

� Domestication of native legumes and grasses for use in pastures

� Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and P nutrition

Projects being offered � Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata (tedera). A cultivar of this exotic perennial pasture

legume will be released shortly. Tedera has remarkable drought tolerance and produces good quality green feed over the autumn feed gap. Projects are available (with Daniel Real, DAFWA) which build on the current research effort:

o Effect of drought on seed set (external funding for operating)

o Nutrition

o Role of mycorrhizal fungi in P nutrition

o Developing biotechnology techniques for speeding the breeding of tedera. Includes training in genetics, molecular biology, tissue culture, microscopy and flow cytometry (with Janine Croser, CLIMA) (could also do this project with subterranean clover)

� Subterranean clover

o Two new cultivars of subterranean clover have good resistance to red-legged earth mite. This project will compare early season herbage production of these cultivars with older susceptible cultivars in a plus and minus insecticide trial (field and/or glasshouse) (with Phil Nichols DAFWA and Wrightson Seeds). Scholarship available.

� Mycorrhizal fungi

o Tradeoffs between mycorrhizal fungi and other P-uptake strategies, such as rhizosphere carboxylates, in native legumes (with Mark Tibbett and Hans Lambers)

� Native wetland pastures (in collaboration with Greening Australia, Harvey River Restoration Taskforce, Ed Barrett-Lennard, Mark Tibbett, Tim Colmer)

o Role of native grasses in P uptake (mixture of field and laboratory work)

o Waterlogging tolerance of wetland grasses (mixture of field and laboratory work)

� Melilotus siculus (messina). This new annual pasture legume with excellent salinity and waterlogging tolerance is undergoing varietal selection trials to select a cultivar (with Dr Phil Nichols, DAFWA).

o Evaluation of genotypic differences in seed and seedling characters

o Effect of cutting/grazing on re-growth

o Nutrition

� Native legumes - pasture and crop potential. A large data set of growth characteristics of ~ 300 lines of 140 native perennial legumes planted twice in consecutive years will be analysed and modeled to aid in prioritisation of species for domestication (with Michael Renton and Steve Hughes, SARDI)

Notes � Most projects will be co-supervised by staff from DAFWA or other organisations external to UWA

� All projects have potential for publication in high quality journals

� I will assist with applications for scholarships

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ERIK VENEKLAAS Room 2.104 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 3584; Email: evenekla@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Plant Physiological Ecology My main interest is in how plants are affected by their environment (e.g. climate change, seasonal stress), but also how plants affect the environment (e.g. invading weeds affecting native plant communities, tree belt-crop interactions, positive effects of companion crops and rotational crops, legumes mobilising soil P). The main factors of interest in SW Australia are water and mineral nutrients (especially P). Below is a list of possible topics. Many of these list other Plant Biology researchers that I collaborate with. Further information can be found on their pages or through contacting me. Ecophysiology of native species under stress

• Decline of SW Australian eucalypts (Eucalyptus wandoo). Our State Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health offers various opportunities to do research projects into the changes that appear to be occurring in woodlands and forests of the region, including tree water relations, nutrition, pathology, competition, modelling, etc. See website (http://www.treehealth.murdoch.edu.au/index.html) for scholarship info. Collaborations with Pieter Poot and Michael Renton and several others outside UWA.

• Samphire ecophysiology at the Fortescue Marshes: drought, flooding, salinity. Collaboration with Tim Colmer.

• Fitness differences between different provenances of native species, and their crossbred offspring, exposed to abiotic stress. Collaboration with Siegy Krauss, Ann Smithson, Kristina Hufford and Hans Lambers.

Plant water relations and ecohydrology

• Ecological engineering and ecohydrology: achieving defined hydrological outcomes through optimal combinations of plant species and soil conditions. Collaboration with Christoph Hinz and Hans Lambers.

• Dryland crops: water use efficiency and drought tolerance.

Photosynthesis and transpiration of native plants

• Sclerophyllous leaves: are they physiologically and biochemically different or just a different way of ‘packaging’ photosynthetic tissue?

Plant nutrition

• Phosphorus economy of native plants: relationships between P acquisition efficiency, P use efficiency, growth and dominance status in native ecosystems. Collaboration with Hans Lambers, Kingsley Dixon and Michael Shane.

• Timing and placement of cluster roots – costs and benefits in terms of C and P.

Banksia woodland functional ecology

• Relationships between functional (ecological and physiological) traits, species assemby and resilience in natural and restored woodlands. Collaboration with Richard Hobbs and Rachel Standish.

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR THOMAS WERNBERG School of Plant Biology & Australian Institute of Marine Biology, UWA Oceans Institute, Fairway, Ph. 6369 4047, thomas.wernberg@uwa.edu.au ECOLOGY OF MARINE PLANTS ON REEFS AND IN ESTUARIES; CLIMATE CHANGE AND INVASIVE SPECIES Thomas Wernberg’s main research interests are ecological interactions involving marine plants on and around subtidal reefs and in estuaries (e.g., the Swan River). His research has a strong empirical focus and relies on field and laboratory observations and experiments to tease apart the causes of species distribution in nature. He is particularly interested in the nexus between physiology, ecology and biogeography, and the need to understand current and future patterns of global change (climate change, invasive species, eutrophication). Most, but not all, of his projects will require an ability to scuba dive, and many projects will require willingness to participate in field trips to remote coastal areas (e.g., temperate south coast, tropical northwest coast). Projects will be co-supervised by one or more of his current collaborators – Prof Gary Kendrick (UWA), Dr. Dan Smale (UWA), Andrew Heyward (AIMS), Martial Depcynski (AIMS), Dr. Mat Vanderklift (CSIRO), Dr Pippa Moore (ECU) and Dr. Mads Thomsen (Danish National Research Institute). Project Ideas

1. Ecology of macroalgae in coral reef lagoons; 2. Distribution and diversity of coastal macroalgae in the Kimberley region; 3. Influence of climate on reproduction, recruitment, growth, productivity and mortality of canopy

algae; 4. Temperature adaptation in marine macroalgae (ecophysiology); 5. Combined effects of multiple stressors on macroalgae (e.g., temperature, pH and eutrophication); 6. Consequences of ocean climate on seaweed-herbivore interactions; 7. Biogeography of marine macroalgae; 8. Comparative ecology and ecophysiology of invasive and non-invasive Caulerpa species; 9. Interactions between an invasive snail (Battilaria australis), algae and seagrasses in the Swan River.

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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR GUIJUN YAN Room 1.127 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 9380 1240; Email: gyan@plants.uwa.edu.au PLANT CYTOGENETICS, MOLECULAR GENETICS, PLANT BREEDING AND CONSERVATION OF PLANT BIODIVERSITY Research interests My main research focuses on the understanding of interspecific and intergeneric genome relationships and genome interactions of wide hybrids using cytogenetic and molecular approaches. In collaboration with my colleagues, I worked on the breeding, genetics, identification of barriers to wide hybridization, cytoevolution, chromosome inheritance, molecular evolution, molecular phylogenetics and molecular marker-assisted breeding of Ziziphus, Actinidia, Chamelaucium, Verticordia, Boronia and Leucadendron. Currently, I am interested in understanding the reproductive biology, molecular genetics and cytogenetics of Proteaceous plants, Brassica and field pea wide hybridisation and barley and wheat genomics and proteomics. I strongly believe that the best way to conserve biodiversity is to bring the plants to cultivation through collection, selection and breeding. Project Ideas 1. Reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships in plants Selected publications in this area: George N, Byrne M, Maslin B, and Yan G (2006) Genetic differentiation among morphological variants of

Acacia saligna (Mimosaceae). Tree Genetics and Genomes 2:109-119. Yan G, F Shan, JA Plummer (2002) Genomic Relationships within Boronia (Rutaceae) as Revealed by

Karyotype Analysis and RAPD Molecular Markers. Plant Systematics and Evolution 233: 147-161

2. Any projects related to cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics of plants Selected publications in this area: Shan F, G Yan, and JA Plummer (2003) Cyto-evolution of Boronia genomes revealed by fluorescent in situ

hybridisation with rDNA probes. Genome 46: 507-513. Shepherd KA, G Yan (2003) Chromosome number and size variations in the Australian Salicornioideae

(Chenopodiaceae) – evidence of polyploidisation. Australian Journal of Botany 51: 441-452

3. Any project on wide hybridisation and overcoming wide hybridization barriers Selected publications in this area: Liu H, Yan G and Sedgley R (2006) Interspecific hybridization in the genus Leucadendron through embryo

rescue. South African Journal of Botany 72:416-420. Astarini IA, Yan G and Plummer JA (1999) Interspecific hybridisation in Boronias. Australian Journal of

Botany 47: 851-864.

4. Molecular fingerprinting of plants Selected publications in this area: Yuan H, Yan G, Siddique KHM and Yang H (2005) RAMP based fingerprinting and assessment of

relationships among Australian narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) cultivars. Australian

Journal of Agricultural Research 56:1339-1346. Pharmawati M, Yan G and Finnegan PM (2005) Molecular variation and fingerprinting of Leucadendron

cultivars (Proteaceae) by ISSR markers. Annals of Botany 95: 1163-1170.

5. New endeavors – Cereal genomics and proteomics and the production of “super Brassica” for oilseed and/or vegetable production.

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OTHER ORGANISATIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE SCHOOL OF PLANT BIOLOGY

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THE BOTANIC GARDENS & PARKS AUTHORITY

Kings Park and Botanic Garden is a national leader in conservation biology and restoration ecology research, providing a unique "one-stop-shop" that delivers practical research outcomes for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. The staff comprises >45 research scientists and postgraduate students in the core integrated disciplines of conservation genetics, propagation science, seed science, germplasm storage, restoration ecology and orchid conservation. For further information see: www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/science Facilities: Equipment, computers, laboratories, office space, expertise and administration are available in the Biodiversity Conservation Centre (BCC) at Kings Park and Botanic Garden.

Research area: “Conservation and Restoration Genetics” 1. Identifying local provenance seed collection zones for bushland rehabilitation, and 2. Assessment of the “home-site” advantage, and its consequences for bushland rehabilitation. How far from a restoration site can seed be collected whilst still maintaining the genetic integrity of the local population? Is there a “home-site advantage”? What are the consequences of mixing provenances? Within this project, there is enormous scope for population genetic studies using a range of molecular markers, but typically microsatellites, as well as ecological studies, pollination studies and landscape characterisation studies across a broad range of species – individually or as an integrated study, to contribute to better outcomes in bushland rehabilitation. Supervisors: Dr Siegy Krauss (Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au); Dr Janet Anthony (Janet.Anthony@bgpa.wa.gov.au).

3. Does genetic erosion threaten the viability of recently fragmented populations? Do recently fragmented populations produce fewer, and/or genetically inferior, offspring, and does this affect the long-term viability of these populations? Do pollinators reach and effectively service plants in geographically separated plant populations? This project offers the opportunity to utilize molecular markers and field based studies to assess reproductive success, mating patterns, pollen dispersal and inbreeding depression in small and large populations of recently and/or historically fragmented plant populations. This project suits a candidate with an interest in plant pollinator interactions in an ecological restoration and habitat fragmentation context. Supervisor: Dr Siegy Krauss (Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au).

4. Seagrass (Posidonia) meadow restoration genetics Seagrasses belong to a large group of marine flowering plants, adapted for an entirely submerged life. They produce flowers and seeds, but with pollen and seed dispersal occurring within the water column. Seagrass meadows also exhibit extensive vegetative (or clonal) reproduction. The meadows are extremely productive ecosystems and play a vital role in providing fish nurseries and stabilising seabeds and coastal shorelines. Extensive decline in seagrass meadows has been documented around Australia, and globally, with experimental restoration efforts requiring donor plant material. Eight (of the nine) closely-related Posidonia species occur in the south-west region of Western Australia. Ecological, morphological, and molecular tools are being used to addresses a range of issues relating to population structure, adaptation, and mating systems (pollen and seed dispersal) to contribute to the long-term success of restoration efforts. Microsatellite DNA markers are specifically being used to answer several questions relating to clonal diversity, gene flow among meadows and the role ocean currents play in pollen and seed dispersal, and hybridisation among closely-related species. Several options for projects are available, and can be developed around student skills and interests. Supervisor: Dr. Liz Sinclair (Liz.Sinclair@bgpa.wa.gov.au); Dr Siegy Krauss (Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au) 5. Will native plants thrive in a novel climate? When restoring native vegetation or reintroducing rare flora, locally-sourced seeds are usually sown as they are presumed more likely to be adapted to local conditions. Will sourcing seeds for restoration to maximise

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genetic diversity, by sampling from a range of climate zones and habitats, "pre-adapt" a species to climate change? We will utilise a combination of field sampling, glasshouse experiments, and genetic diversity screening, to explore the response of selected native species sourced from different climate zones in WA to novel climates and habitats.

Supervisor: Dr. Ann Smithson (Ann.Smithson@bgpa.wa.gov.au) 6. Phylogenetic relationships and speciation in WA using DNA sequences South-western WA is known worldwide as a biodiversity hotspot. Our understanding of the number and relationships of plant species in SW WA is still far from complete. Numerous "species complexes" need to be investigated to determine whether the observed variation is driven by morphological plasticity, evolutionary history, or ecology, and whether multiple species are hidden under a single name. Such fundamental questions are important for our understanding of evolutionary history and biological processes in our ancient flora, and underpin our management of biodiversity in SW WA. Conservation issues are especially important in this time of economic boom, to avoid rare and localised species becoming extinct before they are even discovered. Current research interests are in the horticulturally significant Verticordia (featherflowers), Grevillea, Anigozanthos (kangaroo paws) and Goodeniaceae, and highly diverse groups such as Stylidium (triggerplants), Drosera (sundews) and Lepidosperma sedges. Some projects would be co supervised by taxonomic experts at the WA Herbarium. Supervisors: Dr Matt Barrett (Matt.Barrett@bgpa.wa.gov.au); Dr Siegy Krauss (Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au) 7. Realized dispersal in banksias. Dispersal of seed and pollen is a key process affecting many aspects of the evolutionary dynamics of plant species. We have developed a battery of powerful molecular markers for the assessment of realized dispersal of both pollen (through paternity assignment) and seed (through population allocation) both within and among populations of banksias. This project extends on our recent research highlighting the genetically novel and significant consequences of pollination by highly-mobile nectar-feeding birds, and would suit a candidate with an interest in animal-plant interactions. We are particularly interested in assessing dispersal in an ecological restoration context, to better understand how well these populations are integrated with surrounding natural populations. Supervisors: Dr Siegy Krauss (Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au) 8. How did Pleistocene climatic oscillations affect the distribution and population size of Pilbara eucalypt species? Climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene had a strong influence on species distributions and evolution. During the Last Glacial Maximum, plant species are thought to have responded to changing climate by contracting to suitable refugia and then re-colonising the landscape when conditions became more favourable. These range contraction and recolonisation events should have left genetic signatures in the genomes of these species. This project will determine the chloroplast DNA haplotypes of two riparian zone eucalypt species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. victrix), found across the Pilbara region, using chloroplast microsatellite DNA markers. The effect of aridity and lower temperatures associated with the Last Glacial Maximum, on the distribution of Pilbara eucalypt species is unknown. Geographic patterns in haplotype diversity and differentiation for these two species will be examined. The findings of this study will have implications for the conservation and management of eucalypt genetic resources, and be an important component of seed sourcing guidelines. Supervisors: Dr Paul Nevill (paul.nevill@bgpa.wa.gov.au); Dr Siegy Krauss (Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au) 9. Gene flow among naturally fragmented populations of a rare Midwest acacia species impacted by mining. Acacia karina is a narrow endemic, restricted to a handful of populations on ironstone in the mid-west of WA. Some of these populations are to be impacted by mining activities, and an understanding of the levels and structuring of genetic variation, and the processes impacting on this genetic variation, are required for management and conservation. This project applies newly developed microsatellite markers for the detailed assessment of gene flow among populations through an analysis of pollen and seed dispersal distances. In addition, fieldwork during its flowering period will generate new data on pollinators, pollinator movement and behaviour. These data will be interpreted in the context of assessing impacts of mining activities on the long-term viability of this species, and contribute novel information on the biology of Acacia’s generally.

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Supervisors: Dr Paul Nevill (Paul.Nevill@bgpa.wa.gov.au); Dr Siegy Krauss (Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au) 10. Delineation of Evolutionary Significant Units for seed sourcing of banksias for ecological restoration. Local provenance seed is widely advocated for restoration based on the assumption that local species/populations are better adapted to the local environment. However, the risk of exclusively using local material does not allow for the rapid adaptation to changed circumstances that may be needed if climate change scenarios proceed as predicted. It has been proposed that an evolutionary significant unit (ESU) might be applicable in defining local provenance for restoration. The ESU was described as population units that share a similar evolutionary process, selection regime and ecological habitat, and represent unique and significant adaptive variation. The unit identifies the spatial scale of evolutionary operation and ecological adaption, and provides significant implication for seed sourcing in restoration since population units in ESU’s most likely maintain similar adaptive genetic variation. Seed sourcing from ESU’s allow genetic materials to adapt to the geographic area where those populations are, and maintain evolutionary potential in the event of future changes. This project is therefore designed to define ESUs in banksias population and explore its utility in seed sourcing for restoration of banksias woodland. Genetic, ecological, and modeling analysis will be employed. Supervisor: Dr TianHua He (thhe@bgpa.wa.gov.au).

All of these projects are supported by external funds. Further information: Dr. Siegy Krauss (9480 3673), Email: Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au

Research Area: “Pollination Biology” 1. The effects of habitat fragmentation on pollination systems on the Swan Coastal Plain Western Australia is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot through the combination of high floristic diversity and pervasive anthropogenic threats. Critical to conservation of this flora is an understanding of reproductive strategies, particularly pollination. Yet remarkably pollination systems have been studied in very few insect pollinated plants including many of our most well known wildflowers. This project aims to resolve pollination systems in a range of species naturally occurring in floristically diverse urban remnants and the effects of habitat fragmentation and habitat modification on pollinator communities. Dr Ryan Phillips, email Ryan.Phillips@bgpa.wa.gov.au Mr Myles Menz, email Myles.Menz@bgpa.wa.gov.au Prof. Kingsley Dixon, email Kingsley.Dixon@bgpa.wa.gov.au 2. Bee pollination of pea plants and the potential for competition with feral honey bees Western Australian pea plants (Fabaceae) are characterized by high species diversity and a range of striking floral colour patterns. The majority of species are believed to be pollinated by native bees and, more recently, the feral honey bee (Apis mellifera). However, most aspects of this interaction remain largely unstudied including the foraging specificity of native bees, the relative importance of Apis mellifera for pollination, differences in foraging behaviour between bee species and the consequences for pollen movement. This project will investigate these issues by focusing on winter flowering pea plants in the Darling Range (Hovea and Davesia). Dr Ryan Phillips, email Ryan.Phillips@bgpa.wa.gov.au Mr Myles Menz, email Myles.Menz@bgpa.wa.gov.au Prof,.Kingsley Dixon, email Kingsley.Dixon@bgpa.wa.gov.au

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Research Area: “Orchid Biology” 1. Geographic mosaics of mycorrhizal endophytes in Spider orchids (Caladenia) and the potential for local adaptation The co-evolutionary process is traditionally thought of as a tight interaction between two organisms with the traits of one closely tracking the traits of the other. However, recent evidence has suggested that the process of co-evolution follows a geographic mosaic with differing selection pressures depending on local variation in biogeography and ecology. Many species of Western Australian orchid have highly specific relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, which they require for germination and annual growth. However, the potential for local adaptation to different species or ecotypes of mycorrhizal fungi in different parts of an orchid’s distribution has yet to be investigated. Should such a system exist this would provide the first strong evidence for co-evolution with mycorrhizal fungi having a potential role in orchid speciation. We will test this model using the White Spider Orchid, Caladenia longicauda, which has a range of geographic races occurring throughout southwestern Australia. Dr Ryan Phillips, email Ryan.Phillips@bgpa.wa.gov.au Prof. Kingsley Dixon, email Kingsley.Dixon@bgpa.wa.gov.au 2. Mycorrhizal endophytes in Bunny Orchids (Eriochilus) – the role of biogeography and habitat specialisation The biogeography of the flora of the Southwest Australian biodiversity hotspot has been well resolved with a general trend towards high diversity and endemism in the diverse soils of the semi-arid zone. In a range of plant families unique soil types are strongly associated with local endemsism and rarity and have presumably played a decisive role in speciation. Alternatively, the biogeography of mycorrhizal fungi and their role in the biogeography and endemism of orchids has not been resolved. Further, this issue has not been investigated in adequately in any of the world’s orchid floras. Bunny orchids are an ideal genus to investigate mycorrhizal biogeography. Bunny orchids are one the most widespread genera of Western Australian orchids ranging from the margins of the arid zone to the karri forests of the south coast. Further, the genus also contains species endemic to unusual edaphic environments such as swamps and moss swards on granite outcrops. In this study we aim to test for geographic replacement of mycorrhizal fungi between soil types and biogeographic regions in Bunny Orchids. Dr Ryan Phillips, email Ryan.Phillips@bgpa.wa.gov.au Prof. Kingsley Dixon, email Kingsley.Dixon@bgpa.wa.gov.au

Research Area: “Conservation Biotechnology” 1. Evaluation of micropropagated plant responses to tranplantation stress.

This project will investigate the physiology behind the ability of micropropagated plants to withstand the

multiple stresses incurred in going from the in vitro environment to the extra vitrum environment. This

project will investigate micropropagated Australian plant native species during the acclimatization and

transfer to soil stage. The aims are to determine threshold photosynthetic activity at the in vitro/extra vitrum

interface and how quickly microplants adapt photosynthetically when transferred from in vitro conditions to

the glasshouse, and determine the effects of additional CO2 levels on the growth of microplants at the

transfer to soil stage. Photosynthetic activity will be measured during in vitro and acclimatization phases to

determine the ability of microplants to adapt to the stresses of transition from the in vitro to the extra vitrum

environment. Modification of CO2 levels on microplant adaptation to and growth in extra vitrum conditions

will also be monitored.

Dr Shane Turner: Shane.Turner@bgpa.wa.gov.au; Dr Eric Bunn: Eric.Bunn@bgpa.wa.gov.au

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Research Area: “Restoration Ecology - Physiology” 1. Conserving the endemic species of Banded Ironstone Formations. Plant species/communities found on banded ironstone formations may have specialised survival mechanisms and thus have developed a high degree of endemism. With iron-ore mining threatening many of these plant communities, research into restoration of individual species is important. Projects may focus on the ecology and/or physiology of rare species endemic to BIF’s in the Midwest and goldfields of Western Australia. Dr Jason Stevens (Jason.Stevens@bgpa.wa.gov.au)

Research Area: “Seed Science for Conservation and Restoration” 1. Germination biology of the fire ephemeral Anthocercis littorea Fire ephemerals emerge from the soil only following a fire, grow for a few seasons and then die, releasing their seeds into the soil to await the next fire. After a fire devastated bushland in Kings Park, plants Anthocercis littorea were amongst the first signs of new life in the charred and blackened ecosystem. The germination biology of fire ephemerals is poorly understood, and seeds of many species do not germinate with simple additions of fire related cues, such as smoke. Our research demonstrates seeds of A. littorea are very response to karrikinolide, the major germination-promoting chemical found in plant-derived smoke. This project will use A. littorea as a model species to investigate the dynamics of how seed sensitivity to smoke cues may change with seed dormancy status. Dr Lucy Commander: lucy.commander@bgpa.wa.gov.au Dr David Merritt: david.merritt@bgpa.wa.gov.au 2. Is it the analogue nature of species which enables their successful invasion in woodland and coastal ecosystems of the southwest Australian Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot? An analogue species may be defined as an invasive species which mimics to some extent the resident native species. This project will investigate a potential cause of the successful invasion of an analogue species in the coastal region of metropolitan Perth. Focussing on the invasive species Retama raetam and comparing to the native species Acacia rostellifera, a comparison of seed biology traits (seed production, dormancy, germination, and seedbank persistence) will be made to determine if in fact seed ecological traits of R.

raetam provides an establishment advantage over an analogue native species. Dr David Merritt: david.merritt@bgpa.wa.gov.au Dr Judy Fisher: ecologist@waanthropologist.com 3. Dormancy and germination traits of Stylobasium australe and Stylobasium spathulatum. Stylobasium australe and Stylobasium spathulatum are species only found in Western Australia. The two species occur in fragmented populations in the wheatbelt and at a salt mine in Shark Bay, respectively. We would like to understand dormancy and germination for restoration and conservation purposes. Very little is known about these two species, although our research indicates the seeds have unusual morphological characteristics controlling water uptake through the fruit coat. Dr Lucy Commander: lucy.commander@bgpa.wa.gov.au Dr David Merritt: david.merritt@bgpa.wa.gov.au

4. Dormancy and germination of Pilbara species required for minesite restoration. Limited information about seed germination and dormancy is hampering restoration efforts in the Pilbara region. This project will develop methods of seed dormancy alleviation and germination for key species required for minesite rehabilitation. Focus species include those of Goodenia and Grevillea and the project will contribute to developing models of seed germination and emergence in the arid zone. Dr Lucy Commander: lucy.commander@bgpa.wa.gov.au Dr David Merritt: david.merritt@bgpa.wa.gov.au

5. Physical dormancy in Australian plants. Seeds with physical dormancy possess a water impermeable seed or fruit coat. There are 16 plant families known to exhibit physical dormancy and this type of dormancy is common in arid and mediterranean climatic regions of Australia. However, with the exclusion of species of Acacia, little research has been undertaken on how dormancy is regulated in these seeds. This project will characterise key traits controlling

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germination in species of Malvaceae and Rhamnaceae. This project will characterise water uptake patterns in seeds and identify effective pre-treatments for overcoming dormancy loss. The project will include morphological and anatomical analyses of seeds using sectioning and microscopy. Dr Lucy Commander: lucy.commander@bgpa.wa.gov.au Dr Shane Turner: shane.turner@bgpa.wa.gov.au Dr David Merritt: david.merritt@bgpa.wa.gov.au 6. Interaction of seed moisture content, heat, time and Karrikinolide in alleviating dormancy in selected native species The seeds of a number of Australian species are known to lose dormancy when exposed to a short burst of dry heat. However, it has also been found that the moisture content of the seed prior to heat exposure has a significant impact on dormancy release. This study will investigate this relationship further using a number of native plant species that have so far proven to be largely non-responsive to other dormancy alleviating treatments. Dr Shane Turner: shane.turner@bgpa.wa.gov.au Dr David Merritt: david.merritt@bgpa.wa.gov.au 7. Morpho-physiological dormancy with an emphasis on the induction of seed desiccation sensitivity. The seeds of many native species display an unusual form of seed dormancy termed “morphophysiological” dormancy, whereby seed embryos need time to grow within the seed prior to emergence. Under natural conditions seeds are capable of hydrating and re-drying many times until conditions are right for the germination process to be completed. However, at a critical point during the germination process a seed will lose desiccation tolerance and subsequently die if re-dried. For most native species with morphophysiological dormancy the point at which desiccation sensitivity occurs after initial hydration is completely unknown. Therefore using two native species (Anigozanthos manglesii and Stylidium affine) the aim of this project is to determine the point at which non-dormant seeds lose desiccation tolerance when and to document the internal growth of zygotic embryos prior to radicle emergence. Dr Shane Turner: shane.turner@bgpa.wa.gov.au

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THE CENTRE FOR LEGUMES IN MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE

CLIMA is a Research Centre at The University of Western Australia and has collaborative links with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, CSIRO, Murdoch University and also international organisations. It addresses problems and priorities of the Australian legume industries which it achieves through strategic scientific research and development, linked to an applied base. CLIMA’s research focus includes grain and annual pasture legumes in the following areas:

• Germplasm development (wide-crosses to introgress desirable traits, pre-emptive breeding and screening for physiological traits, exotic pests and diseases, germplasm collection and characterisation using agronomic, morphological and molecular data, development of core collections and agro-ecological evaluation of crop germplasm).

• Breeding technologies such as development of double haploids and pollen selection methods.

• New crop development.

• Developing varieties with improved adaptation to abiotic (climatic and edaphic) stress.

• Increasing the value of grain legume products (traditional food and feed markets and special nutritional food and health products).

• Developing new pasture species for a wide range of soil types and environments.

• Nitrogen fixation, global warming potential and sustainability of production systems with legumes. International Linkages The Centre has built a network of international linkages with standing agreements for research cooperation and exchange of germplasm with several countries and specific project-based linkages with many others (including international agricultural research centres). The Centre intends to further strengthen international linkages with financial support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Australian Research Council (ARC), Council of Grain Grower Organisations (COGGO Ltd) and others.

What can CLIMA offer to Undergraduate and Post-graduate training in legume science? • Collaborative partners and associates with diverse skills in basic and applied aspects of legume research

and development.

• Legume related projects in partnership with the industry.

• Scientists with wide experience and strong linkages with international agricultural centres and national agricultural system (Indian sub-continent, West Asia and North Africa, Central Asian Republic, South America and China).

A selection of the many project ideas developed by CLIMA scientists and associates and available for students to consider as honours or fourth-year projects is presented on the following pages.

For further information contact individual researchers directly or: Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA), Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia (M080), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Phone: 61 8 6488 2505 Fax: 61 8 6488 1140 Email: clima@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Website: www.clima.uwa.edu.au

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PROFESSOR WILLIAM ERSKINE Room 1.144 CRC Wing; Ph 6488 1903; Email: William.Erskine@uwa.edu.au

LEGUME VARIATION, GENETICS & BREEDING My interests are in the variation, genetics and breeding of food, forage and pasture legumes. In a changing climate and with fertilizer costs spiralling, legumes will increasingly return into grain production systems to underpin long-term sustainability through nitrogen fixation in association with rhizobium reducing the need for synthetic fertilizer produced from fossil fuel, and through their action as a disease and weed break for cereals. I am happy to supervise students in aspects of legume improvement, often co-supervised with others, in aspects of the reliability of production. These include, for example, legume variability in response to major biotic and abiotic stresses, seed quality and nitrogen fixation efficiency and all aspects of broadening the genetic base of legume improvement.

RES. ASST. PROF. JANINE CROSER Room 1.141 CLIMA wing; Ph: 6488 7951 Email: jcroser@clima.uwa.edu.au

Biotech & BioFuels Research topics currently available for Honours/4th year projects in 2011: � Be part of the solution to the peak oil crisis - Camelina sativa is an alternative oilseed with very high

levels of Omega-3 and promise as a low-input biofuel feedstock. We have imported a range of exciting lines from Russia which need to be further characterized. We can offer projects in C. sativa related to genetics (molecular mapping; genome size determination), plant breeding (crossing and mutation for improving oil qualities), agronomy (classical field trials to determine performance of lines under diverse growing conditions) and biotechnology (development of doubled haploids). We also need to further explore its application in industry, cosmetics and healthfoods and can provide targeted projects in these areas.

NB. Camelina was the research subject of the WA regional finalist of the BioGENEius competition for 2010.

� Help us apply our research to the farmgate– we have recently developed world-first protocols for

doubled haploid development in chickpea. We now need your help to improve the application of the protocol to a wide range of genotypes in order to deliver the technology to the breeding program. Training will be provided in genetics, molecular biology, tissue culture, microscopy and flow cytometry. Excellent opportunities for publication.

� ‘Speeding the breeding’ - Developing biotechnology techniques for the exciting new perennial

pasture species tedera - this project provides the opportunity to build upon our current research endeavours in tedera and publish your research in a high quality journal. Training will be provided in genetics, molecular biology, tissue culture, microscopy and flow cytometry. In collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Megan Ryan and Dr Daniel Real (DAFWA)

� Test tube breeding…In vitro flowering of a range of legumes – flowering and seed set can be induced

in vitro from stem cuttings without rooting. This enables us to fast-track breeding by reducing generation time. Factors such as temperature, light spectrum and length of exposure and culture medium are all important in protocol development. An excellent opportunity to develop a protocol with significant industry outcomes within the timeframe of a fourth year project. In collaboration with legume breeders at DAFWA and DPI Victoria.

� Why use exotics when the locals may be just as good? Tissue culture of native legumes – investigate

the potential for using biotechnology tools for plant improvement in some of Australia’s native pasture legumes – especially those with promise for adaptation to broad acre farming systems (spp. Cullen, Kennedia, etc.). In collaboration with Dr Megan Ryan and Mr Richard Bennett (CSIRO).

If you are interested in any of these topics, or have suggestions related to these areas, please send me an email or drop by my office for a chat.

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DR PING SI Room 1.159 CLIMA wing; Ph: 6488 1233; Email: pingsi@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Herbicides are one of very important elements of modern agriculture. Herbicide tolerant crops have been widely grown in the world since 1990s. Improving herbicide tolerance in grain legumes is of paramount importance for the inclusion of legumes in the crop rotations for a sustainable agriculture. I have used two methods of induced mutation and germplasm screening to successfully improve herbicide tolerance in lupins (Si et al., 2009 and Si et al., 2006). I have a number of project ideas for students who are interested in developing knowledge and skills in plant breeding and plant physiology, in particular the understanding of herbicide tolerance in plants.

• Variation in tolerance to carfentrazone-ethyl, a potential new herbicide for lupins This project determines the magnitude of genotypic variation on carfentrazone-ethyl tolerance in lupin germplasm.

• Cross tolerance to common herbicides in two chickpea lines Chickpea tolerant to metribuzin have been identified. This project aims to assess whether these chickpea have tolerance to other herbicides.

• Physiological basis of 3 lupin genotypes with three different tolerance to metribuzin Metribuzin affects photosynthesis of plants. Lupin genotypes (mutants and wild types) with different levels of tolerance may have different photosynthetic rates when metribuzin is applied.

• Environmental impact on herbicide tolerance in grain legumes Tolerance to herbicides is affected by environmental conditions. This project examines how temperature affects the level of tolerance in grain legumes.

Si P. Buirchell, B. and Sweetingham, MW. (2009) Improved metribuzin tolerance in narrow-leafed lupin

(Lupinus angustifolius L.) by induced mutation and field selection. Field Crops Research, 113, 282-

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Si, P. Sweetingham, MW. Buirchell, B. Bowran, D. and Piper T. (2006) Genotypic variation on metribuzin

tolerance in narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). Australian Journal of Experimental

Agriculture, 46, 85-91 DR KIOUMARS GHAMKHAR Room 1.150 CLIMA wing; Ph: 6488 7120; Email: Kioumars@cyllene.uwa.edu.au RESEARCH INTERESTS: My work is mostly focused on screening genetic diversity in pasture legumes. Screening, processing, and data analysis of molecular markers, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and agro-morphological screening are all components and tools in my overall purpose of enhancing germplasm for breeding purposes. I am in very close connection and collaboration with breeders, germplasm managers, and farming system experts in order to exploit our skills for obtaining maximum outcome from different research tools. So, anyone interested in eco-geography, molecular biology, or germplasm enhancement in pasture legumes is more than welcome to join the team. Projects ready to start: (mainly genomics and ecogeographical studies for genetic improvement of

subterranean clover) - Using molecular markers for screening genetic diversity in subterranean clover (sub-clover, Trifolium

subterraneum L.) germplasm collection and cultivars. - Investigating ecogeographical factors affecting genetic diversity in subclover: genotype, phenotype, and

environment interactions. - Development of a core collection (manageable subset) of sub-clover accessions for breeding purposes. - Genetic variation in subclover and its links to phenotypic diversity. - Statistical analysis using combined molecular, ecogeographical, and morphological data to explore

phylogenetic relationships in subclover.

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Other potential projects (mainly molecular and biochemical studies in clover) - Linkages between (bio) chemical agents and genetic/molecular data in red clover and sub-clover. - (Bio) chemical and molecular screening in Biserulla. - DNA content and its linkage to phylogenetic relationships in clover species (Genus Trifolium L.). DR JON CLEMENTS Room 1.149 CLIMA wing; Ph: 6488 1342; Email: clem@cyllene.uwa.edu.au LUPIN GERMPLASM DEVELOPMENT, BREEDING AND WIDE CROSSING Lupins are a major grain legume crop grown in Australia because they are a valuable grain export and the crop contributes to farming systems as a nitrogen fixing species and for other benefits such as providing a disease break for cereals. You can use lupins as a model crop to explore plant physiological and breeding-related honours projects. Here are some ideas.

Specific project ideas: • Physiology of high early vigour in L. angustifolius. Germplasm and breeding lines have been selected

in L. angustifolius with more rapid growth rates compared with current cultivars. There may advantages conferred by this characteristic in terms of weed competition, better use of soil moisture, more reliable harvest height and higher yields. This project will help determine why early vigour occurs and will incorporate glasshouse studies and plant physiological data.

• Water use efficiency of L. mutabilis compared to narrow-leafed lupin. Pod set in L. mutabilis has been variable and this is possibly because the species, which comes from the Andean regions of South America, may have different water use sensitivities compared to the other crop lupin species. This project will contribute valuable knowledge to the crop improvement program in this species. It will use gravimetric water use experiments using instruments that measure gas exchange and leaf water potential. Several genotypes of L. mutabilis will be screened to investigate if variation exists within the species.

• Heterosis in L. mutabilis. L. mutabilis has been shown to be a moderately outcrossing lupin species. It is likely that heterosis exists and this project will investigate the level of heterosis in F1 plants of crosses of L. mutabilis genotypes. Exploitation of heterosis for this potential crop plant could be investigated as part of the research and literature reviewing components of the thesis.

• Lupins as cut flowers. There are many beautiful flower colours among the lupin species and some with good fragrance. This project would investigate vase life in one or more lupin species and could conduct a preliminary survey of market potential.

• Nodulation and nitrogen fixation in L. mutabilis compared to other crop lupin species. This project will investigate whether nodulation and nitrogen fixation in L. mutabilis is equivalent to other crop lupin species. Experiments using different rhizobial strains and different temperatures could test this hypothesis. Skills developed will include nodulation scoring, nitrogen fixation assays, plus overall knowledge of the nitrogen fixation process in legumes.

• Can soybean with cold tolerance be grown in the northern wheat belt as a winter crop? Soybean is a warm season crop typically grown in summer temperatures and often under irrigation. We would like to explore whether soybean lines with some cold tolerance could be grown in a winter season in Western Australia under rain-fed conditions. A project of this nature would look at controlled environment growth studies of selected soybean lines and include a field trial.

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THE COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION (CSIRO)

ADJUNCT ASSOC. PROF. PHIL WARD Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Plant Industry, Floreat Park, WA; Ph: 9333 6616; Email: Phil.Ward@csiro.au Research Interests My research revolves around water use by plants: how water use is impacted by the environment; and how it impacts on the environment. Current research projects include:

• Water balance of conservation farming systems (with Dr Ken Flower and WANTFA). How does stubble retention, as part of a conservation farming system, affect evaporation from the soil, infiltration into the soil, deep drainage to groundwater, and crop water use efficiency?

• Competition for water in pasture cropping systems (with Dr David Ferris, CRC FFI, and Dr Roger

Lawes, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems). In pasture cropping systems, crops are sown in to established perennial, summer-active pastures. When the pasture breaks from dormancy in spring, how does it compete with the crop for water?

• Water Use Efficiency of crops in the high-rainfall zone of WA (with Dr Heping Zhang and Dr Steve

Milroy, CSIRO PI). With the expansion of crops into the 500-700 mm rainfall zone of WA, how can we maximise their water use efficiency for optimum yield and profit?

• Water repellency and stubble retention (with Dr Margaret Roper, CSIRO PI). The theory of water repellence suggests that its severity should increase under stubble retention. However, farmers report that symptoms of water repellency are often less severe after adopting stubble retention. Can this be explained by patterns of soil water distribution?

In addition to the work described above on agricultural systems, I have also worked on native ecosystems, including Banksia woodland and mallee heath (with Prof Hans Lambers and Dr Erik Veneklaas), measuring water use at the ecosystem level. Possible Projects

• Impact of stubble orientation on evaporation from the soil during early crop growth. One of the ways to improve crop water use efficiency is to reduce water loss by evaporation from the soil surface. Can stubble retention assist in reducing evaporation, and will this increase water use efficiency? This project would involve field work at the existing trials (managed by WANTFA) located at Cunderdin and Mingenew. Measurements would include evaporation rate and soil water content in some of the treatments at the sites for the first few months of crop growth (May-July).

• Does pasture cropping reduce the incidence and severity of wind erosion? One of the major proposed benefits of pasture cropping on the sandplain areas of WA is the potential for the higher levels of ground cover to reduce the incidence and severity of wind erosion. However, there is currently no data to support this assertion. In this project, you would take erosion measurements on some of the treatments at the existing CRC FFI trial at Moora and possibly at other farmer sites. Measurements would be most suited to April and May, but could be conducted at any time.

• Dead roots as potential wicks. Recent research has shown that in sandy soils, evaporation over summer might actually be higher from areas where stubble is retained compared with areas where stubble is removed. This finding is contrary to expectations. Can dead roots act as continuous soil pores, transmitting water to the soil surface? This project will involve glasshouse research, using a tracer in water to determine patterns of water movement in pots containing dead wheat plants.

I am also happy to discuss other project ideas related to soil water or plant water use.

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ADJUNCT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR BRUCE WEBBER Climate Adaptation National Research Flagship, CSIRO Entomology, Underwood Ave, Floreat Ph: (0)8 9333 6802; Email: bruce.webber@csiro.au; www: www.csiro.au/people/Bruce.Webber PLANT ECOPHYSIOLOGY, PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS, INVASION ECOLOGY & CLIMATE CHANGE Research interests: My current interests relate to the management of invasive plant species in a changing climate. I focus on understanding risks associated with weed species and aim to provide evidence based assessments for influencing adaptation responses (management and policy) to climate change. My work includes assessing variation in the invasive ability of weed species, the interaction of weeds with their surrounding ecosystem, plant range studies based on modelling climatic and ecophysiological parameters, and understanding the ongoing effectiveness of current biological control methods. Students would have access to a suite of facilities at UWA and CSIRO Entomology in Floreat, according to the needs of the chosen project. Projects would involve collaborations with John Scott (www.csiro.au/people/John.K.Scott) and Hans Lambers (www.uwa.edu.au/people/hans.lambers). Specific projects for consideration this coming year are: An integrated approach to predicting weed distributions under climate change (with Dr John Scott) In addition to accounting for a changing climate, the prediction of future weed distributions needs to consider other issues such as the physiological parameters of the plant, ecosystem interactions, changed land use and physical barriers. We will utilise the naturally available climatic and soil gradients of southern Western Australia, field and glasshouse studies and software modelling in an integrated approach to predicting the distributions of key horticultural weed species. Multiple projects are available, depending on the particular interests of applicants. Ecosystem transforming processes associated with bridal creeper invasion (with Prof Hans Lambers) Areas colonised by bridal creeper, a weed of national significance, have increased soil nutrients and exhibit post-colonisation loss of native species. A change in decomposition rates is also associated with the weed invasion. The project will examine the ecosystem changing processes associated with invasion by bridal creeper both in the laboratory and field, and test management options for restoring ecosystems transformed by bridal creeper. Are dispersal barriers an effective adaptation response to limiting blackberry invasions under climate change? (with Dr John Scott) Containment lines are currently a key mechanism in the control of blackberry invasions in southwest Western Australia. This project will investigate the effectiveness and suitability of containment lines as dispersal barriers and explore how this management strategy may be affected by climate change. More specifically, we will characterise seed shadows based on the common animal seed vectors and quantify plant ecophysiological limitations to model the invasion dynamics of blackberry in a changing climate. For further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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FUTURE FARM INDUSTRIES CRC

Through an improved understanding of the way natural and agricultural ecosystems work, the CRC is providing new plant-based land use systems that lessen the economic, environmental and social impacts of dryland salinity and thereby help to sustain rural communities. Our goals are to:

• Direct and influence plant-based research delivering agricultural production and processing systems that cope with, arrest and reverse dryland salinity, improve water quality and sustain rural communities.

• Create awareness, will and capacity to adopt plant-based solutions to dryland salinity for economic, environmental and social benefit to Australia.

• Provide an expanding pool of graduate researchers capable of solving the complex natural resource management issues facing Australia.

• Achieve effective collaboration among CRC researchers that transcends geography, agency, discipline and sector, interacts purposefully with industry and the community, and takes a lead in the effort to optimize the use of Australia's intellectual and research resources.

UWA Academics who are participants in the CRC are listed below. Please refer to academic listings in this manual for further information.

• Prof David Pannell

• A/Prof Keith Smettem

• Dr Eric Veneklaas

• Prof Hans Lambers

• Prof Zed Rengel

• Dr Tim Colmer

• Dr Greg Hertzler

• Dr Steven Schilizzi

• Dr Atakelty Hailu

• Dr Benedict White

• A/Prof Michael Burton

• Dr Pieter Poot

• Dr Ross Kingwell

• Dr Guijun Yan

• Prof Graeme Martin

• Dr Philip Vercoe

• Dr Stephen Burgess

• Dr Daniel Real

ADJUNCT ASSOC. PROF. DANIEL REAL Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Pasture Science Group, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151 Ph: 9368 3879 Email: daniel.real@agric.wa.gov.au Research Interests As a participant of the Future Farm Industries CRC, my research interest is in perennial forage legume breeding. Specific projects can be developed to suit student’s interest within our breeding program in Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata). For further details please contact me by email: daniel.real@agric.wa.gov.au

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DR SARITA BENNETT Room 1.157, Agriculture CRC Wing. Tel: 6488 4841 Email: sarita@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Variation in growth rate of old man and river saltbush under salinity, waterlogging and temperature. Saltbush is the best option for saltland pastures over much of the low to medium rainfall agricultural zone of Western Australia. Its growth is affected by depth to the watertable, groundwater salinity and mean annual temperature, yet the optimum conditions and the limit of growth is still poorly understood. Saltbush has been widely planted on the SGSL Producer Network Sites and this provides an opportunity to study the growth of established plants at a range of sites across the 300 to 450 mm rainfall zone of Western Australia. 2. Adaptation of annual ryegrass to increasing salinity. Annual ryegrass is reported to have limited tolerance to both saline conditions and winter waterlogging, yet it occurs widely across the wheatbelt of Western Australia in both saline and non-saline conditions. As a species it has been shown to have high variability and to show rapid adaptation to new environmental conditions. Are populations persisting under saline conditions developing a tolerance to salinity through genetic adaptation? 3. Ecotypic variation in woolly clover (Trifolium tomentosum) across a saline gradient. Comparisons with accessions from mediterranean collections. Woolly clover is widely naturalized across the wheatbelt of Western Australia and is found growing in both waterlogged and saline conditions where it is often highly productive. Trials undertaken through the CRC Salinity found that it often had better production than other annual legume species. Should this species be included in agronomic evaluations of understorey species in saltland systems? 4. Influence of environment on germination and establishment of annual pasture understorey species Germination of annual species under saline conditions is known to be affected by the salinity of the soil during germination. The salinity of the top soil decreases dramatically after the ‘break’ of the season. But how does the timing of the break affect the breakdown of seed dormancy, viability of pre-emergent seed and seed germination. Information from this project will feed into current work on SaltCap2, a FFI CRC project. Contacts: Dr Sarita Bennett, 6488 4841, UWA, sarita@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Dr Phil Nichols, 9368 3547, DAFWA, pnichols@agric.wa.gov.au Dr Ed Barrett-Lennard, 6488 1506, DAFWA/Plant Biology UWA, egbarrettlennard@agric.wa.gov.au

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ADJ. PROF. ROGER JONES Plant Pathology Section, Department of Agriculture and Food, South Perth Ph: 9368 3269; Email: rogerjones@agric.wa.gov.au

• Characterise the resistance responses of mustards and other biofuel crops to infection with Turnip

mosaic virus. • Determine the significance of seed transmissibility of Alfalfa mosaic virus in diverse lupin species,

and the incidence of infection in lupin seed stocks. • Establish the effect of infection with Pea seed-borne mosaic virus and Bean yellow mosaic virus on

seed viability in pea, lupin, and other cool-season crop legumes • Evaluate the reactions of diverse perennial pasture legume species to inoculation with pasture

viruses. • Examine the role of contact-transmission in spreading economically important potyviruses in the

field • Examine the impact of virus diseases on the reproductive capacity of western Australian native

plants Some other similar, simple projects involving horticultural and broadacre crops are also possible.

ADJ. SENIOR LECTURER MANISHA SHANKAR Senior Plant Pathologist, Department of Agriculture and Food, South Perth Ph: 9368 3533; Email: mshankar@agric.wa.gov.au Phenotyping for seedling resistance and adult plant resistance to yellow spot of wheat in a doubled haploid mapping population fixed for 5BL locus The project deals with evaluation of seedling plant response to yellow spot in the glasshouse and adult plant resistance in the field. Good progress has been made internationally to understand resistance to yellow spot (causal fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) of wheat and this work has helped identify the main resistance factor in Australian germplasm being toxin insensitivity at the 5BL locus, tsn1. Limited understanding exists on the extent of occurrence of tsn1 in Australian breeding material and yet there appears to be considerable variation in response to yellow spot resistance among tsn1 carrying lines that could, when understood, provide significant opportunity to enhance expression of resistance in Australian germplasm, additional to the moderate resistance achieved with the 5BL tsn1 locus. Field phenotyping for resistance to septoria tritici blotch of wheat in a doubled haploid mapping population This project deals with evaluation of adult plant response to septoria tritici blotch in a field nursery. Septoria tritici blotch (STB) (causal fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola) is a major disease of wheat growing regions of the world. Resistance to M. graminicola is simply inherited and may be controlled by one or two dominant or partially dominant genes. Research groups in Europe have identified several genes conferring resistance to STB in wheat. The vast pathological variation in M. graminicola, its capacity to overcome resistance and its rapidly developing genomics across the globe, stresses the importance of a better understanding of the existing resistance genes in the Australian germplasm.

ADJ. ASSOC. PROF. DANIEL REAL Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Pasture Science Group, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151 Ph: 9368 3879 Email: daniel.real@agric.wa.gov.au Research Interests As a participant of the Future Farm Industries CRC, my research interest is in perennial forage legume breeding. Specific projects can be developed to suit student’s interest within our breeding program in Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata). For further details please contact me by email: daniel.real@agric.wa.gov.au

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DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION

The department has the lead responsibility for conserving Western Australia’s biodiversity and the protection, sustainable use and enjoyment of the State’s natural environment. It provides a clear focus on key environmental and biodiversity conservation priorities such as the sustainable use of our natural resources, climate change and greenhouse gases, introduced pest plants, animals and diseases, salinity and other land, air and water quality issues. It manages 27 million hectares covering the State’s national parks, marine parks, conservation parks, State forests and timber reserves, nature reserves, marine nature reserves and marine management areas. The department is also responsible for fire preparedness and pest animal and weed control on 89 million hectares of unallocated Crown land and unmanaged reserves. FLORA CONSERVATION AND HERBARIUM PROGRAM 2010-2011 SCIENCE DIVISION The Flora Conservation and Herbarium Program is one of eight thematic programs within the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Science Division. Key research activities include developing an improved understanding of factors and processes that are critical for the conservation of the State’s plant diversity and taxonomic and molecular taxonomic studies on the State’s flora. Ensuring the persistence of rare and threatened species, ameliorating key threats such as dieback and weeds, developing threatened species reintroduction methodologies and improving our understanding of genetic and ecological factors that are vital for the long term viability of plant species are major objectives. Contact: Dr David Coates, dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.au Science Division Department of Environment and Conservation Email:dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.ao Phone: 08 9334 0490 Research Theme: Genetic and ecological consequences of small population processes, rarity and habitat

fragmentation

Genetic and ecological consequences of habitat fragmentation and population viability in key species in the Dongolocking area of the Wheatbelt and the Swan Coastal Plain This project will build on studies already underway in this area that aim to understand and quantify how genetic and demographic processes interact to influence the viability and long-term conservation value of native plant populations in remnant vegetation, and relate this to easily measured landscape and population parameters. This information can then be used to identify and prioritize high viability remnants for in-situ conservation and assess the value of small remnants in maintaining connectivity in the landscape by facilitating pollen movement and thus gene flow. The project also aims to test conservation genetics theory regarding the genetic deterioration of small fragmented populations but focuses on common species rather than rare species. This is important since it is the more abundant species that are the critical components of landscapes with regard to maintenance of broader ecosystem function such as hydrology and nutrient cycling, as well as provision of habitat for other native organisms. This project will involve the use of molecular genetic and field base ecological and demographic techniques. Further Information: Dr David Coates, dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.au Dr Margaret Byrne, margaret.byrne@dec.wa.gov.au Dr Colin Yates, colin.yates@dec.wa.gov.au

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How does population size and isolation affect pollinator visitation, flowering, pollination, seed production and seedling fitness in the rare Acacia woodmaniorum The recently discovered Acacia woodmaniorum is endemic to the Banded Ironstone Formation (BIF) ranges of Western Australia. The rare species is known from an area of only 40km2 and may be placed under threat from future mining operations. The project will investigate various aspects of pollination biology, including the determination of key pollinators and what affect population size and isolation has flowering, pollination, seed production and seedling fitness. Information on these aspects of pollination biology will further inform us about the patterns of pollen dispersal, that ultimately influence patterns of genetic variation in this species. The research is important for the ongoing management of natural populations that ensures any impacts from mining activities are minimised. This project will involve field based ecological and demographic techniques as well as glasshouse based work and will tie in with a larger study on fine scale genetic structure and patterns of gene flow in A. woodmaniourm. Further Information: Dr David Coates (08 9334 0490), dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.au Dr Melissa A Millar (08 9334 0303), melissa.millar@dec.wa.gov.au Genetic and ecological consequences of rarity in the critically endangered ghost wattle Acacia sciophanes Acacia sciophanes is an extremely rare species covering a geographic range of less than 7 Km. It is currently listed as threatened and ranked as Critically Endangered occurring in a heavily fragmented landscape where much of the native vegetation has been cleared for agricultural production. It develops into a diffuse, openly branched, wispy shrub up to 2.3 m tall and is closely related to a more common species Acacia anfractuosa that occurs over a range of some 200km. Previous studies indicate that it is characterised by reduced genetic diversity and increased inbreeding in its two populations but there is no clear evidence for inbreeding depression and reduced reproductive output influencing the viability of these populations. The aim of this project will be to expand previous mating system, genetic diversity and ecological studies to determine which key factors if any will limit the viability and long term survival of this species. This project will involve the use of molecular genetic and field base ecological and demographic techniques Further Information: Dr David Coates, dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.au Dr Colin Yates, colin.yates@dec.wa.gov.au Pollen dispersal and gene flow among fragmented populations of Eremaea pauciflora in the wheatbelt Gene flow is a fundamental element of evolutionary processes maintaining cohesion of species. Pollen dispersal is a major component of gene flow in shrubs in south-west WA and recent studies have shown that pollen dispersal can be very extensive even in fragmented landscapes. This project will investigate the patterns of pollen dispersal in the Myrtaceous shrub Eremaea pauciflora in the Dongolocking region and complements previous ecological work on reproductive biology on the species in this area. Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers have been developed for the species to facilitate paternity assignment of seed crops. Knowledge of pollen dispersal is important for management of remnant populations and rehabilitation programs. Further Information: Dr David Coates, dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.au Dr Margaret Byrne, margaret.byrne@dec.wa.gov.au Dr Colin Yates, colin.yates@dec.wa.gov.au Species patterns in orchids in a fragmented landscape Orchids are very species-rich in Western Australia, and many are restricted and threatened. Orchid taxonomy in fragmented landscapes is made more difficult by the fragmentation – many pieces of the puzzle are lacking. In particular, some populations that appear to constitute distinct species may not have appeared distinct before clearing, when the full range of variation would have been evident. Anecdotal evidence suggests that changes in the ecology of remnants (e.g. through changed fire regimes and local extinction of fossorial mammals) may be promoting clonality in orchid populations, further adding to the apparent distinctness of some taxa. This project will assess detailed population-level patterns in a number of orchid taxa in the fragmented wheatbelt, to assess species boundaries and taxonomic distinctiveness. Further Information: Dr Kevin Thiele, kevin.thiele@dec.wa.goc.au

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Research Theme: Molecular taxonomy, phylogeny and evolutionary patterns

Hybridisation and the origin of a new species in Stylidium caricifolium complex The Stylidium caricifolium (Stylidiaceae) complex consists of seven currently recognized species and a taxon of putative hybrid origin. These taxa vary in geographical distribution from widespread, extending over a range of 500 km, to extremely localized covering a range of only 0.5 km. The taxon of putative hybrid origin is geographically restricted and rare and has yet to be formally recognised although it is likely to be a new species. To date hybridisation has not been considered an important process in the evolution of the south-west flora although it has recently proven to be a complicating factor in assessing the taxonomic status of a number of Critically Endangered Flora. Studies suggest that this rare Stylidium taxon is a distinct species that has evolved following past hybridisation between S. caricifolium and S. affine. The aim of this project is to further investigate the origin of this putative hybrid taxon using molecular genetic markers such as cp DNA and also re-assess the importance of hybridisation in the evolution and conservation of the south-west flora. This project will involve field surveys and the use of molecular genetic and phylogenetic techniques. Further Information: Dr David Coates, dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.au Phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies on highly endemic plants on the Banded Ironstone Formation ranges. The Banded Ironstone Formation (BIF) ranges of Western Australia have a unique flora and fauna, with high species endemism on at least some ranges, and are under threat from mining operations. An understanding of the history of species evolution on these ranges will be important information for helping assess threats. Information on the phylogeny of Tetratheca suggests that some BIF endemic taxa are allied to endemic taxa on other BIF ranges, while others are related to geographically widely distant species. This project will develop molecular phylogenies for targeted genera that have endemic species on the BIF ranges and search for congruent patterns in their phylogenies to elucidate any common phytogeographic history for the ranges. Further Information Dr David Coates, dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.au Dr Margaret Byrne, margaret.byrne@dec.wa.gov.au Phylogeny of the small-flowered Myrtaceae The small-flowered Myrtaceae (tribe Chamelaucieae) are an extremely species-rich group in Western Australia, including many important and spectacular genera such as Chamelaucium, Darwinia, Thryptomene and Baeckea. Many new species and some new genera are currently being described through revisionary work in progress by Barbara Rye and Malcolm Trudgen at the Western Australian Herbarium. This project will develop a phylogeny for the group using both molecular and morphological data, for the purpose of testing generic, infrageneric and subtribal classifications in the Chamelaucieae. Further Information: Dr Kevin Thiele, kevin.thiele@dec.wa.gov.au Investigation of taxonomic boundaries in the Tetratheca hirsuta complex: The Australian genus Tetratheca (black-eyed susan) has its centre of diversity in WA, where 70% of all species occur. Many of these have been recently described as new, and many have restricted distributions and are conservation listed as Priority or Threatened flora. Tetratheca hirsuta is a widespread and morphologically variable species which appears to have a number of distinct (and intergrading) geographic forms; two of these forms are recognised as Priority listed taxa under informal phrase-names. Taxonomic research on the T. hirsuta complex is needed to determine whether these should be described as new and to assess the significance of morphological patterns across this species’ range. This study would include field work across the Swan Coastal Plain, Darling Scarp and the south-west forests and employ a combination of morphological and molecular analysis tools to investigate taxon boundaries in this attractive group of plants. Further Information: Ryonen Butcher, ryonen.butcher@dec.wa.goc.au

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Visualising, exploring and traversing the Tree of Life The Tree of Life is a branching tree-structure used to represent phylogenetic relationships among all the world’s organisms. The Tree is both an integrative and explanatory structure – all known information about organisms can be placed at some level on the Tree of Life. New programs and initiatives in biodiversity informatics (such as the Atlas of Living Australia and the Encyclopedia of Life) seek to develop sophisticated, web-based tools for deploying information about organisms. The Tree of Life is increasingly seen as an ideal structure for exploring, visualizing and traversing the information webs envisaged by these projects. But our current methods for representing it are primitive and underwhelming. This project seeks a unique person – someone with an interest in evolutionary biology but who also is skilled in computer programming and gaming technologies – to explore new ways of representing the Tree of Life and develop and test prototype streaming Tree of Life Navigators. Further Information: Dr Kevin Thiele, kevin.thiele@dec.wa.goc.au Research Theme: Seed biology and reintroductions of threatened flora

Assessment of temperature thresholds for seed germination in south west Western Australian species in relation to climate change scenarios Current climate models predict rising temperatures and declining winter rainfall across much of fire-prone southern Western Australia. These changes have the potential to impact on the Region’s rich plant diversity. One plant characteristic that may respond to climate change is germination, with some species possibly vulnerable to even modest changes in temperature. Successful regeneration after disturbance such as fire may be adversely affected. This project would see the screening of selected SW WA species for their tolerance to a range of temperatures during germination and early seedling performance to provide a more precise understanding of the likely impact of predicted rising temperatures on these critical periods in a plants life cycle. Further Information: Anne Cochrane, anne.cochrane@dec.wa.gov.au Development of guidelines for use of artificial disturbance in flora management and threatened species recovery The process of plant colonisation and establishment in many areas has been altered through human intervention and the management of threatened flora is increasingly relying on artificial disturbance to stimulate recruitment. Despite knowing that many threatened species require disturbance for recruitment, application of artificial disturbance treatments often fail to achieve their desired outcome. The nature, frequency and timing of disturbance are important for successful recruitment but using limited seed resources of threatened flora from ex situ collections in field investigations can be wasteful. With limited seed resources, it may be more appropriate to germinate seed under controlled conditions (eg temperature, moisture, predators) and plant the resultant seedlings. In the light of this, it would be prudent to establish disturbance guidelines based on surrogate common species as a priority. This project would investigate the nature of artificial disturbance that would provide the most effective result for recruitment and survival for plant species and to provide guidelines for their use in flora management and threatened species reintroduction. Further Information: Anne Cochrane, anne.cochrane@dec.wa.gov.au Good things come in small packages: seed biology of the triggerplants Stylidium (the triggerplants) is a large and iconic plant group with more than 250 species in Western Australia, a significant proportion of which are rare, geographically restricted or poorly known. The genus is the subject of ongoing taxonomic research and seed banking efforts within DEC, however, to date there has been little research conducted on aspects of seed biology and morphology. This project will investigate the germination characteristics, seed coat morphology (using SEM), and seedling growth forms of both common and rare, and annual and perennial species of Stylidium. It will provide information fundamental to the conservation and management of threatened triggerplants as well as improving our systematic understanding of the genus. Further Information: Andrew Crawford, andrew.crawford@dec.wa.gov.au

Anne Cochrane, anne.cochrane@dec.wa.gov.au Dr Juliet Wege, juliet.wege@dec.wa.gov.au

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Determining success criteria for reintroductions of threatened plants Plant reintroductions are now recognised as a key management tool for preventing the extinction of species in the wild. They involve the planting of seed, seedlings or vegetatively propagated plants into an area where the plant formerly or currently occurs or to a new safe location. Plant reintroductions aim to create or maintain viable self sustaining populations yet developing criteria that can readily assess this objective is difficult particularly in long lived woody shrubs that make up many of Western Australia’s Critically Endangered Plants. This project will assess the use of novel techniques that may include eco-physiological approaches, use of molecular markers to estimate mating systems and population viability analysis as possible indicators of long term reintroduction success. Further Information: Leonie Monks, anne.cochrane@dec.wa.gov.au Dr David Coates, dave.coates@dec.wa.gov.au Research Theme: Control and management of Phytophthora dieback

The use of high intensity phosphite techniques to control Phytophthora cinnamomi (Dieback) Determination of the biology and epidemiology of Phytophthora cinnamomi, the major threat to the flora in the South Coast Region is important for implementing appropriate management options for the control of this pathogen. Further, understanding of the efficacy of high intensity phosphite for the control of P.

cinnamomi would provide more options for the management of infested areas. The aim of this project is to advance our understanding of disease biology and epidemiology of P. cinnamomi in the native plant communities within the National Parks of the South Coast Region of Western Australia and to demonstrate the use of novel phosphite control techniques to reduce the impact of P. cinnamomi within the Threatened Ecological Communities of the Stirling Range National Park and Bell Track infestation in the Fitzgerald River National Park. Further Information: Dr Chris Dunne, chris.dunne@dec.wa.gov.au

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UWA INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE The UWA Institute of Agriculture was established by the University of Western Australia (UWA) with a mandate to integrate agricultural and natural resource management, research, education, training and communication across the University. The Institute is a partnership between the four schools within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) and key agricultural, food and health, and biotechnology centres within and outside the Faculty within UWA. The UWA Institute of Agriculture works with the agricultural and natural resource management sector to improve workforce skills, and to generate new knowledge that will assist the industry’s participants to advance their individual aspirations, underpin local and regional prosperity, and exercise responsible stewardship of the environment. The Institute has five Programs: Integrated Land and Water; Animal Productions Systems; Plant Production Systems; Rural Economy, Policy and Development, and Education, Outreach and Technology Exchange. These programs are structured to be, where possible, interdisciplinary, intersecting across the varied strengths of the Faculty’s Schools, Centres and discipline groups. The Institute’s programs focus on key themes relevant to future agricultural, food industry and natural resource management needs. Its responsibility is to maintain position of UWA Agricultural Sciences and related natural resource management as the national tertiary leader in the discipline area and in the top 50 agricultural faculties in the world.

DR HELEN BRAMLEY Room 1.151 Agriculture Central Wing; Ph 6488 1539; email: helen.bramley@uwa.edu.au In IOA we aim to gain a greater understanding of the physiology of crops in response to environmental conditions so that we can identify traits for developing improved crop varieties. My main research interests are related to plant water use. Water is fundamental to plant growth and productivity and yet it is usually the most limiting resource. Most of the water taken up by plants is lost to transpiration through open stomata during CO2 assimilation so there is a constant challenge in acquiring and keeping water, particularly in dryland environments. Projects available can involve lab, glasshouse and field work. We have strong collaboration with Dr. Jairo Palta at CSIRO Plant Industry, so there will be opportunities to work at both organisations. You will be trained in the use of a variety of techniques that measure plant water relations and hydraulic processes, as well as other physiological processes. There is also the potential to study molecular processes that control plant water flows in collaboration with Dr. Catherine Colas des Francs Small (Plant Energy Biology). Some of the projects available include, but are not limited to: 1. Wheat hydraulics, the link between transpiration and root hydraulic conductance 2. Expression of plasma membrane aquaporins in wheat 3. Brachypodium distachyon as a model for wheat water relations 4. Effects of elevated temperature on grain filling in wheat 5. Wheat physiology in response to climate change using contrasting genotypes a. Drought b. High temperature c. Elevated CO2 Please also contact me if you have your own ideas for projects.

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WINTHROP PROFESSOR KARAM SINGH (karam.singh@csiro.au, 93336320) ASSISTANT PROFESSOR JONATHAN ANDERSON (jonathan.anderson@csiro.au, 93336103) The CSIRO/UWA - Molecular Plant Pathology and Crop Genomics Group Prof Singh and his UWA/CSIRO colleagues study plant defence against insect pests and fungal pathogens, with a focus on legumes. These projects are breaking new ground in plant biotic stress constraints, are world-class in science quality and are making important contributions to our understanding of plant-pathogen and plant-pest interactions. In addition, the group has become active in crop genomics with a focus on seed genomics and are leading an effort to sequence the genome of the major grain legume in Australia, narrow-leaf lupin. The group, which currently consists of 14 staff members, has excellent laboratory and plant growth facilities and strong funding support. There are a number of potential Honours projects including: 1. Resistance to sap-sucking insect pests. Sap-sucking insects are major pests in agriculture. In addition to direct damage caused by feeding, sap-sucking insects are also major vectors for disease transmission; for example they transmit over 50% of all plant viruses. The group has built up an excellent system to study sap-sucking insect pests. They work on a range of economically important aphid pests including pea aphid, the model aphid, use Medicago truncatula, a powerful plant model system with excellent resistance to aphids and powerful genomic tools/resources on both the plant and insect side of the interaction. As examples, they have characterised and fine mapped dominant resistance genes that provide strong levels of resistance to blue green aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid and pea aphid. They have also identified specific biochemical pathways important for aphid resistance and isolated the first candidate plant transcription factors important for coordinating plant resistance to aphids. 1a) Investigation of the bluegreen aphid secretome: Aphids are sophisticated sap-sucking insects who use their stylet to navigate between plant cells until they reach the phloem sieve element, where in compatible interactions they manipulate the plant by secreting saliva into the sieve element and establish a successful feeding site. In incompatible interactions it is believed that this secretome of the aphid harbors effectors that are recognized either directly or indirectly by the plant’s resistance genes. This project will use a combination of techniques to try to decipher and initiate characterisation of the salivary secretome in bluegreen aphid. 1b) Characterisation of R gene mediated defense responses in the model legume M. truncatula following bluegreen aphid attack: Strong resistance to bluegreen aphid has been identified in M. truncatula. Through a genetic mapping approach it was found that resistance to bluegreen aphid is controlled by a single dominant gene termed AKR (Acyrthosiphon kondoi resistance). A pair of near-isogenic lines has been generated which are either resistant (having AKR) or susceptible (lacking AKR) to bluegreen aphid. Potential Honours projects using transcriptomics and/or metabolomics are available to identify key regulators and key defense pathways recruited by the AKR resistance gene. 2. Resistance to fungal pathogens. The group’s focus has been on root pathogens, primarily the nectrophic fungal pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani. Fungal necrotrophic diseases are major problems for Austalian agriculture, for example, they are the greatest constraint to the long term viability of grain legume production in Australia with chronically high crop losses (around 25% overall) resulting in eroded grower confidence in many legume crops. R. solani is an important soil pathogen with a very broad host range and causes substantial losses to a wide range of crops. Thus, it is the second most important disease for rice world-wide and is a major problem for the major cereal crops (wheat and barley) grown in Australia. There is no good genetic resistance to R. solani in any crop species to date. However, pioneering research by Prof. Singh’s team has demonstrated that ethylene plays a major role in resistance to R. solani and they have identified key regulatory factors that are able to provide effective resistance to this recalcitrant pathogen in M. truncatula. They are using powerful genomic approaches on both the plant and pathogen side to unravel the mechanisms underlying this strong resistance in order to transfer it to other crops. 2a) Characterise transcription factors linked by the group to fungal resistance using molecular and reverse genetic approaches: The group has identified specific transcription factors in both Arabidopsis and M. truncatula that are key regulators of plant defence responses to some fungal soil borne pathogens. There are

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a number of potential Honours projects to further characterise these transcription factors to identify partner proteins and target genes using molecular and genomic approaches. 3. Legume genomics with a focus on lupins. The group is part of the Centre for Food and Genomic Medicine which links medical, food and plant groups to tackle problems related to obesity and diabetes. The Centre’s focus is on narrow-leaf lupin (NLL) which has been shown to have a number of positive health benefits relating to appetite suppression and improving risk factors for heart disease. The focus of the groups CFGM effort is on seed storage protein gene families and underpinning genomic resources for characterising the lupin grain. The focus on seed storage proteins (SSP) is because these are very likely to be the major constituents of the lupin grain responsible for satiety and related dietary benefits. 3a) Lupin Seed Transcriptomics: Potential Honours projects in this area include i) analysing gene expression during lupin seed development using next generation sequencing with a focus on key transcription factors that may have a vital regulatory role in controlling seed storage protein gene expression and ii) using transcriptomics and phylogenic studies to compare seed storage proteins between lupin species/cultivars to identify any correlation with different seed compositions/nutritional qualities.

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WORSLEY ALUMINA PTY LTD

Corporate Office PO Box 344, Collie, WA 6225

Initial contacts Stephen Vlahos (Worsley Environmental Specialist- Studies Ph: 9734 8592, email: Stephen.Vlahos@wapl.com.au) or Bill Loneragan (Room 2.29 Botany Building; Ph 9380 2216; Email: wal@plants.uwa.edu.au). Background: Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd manages the Boddington Bauxite Mine located on the eastern edge of the Darling Range in the northern Jarrah Forest of WA. The first operational rehabilitation was undertaken in 1986 under a prescription developed in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation. The broad objective of rehabilitation is to regenerate a stable forest ecosystem with characteristics compatible with the eastern jarrah forest. Within this broad objective there are many opportunities for both basic and applied research projects. Projects are undertaken in collaboration with other groups within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, the Centre for Land Rehabilitation and the Botanic Gardens & Parks Authority. Worsley will provide funds to cover the costs of the Project including consumables, travel etc. Supervision will be primarily through the University with some support from Worsley Alumina. Project ideas

Improving and quantifying establishment from broadcast seed. The broadcast seed mix contains over 100 species and is an important contribution to establishing the vegetation. Quantifying and understanding the factors affecting establishing will contribute to enhancing the rehabilitation vegetation. What are establishment rates across the range of species seeded? What factors influence establishment? Are there generalisations for different plant groups? How to improve seed quality? Seed dormancy and seed treatments. Some species have very low germination. What is the mechanism of dormancy? What treatments can be used to stimulate germination? A range of plant groups is available for investigation. Tissue Culture techniques. Some species can only be reintroduced by planting seedlings, and seedlings numbers achieved in sufficient numbers using tissue culture methods. How can these methods be improved? Potential benefits of mulches. Chipping of forest residue could be used to enhance the establishment of the rehabilitation. What are the benefits to vegetation establishment? What are the consequences for soil conditions? Other Projects can be developed in collaboration with academic staff into a range of rehabilitation issues that include nutrients and nutrient cycling, microbial activity and processes, mycorrhizal associations, soil development, plant growth, plant and vegetation water use, floristic development, fire management, plant pathogens (eg. dieback) etc. Discuss your interests first with A/Prof. Bill Loneragan who can refer you to an appropriate member of the academic staff.

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND SCHOLARSHIPS In most cases 4th yr/honours/postgraduate diploma students are full-time and self-supported for living expenses. The materials directly required for the successful completion of a project are provided by the supervisor(s) of the project and the funds to purchase these materials generally originate from grants to the supervisor(s) from various funding agencies. The School also allocates limited funding from its teaching grant to fund 4th year (up to $800) and honours (up to $1000) projects. Other funding opportunities (ie., scholarships, bursaries) may exist and a number have been listed under the specific research areas above. Details of other scholarships and special awards are given below. Please contact the Head of School, or the nominated contact person, if you are interested in any of these opportunities. A limited number of summer scholarships may also be available that can provide research experience in the School in a short pre-project programme. Note carefully that the closing dates for the special funding opportunities vary.

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JENNIFER ARNOLD MEMORIAL RESEARCH GRANT http://spe.publishing.uwa.edu.au/latest/scholarships/undergraduate/arnold

"To encourage a more perfect understanding of the natural environment and of its value"

Open to students enrolling in 2011 for Honours or Masters Preliminary -

in

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences The University of Western Australia

or

The School of Biological and Environmental Sciences Murdoch University

Application material (including regulations governing the grant) is available from:

The Senior Faculty Administrative Officer

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences The University of Western Australia

(Telephone No. 6488 3032)

Value: Approx. $750

Closing Date: 31 March 2011

Applications to be submitted to:

The Senior Faculty Administrative Officer Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY 6009

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THE BOTANIC GARDENS AND PARK AUTHORITY The Botanic Gardens & Parks Authority is offering $2000 honours scholarships for some of its projects. Students interested in doing a project at BGPA are urged to contact Professor Kingsley Dixon at King’s Park to enquire about the eligibility of the chosen project for a scholarship.

PROFESSOR KINGSLEY DIXON Director, Science Kings Park and Botanic Garden West Perth Phone 9480 3614 Email: kingsley.dixon@bgpa.wa.gov.au

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GRAINS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TRAINING AWARDS

Grains Industry Undergraduate Honours Scholarships (UHS)

Grains Industry Undergraduate Honours Scholarships (UHSs) are available to students of excellence proceeding to undergraduate honours study in a field relevant to the future of the Australian grains industry. Scholarships are for one (1) year and comprise a tax-free stipend of $5,000 and $1,000 for project operating expenses. The GRDC invites and assesses UHS applications once a year. The application closing date, for full time study commencing in 2011 is yet to be announced. You should check the GRDC website. 1. Eligibility To be eligible for a UHS: • The candidate must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident • The candidate must receive acceptance at a recognised research institution • The candidate must undertake full time honours study 2. Selection Criteria The main criteria used in selecting successful applicants include: • Strong academic record as demonstrated through academic transcripts • Quality and relevance of the project to grains industry needs • Scientific credibility of the supervisor and institution in the area being studied • Three (3) satisfactory referee reports submitted by the due date For further information on these scholarships, including the application process and reporting requirements, visit the GRDC webpage http://www.grdc.com.au/director/apply/Training%20Awards.

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THE GROWER GROUP ALLIANCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

** $2000 scholarship **

Linking 4th

year student research projects with farmer groups

The Grower Group Alliance is calling for research project ideas from current 3

rd year

students who wish to undertake their 4th

year project in conjunction with a grower group in WA. The Grower Group Alliance is a Grains Research & Development Corporation funded project which aims to increase communication between growers and researchers to improve the on-farm adoption of research results (www.grdc.com.au). The project is keen to develop new partnerships between grower groups and UWA students. In 2011, two scholarships will be available. There is a total of $2000 for each scholarship, with $1000 for the student and $1000 to cover field research expenses. Closer partnerships between UWA and grower groups will lead to projects with increased relevance and application to farming systems, and improved employment opportunities for students. Projects will be supervised by UWA staff with field work carried out in association with a grower group. Applications must be received by Friday, 18

th March

2011. For further information, please contact Megan Meates – Project Officer, Grower Group Alliance, P: 6488 3410, M: 0411 167 556, E: megan.meates@uwa.edu.au. For more information about potential grower group partners, visit the GGA website:

www.gga.org.au

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RAY HART MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP http://www.fnas.uwa.edu.au/home/ray_hart

"To encourage and assist a student to pursue field research in natural history"

Open to students enrolled in a specialist four-year, honours or postgraduate course and undertaking a project that includes a substantial field component and displays a multidisciplinary approach to an ecological

question

in Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

The University of Western Australia

Application material (including regulations governing the grant) is available from:

The Senior Faculty Administrative Officer Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

The University of Western Australia (Telephone No. 6488 3032

Value: $3500

Closing Date: 31 March 2011

Applications to be submitted to:

The Senior Faculty Administrative Officer Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY 6009

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KINGS PARK SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications are invited for the 2010/11 Kings Park summer scholarships. These scholarships provide the opportunity for talented students contemplating honours or post-graduate research in native plant conservation biology or restoration ecology to undertake a 12-week research project, under supervision of scientists within the Biodiversity Conservation Centre, Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Scholarships include a tax-free stipend of $7000 for a period of 12 weeks and operating costs, to commence in early December 2010. The Science Directorate at Kings Park and Botanic Garden undertakes integrated research focussed largely on practical outcomes in the conservation of threatened native plants, bushland restoration and native plant breeding. Research is focused within 6 key areas: restoration ecology, conservation genetics, conservation biotechnology, off-site germplasm conservation, seed biology, and orchid conservation. The Science team occupies the new Biodiversity Conservation Centre within Kings Park, comprising offices and dedicated state-of-the-art research laboratories within a stunning natural setting. Senior research staff include Dr Kingsley Dixon (Director), Dr Deanna Rokich (Restoration Ecologist), Dr Eric Bunn (Conservation Biotechnologist), Dr Siegy Krauss (Conservation Geneticist), Dr David Merritt (Seed Conservation Scientist) and Dr Jason Stevens (Restoration Ecophysiologist). In addition, we currently have more than 20 externally funded research scientists, numerous postgraduate students and research support staff comprising a major research team of more than 65 people. Interested candidates should initially consult the BGPA Science web page (www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/science) and approach scientific staff within Kings Park for discussion of possible projects. Written applications should then consist of a one page expression of interest giving a brief academic background and description of the intended summer scholarship research project. A brief covering letter, curriculum vitae and the names of 2 academic referees should also be submitted. Applications should be submitted by mail or (preferably) email to Dr Siegy Krauss, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Fraser Ave, West Perth, WA, 6005 (Siegy.Krauss@bgpa.wa.gov.au). Closing date for applications is Friday 29th October. Applicants will be notified of the decision by Friday 5th November. Further information can be obtained from Dr Siegy Krauss (9480 3673).

2010/11 KINGS PARK SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS

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JANICE KLUMPP AWARD for the study of

NATURE, FLORA AND FAUNA

Open to all students of The University of Western Australia

SELECTION CRITERIA

Academic Achievement

Excellence of a proposed programme of study, or research project, which aims to

further interest in, and knowledge of nature, flora and fauna

Value: Approx. $750

Application forms and the regulations governing the Award are available from The Senior Faculty Administrative Officer

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Telephone: 6488 3032)

Applications to be submitted to:

The Senior Faculty Administrative Officer Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY 6009

by

31 March 2011