Effective virus management in grain crops (C2)

Combating grain yield reduction due to yellow virus infection is a significant challenge to the Australian grains industry. To address this issue, this project will research, novel virus and vector control methods for Australian Grain industries.  This project builds on a foundation of successful spray-on RNA interference (RNAi) research against virus, insect and fungal infections in important horticulture crops conducted at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food innovation (QAAFI) at The University of Queensland (UQ). RNAi is a nucleic acid metabolism system found in almost all species and functions at all stages of organism development. RNAi also functions as a potent defensive system able to recognise foreign nucleic acids and target them for destruction. The trigger molecule for RNAi is double stranded RNA (dsRNA) and by spraying plants with dsRNA matching a portion of a virus or insect gene, it can prime the plants protective RNAi mechanism to recognize the target virus or insect before it encounters it.   By delivering RNAi as a spray on application targeting viruses and their vectors, the project aims to mitigate yield losses from virus infection and insect infestation, while creating sustainable opportunities to decrease chemical use, increase profits, productivity and deliver exceptional and enduring value. Working closely with our partners at UQ QAAFI, DPIRD, Macquarie University and DAFF QLD, with GRDC's forward-thinking support for transformative research, this project will accelerate the translation of game changing RNAi applications to Australian grain production industries.