New tools and germplasm for Australian pulse and oil seeds breeding programs to respond to changing virus threats

Profitable pulse and oilseed rotation crops are a key component of Australia's crop based farming systems. Pulses and oilseeds are susceptible to a range of virus diseases and improving genetic resistance is the most economical and sustainable option to control virus induced crop losses. This investment aims to improve currently available diagnostic tools suitable for field identification and mass testing of viruses as well as adaptation of molecular based methods to allow the processing of large sample numbers. The project will also collaborate with ICARDA to provide tools and germplasm for management of current exotic virus diseases to pre-empt any incursion into Australia.