The NSW Government today announced new crop breeding technology, which promises to revolutionise crop protection and yield enhancements, has been developed by scientists from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
The innovative new approach enables scientists to pin-point plant defence mechanisms and select superior resistance combinations against pathogens.
This will result in the development of crop varieties that are resistance to fungal diseases and deliver higher yields.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty today visited DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute to see trials that have demonstrated the ability of the new breeding technology.
Breeding varieties with resistance has been estimated to contribute $2.6 billion per year in protection to Australian wheat crops alone.
This revolutionary technology will help protect those existing gains and accelerate the discovery of new resistances.
In a significant leap forward for plant pathology across Australia, the technology is in the final step of patenting in Australia, with DPI scientists now calling for expressions of interest to commercialise and conduct further research.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
“This exciting breakthrough in plant breeding technology highlights the NSW Government’s commitment to undertake research and development that maximises outcomes for NSW agriculture.
“The new technology will enable industry to adopt disease-resistant crop varieties faster and easier, resulting in increased profitability and productivity for our growers.”