SARDI Impacts 2006 Science Adding Value CONTENTS Setting the direction for 2006 2 Role of SARDI 4 Growing Prosperity Highlights 7 Chinese tastebuds spark export drive 8 Opening the door to export markets – David Padula 10 1 A world problem worth spraying for 12 Elite wheat to boost export opportunities 14 Tuning-up the tuna industry 15 Potential big savings for abalone industry 16 Quiet achiever with international kudos – Trevor Wicks 17 Snails in for a beating 18 Killer mites hit key citrus pest 18 Thrips wilt under damage control 19 Parasitologist at the cutting edge – Dr Ian Carmichael 20 Improving Well-being Highlights 21 Food safety team: safe-guarding food 22 Attaining sustainability Highlights 23 Grape expectations from managing root-zone salinity 24 Inland aquaculture laps up Murray salt 26 Animal waste a new resource 27 SARDI’s designs on salad bowl dilemma 28 SARDI’s Murray Pioneer – Dr Qifeng Ye 30 Forging a new frontier in Greenpatch 31 Fostering creativity Highlights 32 Centres of Excellence – growth in Cooperative Research Centres 35 Major collaborations 36 Commercialising science – spray fan revolution spreads 38 Enabling technologies Multi-uses from DNA probe expertise 39 Molecular market capabilities yield results for plant breeders 40 Slicing fish differently at SARDI Aquatic Sciences 41 Innovation and national renown – Dr Bob Hughes 42 Applying the science, guiding the industry – Dr Forbes Brien 44 Improved connections between science and educational institutions PHD students and post-doctoral scientists 45 Table of PhD students 50 Celebrating staff success 54 Research funding administered by SARDI 56 Publications (complete edition only) Scientific publications 57 Research reports 62 Conference and seminar proceedings 66 Theses and books 74 Technical publications 74 ISSN 1833-5969 SETTING THE DIRECTION FOR 2006 2 As a prominent bioscience research organisation in South Australia, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), has an enviable reputation for delivering SARDI Executive Director, Dr Rob Lewis and Director, Research and relevant applied science responsive Development, Dr Pauline Mooney. to the needs of the primary-industry, bioscience and environmental sectors. An intense strategic planning This formula has worked well in the process that rounded out 2005 has past, but the future requires more. Our identified and in many ways validated national and international reputation our successes as well as identified and positioning is something we must opportunities to take a more active role continually strive to enhance. within the discovery science aspects of the national agenda. South Australia’s Strategic Plan aims to reinforce South Australia as a place that We have reviewed our science programs thrives on creativity and innovation. and platforms to ensure they are clearly SARDI supports this objective through aligned to community needs within the its science and research programs, many state, national and global context, all of which are outlined in this report. of which demand a strong economic focus, sustainable industries, a healthy Moving forward we will focus on population and a science capability that embracing and developing new drives innovation into the next century. enabling technologies in order to position SARDI at the forefront of We have identified further avenues knowledge platform development to achieve momentum, focus and and transformation. All this will be in efficiencies through maintaining an environment of growing science effective collaborations with industry with current partners and identifying and our active research provider opportunities to leverage new partners partners. to provide a foundation for future growth and relevance. SARDI supports the work of the Premier’s Science and Research Council by providing advice on areas of research priority and information on the institute’s capabilities in bioscience research. SARDI also works with other research providers and government agencies to assist in meeting South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets 3 relating to Centres of Excellence, Our future will also lie in accelerating formation of Cooperative Research our involvement in developing sunrise Centres and major national research industries - from biofuel development facilities. and managing climate variability through to value-adding and nutrient The Marine Innovation SA (MISA) recycling. collaboration is an excellent example of these partnerships in action. MISA Our major strength is the demographic is a major State Government initiative, profile of our staff. Our scientists and with partners SARDI, Flinders University, PhD students are a blend of brilliant, the University of Adelaide, SA Museum creative, practical and experienced and the seafood industry, working people, excelling in their fields and together to underpin the future of the in pioneering enabling technologies State’s seafood industry. The $25.8 of the future, all strongly supported million initiative ($13.7 million State by business and commercialisation Government and $12.1 million partner teams. Organisationally, our priority funding) has identified key research is to provide a work environment that programs and infrastructure. Several will facilitate a stable science career high level scientists will be appointed pathway and provide for challenging in 2006, greatly expanding SA’s marine team interactions, to promote science capability. excellence in scientific endeavour and embrace thinking outside the square. We look to play a major role in the Food Innovation South Australia cluster At the heart of scientific research and which focuses on value-adding for development is acceptance of change. South Australian industries, with SARDI SARDI is well positioned to lead many leading the effort with its expertise in of these changes, particularly in light of food safety, export access and value- the fact that science and innovation is adding in the plant and marine science a central feature of our State’s economy sectors. and future identity. We hope you will enjoy seeing what is possible through the Impacts that our science is making. THE ROLE OF SARDI 4 The South Australian Research and Development Institute - SARDI – is the State Government’s principal research and development capability delivering innovation to enhance the food, fibre and bioscience industries and ecosystem sector. SARDI carries out research for commercial clients and government- funded programs, focusing on innovative cost-effective technologies to position South Australia’s primary industries and environmental biosciences as internationally competitive and ecologically sustainable. Science programs embrace industry and community needs aligned to South Australia’s strategic plan and 10-year vision for Science, Technology and Innovation. Research platforms are aimed at: 5 1. GROWING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY 4. FOSTERING CREATIVITY Boosting market value, market access and export Pursuing excellence in innovation, commercialising opportunities for the State’s primary industries in: science, attracting investment, momentum through • Livestock collaboration. • Field Crops • Pasture Pursuing excellence • Horticulture/viticulture SARDI is acknowledged as a leader in providing • Fisheries and aquaculture applied solutions. Science programs incorporate • Post-harvest supply companies expertise across research disciplines with the • Innovative food processing aim of operating as a cohesive, innovative and multidisciplinary research organisation. On 2. IMPROVING WELL-BEING behalf of stakeholders, SARDI strives to foresee Meeting expectations for quality of life and healthy scientific advances and industry opportunity and societies at home and abroad through expertise in: provide capability to put primary industries and • Food Safety Research environmental biosciences at the forefront of an internationally competitive market place. Excellence 3. SUSTAINING NATURAL RESOURCES is pursued through highly skilled scientists, post- Developing ecologically sustainable industries; more graduate students and technicians supported effectively managing arable land, water, biodiversity, by advanced research facilities at 14 locations energy resources and better understanding the throughout the state. climate with expertise in: • Aquatic environment Commercialising science and attracting investment • Biofuel development SARDI is committed to a strong commercialisation • Climate applications capability and derives the majority of its • Farming systems funding through external competitive grants • Biosecurity protection – pests and diseases and commercialisation receipts. In place are • Water Irrigation commercialisation and technology transfer systems to deliver services, knowledge, products and technologies, often through joint venture or licensing arrangements with national and transnational businesses and institutions. These have the principal aim of more effectively delivering research services and outcomes. Momentum through collaboration Enhanced performance and efficiencies in research programs are achieved through national and international collaborations with universities, other research institutions, Cooperative Research Centres and industry partnerships. SARDI IMPACTS 6 Growing prosperity Improving well-being Attaining sustainability Fostering creativity GROWING PROSPERITY Value-adding + Safe-guarding + Productivity + Quality = Exports and economic growth Highlights 7 Programs at SARDI are designed to enhance economic performance through meeting