Bulletin

Issue: March/April 2007

News

Help for horticultural industries

As part of its goal of translating achievements in research and scholarship to help the social and economic needs of communities, La Trobe University is a member of an innovative horticultural research network in the Sunraysia- Riverland region.

Riverlink.PRN students Ms Hogg, left,
and Ms Kay with Dr Peacock.

Known as Riverlink.PRN - the Riverlink Postgraduate Research Network - it encourages regional postgraduate research in agriculture through assistance with funding and mentoring.

The network was launched in July 2001 by Sir Gustav Nossal, and since then has been involved in seeing to completion the work of three PhD and seven honours students. It currently assists seven doctoral and one honours student.

Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Roger Parish said: ‘Riverlink.PRN provides a wonderful opportunity for gifted students to work with distinguished researchers and experience the application of research to the solution of specific problems, and the uptake of these solutions by end-users. Such experience is exceptionally valuable for their future careers.’

Riverlink.PRN recently held its major regional Showcase for community leaders, growers and school students, to coincide with the University’s Mildura graduation ceremony where 78 students were awarded their qualifications.

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock, who advises the Australian Government on research, delivered the occasional address on the importance of scientific research to regional Australia.

He said horticultural growers faced major issues affecting markets, price and production, and he encouraged industry and the community to support further postgraduate research in the region. ‘There’s a pressing need to attract young scientists and researchers to the Sunraysia-Riverland region and to work with Riverlink industries to help solve problems and generate new opportunities, Dr Peacock said.

‘When faced with adversity, we often have no choice but to reconsider the way we do things. Climate change, water scarcity, economics and industry forces are placing unprecedented demands on our horticulture and viticulture industries.

‘Growers are creatively reassessing current practices, but it is likely that new technologies and new varieties will be needed to ensure future success. Close working partnerships between researchers, growers and government agencies will be integral to this process,’ he said.

Research for fruit and wines

At the Riverlink.PRN Showcase, La Trobe PhD student, Pippa Kay - who is based at CSIRO Plant Industry in Merbein - spoke about her work investigating the function of a gene, known as Houdini, which is involved in plant reproduction.

‘The aim is to explore manipulation of seed set and fruit size in horticultural plants. This is of great importance for industries such as citrus cropping where fruit size is dependent on seed set,’ Ms Kay said.

Honours science student, Allison Hogg, spoke about her research on tannin accumulation in the skins of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes. Her project was carried out at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries’ Irymple Research Station and on La Trobe’s Melbourne campus at Bundoora.

She said: ‘Everyone can recognise tannin in red wine, from the dry-mouth feeling after drinking. It’s an important component of wine quality. If we can identify when tannin formation occurs in grapes, we can develop strategies to manage tannins in the vineyard.’