Seed Biology

Seeds are the single-most-valuable product from plant production, representing 70% of our food resources. Global seed industries are worth nearly $500 billion p.a.

Seed production in Australia exceeds national demand for grain by the food and beverage industry. The excess is exported, which directly supports a network of industries and jobs across the country. The growth potential of Australian seed industries is estimated at more than 10% p.a.

Cereals and grain legumes are the greatest contributors to word food supply.

The challenge

In Australia, seed yield is a highly variable parameter affected by a variety of abiotic (temperature, nutrients, water supply, salt) and biotic (viral, bacterial, fungal) environmental constraints.

Our mission

To shift paradigms and manipulate plant biology to engineer ‘fit-for-purpose’, hardier seeds and plants that deliver higher yields to best serve human nutritional needs and processing attributes.

Our research initiatives