Crop and pasture improvement

SARDI's crop and pasture improvement program underpins our state's agricultural systems.

We boost the yield and quality of crops and pastures through:

  • plant breeding
  • molecular genetics
  • ecophysiology
  • advanced phenotyping techniques.

Research areas

Crop and pasture improvement has 4 subprograms.

Molecular genetics

This subprogram incorporates improved genetics in crop species that are of value to SA farming systems. Our range of approaches include:

  • genetic analysis of abiotic and biotic stress tolerance
  • next generation molecular tools for understanding the genetic basis of key traits
  • evaluation and introgression of germplasm, including wild relatives for crop improvement
  • mutagenesis to expand genetic diversity
  • rapid generation turnover to accelerate genetic gain.

For pulse crops, we are working across the value chain to improve yield and develop plant protein opportunities for South Australian farmers.

For oats, we are developing information and tools to support export hay, milling and protein markets.

Read about the National Oat Breeding Program (PDF 621.6 KB (PDF 621.6 KB))

Vetch

This subprogram has responsibility for the National Vetch Breeding Program (PDF 621.6 KB).

The versatile legume provides valuable rotation options across Australian farming systems.

Our activities involve:

  • developing improved vetch varieties for Australian conditions, for use in grain production, hay, grazing and green/brown manure
  • improving drought tolerance by introducing germplasm from low rainfall countries or areas, such as the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East
  • reducing seed dormancy/hardness and improving early growth rates/vigour in woolly pod vetch (Vicia villosa)
  • introducing molecular markers in Vicia species for key traits
  • investigating novel Vicia species for desirable traits or adaptation to Australian farming systems.

Pastures science

This subprogram helps sustain a profitable livestock industry in southern Australia. It provides a critical service in germplasm conservation for international agriculture.

We curate the Australian Pastures Genebank – a collection of temperate and tropical legumes and grasses. This holds over 80,000 seed lots that are important to agriculture and the environment.

We also undertake pre-breeding for annual and perennial pasture species, focusing on climate change adaptation. These traits include improved:

  • seedling vigour
  • forage yield
  • tolerance to drought stress.

The National Lucerne Breeding Program is a public-private partnership between SARDI and Barenbrug that spans 30 years. This delivers broadly adapted varieties that tolerate Australia’s harsh climate, arid soils and extensive grazing systems.

Ecophysiology

The subprogram focuses on the 3 main crop industries of SA – cereals, pulses, and grapevine. We improve crop adaptation to these constraints of production:

  • water scarcity
  • extreme temperatures
  • infertile soils.

We measure the water, nitrogen and carbon economies of annual and perennial crops. This is used to model and develop theories for the rainfed and irrigated systems of Australia.

Our leading scientific contribution is an ongoing conceptual model of crop yield, accounting for agronomic, physiological, ecological, and evolutionary factors. These include:

  • genomic conflict
  • transitions in the units of selection
  • phenotypic plasticity
  • water-nitrogen co-limitation
  • plant-insect relations.

To ensure delivery to industry, all the research in crop ecophysiology interfaces with breeding and/or agronomy.

Contact

Dr Janine Croser – Program Leader
Crop and pasture improvement, SARDI
Molecular genetics
Phone: 0448 990 281
Email: janine.croser@sa.gov.au

Stuart Nagel – Vetch
Phone: (08) 8429 0725
Email: stuart.nagel@sa.gov.au

Dr Alan Humphries – Pastures science
Email: alan.humphries@sa.gov.au

Professor Victor Sadras – Ecophysiology
Phone: 0428 100 275
Email: victor.sadras@sa.gov.au

Page last reviewed: 09 Dec 2022

 


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