A tropical plant disease research centre based at the University of Queensland has received a major honour from industry.
At the Primary Industries Achievement Awards ceremony in Brisbane, the Co-operative Research Centre for Tropical Plant Pathology based at the University of Queensland received the Primary Industries Research and Development Award from Queensland Primary Industries Minister Marc Rowell.
Centre Director Professor John Irwin said that all the major R&D providers of plant pathology research in Queensland were linked into the Centre, providing a powerful integrating mechanism for improving research and education programs.
'Plant diseases cost northern Australia more than $500 million in agricultural production each year and the threat of further incursions such as sugarcane smut from Indonesia, is ever present,' he said.
'The Centre's main goal is to reduce this loss to rural industry through innovative and improved disease management strategies.'
Professor Irwin said Centre researchers addressed this goal through greater use of disease resistance (both conventional and novel resistances), and through disease prevention. Neither strategy involved application of synthetic chemicals.
The Centre developed accurate and routine identification tests for disease causative agents with direct application to quarantine, and for producing disease-free planting material and pathogen-free planting sites.
Professor Irwin said that the Centre's seven-year contract expired on June 30, 1999 and, with the Federal Government reviewing operations of the overall CRC Program, staff and students did not know if the Centre would continue to receive Federal funding.
'The Centre is regarded as the country's leading plant disease research group, with its work internationally recognised.
However, with uncertainty over whether it will continue to operate beyond June 30 next year, many staff are considering other options for their future,' Professor Irwin said.
The Centre has a staff of about 60 with up to 30 postgraduate students enrolled in various departments throughout the University of Queensland, the Centre's headquarters.
Professor Irwin said the retention of the $2 million of Federal funding for the Centre was crucial to the continuation of a centre of excellence in tropical plant pathology.
The Centre is an unincorporated co-operative between the University of Queensland, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Bureau of Sugar Experiments Stations and Queensland University of Technology.
The participants contribute $3.8 million annually towards its operation.
The Co-operative Research Centres Program was set up to strengthen collaborative research links between industry, research organisations, educational institutions and relevant government agencies.
The program brings expertise from industry, research organisations, educational institutions and government agencies together in each centre to address specific research priorities.
For more information contact Professor Irwin, telephone (07) 3365 2790 or CRCTPP Communication Manager Michelle Riedlinger, telephone (07) 3365 4776
