A compound in plant smoke may hold the key to improving agriculture, restoring ecosystems and conserving endangered plants.

Karrikins - a family of naturally occurring plant growth regulators that stimulate germination and seedling vigour - is known to dramatically promote growth following bushfires.

However, researchers at The University of Western Australia and Kings Park and Botanic Garden (KPBG) are also exploring the ability of plants not native to fire-prone areas to respond to karrikins.

A $300,000 Australian Research Council Discovery Project grant is enabling Professor Steven Smith and Professor Emilio Ghisalberti of UWA and Professor Kingsley Dixon of UWA and KPBG to undertake the research which could dramatically improve germination and growth in plant species that do not germinate effectively.

They will expose seeds of Arabidopsis, not found in fire regions, to karrikins.  This ‘lab rat' plant is known to respond to karrikins and the scientists want to locate its genetic receptor so they can identify it in other plants.

"The response to karrikins is widespread in the plant kingdom," Professor Smith said.  "There is some natural molecule or process in all plants that those in fire situations have learned to recognise."

Professor Ghisalberti said that karrikins can show spectacular results.  Some species of seeds of near zero per cent germination, on treatment with karrikins, will give around 95 per cent response.

The researchers hope to find the ‘holy grail' or receptor in Arabidopsis and, having identified it, be able to locate it in the genetic makeup of other plants. This will provide the key to ensuring germination in seeds stored in banks, rehabilitating degraded land, weed control and better returns in agriculture and horticulture.

Media references

Professor Steven Smith  (+61 8)  6488 4403
(ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology)
Professor Emilio Ghisalberti  (+61 8)  6488 3174
(School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences)
Professor Kingsley Dixon  (+61 8)  9480 3614  /  (+61 4) 17 772 205
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716