Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Climate change, salinity, poor soil, pests and disease and increased costs of fertiliser and fuel – these are some of the problems facing Australian farmers.

A new pilot study by researchers at The University of Western Australia, co-funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), George Weston Technologies and Ballard Seeds, could provide growers with alternative crops that are hardy and require little fertiliser.

“Traditionally, Australian agriculture has relied on introduced crops, which must be bred and adapted to our harsh environment. Meanwhile, our native plants have evolved to withstand our challenging climate and soils,” Dr Heather Clarke said.

Dr Clarke, research fellow at the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) at UWA’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, explained some native plants might be valuable in environments where exotic species have low and variable yields.

With her team, which includes Dr Megan Ryan and Mr Richard Bennet from UWA and The Future Farm Industries CRC and Dr Lindsay Bell from the CSIRO, Dr Clarke is studying native legumes which may cope better with climate change and are suitable for growing on marginal land.

“We are seeking a committed long-term investor for research and development in these alternative grains. Legumes, including native species, fix nitrogen in their roots with the help of a symbiotic bacteria, leaving nitrogen in the soil for a following crop, which could be wheat. Grain legumes, also called pulses, provide high-protein grain for animal forage and feed as well as food for humans,” Dr Clarke said.

“Some species of native legumes are annual, growing over one season, while others are perennial, lasting several years and putting down deep roots. Perennials could be one approach to the management of salt and the rising water table.

“Native grain legumes could be a dual-purpose crop: graze and grain. And they would give farmers flexibility, providing them with a hardy crop to grow in a year when rain came late or a crop which might thrive on salt-affected land. Indeed, over the last five years, research funded by the Salinity CRC, based at UWA, and elsewhere, has shown significant pasture potential for a number of native perennial legumes.

“The aim of this project is to find at least one non-toxic prolific native legume that provides grain of high protein, oil or fibre, which could be used for human or animal food and - perhaps - whose waste could be used for bio-fuel. Who knows - we might find a native legume that is the soy bean of the future.”

RIRDC senior research manger John Oakeshott said RIRDC has a focus on investing in research into new industries based on plants or plant products that have commercial potential for Australia.

“By investing in collaborative research of this nature, on behalf of government and industry, we aim to give all Australian farmers more options for diversified, profitable and sustainable industries,” he said.

Media references

Dr Heather Clarke 61 8 6488 1648

Simone Hewett / Sally-Ann Jones 61 8 6488 7977
(UWA Public Affairs) 0420 790 097 / 0420 790 098

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