Published Thursday, 28 December, 2006 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
DROUGHT RESISTANT CROPS DON’T SWEAT IT
The discovery of drought-resistance genes in crops by Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries scientists will help Queensland and New South Wales farmers increase grain profitably, despite declining rainfall.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said as sorghum was the state’s most drought resistant grain crop it often provided the best summer prospects for southern and central Queensland.
“Sorghum provides more than $200 million worth of feed for cattle, poultry, and pigs in Queensland,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Queensland’s gross value of grain sorghum production has been forecast at $335 million in 2006-07 – 40 per cent higher than the mid-year estimate.
“This is due to an increase in the price and demand for grain from the intensive livestock industry.
“The drought resistant genes will allow sorghum crop plants to save water early on in the season, then use the water during grain filling.
"This new technology will maintain summer grain supplies for industries which provide meat to domestic and international markets and for biofuels such as ethanol in the very near future.
“Because of the genetic similarity among the world’s major cereals, discovering key genes for drought resistance in sorghum holds hope for other crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice.”
DPI&F scientists Dr Andrew Borrell and Dr David Jordan, based at the DPI&F Hermitage Research Station, near Warwick, are working in partnership with Dr John Mullet, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M University on the project.
“When combined with appropriate management, the genes will provide production systems for grain growers that are tailored to their specific environments,” Dr Borrell said.
“The global reality of a dwindling share of water for agriculture means technology like this is imperative for continued food and fibre production.
“We are getting close and hope to clone the first of these genes within the next 12 months.”
For more information on the drought-resistent gene crops contact regional media officer Ross Porter on (07) 4688 1277 or 0427 838 876.
Media: 32396530
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said as sorghum was the state’s most drought resistant grain crop it often provided the best summer prospects for southern and central Queensland.
“Sorghum provides more than $200 million worth of feed for cattle, poultry, and pigs in Queensland,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Queensland’s gross value of grain sorghum production has been forecast at $335 million in 2006-07 – 40 per cent higher than the mid-year estimate.
“This is due to an increase in the price and demand for grain from the intensive livestock industry.
“The drought resistant genes will allow sorghum crop plants to save water early on in the season, then use the water during grain filling.
"This new technology will maintain summer grain supplies for industries which provide meat to domestic and international markets and for biofuels such as ethanol in the very near future.
“Because of the genetic similarity among the world’s major cereals, discovering key genes for drought resistance in sorghum holds hope for other crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice.”
DPI&F scientists Dr Andrew Borrell and Dr David Jordan, based at the DPI&F Hermitage Research Station, near Warwick, are working in partnership with Dr John Mullet, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M University on the project.
“When combined with appropriate management, the genes will provide production systems for grain growers that are tailored to their specific environments,” Dr Borrell said.
“The global reality of a dwindling share of water for agriculture means technology like this is imperative for continued food and fibre production.
“We are getting close and hope to clone the first of these genes within the next 12 months.”
For more information on the drought-resistent gene crops contact regional media officer Ross Porter on (07) 4688 1277 or 0427 838 876.
Media: 32396530