Research

| Print |

Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research- CESAR currently undertakes extensive research into applied areas in Australian agriculture and is committed to long-term projects with a total systems approach to pest management. This research is helping farmers achieve maximum yield and quality for the lowest cost by developing safe and sustainable management techniques that are not heavily reliant on chemicals. CESAR’s research is directed towards assessment of current control strategies in agriculture, reproductive modes and movement patterns of pests, biological control agents and the role of IPM, plant-pest and predator-prey interactions, molecular diagnosis of cryptic pest species, the role of landscape changes on pest and beneficial invertebrates, and soil biology and the enhancement of biodiversity. CESAR currently conduct research in several agricultural systems within southern Australia including Grape and Wine Industries (GWRDC, CRCV), Wool Industry (AWI), Grains Industry (GRDC, DPI), Horticultural Industry (DPI, ACIAR), Equine Industry (RIDRC). For information concerning CESARs current research on wheat curl mite and wheat streak mosaic virus, contact Dr. Adam Miller (ph: +613 8344 2314, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or go to their website,  http://cesar.org.au Publications: M. Carew, M. Schiffer, P. Umina, A. Weeks, A. Hoffmann (2009) Molecular markers indicate that the wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella Keifer, may represent a species complex in Australia. Bulletin of Entomological Research 99, 479-486. M. Schiffer, P. Umina, M. Carew, A. Hoffmann, B. Rodoni, A. Miller (2009) The distribution of wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer) lineages in Australia and their potential to transmit wheat streak mosaic virus. Annals of Applied Biology (In Press). Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia- DAFWA has been conducting GRDC-funded research on Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) since its known introduction into WA in 2006.  This has included field and glasshouse studies of the epidemiology of WSMV in wheat and alternative hosts as well as the role of seed-borne sources of WSMV and rates of spread from initial inoculum.  DAFWA has been examining the wheat curl mite (WCM; Aceria tosichella) with regards to its seasonal distribution in the WA wheatbelt, risk situations within current farming practice and management guidelines for the mite/virus complex.  For more information, see DAFWA’s Farmnote: Wheat streak mosaic virus and wheat curl mite.