Australia collaborates with global scientists to improve crop genetics

Australian scientists will collaborate with global researchers to make it quicker and easier to develop new banana, custard apple, papaya, passionfruit and pineapple varieties for Australian growers and consumers. The A$13m (US$8.5m) research collaboration will develop, test and deploy cutting-edge technology to improve crop genetics with a view to increasing yield, quality, taste and climate resilience. Delivered through Hort Innovation and led by Murdoch University, the Australian-first programme will benefit Australian growers and their consumers by drawing on valuable genetic resources and genomics expertise from researchers in Australia, Bangladesh, China, Czech Republic, France, Sweden, Thailand and the US. Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said faster, more efficient variety development is the aim of the initiative. “This investment reflects a renewed impetus by Hort Innovation to seek out the best science in the world to help growers here in Australia,” ...