A novel approach to developing bioherbicides for invasive woody weeds using endemic fungi

Event Details

Date:

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Time:

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Room:

Level 3, Large Seminar Room

UQ Location:

Queensland Bioscience Precinct (St Lucia)

URL:

http://www.qaafi.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=220355

Event category(s):

Full Description:: QAAFI Science Seminar

Presented by A/Prof. Victor Galea
School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
University of Queensland

Abstract

The northern Australian rangelands are under threat by many invasive (introduced) woody weeds. Among these are parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata) and prickly acacia (Vachellia nilotica), both of which are severely impacting on our grazing systems and natural environment.

Investigations into the natural occurrence of a dieback syndrome in parkinsonia initiated a journey to understand the pathology behind this curious and widespread phenomenon, its relationship to endemic fungi, and the potential to develop a bioherbicide to be used to effect landscape recovery.

About A/Prof. Victor Galea

Victor Galea commenced his career in vegetable pathology at LaTrobe University before moving to Canberra (ANU) as a postdoc in the early days of research into the use of antagonistic microbes to combat soil borne diseases.
He moved north to Queensland to become the lecturer in plant pathology at the Queensland Agricultural College (Gatton) which soon became UQ. He has held this position for 27 years, and is now deputy head of the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. While maintaining his research profile in horticultural crops, Victor has also developed a profile in teaching and learning, and a research program into the use of endemic fungi as bioherbicides for invasive woody weeds of the northern Australian rangelands.