Genetics experts and plant scientists from across the country are combining for a $41 million national initiative to revolutionise tree crop breeding.

Delivered through Hort Innovation, the five-year initiative "Genetics for Next Generation Orchards” is led by a collaboration between Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Murdoch University, University of Queensland (UQ) and Western Sydney University (WSU). 

Murdoch University will also be working with WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and The University of Adelaide.

Director of Murdoch University’s Centre for Crop and Food Innovation Professor Rajeev Varshney will lead the project in Western Australia.  

“We are proud to be part of this initiative aimed at transforming the future of tree crop industries across Australia,” Professor Varshney said.

“Funded by Hort Innovation's Frontiers investment program, the goal of this initiative is to enable the development of new varieties of almond, apple, citrus, macadamia and mango to ensure their long-term viability and global competitiveness.”

“The project will also focus on integrating genomic insights and molecular markers into practical breeding programs.

“We want to develop a mobile-based intelligent farm system that empowers breeders to make informed decisions, selecting new crop varieties that possess optimal trait combinations for future demands.”

“To remain globally competitive, Australian orchard production systems must undergo a transformation, producing new varieties and orchard practices that enable greater compatibility with automation, that improve resilience to climate and disease, and that flower and fruit more consistently at a younger age to expedite return on investment for farmers.”

The ambitious five-year project is spearheaded by evolutionary geneticist Professor Peter Prentis from QUT’s School of Biology and Environmental Science.

Professor Prentis said the objective is clear.

“We want to bring forth the next generation of orchard crops that are not only more efficient but are also equipped to handle the challenges of modern agriculture,” Professor Prentis said.

The Murdoch University research team comprises Professor Rajeev Varshney, Dr Vanika Garg, Dr Penghao Wang, and Anu Chitikineni.

Find out more about the cutting-edge work being undertaken by Murdoch's Centre for Crop and Food Innovation to address current and future agricultural challenges.