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Plant Physiology and Pathology

Our group (supervised by Dr Amanda J. Able) has expertise in the fields of plant physiology and plant pathology. Our motto is ‘Stronger Plants, Better Food, More Beer’. We are situated in the Waite Main Building (GN15).

The research conducted within this group is principally funded through the Molecular Plant Breeding CRC, the GRDC, and the Australian Research Council. The group has a close affiliation with several members co-located on the Waite Campus, and more broadly at a national level.

Major Research Themes

• Post-harvest physiology and pathology (with reference to horticultural commodities).
• The role of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress and signal transduction processes during cell senescence, plant-pathogen interactions and physiological disorders.
• Effects of plant nutrition and genotype on disease development.
• Disease resistance responses of barley to the net blotch pathogen, Pyrenophora teres.
• Toxin production by Pyrenophora teres.

Research Programme Highlights

The ripening process: role of ethylene, other hormones and environmental factors

Our group has a particular focus on understanding the physiological and molecular basis of ripening of fruit both on the plant and after harvest. Current projects include:

- Effect of environmental conditions, maturity and timing of ethylene application on the ripening process of bananas and their response to ethylene antagonists such as 1- methylcyclopropene. In particular, we have been examining the impact on ethylene receptors and enzymes in the ethylene production pathway (such as ACC oxidase and ACC synthase) in banana.

- Examining why capsicums do not ripen if harvested green. We have fully characterised the ripening behaviour of a number of cultivars and investigated a number of post-harvest treatments.

Collaborators: Chiquita Bananas, AgroFresh
Researchers: Aishah Md Ali (Hons Student), Thang Pham (PhD Student), Dr Amanda J. Able

Mechanisms of barley black point formation

Black point is a dark discolouration at the embryo end of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain. We are currently investigating the biochemical, genetic and environmental basis of black point formation using techniques such as e-QTL mapping and proteomics. In particular, our group has established a role for peroxidases and embryo development. Projects within this program are funded by the MPB CRC.

Collaborators: Dr Jason Able, Professor Diane Mather, Dr Carolyn Schultz, Barley Breeding Programme
Researchers: Timothy March (PhD Student), Ryan Walker (PhD Student), Dr Amanda J. Able

Resistance responses of barley to Pyrenophora teres

The fungus Pyrenophora teres causes the leaf disease of barley called net blotch. We have established a role for the redox status of the plant in disease resistance and are currently focusing on the regulation of individual enzymes such as NAD(P)H oxidases, superoxide dismutase and catalase during those responses. One of the projects funded in this programme is funded by the MPB CRC.

Collaborators: Dr Klaus Oldach (SARDI)
Researchers: Annette Boettcher (Research Officer), Dr Amanda J. Able

Toxin production by Pyrenophora teres

Our group was the first to report that P. teres produces host specific proteinaceous toxins. We have also isolated a number of unique low molecular weight compounds from P. teres that contribute to symptom formation. Our research focuses on fully characterising these toxins and their role in net blotch disease of barley.

Collaborators: Dr Hugh Wallwork (SARDI), Professor David Catcheside (Flinders University), Professor Max Tate
Researchers: Abolfazl Sarpeleh (PhD Student), Annette Boettcher (Research Officer), Dr Amanda J. Able

Interactions between genotype, plant nutrition and fungal disease development in strawberry

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) growers lose more than 30% of their crop annually to disease. We are elucidating the role of plant nutrition in disease development and investigating the interaction/s between plant genotype, pathogen and the environment.

We have mainly focused our efforts on the interaction between Ca and the development of powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera maculans) and Botrytis fruit rot.

Collaborators: Dr Eileen Scott, Dr James Stangoulis, Professor Margaret Sedgley
Researchers: Matchima Naradisorn (PhD student), Dr Amanda J. Able

Current Members

Key Papers

• Sarpeleh A et al. (2007) Plant Pathology (In Press)
• March T et al. (2007) Proteomics (In Press)
• Godfrey D et al. (2007) Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions (In Press)
• Able AJ et al. (2005) Postharvest Biology & Technology 35:271-278
• Able AJ et al. (2003) Postharvest Biology & Technology 27: 157-161
• Able AJ (2003) Protoplasma 221: 137-143

Collaborative Linkages

• Associate Professor Eileen Scott, Plant & Food Science, University of Adelaide
• Dr Jason Able, Plant & Food Science, University of Adelaide
• Dr Ian Dry, CSIRO-Plant Industry, Horticulture, Adelaide
• Gary Fattore, Chiquita Trading Pty Ltd.
• SA Berry Growers
• Professor Margaret Sedgley, University of New England, Armidale
• AgroFresh (Rohm & Haas)

Past Members/Students: Where are they now?

For information about studying in this field please visit our Student Services page.