In this section:
Pulses & Oilseeds
SARDI's Pulse and Oilseeds science program area (SPA) delivers research outputs in germplasm enhancement providing novel parent lines through improved varieties of field peas, lentil, chickpeas and faba beans for South Australia by being the national leader of pulse germplasm enhancement of the Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) consortium.
Research
The aim of the research is to use molecular genetics, genomics, plant tissue culture and plant breeding tools to identify, develop and incorporate "near to market" genes of high priority across the four pulses (field pea, lentil, chickpeas and faba bean) into new germplasm freely accessible to the pulse breeders for inclusion in their breeding programs. The research generates new plant material with stable genetic backgrounds, knowledge, and technology platforms which directly enhance the national pulse breeding programs capacity to deliver new, better adapted varieties to farmers faster.
The research not only creates elite, genetically superior germplasm containing new genes for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, in adapted genetic background ready for direct inclusion in breeding programs, but also generate new and advanced genetic and phenotypic knowledge of the traits investigated. It also develops new innovative selection tools, develop genetically stable structured populations and design delivery mechanisms, which have maximum impact on breeding goals. The program also has the capacity to test marker-assisted selection and other genomic selection tools, which have been developed and validated elsewhere, and facilitate their use in the breeding programs. The program acts as a funnel or conduit between the breeding programs themselves and the wide range of diverse more basic pre-breeding activities taking place in plant genetic research across Australia and overseas.
Research is facilitated by an extensive network of national and international collaborations including CLIMA, Murdoch University (Medicago genomics), Melbourne University, the University of Adelaide, the Centre for Integrated Legume Research (CILR), University of Queensland, Washington Sate University, ICARDA and ICRISAT.
