2007 Annual Report - Central Queensland University

Centre for Plant & Water ScienceFaculty of Sciences, Engineering & Health2007 Annual Reportw

COMPARISON OF PHYTOCAPS WITH CLAY CAPS FOR THEIR ABILITY TO LIMITPERCOLATION OF WATER INTO LANDFILLS 39NATIVE PLANTS AND RAIL TRACK STABILISATION 41SELECTION OF NATIVE PLANTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT UNDER HIGH VOLTAGEPOWER LINES 42PROVENANCE VARIATIONS IN SEED BIOLOGY, YIELD, YIELD QUALITY AND SEED OILCOMPOSITION OF CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM L. 43STUDIES ON STEVIA 45THE EFFICACY OF COMPOST TEA IN ORGANIC PRODUCTION 47MICROFUNGI IN ROCKHAMPTON MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY 49WORKSHOP ON INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN HORTICULTURECOMMODITIES AND MULTIVARIATE DATA ANALYSIS 50INTEGRATING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION INTO AGROFORESTRY IN SOUTHEASTASIA 52APPENDIX 1. PHOTOGRAPHS OF CPWS STAFF AND STUDENTS 53APPENDIX 2. CENTRE FOR PLANT & WATER SCIENCE PUBLICITY 55ii

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSection A GOALS, OBJECTIVES, TARGETS AND PROGRESSTOWARDS ACHIEVEMENTThe change of name from Plant Sciences Group to Centre for Plant & Water Science, from thestart of 2007, was well received both externally and internally.The change was physically mirrored in the removal of the demountable Building 205, known asthe ‘Belmont Laboratory’: which had served as the earlier headquarters for the Plant SciencesGroup. Staff formerly in Building 205 moved to the refurbished Building 7 in late 2003 withthe Belmont Laboratory deteriorating into a storage facility beset by airconditioner fire androdent problems. Although a replacement shed was given priority in CQU infrastructure funds,the collapse of University resources saw this item fall off the agenda in 2009 and consequentlythe Centre is budgeting for its replacement. Although promised a replacement paid for by CQUInfrastructure Funds, this has yet to be actioned by Facilities Management.We set ourselves some challenging goals in our 2007-2011 Strategic Plan(http://cpws.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=526).Our publications (14 refereed journal articles), graduations (two) and income ($1.1m) for 2007did not match up to the goals we set ourselves, but our overall activity levels seems to havemoved into overdrive. Our greatest Centre achievements in 2007 have been our industrylinkages and our training; linkages were forged with both government (e.g. QDNR&W,QDPI&F, NT Govt.) and private (e.g. Midell Development; Valley Syndicate Pineapple;Sanitarium) institutions for the development of some successful and other non-successful grantapplications. The training was the successful teaching, and later rescuing, of the university’sinvolvement in ICEWARM, the International Centre of Excellence in Water ResourcesManagement for which members of the CPWS prepared teaching materials based upon one ofour research foci - water.Our staffing remained on an even keel, farewelling Dr Grant Zhu after a long period as a veryflexible and able Research Officer who moved to the University of Melbourne, with DonnaKele’s (married in the year to Ben Kele) casual contract lapsed in line with decreased Centreresources, and Barry Hood moving to Brisbane to work with the GBG Project Management PtyLtd and subsequently with the QDNR&W.We welcomed Phul Subedi as a Research Officer working on Calypso mango quality (andwhich sparked much radio media interest) and mandarin dryness defect, Laurie Tait as theResearch Technician, Jordie Bembridge and Ross Percival as part-time Research workers in theSunrise at 1770/Midell waste water project, Vicki Barden on a native vegetation project fundedby Ergon/Powerlink and Brock McDonald, Subhash Hathurusingha and Bhima Bhattarai forproject assistance.We also welcomed Dr Din Zahid from the Bahauddin Zakariya University as a visiting SeniorResearch Officer, funded by the Pakistan Higher Education Council for one year. Dr Zahid, aforester, worked on aspects of tree growth in land-fills and in a plantation established withtreated human effluent, and collated data on seed germination and seedling growth of drierrainforest species with commercial potential. His work resulted in two submitted manuscripts.Dr Mihail Mukarev, a researcher from Bulgaria, funded by a CQU merit grant worked on NIRoutlier detection from September to November 2007. We were also fortunate to have a number1

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual Report(14) of volunteers who spent time learning research techniques and supporting our staff andstudents. These included Jo-An Barnes, Elizabeth Aitchison, Lynda Painter, Rajani Kumar,Michael Law, Michael Fleming, Lucia Dixon, Rita Subedi, Arjun Ashwath, Sousan Firoozi,Reshan Kumeri, Roshan Subedi, Bhima Bhattarai, and a number of high school students -Kaitlyn Duthie one was of these.The core staff of Prof Midmore, A/Prof Walsh and A/Prof Ashwath, with the very competentadministrative support of Mrs Linda Ahern provided the stability for the Centre. Mrs Ahernwas justly recognised by her winning one of the Vice Chancellor’s CQU Customer ServiceAwards for 2007. Well Done! These staff were supported by other academics (Harrower,Heath, Newby, Sinclair) and casual administrative staff, the Centre running on 1.95 EFTAcademics, 2.65 EFT Research Officers, 4.6 EFT technical and 1.6 EFT administrative staffand 17.5 EFT postgraduate students (15 FT, 5 PT).Our staff and students did the Centre proud with their attendance and participation at nationaland international conferences, congresses and workshops. At 20 of the 27 events attended staffor students gave presentations, eight of which were invited. Staff and students also took part ina number of training activities such as GenStat, and Qld Women’s Leadership Forum to up-skillthemselves.One staff member, Dr Surya Bhattarai, gaining a Federal Government Endeavour FoundationFellowship allowing him to work at the World Vegetable Centre in Taiwan for six months onaquaporin research. One of our new PhD students, Ms Karuna Shrestha, also gained anEndeavour award to work on compost teas as an input to the organic food production industry.This included a PhD scholarship covering stipend and fees. Ms Ria Reyes kept up our traditionof gaining one of the CQU International Postgraduate Research Scholarships for 2007, alsocovering her stipend and fees to work on the physiology and biochemistry of the naturalsweetener Stevia rebandiana. Other new scholarship students included Kim Bedwell (Masterson eucalypts as Koala feed), Noel Sammon (PhD on microfungi in drinking water), JayDhungel (PhD on oxygation at the field scale), Subhash Hathurusingha (PhD on biodiesel), andRebecca Jolley (PhD on physiology and pathology of Wasabia japonia).On the research and development front, staff cooperated national and internationally, includingone-on-one visits wherever possible. Phul Subedi conducted NIR training for DPI&F staff atNambour in March. He was also sponsored by the Crawford Fund (ACIAR) to visit Nepal todeliver a training course to the Nepal Agricultural Research Council on various aspects of fruitquality assessment and to advise the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce andIndustry on the same topic. This follows the successful Crawford funded 13-week visit to theCPWS by Tek Gotame which finished in February 2007. Prof Midmore followed up onresearch cooperation in the Philippines in late January sponsored by ACIAR, taught on atraining course on small-scale drip irrigation at Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia inMay funded by the USAID/SANREM CSRP, was quoted extensively in the Sydney MorningHerald on sustainability of coffee production in May, and interacted with DNR&W staff on atwo-day meeting on the Queensland Brigalow Research Site in September. He also did someproject reviews for the CGIAR and continued with editorial responsibilities for ExperimentalAgricultural and the Journal for Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, and participated onthe committee planning the 2014 International Horticultural Congress for Brisbane.Associate Professor Walsh attended the ‘Queensland Science meets Parliament’ in August,paired with the Honourable Robert Schwarten.2

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportLocally the CPWS has been working with Rockhampton City Council zoo on koala feed, withRockhampton Golf Club on water management (which resulted in a $60,000 CommonwealthWater Grant), and within the Livingstone Shire Community Reference Group (which played amajor role in advocating, and securing funding for a water pipeline from the Fitzroy River toYeppoon).3

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual Report6 June 2007: p 1-18. (CD ROM)Gyasi-Agyei, Y., Fox, J., Bhattarai, S., McSweeney, T., Nissen, D. (2007). “Advances in steep slope(batter) erosion control.” Proceedings of International Conference on Adaptive Science &Technology (10-12 Dec. 2007): p161-168.Hathurusingha, H.M.S.D., Ashwath, N. (2007). “Beauty Leaf (Calophyllum inophyllum L.), tree: a treewith great economic potential.” Twelfth International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2007Green Solutions. Kalutara, Sri Lanka. 12: p20.Kele, B., Sinclair, W., Hood, B., Midmore, D.J., Bembridge, J. and Percival, R. (2007). “Explaining themysteries of nitrogen and phosphorus in on-site wastewater.” In: On-Site ’07, Armidale, LanfaxLaboratories.Midmore, D.J., Bhattarai. S., Pendergast, L., Torabi, M. (2007). “Oxygation: aeration of subsurface dripirrigation water and its advantages for crop production.” Australian National Committee -International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage Incorporated. Bundaberg, 19-21 August. p1-3.Midmore, D.J., Roe, B. (2007). “Integrated aquaculture, hydroponics and vermiculture for foodproduction.” In: Moraitis Hydroponics 2007 Australian & Greenhouse Industry National conference‘Challenges for the Future’, Launceston, 24-27 June. pp 53-58. [Invited presentation]Qureshi, M S., Midmore, D.J., Syeda, S.S. (2007). “Habitat manipulation: an option to minimisesynthetic pesticides and reduce pollution.” International Congress of Chemistry and Environment.Radison Sas - Kuwait. 3: p708-717.Rahman, M.M., Rasul, M.G., Khan, M.M.K., Harrower, K.M. (2007) “An analysis of airborne fungalspore concentration in buildings in a subtropical climate.” 5th International Symposium on Heating,Ventilating and Air Conditioning, Beijing, China. p1-7.Syeda, S.S., Midmore, D.J., Qureshi, M.S., Reid, D.J. (2007). “Acid mine drainage from the historic MtMorgan gold mine: devastating to river water quality, and fish.” International Congress of Chemistryand Environment. Radison Sas, Kuwait. 3: p1-26.Yang, Z.J, Midmore, D.J. (2007). “Self-organized resource allocation and growth partitioning at thewhole plant level: a modeling study.” 5th International Workshop on Functional Structural PlantModels, 4-8 November, Napier, New Zealand. pp 6.1-6.3.Non DESTSinclair, B., Jones, A. (2007). "Climate change, global & glowing coral." Scottish Diver.September/October 2007: p28-29.Sinclair, B., Farrell, K. (2007). “Hopes rise for coral sea reefs.” Scottish Diver. July/August 2007: p24-29.Conference –No ProceedingsAshwath, N. (2007). “Biotechnology BIOAAROHAN 2007”, University of Agricultural Sciences,Bangalore, India, 14 - 26 February 2007.Midmore, D.J. (2007). “Recycling urban organic matter via vermiculture and roof-top aquaponics.” In:Green Roofs for Australia. Brisbane Technology Park, Brisbane, 22-23 February, 2007. [Invitedpresentation]Midmore, D.J., Bhattarai, S.P. and Pendergast, L. (2007). “Oxygation – can roots respond to additionaloxygen?” In: Root and Soil Biology in Agriculture: towards a better integration. CSIRO PlantIndustry, Canberra, 31 January – 3 February, 2007. [Invited presentation]Subedi, P., Walsh, K. (2007). “SWNIR spectroscopy of citric acid.” 13 th International NIR Conference,Umea, Sweden, 16-21 June 2007.Walsh, K. (2007). “NIR and fruit grading.” On-line NIR Conference, Braunschweig, Germany. July2007. [Invited paper]6

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportTable 3. PublicationsYear Books BookChaptersJournalArticlesConferenceProceedings(Refereed)Non-DESTReports1998 2 10 16 81999 1 13 18 182000 1 11 18 62001 1 12 16 42002 1 12 11 102003 8 13 92004 1 5 18 19 102005 3 25 4 112006 1 20 2 82007 14 4 2The profile of Centre activity is also indexed by the extent of activities on campus, in terms of seminarspresented on campus, and by the number of visitors to the Centre (Table 4).Table 4. Visitors to CPWSName From Date ActivityTek Gotame Nepal January NIR applicationsGeorge Piperidis Sugar CRC February Plant breeding andbiotechnologyVariousschool/farmingpartnersMt MorganRockhamptonVegetable GrowersFebruaryMarchGeneral overviewGeneral overviewDr Din Zahid Pakistan Feb – Dec Forestry researchDr Ninghu Su JCU April Oxygation researchDirk ReifCarghill SweetnessSolutions, USAJuneStevia cooperationDr Kamaljit Sangha JCU July Discuss ongoing researchProf Ted Gardiner QUT/DNR&W August Waste water and irrigationmanagementConstruction SkillsTraining CentreMinister RobertSchwartenRockhampton July On-site job concretingtrainingRockhampton QldParliamentAugustDiscuss CPWS research forthe futureMarcus McCormick Growcom October Oxygation researchMihail Mukarev Bulgaria Oct-Nov NIR chemometrics7

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportThe monthly CPWS seminar series provides an opportunity for all staff and postgraduates to speak(Table 5), while all visitors are invited to present an ‘ad-hoc’ seminar during their visit.Table 5. Centre for Plant & Water Science Seminar Series 20072007 CPWS SEMINAR SCHEDULEFEBRUARY 12.00pm Monday 26 February 2007Topic 1: ‘Non-invasive firmness measurement of fresh fruits.’Presenter: Tek GotameTopic 2: ‘Fun with wastewater’Presenter: Ben KeleMARCH 21.00pm Tuesday 27 March 2007Topic 1:‘QR Project/Native vegetation on clay soil sites in Central Queensland’Presenter: Ajay SharmaTopic 2:‘Wasabi Research at CQU’Presenter: A/P N AshwathAPRIL 12.00pm Monday 30 April 2007Topic:“'Principles of Tropical Horticulture' – Publication in progress”Presenter: Prof David MidmoreTopic 2:‘NIR Work’Presenter: A/P Kerry WalshMAY 12.00pm Monday 28 May 2007Topic:‘Effects of oxygation with respect to emitter depths on pumpkin and soybean in aheavy clay soil.’Presenter: Dr Surya BhattaraiTopic 2:'Introduction of Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan - Pakistan.'Presenter: Dr Din ZahidAUGUST 12.00pm Monday 27 August 2007Topic 1:‘Some snippets from recent plant and water conferences’Presenter: Prof David MidmoreSEPTEMBER 12.00pm Monday 24 September 2007Topic 1:‘Stevia: Introduction and Potential Research Areas’Presenter: Ria ReyesTopic 2:‘A novel study of the microfungal population of the Rockhampton Municipal WaterSupply’Presenter: Noel SammonOCTOBER 12.00pm Monday 29 October 2007Topic 1:‘Seed biology of native grasses’Presenter: Sam FesukNOVEMBER 12.00pm Monday 5 November 2007Topic 1:‘Outlier detection in PLS regression models’Presenter: Mihail Mukarev8

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportThe influence of the Centre is also indexed by the extent of involvement by Centre personnel in offcampusevents (Table 6).Table 6. Presentations at Meetings, Seminars, Conferences, Workshops and Other EventsConferences at which presentations givenSurya Bhattarai attended and presented at the Third International Groundwater Conference in India onthe 7 th to 10 th February 2007.Nanjappa Ashwath presented a paper at the Biotechnology BIOAAROHAN 2007 Conference andvisited potential collaborators at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore on the 14 th to 26 thof February 2007 in India.David Midmore presented an invited paper at the Green Roofs for Australia Conference in Brisbane onthe 22 nd and 23 rd of February 2007.Ben Kele attended and presented at the Ozwater 2007 Convention and Exhibition in Sydney on the 3 rd to9 th March 2007.Ben Kele presented two papers, one invited, at SA AEEH Conference and conducted a field trip withICEWARM students in Adelaide on the 16 th to 20 th of April 2007.Nanjappa Ashwath was an invited speaker at “Phytocapping of Landfills: A Rockhampton Experience.”WasteQ Conference in Gold Coast on the 3 rd to 6 th of June 2007.Kerry Walsh attended and presented at the NIR 2007 and visited possible French funding collaboratorson the 9 th to 24 th of June 2007 in Umea, Sweden and France.Ben Kele and Ross Percival attended and Ben was invited to present at the National SCADA Conferencein Melbourne on the 19 th to 22 nd June 2007.David Midmore and Brett Roe attended and presented an invited paper at ‘Moraitis Hydroponics 2007’Australian Hydroponic and Greenhouse Industry National Conference in Launceston on the 24 th to27 th of June 2007.Nanjappa Ashwath and Tracey Howkins attended and presented at the CI meeting, AINSE conferenceheld at AIMS in Townsville on the 12 th to 13 th July 2007.David Midmore gave a seminar to the School of Marine and Tropical Biology, JCU in July 2007.Nanjappa Ashwath was the invited Keynote speaker at the Australian Forest Growers Meeting on 11 thAugust 2007.David Midmore attended and presented at ‘Growing smarter with less water’ AuSHS/NZHS conferenceand attended IHC meetings in Christchurch from the 9 th to 17 th of August 2007.David Midmore Manouchehr Torabi and Din Zahid presented at the Australian National Committee onIrrigation and Drainage Conference 2007 in Bundaberg from the 19 th to 21 st of August 2007.Kerry Walsh and Phul Subedi presented at the 2007 Australasian Postharvest Conference in Terringal,NSW from the 8 th to 13 th of September 2007.Ben Kele, Ross Percival, Jordie Bembridge and Donna Hobbs attended the On-Site 2007 Conferenceand trade exhibitor in Armidale from the 22 nd to 30 th of September. Ben Kele was invited to give aKeynote Address.Din Zahid attended and presented a poster presentation at ECOFIZZ 2007 Conference in Sydney from25 th of September to 1 st of October 2007.Nanjappa Ashwath attended the ECOFIZZ 2007 Conference from the 26 th to 29 th of September 2007 inSydney.Sohail Qureshi and Shamsa Syeda attended the 3rd ICCE 2007 Conference in Kuwait from the 15 th to25 th November 2007.Dixie Nott attended the Ecological Society ‘Adapting to Change’ Conference and visited the MurdochUniversity for Research in Perth on the 21 st to 27 th November 2007.Subhash Hathurusingha attended and presented at the International Forestry and EnvironmentSymposium 2007 Conference in Sri Lanka from the 4 th November to 5 th December 2007.Meetings, Seminars, Workshops and Other Events AttendedAndrew Rank, Julie Rank, Peter Hicks and Grant Zhu attended a Stevia meeting in Rockhampton on the9

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual Report2 nd to 4 th of January 2007.David Midmore attended and was invited to present at CSIRO’s Annual Root/Soil Biology Workshop inCanberra on the 30 th January to 3 rd February 2007.Surya Bhattarai attended and presented at various meetings in Nepal from 2 nd to 27 th February 2007.Kerry Walsh attended a meeting with Zen Automation regarding potential research collaboration/RIPPapplication in Brisbane on the 16 th February 2007.David Midmore attended the AIAST National Event on ‘Education and Agriculture’ in Adelaide on the6 th to 8 th of March 2007.Kerry Walsh visited Thermo Electron Corporation to view FTNIR equipment and attended a meetingwith the Sugar Research Institute in Brisbane on the 13 th to 14 th of March 2007.Sohail Qureshi attended the Silverleaf whitefly management/Insecticide resistance in silverleaf whitefly,management of western flower thrips, management of viruses (TSWV) and CaCV & breeding ofCaCV resistant capsicums and Eggfruit caterpillar and insecticides workshops and visited CSIROregarding training in SLW Management and to discuss data analyses required for research inBundaberg and Brisbane on the 14 th to 18 th March 2007.David Midmore and Surya Bhattarai attended a GRF/RAC meeting and visited QR and oxygationresearch sites in Biloela and Banana on the 19 th to 20 th March 2007.David Midmore attended the Qld Division of AIAST AGM and a meeting with Rooftop ‘First Contact’project stakeholders and visited UQ in Brisbane on the 23 rd and 24 th March 2007.Rebecca Jolley attended meetings with Wasabi Growers and the DPI in Launceston, Tasmania on the26 th to 31 st March 2007.David Midmore, Karuna Shrestha, Din Zahid and Manouchehr Torabi visited ‘Nyang’ research site andmet with research partners/stakeholders in Emerald on the 16 th and 17 th of April 2007.Roshan Subedi and Nanjappa Ashwath met with future research stakeholders/collaborators in Moura onthe 4 th May 2007.Ben Kele attended meetings with Midell Developments Pty Ltd and DNRW in Brisbane on the 26 th June2007.Kartik Venkatraman attended the Applied Modelling of Water Flow and Contaminant Transport in theVadose Zone Workshop on HYDRUS at Flinders University in South Australia on the 4 th to 7 th July2007.Surya Bhattarai attended ANSTO meetings in Sydney from the 10 th to 14 th July 2007.Tracey Howkins travelled to Brisbane to visit ENTOX UQ and attended a supervisor’s meeting on the29 th to 30 th of August 2007.Nanjappa Ashwath attended the ‘Qld Young Achievers’ Awards as a panelist on the 22 nd to 23 rd ofSeptember 2007 at the Gold Coast.Kartik Venkatraman travelled to Brisbane on the 22 nd to 23 rd October 2007 to attend and present at theEnvironmental Student Awards.David Midmore and Din Zahid attended a meeting with the Rooftops’ partners; Pacific Bamboo andGympie Forestry Research Institute in Brisbane on the 12 th and 13 th of November 2007.Kerry Walsh travelled to Bacchus Marsh in Victoria to attend a meeting regarding Colour VisionSystems on the 7 th to 9 th of November 2007.Nanjappa Ashwath attended an ARC Landfill meeting and visited the field site in Melbourne from the18 th to 22 nd of November 2007.Nanjappa Ashwath and Kartik Venkatraman attended a CQMRG workshop and various meetings inGladstone on the 29 th and 30 th of November 2007.Vicki Barden attended a Native Plant and Seed meeting with a supplier in Biloela on the 28 th November.Kerry Walsh and Nanjappa Ashwath attended a ‘Resourcing Queensland’ Flagship meeting with HOC-Richard Clegg in Gladstone on the 6 th of December 2007.David Midmore attended a GenStat Workshop in the UK in December, and an Association of AppliedBiologist meeting on “Theoretical population ecology and practical biocontrols – bridging the gap”.10

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportC2Industry CollaborationCollaborative links with Color Vision Systems P/L & Integrated Spectronics P/L continued to strengthenas commercialisation of the NIRS technology proceeds. After a period of inactivity interaction with thesupply chain group, One Harvest, was reignited through the Calypso mango project.C3Research TrainingThe Centre continued to foster postgraduate training, with one PhD awarded, and one MSc and two PhDtheses submitted and 19 candidacies current.Table 7. Degrees Awarded, Theses Submitted & Current StudentsDegrees Awarded in 2007Name Degree Supervisor(s) Thesis TitleKuskopf, B. PhD MidmoreWalshFesuk, S. MSc AshwathMidmoreThe effects of drought on legume nitrogen fixationand nitrogen partitioning within the plantBiology of seed germination in tropical nativegrassesThesis Submitted in 2007Name Degree Supervisor(s) Thesis TitleHoffman, M. MSc Walsh Biology of seed germination in tropical nativegrassesQureshi, S. PhD Midmore Pest management in small-scale tropical vegetablesystems with particular reference to white fly,Bemesia tabaci, biotype B control in cucurbitsSubedi, P. PhD Walsh Using near infrared spectroscopy to assess fruiteating qualityCurrent StudentsName Degree Supervisor(s) Thesis TitleBedwell, K. MSc AshwathProduction of eucalypt feed for koalasMelzerDavies, P. PhD AshwathMidmoreDiazotroph community structure in rehabilitatedpost-mining landscapes: integrating moleculartechniques with existing environmental indicatorsof restoration successDhungel, J. PhD BhattaraiPractical aspects of oxygationWalshMidmoreHathurusingha, S. PhD AshwathMidmoreBiodiesel potential of Beauty leaf tree(Calophyllum inophyllum).Howkins, T. PhD MidmoreNgPhytoremediation of arsenic contaminated siteusing arsenic hyperaccumulating plantsJayaram, R. PhD Ashwath Genetic analysis of heavy metalhyperaccumulation by plantsJolley, R. PhD HarrowerStudies on wasabiMidmoreKele, B. PhD MidmoreMilesExtension of the use of the KEWT system,including filtrationMakiela, S. PhD Harrower Buffel grass dieback in Central QueenslandNott, D. PhD Walsh Eucalypt woodland stand structure: effect of11

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportPendergast, L. PhD MidmoreWalshReyes, R. PhD WalshMidmoreSchroeder, S. M App AshwathScShrestha, K. PhD MidmoreWalshHarrowerSyeda, S. PhD MidmoreVicente-BeckettTait, L.M AppScWalshTorabi, M. PhD MidmoreWalshBhattaraimanagement practicesPlant salinity tolerance mechanisms and the effectsof sub-surface aeration on growth, water useefficiencies and salinity toleranceAutoecological role of steviol glycosides in SteviarebandianaPollution of soil with toxic metalsCompost teas: their biology and activityA study of the Dee River system, to explore theutilisation of fish parasites as bio-indicators offreshwater pollution, and an evaluation of theabilities of plants in the phytoremediation of heavymetalsStand structure and population dynamics ofwoodland communities in north-eastern Australiabased on an established network of permanentlyposition vegetation transectsAspects of oxygationVenkatraman, K. PhD Ashwath Phytoremediation of landfill sitesC4Centre InteractionCPWS attempts to foster links with other CQU researchers. In 2007 this involved associate-supervisionof a physics PhD student (C. Hayes) a engineering (CRE) a Masters student, and a PhD student (D.Nott) with CEM staff and another PhD student (M. Nelson) with the University of Queensland. IndeedCEM & CPWS continue to function collaboratively across a range of resources (e.g. CEM usage ofCPWS-supported vehicles, technicians, and equipment). Support has also been given to the Centre forRailway Engineering (CRE - Railway Embankment project). CPWS also contributes to the functions ofthe ISRD. CPWS also interacts with other Australian universities via the ARC Phytocap project and theRail CRC.Centre staff attended many CQU Flagship meetings in 2007, however no major engagement eventuated.12

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSection D FINANCIAL SUMMARYD1A Summary of IncomeThe Centre was supported by approx. $1.1 million in total funding during 2007, of which one third wasprovided as a CQU Budget allocation to the Centre (Table 8). Of this amount, core CQU research blockfunding was $68,722. Thus an 8.5:1 funding leverage was achieved on CQU funds.Table 8. Funding to CPWS in 2007Course Fees, Consultancyand EquipmentHire/AssetsAmount % ResearchMisc Consultancies & Fees $7,490 Admin Support, etcSales $65 Book PurchaseSUB TOTAL $7,555 0.7%ProjectLeaderUniversityResearch Budget Allocation $129,069 IGS funding MidmoreResearch Budget Allocation $68,722 CQU funding MidmoreRAAS Award – Midmore $55,792 Post-doctoral fellowship - Bhattarai MidmoreRDI Research Grant -Bhattarai$26,500 RDI(M)07-13 Aerating saline irrigation(Merit Grant)RDI Research Grant - Walsh $22,000 RDI(M)07-14 Strategies in outlierdetection (Merit Grant)Research Support Grant $14,000 Research Support Grant - KB, HG, RJ,BK, RR, SS, MT, KVRTS Funds *$25,000 2007 Student Allocation received in2008SUB TOTAL *$316,083 28.5% (*Not included in 2007 figures)National Competitive FundingHorticulture Australia Ltd/HortiCal$74,905 Confidential differentiation of producton internal quality attributesRIRDC $58,250 Green roof-tops and self sufficient foodproductionCRC Rail $94,819 Native vegetation on clay soil sites incentral QueenslandDept of Primary Industries &Fisheries$40,000 Development of best practice pre andpostharvest protocols for production ofB74 mango Phase II: postharvestsubprojectBhattaraiWalshMidmoreMidmoreWalshMidmoreAshwathWalshHorticulture Australia Ltd $20,000 Hand held device for non-invasive WalshACIAR $16,955 Income generation from irrigatedhorticulture on sloping lands in thePhilippines - a feasibility studyDept of Natural Resources $20,000 The benefits of oxygation, the aerationof sub-surface drip irrigation, whichleads to greater water use efficiencyQld Dept of Premier andCabinet$5,000 Smart State Grant - EvapotranspirationET/PhytocapMidmoreMidmoreAshwath13

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportPowerlink $5,177 Selection of native ground cover speciesfor revegetation under high voltagepower lines (HVPL)River Basin ManagementSocietyDPI/Horticulture AustraliaLtdSUB TOTAL $353,833 31.9%$727 Impacts of acid mine drainage ... DeeRiver$18,000 Management of internal dryness ofimperial mandarinAshwathSyedaWalshNational Non Competitive FundingQld Dept Premier andCabinet $7,000 Wasabia Scholarship - R Jolley AshwathWaterEd Australia $9,927 Global Water Systems II MidmoreQueensland TestingLaboratory Pty LtdMidell Developments PtyLtd$6,825 Activated carbon and zeolite filter trial Midmore$149,000 Sunrise at 1770 KelePowerlink $7,000 Literature review AshwathHortiCal Pty Ltd $18,000 General manager duties WalshDPI Water & Environment $3,091 Establishment of invitro culturetechniques for propagating selectedclones of wasabi (Wasabia japonica)Ergon Energy $40,545 Slope stabilisation under high voltagepower lines using native plantsQuorn Quandongs $1,818 Micro propagation of selected clones ofQuandong (Santalum acuminatum)SUB TOTAL $243,206 21.9%International Non Competitive FundingAgroforestry and SustainableVegetable Production inSEA WatershedsAshwathAshwathAshwath$4,662 North Carolina A&T University/USAID MidmoreBench Fees - D. Zahid $12,732 Pakistan Higher Education Commission MidmoreCrawford $2,184 Nepal Training Course SubediSUB TOTAL $19,578 1.7%InfrastructureRIBGTOTAL INCOME$170,156 15.3% Infrastructure Midmore$1,110,411Institute Grants Scheme (IGS) (and associated University contribution) and RIBG are awarded on acalculation based on activity level (principally NCG income) of the previous two years. RIBG isawarded solely on NCG grant activity.Total income was decreased, due largely to decrease in National Competitive Grants (completion ofseveral large HAL grants and an ACIAR project) (Table 9, Figure 1). Our RIBG allocation as a % ofthat gained by CQU was down from 78% in 2005 to 55% in 2006 and to 72% in 2007.14

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportTable 9. Income per annum since 1994. Multiplier effect calculated as total income/CQU researchblock funds.YearNon-Comp.%NatComp%CQU%Consult%Infrast%MultipliereffectTotalincome$1994 31 31 38 - 159,6001995 34 39 27 - 148,6001996 8 32 58 1 270,0001997 30 36 29 4 629,5001998 34 44 17 5 1,003,0141999 22 42 31 5 913,7092000 23 28 25 4 20 1,097,9312001 15 50 29 7 5 1,243,9172002 4 64 23 2 8 1,574,2152003 5 60 23 4 8 1,677,5262004 11 35 31 3 20 12.7 1,278,1022005 9 54 21 0.4 16 23.8 1,844,5332006 16 35 36 0.1 13 12.3 1,053,3702007 22 32 28 0.7 15 15.2 1,110,411Figure 1. Income per annum since 1994Figure 2. Multiplier effect on university contribution since 200415

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportCentre associated staff/students secured $62,500 from the University research related schemes (ISRDgrants, research support associated with UPRA and APRA scholarships), and the RAAS Post-DoctoralFellowship for Dr Surya Bhattarai was funded through the Office of Research.Research Training Scheme and overseas postgraduate fee support is allocated to Faculties, with $25,000devolved from the Faculty to the Centre to support postgraduate activities (with reporting on expenditureprovided to the Faculty). This sum was paid to the CPWS in arrears in 2008.16

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportD2A Summary of ExpenditureIGS & CQU research funding was allocated by the CPWS Planning & Development Committee topostgraduate linked research projects, consumables and maintenance by research program,administrative, technical and research salaries and scholarships (Table 10). A sizeable sum was carriedforward to 2008, to cover costs of infrastructure projects initiated in 2007 and to offset an expectedreduction in IGS and CQU research funding.Table 10. Disbursement of IGS and associated CQU funding (Centre allocation)2007Revenue($)Balance Brought forward in 2007 5951st Instalment Research Budget Allocation 2007 (Received May) 98,8962nd Instalment Research Budget 2007 (Received October) 98,8952007Expenditure($)ExpenditureAdministration/Technician/Research Worker Support/Fees 39,535Conservation and Rehabilitation Travel Support/Discretionary 6,000Agronomy and Crop Physiology Travel Support/Discretionary 10,000Product Quality and Plant Physiology TravelSupport/Discretionary 6,000Postdoctoral Research Officer Support 6,000K.E.W.T Channels for Compound 9,455Laboratory (Eco Physiology, Molecular, NIR, Tissue Culture)Supplies and Operations/Assets 17,307Student Support - International Scholarship 14,500Plant Growth Facilities 3,000Carry forward balance for activities in 2008 86,589Total 198,386 198,386Of IGS and associated CQU funds, approximately 20% was spent on salary, and the remainder on travel,equipment and staff and off-campus activities (Table 10).17

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportThe Centre’s RIBG allocation was used towards the purchase of new equipment and the maintenance ofold, and in support of technical staff who maintain the infrastructure base (Table 11). Of RIBG funds,39% was allocated to salary, 16% to equipment and consumables, and 45% for 2007/08 Compoundupgrade.Table 11. Distribution of Research Infrastructure Block Grant (RIBG) in 20072007Revenue($)2007Expenditure($)Balance Brought forward to 2007 156,461Research Budget Allocation 2007 170,156ExpenditureGenStat Floating Licence & PC Support/Maintenance 2,290Office Equipment/Consumables/Journals 28,692Administrative Support 96,000CPWS Technician 30,000CPWS Compound Upgrade 59,400Irrigation Fittings & Supplies 8,443Growth Cabinets - Annual Service & Repairs 2,928Equipment - Repairs to Fibox 3 1,173Green Light-Red Light Soil Moisture Sensors (9) 3,668140 amp Welder 4322000 kg Pallet Scales 2,8302nd Hand Post Hole Digger & Auger 1,995HoBo Data Loggers & Software 1,201Humidity Sensor 414Shadehouse Structure – final payment 11,394Compound Architectural Plans 2,448Carry forward balance for 2008 - Allocated to the compoundupgrade73,309Total 326,617 326,617Table 12. 2008 Budget for – IGS and associated CQU, RTS & RIBG fundsFundsIGS andassociated CQUOperatingIncome($)Salary($)Travel &StaffDevelopment($)Students($)Equipment/Vehicles($) ($)273,380 57,782 21,000 4,500 22,500 27,000Consumables/MaterialsRIBG 76,402 73,500 2,90218

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportDraft budget for 2008For the coming year, the IGS – CQU allocation is (1) $273,379, 138% of that in 2007. Much of theincrease reflects a devolvement of funds, sanctioned by RECAB, from the Faculty to the ResearchCentre. The draft budget (Table 13) accommodates this increase. Funding for the staff discretionaryscheme is expanded to reflect the training requirements of the increased number of research staff in theCentre. We anticipate a marked reduction in funds for 2009, hence the sizeable carry forward amount.Table 13. Draft Budget for 2008 IGS – University contributionITEMAMOUNT($)Administrative Assistance 3,900Administrative supplies 4,000CPWS Technician 29,676Plant Growth Facility 6,000CPWS Research Worker 24,206Plant Production laboratory- tissue culture 4,000- ecophysiology 5,000- molecular 4,000- postharvest 4,000Agronomy and Crop Physiology Travel Support/Discretionary 6,000Product Quality and Plant Physiology Travel Support/Discretionary 4,000Conservation and Rehabilitation Travel Support/Discretionary 5,000Discretionary - Post-docs (x 2) 6,000Project specific supportLiving Allowance Scholarships 4,500Software renewal (eg Matlab, SPSS, GenStat) 2,000Growth chamber service 5,000Equipment servicing 8,000Glasshouse/Compound upgrades 7,5002009 Carry forward balance 140,598TOTAL 273,380For the coming 2008 year, the RIBG allocation to the Centre is (2) $76,402. This is a 55% decreaseover the RIBG of 2007, due to our poorer performance in gaining competitive funding compared to therest of the university research centres. The draft budget is presented below (Table 14).Table 14. Draft Budget for 2008 RIBGITEMAMOUNT($)Admin Officer ($66,477) + Asst 73,500Glasshouse/Compound upgrades 2,902TOTAL 76,40219

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSection E ISSUES AND COMMENTSReported income and outputs (graduations, publications) have declined somewhat in 2007 althoughstaffing levels remained essentially the same as in 2006. The Centre was active in preparing proposalsbut fewer were funded (and also fewer expected for 2008), hence revenue will continue to decline,although other academic outputs will remain high. Firm opportunities for CQU research funds to bematched by outside agencies were presented to Chancellery, to speed up the University’s Flagshipprocess, but were not acted upon. Focus of CQU staff and resources into the emerging new flagshipswill further dilute the competitiveness of the CPWS. Funding support for productive and non-projectconstrainedpostdocs allows for development and expansion of new activities, catalysing furtherresearch income and outputs. We have only minimal involvements in ‘Healthy Communities’ despitethe original ‘Food for Life’ proposal by CPWS, and are negotiating support for agronomy and sensorytechnologies via the flagship on ‘Sustainable Resource Industries’. This will constrain our futureprospects.We believe that 2007 and 2008 have been years of great flux within the Faculty (and University), andtogether with the Flagship process these have significantly added to staff workloads, to the detriment ofintellectual input into research. Appointment of A/Prof Walsh as Associate Dean for the College ofSciences also reduced his time available for Centre activities.The slow processing of upgrades in infrastructure (e.g. the replacement of Building 205 that includesrealignment of sewage, power and communications, a concrete base and erection of a replacementbuilding, and erection of an expanded screenhouse facility) and the handing back of fundingresponsibility to the Research Centre, which naturally reduces the funding and the resulting level ofresearch that we can fund, has reduced the efficiency and scope of research, with the 2008 outlook alsorather bleak. We hope for better!20

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSection F FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2007 - 2011The Strategic Plan was prepared by Professor David Midmore in consultation with Centre Members inMarch 2007.The Centre’s strategic plans for (2002-2007) and (2007-2011) may be found at:http://cpws.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=526.21

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportMastersFesuk, Mr Samuel (2003-2007). Germination and storage of selected Australian tropical native grassesin relation to their ecology and use in land rehabilitation. (High School teacher, Rockhampton)Hoffman, Ms Madonna (2003-2007). Application of tree and stand allometrics to the determination ofbiomass and its flux in some north-east Australian woodlands.Kele, B. (2000-2006). On-site waste-water treatment and reuse using recirculatory evapotranspirationchannels in regional Queensland. (PhD programme, CQU)Pichot, A. (2005). Poly-culture of Lates calcarifer and Cheras quadricarinatus with constructed wetlands.l’I.S.A.R.A-LYON (Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture de Rhône-Alpes)Duff, A. (1999-2005). Growth and development of onion in a subtropical environment. (DPIF SeniorExperimental Officer)Sparkes, E. (1998-2003). Development of herbicide control options for Prosopis velutina as part of anintegrated control strategy. (DNRM Senior Experimentalist)Radloff, B. (1994-2003). Rehabilitation of a coal tailings dam at BHP Saraji mine. (Hunter Valley coalmine Environmental Officer)Weeden, B. (1998-2002). The commercial potential of sugar beet production (Beta vulgaris) for sugarproduction in the Mareeba-Dimbulah irrigation area of north Queensland. (DPIF SeniorExpermentalist, Mareeba, Qld)Smith, N. (1997-2002). Aspects off seed germination and early growth in rainforest cabinet timberspecies. (Environmental Consultant; DPI Project Officer)Huber, S. (2000). New uses for drip irrigation. Technical University of Munich. (PhD programme)Li, M. (1997-1998). Genetic diversity, physiology and production of Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharisdulcis [Burm.f.] Trin. ex Henschel). (Laboratory technician)Johnson, S. (1994-1997). Nitrogen fixation by ley legume pastures in CQ. (PhD UNE)Guthrie, J. (1993-1996). Development of a noninvasive, objective test to measure the eating quality ofmango and pineapple fruits. (PhD CQU, DPI Rockhampton)Scott, C. (1988-1996). On the use of paclobutrazol and cultar to control growth and flowering ofpineapple. (Agronomist, Golden Circle Cannery)King, B. (1993-1995). Molecular techniques for the characterisation of citrus ploidy level. (supervisoryassistance to primary supervisor, S. Lee, DPI, Bundaberg). (PhD, USA)List, S. (1992-1995). Oil production from the tea-tree, Melaleuca alternifolia: functional anatomy of theoil gland and development of a micro-propagation system. (Qld Museum, Brisbane)Chan, E. (1992-1994). Breeding for increased dinitrogen fixation in pea and soybean. (Project Advisor,AusAid Farming System Project, W. Samoa)Grey, J. (p/t 1992-1994). Tree clearing practices in Central Queensland. (Completed under Prof. G.Lawrence, HSS)Hoy, N.T. (1989-1992). Revegetation of a severely salt affected site at Barmoya, CQ. (EnvironmentalOfficer, Dept. of Minerals and Energy, Rockhampton)Mills, C. (1988-1990). A role for oxalates in Pisonia grandis, a tree of coral cays. (co-supervision withDr. G. Pegg) Second MAppSc to graduate from CQU. (PhD, Research Officer, Griffith U)Thwaites, D. (1989). Tissue culture of Melaleuca alternifolia. Masters qual. (Forensics, Federal Police).(the first cohort of ‘postgraduate’ students at CQU – before establishment of the PhD program)23

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportUNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SUPERVISION(employment on completion listed in brackets)Hanggi, S. (2006). [Honours Title] (DNR&W Project Officer; Capricornia Conservation Commission)Pendergast, L. (2003). Effects of enhanced root zone aeration on growth, yield and water use of tomatoand vegetable soybean subjected to soil salinity. 2B Honours (PhD CQU; DPI Emerald)Holland, J. (2002). Nutrient budget on an agriculture-hydroponic system. 1st Honours (Internationalfishery company, NZ)Nelson, M. (2001). Studies on the genetic variation of Taro (Colocasia esculentum var. antiquorum). 2AHonours (PhD UQ)Thomas, P. (1998). Assessment of floristic change using a stable isotope methodology. 2A Honours(PhD CQU)Harrison, D. (1996). N2 fixation in sugar cane? 1st Honours. (PhD UQ; Lecturer, UQ Brisbane)MacDonald, M. (1996). Agronomy of Vetiveria zizanioides (PhD UWA)Catesby, A. (1994). Papaya dieback : an insect transmitted disorder? 2A Honours (PhD UQ; DPI, Qld)Sky, R. (1994). Sucrose unloading in the sugar cane stalk. (First 1st Honours awarded in Biology for aproject based on CQU campus, c.f. CSIRO) (PhD UQ)Brown, S. (1991). Functional vascular anatomy of legume nodules. 2A Honours (PhD CQU; UQ,Brisbane)POSTDOCTORAL STAFF/RESEARCH OFFICERSDr Mihail Mukarev (2007). (University of Ploudiv, Bulgaria)Mr Andrew Rank (2001-200_). Stevia (ongoing)Dr Grant Zhu (2006-2008). Bamboo agronomy and stevia (CQU); Phytoremedation (University ofMelbourne)Mr. Yuyue Yang (2006). Modeller-Hydrology, ChinaDr Ninghu Su (2005- 2006). Hydrology (Lecturer, JCU, Ground water hydrology)Dr Zongjian Yang (2005-2006). Plant development (UQ Post doc)Mr Christo Leibenberg (2003-2006). Physicist (Research Director, Silex Pty Ltd)Mr Dan White (2000-2006). Asian Vegetables and Bamboo agronomy (Main Roads Cadetship)Dr. Mirta Golic (1999-2006). Spectroscopist (Peanut Company of Australia)Dr Jill Windle (2005). Choice modeling (Senior Research Officer, CQU)Dr Steve Ockerby (2002-2003). Bamboo agronomy (Private industry research officer)Dr Colin Greensil (1998-2002). Electronics-physicist (Lecturer, School Physical Systems, CQU)Dr Jodie Guthrie (1997-2002). Molecular biologist (casual lecturer, CQU)Dr Volker Kleinhenz (1997-2001). Bamboo agronomy (AIT Bangkok)Dr David Gallacher (1998-2000). Asian vegetables (American University Dubai)Dr Corey Hogarth (1998-1999). Navy bean agronomy (SPS Seed Company)Ms Joanna Wann (1997). Revegetation of Nickel tailingsDr A.B.M Siddique (1996). Electron microscopist (Post Doc fellow in Japan, UWA)Dr Sharon Brown (1996). Plant physiology (Senior Research Officer, Dept. of Agriculture, UQ)Dr Patrick Whitty (1996). Molecular biology (Postdoctoral fellow, Dundee University, Scotland)Dr John Milne (1995-1996). Entomology (Associate Professor, Mahidol University, Thailand)Dr Helen Wallace (1995). Entomology (Lecturer, Sunshine Coast University)Dr Virginia Shepherd (1994-1995). Plant physiology (Postdoctoral fellow, University of Adelaide)24

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSection H RESEARCH REPORTSOXYGATION INFLUENCES EXPRESSION OF AQUAPORIN GENES UNDERSALINE ENVIRONMENTSSUMMARYOur previous research suggested that the positive response to oxygation (using aerated water forsubsurface drip irrigation) by plants is mediated through root processes. Water flow through plantliving tissues follows apoplastic, symplastic or transcellular paths. Aquaporins are membrane intrinsicprotein pores that can facilitate diffusion of amounts of water along trans-membrane water potentialgradient. Roots can finely adjust their hydraulic conductivity in response to hypoxia and aquaporinscould potentially account for such regulations. A significant part of root water transport (20-80%) isunder rapid metabolic control, and involves the activity of celluar proteins, most likely aquaporins.Therefore, aquaporins may be involved in a large number of physiological functions in plants. Plantaquaporins are divided into four groups based on amino acid sequence similarities: plasma membraneintrinsic proteins (PIPs), tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), nodulin-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs) andsmall basic intrinsic proteins (SIPs). Some groups may be subdivided again, as is the case with PIPproteins (divided into PIP1 and PIP2). In the current experiment we studied the expression of rootaquaporins genes in order to evaluate the involvement of water channel protein (aquaporins) formediating an enhanced root process during oxygation.The experiment was conducted at the World Vegetable Centre, Shanhua, Taiwan. Root samples werecollected from capsicum, tomato and bean plants grown in aerated and non-aerated non-circulatinghydroponics with (+500 ppm) and without salinity in the solution in a glasshouse from October 2007 –January 2008. Hyponex water soluble complete fertilizer was applied as 1 g L -1 (Scott Fertilizer, USA)throughout the growing season. Salt (NaCl) treatment commenced 3 weeks after seeding. Root and leaftissues were harvested fortnightly and transferred to liquid nitrogen and stored at −70°C prior to theassays. Oxygen concentration of the nutrient solution was monitored with FIBOX-3 and fibre-opticoxygen minisensors. RNA from roots and leaves was isolated as described by Eggermont et al (1996) inthe Trizol reagent. DNase treatment was carried out following the protocols by Goldbeter and Koshland(1981). Reverse transcription (RT) was performed using MMLV reverse transcriptase from Invitrogenefollowing Sambrook et al., (1989). Optimization of primer concentration by used 125 nMconcentrations. Real time rt-PCR protocol of Rotor-Gene 6000 was used to amplify segments ofaquaporin and Na + /H + transporter genes. Using cDNA from capsicum roots as the template, one segmentof each of the PIP and TIP genes was amplified by PCR. Primer sequences are given in Table 1. RACE-PCR with cDNA from capsicum roots provided segments containing the 3-non-translated region ofmembers of the PIP and TIP aquaporin gene families. Together with the primers RACE1, RACE2,RACE3, the gene specific primers PMA and PM1 yielded LePIP1 (AY725511, new PCR-product),PMAand PM2 LePIP2 (BT014251) and TPAand TP1 LeTIP (AY731066, also new PCR-product). Forthe Na + /H + transporter genes, the primerpair ISO1/ISO11 was used with capsicum root cDNA as atemplate for amplifying LeNHX1 (AJ306630) and ISO2/ISO22 for LeNHX2 (AJ306631).Quantification of the mRNA by real-time rt-PCR was performed for the gene of interest in a Rotor Gene6000 The primers in real-time PCR were TRP1: TCA TTC GTG GAG GAT TGG CT and TRP2: ACACTG TTG AAG ACT TGT TCT TCT TTC TTC T. Standardization for this amplificate was performedagainst the 18S-rDNA using the primers 18S-1: GAT GCG CTC CTG GCC TTA AT and 18S-2: TACAGA GCG TAG GCT TGC TTT. The internal control was the tomato ubiquitine.Oxygation increased oxygen concentration of the solution and the difference in oxygen concentrationbecame more prominent during the night (Figure 1). Oxygation of the saline solution significantlyincreased plant dry biomass, number of fruits per plant and reduced the concentration of sodium andchloride concentration in the leaf tissues. Oxygation demonstrated a significant effect on root ability toexclude the salt compared to the non-aerated hypoxic environment (Table 1). The molecular datarevealed that the expression of aquaporin genes such as LePIP2, and LeTIP as well as sodium hydrogen25

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual Reportantiporter genes decreased without aeration (Figure 2) and increased by more than two folds withoxygation in a saline medium (Table 2). These findings corroborate our earlier observations and suggestthat increased aquaporin activities may play a significant role for enhanced plant performance withoxygation under saline environments.Figure 1: Effect of oxygation treatment on oxygen concentration (as % of air saturation) of thehydroponics solution measured over the period of five days at capsicum fruiting stage. The readingswere taken every minute. Green (upper) line represents oxygation and black (lower) line represents thecontrol.NaCl(ppm)DW (g/plant) Fruits/plant Leaf Nacl (%) Leaf Cl (%)Oxyg Control Oxyg Control Oxyg Control Oxyg Control0 26.94 ± 8.51 16.34 ± 3.08 5.6 ± 0.47 4.0 ± 0.81 0.02 ± 0.008 0.02 ± 0.001 0.31 ± 0.037 0.36 ± 0.022500 17.17 ± 1.78 13.64 ± 1.76 5.2 ± 1.64 2.8 ± 1.31 0.02 ± 0.004 0.12 ± 0.024 0.94 ± 0.179 1.86 ± 0.29Table 1. Effect of oxygation (oxyg) treatments on plant dry weight, number of fruits and sodium andchloride concentration in the leaf tissue of capsicum plants sampled at fruiting stage. Values representmeans ± standard error (n=3). 0: no salt in irrigation water; 500:500 ppm of salt in the irrigation water.Salt treatment started 15 days after seeding.26

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportOXYGATION OF SUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATED COTTON GROWN ONDIFFERENT SOIL TYPESIn Australia, sub-surface drip irrigation (SDI) has been successfully used both in garden andcommercial cultivation with a range of field crops including cotton. Field crops grown indifferent soil conditions, especially after irrigation, often experience hypoxia, a state of reducedoxygen supply for root and microbial respiration. Well aerated soils favour root respiration andaccelerate essential microbial activity which ultimately helps in reducing plants exposure tostress. The process of supplying induced pressurised air through sub-surface drip irrigation isbetter known as oxygation.Cotton is grown predominantly in heavy clay soils in central Queensland; therefore the croprhizosphere is often exposed to hypoxia upon irrigation. To study the effect of oxygation oncotton in different soils, an experiment was undertaken at CQUniversity in the 2007-08 season.Preliminary outcomes of this research are presented in this progress report.Bollgard II variety of cotton was planted on 27th December 2007 in 16 concrete tubs (3.10 mlength, 0.85 m width and 0.58 m depth) at Central Queensland University, Australia. The cropspacing was maintained as 72 cm row-to-row and 10 cm plant-to-plant. Two common cottongrowing soil types (heavy clay black and red loam) of Australia were introduced in the tubs.Oxygen was supplied with the Mazzei venturi model 384 and oxygation commenced from 1 st ofFebruary 2008. Emitters were placed at two different depths (10cm and 30cm) in the soil forthe delivery of water and air. Different crop and soil parameters such as lint yield, root lengthdensity, transpiration, photosynthesis, soil respiration, soil moisture, parameters related to cropphenology and water use efficiency were recorded.Photo 1: Set of 16 concrete tubsPhoto 2: Cotton crop before harvestThe positive response of lint yield to oxygation was significant in red soils. However, forheavy clay soil, the response of oxygation in terms of yield is not consistent as shown in Figure1. In terms of root length, oxygation treatment on the red soil had showed a significant positiveeffect as shown in Figure 2.28

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportFig.1 Effect of oxygation on cotton yieldFig. 2 Effect of oxygation on root lengthLeaf transpiration and photosynthesis were measured and data are tabulated in Table 1. Withoxygation rates of transpiration and photosynthesis were greater than without on the red loamsoil, as was phototsynthesis on the black soil.Table 1: Transpiration and photosynthesis of cotton plantsTranspirationmmol m 2 s -1Photosynthesisµ mol m 2 s -1Soil Type Oxygated Control Oxygated ControlBlack 3.88 4.00 18.11 16.06Red 4.14 4.07 14.71 14.66The crop did not receive the oxygation treatment until 35 days after transplanting and theseason being relatively wetter than normal did not receive frequent irrigation, hence theopportunity for oxygation was less than in other years for this crop. However, from theanalysis, the following preliminary conclusions can be drawn: first, the effect of oxygation isclear on cotton grown on red soil but for black soil, the effect was not consistent. Second, blacksoil tended to have cracks on the surface, which might reduce the oxygation benefits. Furtherresearch should be conducted to study the effect of cracking in the further cotton experiments.PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Jay DhungelCo-Principal Investigator: Prof. David MidmoreOthers:Dr Surya BhattaraiFUNDINGQNRW29

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportOXYGATION: POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVED YIELD, WATER-USEEFFICIENCIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTSUMMARYLarge scale trials, planted with cotton, chick-pea and sorghum have been conducted inEmerald to verify earlier promising results from aeration of irrigation water in glass-house andscreen-house trials. With replicated plots each of 0.4 ha, and with drip-line lengths of 270 m,these trials have allowed a critical examination of the benefits of oxygation – the aeration ofirrigation water – with venturi valves. Results from the 2005 and 2006 and 2008 cotton trialswere encouraging. In 2005 aerated cotton provided a 29% increase in yield with an associated27% improvement in crop water-use efficiency i.e. increased yield using less water. Yields andwater use efficiencies of the subsequent 2006 and 2008 cotton crops also respondedsignificantly to the aeration treatment (16% and 12% higher yields respectively and improvedin crop water-use efficiencies of a similar magnitude). No cotton was planted in 2006-07 due toinsufficient irrigation water availability.The process of soil aeration is one of the most critical determinants of plant productivity. Asirrigation water enters the soil, whether overhead, flood or drip it purges the soil pores of airand can often result in anoxic conditions to the detriment of plant growth and water useefficiencies. In a range of glass-house/shade-house experiments oxygenation, i.e. hyper-aeratingirrigation water supplied through subsurface drip irrigation systems, has consistently producedenhanced growth, yield, and water use efficiencies (WUE).Although the use of SDI leads to demonstrable increases in WUE over other irrigation methods,its potential (in yield advantage and adoption) is still not being reached. If aerated SDI wouldprovide additional increased yield, and were to reducing irrigation rates, it would have greaterappeal to growers. Increased attractiveness and consequently take-up rates of SDI techniqueswould then have a positive impact on the utilization of Australia’s water resources.The project aims to achieve three main objectives:1. Elaborate on the specific mechanisms by which plant growth, yield and water useefficiencies are affected by increased root-zone aeration, to include a study of the plantgrowth regulators abscissic acid and cytokinin, and of nutrient availability and uptake.2. Develop a commercial-scale methodology (i.e. identify and resolve any practicalconsiderations for the use of aerated SDI).3. Conduct a cost benefit analysis and modelling.Agreement was reached with an established cotton grower in the Emerald area (gypsic vertisol)to establish a system capable of running suitably designed trials that conform to acceptedstatistical analysis. A large scale trial (with treatment plots of 0.4 ha) was superimposed uponcommercial production at a site initially set up by the Qld DNRM, and co-managed with CQU.Analysis of data from the 2005 and 2006 cotton experiments have been completed howeverdata from the chickpea and sorghum trials of 2006/7 are yet to be undertaken.The data collected from these experiments employing the venturi principle (Mazzei aerators)trialling various rates and under varying soil moisture contents have included both soil andplant based parameters to assist in interpreting the measured biomass and yield effects.30

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportThe movement of the irrigation water front and the oxygen concentration (Pst-3 oxygensensitive mini-sensors) in the soil has been measured. The concurrent soil water content (usingthe capacitance-based Microgopher and EnviroScan systems) has been recorded in order toderive the water:oxygen ratio for optimum soil performance. Root density and distribution, andthe concentration of oxygen in the soil and its distribution around the soil-root interface and infront of the irrigation water front are being examined.On a per plant basis a portable IRGA has been used to quantify response of photosynthesis,transpiration and stomatal conductance. Canopy growth has been quantified through bothdestructive sampling and through measurement of light interception using the AccuPARceptometer (Decagon USA).PROJECT STAFF Investigators: Lance PendergastPrincipal Supervisor: Professor David MidmoreCo-Investigators: Associate Professor Kerry WalshDr Chris CarrollFUNDINGCentral Queensland University Postgraduate Research Award31

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportTHE EFFECT OF EMITTER DEPTH ON CAPSICUM YIELD AND YIELDCOMPONENTSSUMMARYIn a pot experiment, capsicum was irrigated by subsurface drip irrigation with emitters placedat 5 cm or 20 cm below the soil surface. Statistical analysis on soil respiration rate, lightinterception, and shoot and root components showed that due to severe anaerobic conditionsprevailing in the deep treatment, the plants grown in the shallow treatment significantly outperformedthan those grown in the deep treatment.Capsicum seedlings were transplanted in 28 L buckets (30 cm in diameter and 40 cm high)containing black clay soil (FC=43 mm 100 mm -1 ), 43 days after sowing. Each bucket containedtwo plants irrigated by subsurface drip irrigation. Two treatments consisting of shallow emitterplacement (5 cm) and deep emitter placement (20 cm) were applied. Each treatment wasreplicated six times in three blocks. Soil moisture was maintained within 40 – 51 mm 100 mm -1 .Table 1 shows the result of this experiment. As can be seen from the table, soil respiration rateand light interception as well as root and shoot components under the shallow emitterplacement were significantly higher in comparison with the deep emitter placement. Onepossible reason is as follows: since no drainage flow could occur from the side or bottom of thebuckets, the expulsion of the soil air during irrigation events was only in the upward direction.For the deep treatment, flow of water from the middle of bucket would expel the soil airwithout any obstruction. In the shallow treatment, the layer of water flowing from top to thebottom of the bucket obstructed upward flow of the soil air. The serially entrapped air resultedin the better performance in the shallow treatment. Soil water distribution data are beingreviewed to confirm or otherwise.Table 1- Statistical analysis on the yield and yield componentsMean of the measured parametersSoilrespirationrate(g m -2 h -1 )Lightinterception(%)Sampledrootlength(cm/cm 3 )Averagediameterof thesampledroots(mm)Dryweight ofthesampledroots(g)Fruitcounts(-)Weightof freshfruits(g)Weightof freshleaves(g)Weightof freshstems(g)TreatmentShallowemitterplacement(55.0 L/pot)Deep emitterplacement(44.5 L/pot)0.61 55 11.71 0.34 0.40 20 2304 211.7 239.30.42 44 8.18 0.31 0.20 15 1422 124.1 126.9t test 0.05

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual Report………….PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators:Supervisor:Manouchehr TorabiDavid MidmoreFUNDINGCentral Queensland University33

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSUNRISE AT 1770 WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND WATER RECYCLINGREFURBISHMENTSUMMARYSunrise at 1770 is a premier development on the Queensland Discovery Coast that has its ownwastewater and water recycling system. The treatment chain is unique and provides a Class A+recycled water. CQUniversity during 2007 updated the treatment chain and installedspecialised zeolite and scoria filtration tanks for salt management.Sunrise at 1770 is a sustainable sub-division of 172 lots located on the coast of CentralQueensland. Sunrise is a high-end development being a gated community where an economicpremium is placed upon the environment. It is completely off-the-grid in regards to its waternetwork and has implemented an integrated decentralised system. Each house has a minimumof 48 000 L of rainwater tank storage to provide the potable supply. Supplementary potablesupply is available from a nearby aquifer. The zeolite and scoria filtration tanks installed byCQUniversity reduce the concentrations of sodium and ammonia in the recycled water.Recycled water is provided to each house for toilet flushing and external water usage through adedicated purple pipe system. Recycled water is also used (a) to irrigate a large (200 000seedling) endemic native plant nursery used for revegetation, (b) to supply a community carwash,and (c) in emergencies for fire-fighting water. The decentralised network provides thefire-fighting water for the development primarily through the aquifer and for localised bush-firefighting through the rainwater tanks. The decentralised water system has successfully providedthe water requirements for the development throughout four years of drought without the needto bring in water from external sources. In 2007 Sunrise at 1770 won the most sustainabledevelopment in Queensland from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), wonAustralia’s most sustainable development (UDIA) in 2008, and made the finals in the UnitedNations Australian 2008 World Environment Day Awards for Water Design.Figure 1A: Beach Club at Sunrise at 1770Figure1B: Zeolite and Scoria Filter TanksPROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators: Ben KeleCo-supervisors: David MidmoreOthers: Ross Percival, Jordanna Bembridge, Barry Hood, Denis BalkinFUNDINGMidell Developments Pty LtdCentral Queensland University34

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportACTIVATED CARBON AND ZEOLITE FILTER TRIALSUMMARYComplaints about odours from sewers increased in Brisbane during 2006 and 2007.Queensland Testing Laboratories Pty Ltd developed a prototype activated carbon and zeolitecartridge filter designed to fit into typical sewer vents and potentially reduce odours.CQUniversity tested the effect of these prototype filters with a variety of filter media.Odours from domestic sewer vents are increasing as water efficiency measures reduce thevolume of wastewater flowing through the pipe lines. The reduction in flow has lead to anincrease in the amount of solids within the pipework. The decomposition of these solidsproduces a variety of gases, not all pleasant in odour, that are released from domestic sewervents. Filters can be put on domestic vents to reduce the concentration of noxious gas release.The Queensland Testing Laboratory developed a prototype designed for 50 mm domestic sewervents. Three prototype filters were tested by CPWS with different filter media; activatedcarbon, zeolite, and an activated carbon and zeolite blend. The trial monitored the reduction inhydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide and the impact on colony forming unitsof Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. The filters were examined in different situations; septictanks, domestic sewer lines, and a laboratory trial. The filters were emplaced over the man-holeof the septic tank and gas release from the sludge was encouraged through the vigorous stirringof the crust. Gas from the septic tank was then pumped through the filters and concentrationsmeasured by a analytical gas-meter. Filter units were installed over three domestic sewer linesand monitored over time. For the laboratory trial mixtures of the various gases were obtained;25% methane (N 2 balance), 25% ammonia (N 2 balance), 25% hydrogen sulphide (N 2 balance),and 25% methane, 25% ammonia, and 25% hydrogen sulphide (N 2 balance). These gases wererun through the filters with the various types of filter media. All results are commercial inconfidence.Figure 1 A. Filter cartridge being weighedFigure 1B. Gas mixtures for filter trialPROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Ben KeleCo-Principal Investigator: David MidmoreOthers: Denis Balkin, and Robert LowryFUNDING Queensland Testing Laboratories Pty Ltd35

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportICEWARM GLOBAL WATER SYSTEMS II (THE ENGINEERED WATER CYCLE)SUMMARYCQUniversity is in partnership with Deakin University, University of South Australia, FlindersUniversity, and the University of Adelaide to provide the International Centre for Excellence inWater and Resource Management (ICEWARM) with tertiary courses in water studies.ICEWARM offers postgraduate certificates and Master’s degrees in sustainable watermanagement. CQUniversity wrote and offers the core course Global Water Systems II theEngineered Water Cycle.In 2006 a team from the CWPS wrote the core course Global Water Systems II the EngineeredWater Cycle. This course was presented for the first time in 2007 via the Access Gridtechnology. Access Grid allowed the lecture to be presented to five different Universities inthree states (South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland) at the same time, in real time via asatellite link. Students and lecturers could have instantaneous feedback and multiple windowscould be opened on the screen; this accommodated campus views, powerpoint slides, internetpages and specific programs. The lecturer did travelled to South Australia twice to conduct fieldtrips. All assessment pieces (two assignments, two practical reports, and an exam) weresubmitted and marked electronically via the ICEWARM portal. After the course had beenpresented it underwent an academic review and was updated in light of the experiences gained.Global Water Systems II was the first course to be taught via the Access Grid at CQUniversity,and gained excellent student feedback.Figure 1A. Field Trip to Sewerage TreatmentPlantFigure 1B. Drinking recycled water at apotable water plantPROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Ben KeleCo-Principal Investigator: David Midmore, Barry Hood, Peter Fisher,Patrick KeleherOthers: ICEWARM StaffFUNDING ICEWARM36

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSOUTH AUSTRALIAN WASTEWATER AND RECYCLING TRAINING DAY SERIESSUMMARYCPWS of CQUniversity has been working in conjunction with Tom Woods (Onkaparinga CityCouncil) and the South Australian Institute of Environmental Health to provide practicaltraining days on on-site wastewater and water recycling for South Australian governmentemployees.Due to the outstanding success of the first South Australian Training Day held in the AdelaideHills in June 2006 (on the coldest day on record); a second training day was held north ofAdelaide in February 2007 (maximum temperature for the day 44 C). The training days are thebrainchild of Tim Woods of the Onkaparinga City Council. The aim is to educateenvironmental and public health officials about on-site wastewater treatment and waterrecycling through practical demonstrations.The 2007 training day involved installing a 4000 L septic tank, a holding tank, and a purple podrecycled water irrigation system. The purple pod system was the first to be installed in SouthAustralia, and comprises a 77 mm diameter chamber within a grilled exit that is resistant toclogging. Over the course of the day 51 people attended the training from 11 different localgovernments and three different State government departments. Ben Kele spoke on the issues ofsoil type on recycled water schemes and Barry Hood on the importance of maintenance for onsitesystems.The third training day in the series is scheduled to occur at South Australia’s Maslin’s Beach inApril 2008.Figure 1. Views of the training dayPROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Ben KeleCo-Principal Investigator: David MidmoreOthers: Tim Woods (Onkaparinga City Council)Barry Hood, GBG Project Management Pty LtdSouth Australian Branch of the Australian Institute ofEnvironmental HealthFUNDINGCentral Queensland University37

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportPHYTOCAPPING: AN EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUE FOR LANDFILLREMEDIATIONLandfills have been the major repositories of urban wastes, and they will continue to be built; solong as the humans live in communities. The costs of construction of landfills have beenescalating due to introduction of stringent environmental laws. Research is therefore required toidentify alternative techniques that will not only minimise the costs, but also demonstrateincreased environmental performance. An alternative landfill capping technique known as‘Phytocapping’ (establishment of plants on a layer of soil placed over the waste) was trialled atRockhampton, Australia. Twenty one tree species were grown for 3 years on two types ofphytocaps (thick cap; 1400 mm and thin cap; 700 mm; Fig. 1) and their growth, transpirationloss, canopy rainfall interception and methane oxidation were studied. The results show that thecanopy of the trees grown on the phytocaps intercepted, on an average, 30% of the rainfall thuspreventing a significant proportion of the rain water from entering the soil. The long-term sapflow monitoring data showed that the 2 to 3 year-old trees could remove 0.9 to 2.1 mm day -1 .The phytocaps were also found very effective in oxidising methane. The methane concentrationswere 4 to 5 times lower in phytocaps than in the adjacent non-vegetated landfill sites. TheHYDRUS 1D computer simulation model using 15 years of weather data and the plant and soilparameters collected from this trial revealed a percolation rate of 16.7 mm yr -1 in thick phytocapand 23.8 mm yr -1 in thin phytocap. These values are significantly lower than those expectedfrom compacted clay (78 mm yr -1 ; i.e., 10% of the rainfall). Overall, results of this studydemonstrate that the phytocaps are effective in limiting percolation of water into the waste atRockhampton which has a semi-arid climate. The trial also demonstrates the potential ofphytocaps to reduce landfill remediation costs while offering additional environmental benefits.Further research is currently being conducted to extend this novel method of landfillremediation to other agro-climatic regions of Australia(http://www.wmaa.com.au/aacap/aacap.html), with the view to providing scientific data toregulatory authorities to seek their approval to use phytocapping as an alternative technique forlandfill remediation.Figure 1. A closer view of the thick (left) and thin phytocaps (right) two years of plantingPROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators: Assoc. Prof. Nanjappa AshwathCo-investigators: K. Venkatraman and Dr N. SuFUNDING Central Queensland University post graduate scholarship38

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportCOMPARISON OF PHYTOCAPS WITH CLAY CAPS FOR THEIR ABILITY TOLIMIT PERCOLATION OF WATER INTO LANDFILLSSUMMARYA number of phytocapping trials have been established in Australia over the last 8 years (seeannual reports of CPWS; www.cpws.cqu.edu.au). These trials show the potential of phytocapsto limit percolation of water into landfills, but they do not actually quantify the percolation rate.This quantification is required to convince the Environmental Protection Agencies of theefficacy of phytocaps over EPA approved clay capping systems in limiting the entry of waterinto the landfill, and providing other environmental benefits.A number of Universities, The Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA), privateconsultants, and several government departments have jointly undertaken a nation-widecomparative study, A-ACAP (Australian Alternative Covers Assessment Program) to quantifyand compare percolation rates of phytocapping systems with those of clay capping systems.Field trials have been established in varying agro-climatic conditions at Townsville, Lismore,Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. This study is sponsored by the ARC Linkage and the industries,via WMAA.At each site, large lysimeters (20 m x 10 m) were constructed (see Fig 1) and two basictreatments, phytocapping and clay capping were introduced. Additional treatments were alsointroduced to assess the effects of landfill gasses on plant growth and development, and to studyroot biology and plant-soil interactions. Phytocapping treatment consists of unconsolidated soiland the clay capping treatment contains compacted clay and top soil. The phytocappingtreatment has been planted with a wide range of native grasses and/or tree and shrub species.The clay capping treatment was planted with grasses as per EPA requirement. The lysimetershave been heavily instrumented so that an accurate record of rainfall, runoff, percolation andevapotranspiration can be prepared.The initial two years have allowed us to identify trial sites, establish experimental plots, installand calibrate instruments, and successfully establish and maintain vegetation on phytocappingsystems. Data collection and analysis are currently under way and will continue for a further 2-3years. Further details of this trial may be obtained fromhttp://www.wmaa.com.au/aacap/aacap.html.39

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportFigure 1. A view of the Phytocapping treatment at Townsville—during construction (top) andafter completion (bottom). A large number of tree and shrub species have been planted, whichare performing well on the landfill.PROJECT STAFFPrincipal Investigators: Dr Sam Yuen (UoM)Assoc Prof Nanjappa Ashwath (CQU)Dr Andy Fourie (UWA)A/P Hossein Ghadiri (GU)A/P Margaret Greenway (GU)A/P Mark Jaksa (UoA)Prof Peter Newman (Curtin U)Dr Gareth Swarbrick (UNSW)Co-investigators:FUNDINGDr Grant Zhu (UoM), Ms Melissa Salt (UoA), Mr Hooman Maneshi(GU), Mr Jianlei Sun (UoM) plus industry partners & consultantsARC Linkage, WMAA40

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportNATIVE PLANTS AND RAIL TRACK STABILISATIONPresence of woody vegetation adjacent to rail tracks is known to improve stability of railformation in cracking clayey soils (Potter and Cameron 2005). This concept was tested atBanana, central Queensland, by establishing over 100 native species on either side of the railtrack (see page 37 of 2006 Annual Reporthttp://cpws.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/getFile.do?id=7447). Of the established species, over 80%of them survived the frost, drought and the wet weather conditions during the last two years.Some species have reached 2-3 metres in height, and most species have developed at least 50%canopy cover. The established species will be monitored for long-term sustainability, changesin soil moisture and soil stability. The data from the vegetated site will be compared with thoseobtained from the adjacent non-vegetated sites, with the view to selecting suitable plant species,and optimising maintenance practices.Potter, W. and Cameron, D. A. (2005). Potential Remediation of Rail Track Foundations inPoorly Drained Clay Sites with Native Vegetation. Proc. the 7th International Conference onthe Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways and Airfields, June, Trondheim.A view of the site (2 years after planting) showing diversity of plant species planted and theirgrowth performance.PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators: Assoc. Professor Nanjappa AshwathCo-investigators: Darryl Nissen (QR), Don Cameron (UniSA)FUNDINGRail CRC, Queensland Rail41

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSELECTION OF NATIVE PLANTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT UNDER HIGHVOLTAGE POWER LINESA field trial was established at Stanwell Power Station under high voltage power lines with theaim of stabilising the batter slope, and selecting suitable plant species for revegetation of barrenareas under power lines in central Queensland. The site that had been left barren for 20 yearswas chosen for the study. The site was graded and a layer of top soil placed, before introducingthree treatments. The treatments comprised; hydromulching, stone mulching and greenwastemulching. Seedlings of 60 natives shrub and ground cover species (other than grasses) wereestablished on each of the stone mulched and greenwaste mulched treatments. Thehydromulched treatment, however, was exposed to two treatments – direct seeding and plantingof tube stocks of up to 10 grass species. All three plots were connected to a drip irrigationsystem and were watered occasionally.The results to date show survival of more than 90% of the planted seedlings. Furthermore, theplants established in the greenwaste mulched treatment are growing faster than those grown inrock-mulched treatment. Further monitoring of plant growth, root distribution, canopy cover,soil water changes and sustainability of established species will be undertaken both to evaluatethe establishment techniques and to select suitable species for wider areas of centralQueensland.Fig 1. The project leaders Dr N. Ashwath and M. Carige inspecting the seedlings of nativespecies maintained at CQUniversity nursery (left), which were later planted at Stanwell PowerStation (right) on stone mulched and greenwaste mulched plots.PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: A/P Nanjappa AshwathCo-investigators: M. Carige (Ergon Energy), L. Painter, V. BardenFUNDINGErgon Energy, Powerlink, Central Queensland University42

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportPROVENANCE VARIATIONS IN SEED BIOLOGY, YIELD, YIELD QUALITY ANDSEED OIL COMPOSITION OF Calophyllum inophyllum L.Calophyllum inophyllum L. is a native Australian tree that occurs naturally above the high-tidemark along sea coasts of northern Australia. For centuries, Australian indigenous communitiesassociated with this plant as a vital medicine in their day-to-day life. It already has a highcommercial demand for seed oil from pharmaceutical companies. It also produces high priceddurable hardwood timber (density 600-900 kg m-³). It has the ability to tolerate extreme salinityand to stabilize coastal dunes. C. inophyllum L. seed has 65% oil (dwt basis) and has beenidentified as one of the potential biodiesel species. Recently scientists have discovered anticancerand anti-HIV compounds from C. inophyllum extracts.However, existing information about various aspects of this species is quite sparse. In Australiavery little national attention has been directed to this species until now (its conservation statusis: -species of least concern). Increasing demand for renewable energy means that large-scalecommercial plantations of potential biodiesel plants are expected in near future. The speciesshows a wide range of geographical distribution. Geo-climatic variations may influence plasticchanges in plant performance. More often than not they are hereditary in nature. Favourablevariations are quite useful in determining suitable provenance/s for commercial cultivation.This project highlights important multiple economic uses of this species and especially aims todetermine optimum ecophysiological requirements for favourable growth and higherproductivity and to select best provenances and genotypes for different economic uses (e.g.timber, biodiesel, medicine). Provenances will be selected based on their geo-climaticdifferences in Australia and Sri Lanka. Comparative flowering and fruiting pheonologicalstudies will be carried out between one provenance from northern hemisphere (Sri Lanka) andone from southern hemisphere (Australia).Randomly-selected trees from selected provenances will be studied for growth parameters andcorresponding soils will be analysed. Seed storage behaviour and longevity will also be studied(using established methods).To assess the provenance variations in yield and the yield quality, the number of fallen fruitsm -2 and bark thickness and sapwood density will be recorded. Seeds from different provenanceswill be assessed for seed oil/unit weight of kernel. Optimum desiccation time, effect ofdifferent drying methods and the effect of seed conditioning will be determined. Seed oil willbe converted into FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters - biodiesel) by trans-esterification and willbe tested for its fuel properties (ASTM biodiesel standards). Effect of soil texture on earlygrowth will be studied under controlled environment. To assess the growth variations,provenance trials will be carried out under controlled environments. Ethnobotany ofC. inophyllum L. in the two countries will also be studied.43

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportILLUSTRATIONS OF VARIOUS STUDIES IN PROGRESSBiodiesel reactor Desiccation tolerance test TransesterificationPalmoil Methyl Ester and Phase separation Modified seed oil expellerGlycerine fractionFAME/ GlycerineVariations in seed oil content and colourof different provenancesGermination TrialProvenance Variations in Exocarp ThicknessSoap made out of glycerine by-productPROJECT STAFFPrincipal Investigators:Co-supervisors:FUNDINGSubhash HathurusinghaA/Prof. N. AshwathProf. David MidmoreCentral Queensland University44

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportSTUDIES ON STEVIASUMMARYThe physiological role of steviol glycosides (SG) in S. rebaudiana was explored by monitoringchange in SG content in response to environmental conditions. Roles initially explored arecarbohydrate reserve and osmoregulator. Variability of SG levels in leaves of a single plantwas also monitored. SG leaf content was determined through HPLC analysis of leaf extracts.Additional biological functions to be investigated in the future are insect-deterency andherbivore attraction. Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy will also be explored for non-invasiveanalysis of SG leaf content.Method development for filtration and and HPLC analysis of leaf extractsSG content in leaf extracts was optimized by changing pre-load and wash solvents in SPEfiltration. The protocol for leaf extract filtration includes the following steps:(1) Load 2 mL of leaf extract to XC cartridge,(2) Pre-condition NH2 cartridge with 3 mL ethanol (100%),(3) Load 2 mL filtrate from the XC cartridge in step 1,(4) Wash with 2 mL acetonitrile,(5) Vacuum dry NH2 cartridge,(6) Elute with 3 mL ethanol (70%)The following recovery rates for XC filtration (step 1) and NH 2 filtration (step 2-6) apply:Standard Solution(1, 0.5, 0.25 & 0.125 g/L)Recovery rate %XC cartridge NH2 cartridgeStevioside only 100 100Rebaudioside A only not tested 100Stevioside and Rebaudioside A not tested 83 - stevioside100- rebaudioside AHPLC parameters used in SG calibration (stevioside and rebaudioside A) and leaf extractanalysis are:1) Stationary column – Zorbax NH 2 column (250 mm x4.6 mm, 5μm)2) Mobile phase – 80% acetonitrile (pH 5)3) Flow rate – 1.00 mL min -14) Injection volume – 10 μL5) UV wavelength detection – 210 nmHPLC for sugar analysis was also explored in a refractive index detector in the set-up. The nextstep involves detector calibration using standard sugar solutions (sucrose, glucose and fructose)and sugar analysis in S. rebaudiana leaf extracts.Initial investigations on physiological significance of steviol glycoside in steviaSG as a carbohydrate reserve was investigated in 3 S. rebaudiana plants placed in different lighttreatments (continuous light, continuous dark and normal daylight cycle). Leaves from themiddle section of the stem (n=5) were sampled in the morning and in the afternoon for four45

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual Reportdays to observe possible diurnal trend in levels of stevioside and rebaudioside A. As acarbohydrate reserve, stevioside and rebaudioside A content was expected to decline at dawnand increase at dusk. Gathered data did not display this trend. Future experiments will includesucrose and starch analysis to verify carbohydrate level in the leaf during leaf sampling. Also,number of plants per treatment will be increased.Osmoregulator functionality of steviol glycosides was tested in two plants subjected to waterstressor regular irrigation. Treatments were maintained for 6 days and leaves were sampledfrom the middle section of the stem (n=5) for stevioside and rebaudioside A analysis. SG levelswere expected to increase with water stress to maintain osmotic balance within the plant.Increase in stevioside and rebaudioside A content of the leaves was not observed within theshort duration of the treatment. The abrupt water stress made it impossible to test healthy leavesbeyond the 6-day treatment. It is possible that change in SG levels will be more evident inmilder water stress conditions. Mild and high water stress conditions will be incorporated infuture experiments.Steviol glycoside level variability within a plant and between plantsSG levels in top young, middle mature, bottom mature and senescent leaves of a single S.rebaudiana plant was investigated. Top young leaves had the highest SG level (% leaf DW)followed by the middle mature and bottom mature leaves. Senescent leaves had the least SGand results were in accordance to the literature (Bondarev, Sukhanova et al. 2003). Results frominitial investigation will be verified with a larger plant survey.SG levels across a number of available S. rebaudiana plants were also determined. Plants withhigh stevioside (13% DW) and high rebaudioside (7% DW) content were identified and seedswill be collected for future germination experiments.PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators:Co-supervisors:Ria Adelle Reyes/Kerry WalshDavid MidmoreFUNDINGCentral Queensland University(International Postgraduate Research Scholarship)46

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportTHE EFFICACY OF COMPOST TEA IN ORGANIC PRODUCTIONCompost teas are claimed to have beneficial effects on plant production. We introduced somecontrolled-condition experiments to explore these claims. Compost tea was produced fromcommercially composted cattle paunch material mixed with water at the ratio of 1:10 w/v, withadded molasses and kelp, for 24 hours, with and without aeration. The tea solution containedapproximately 2 mg/L NH 4 + , 10 mg/L PO 4-and 1 g/L K + . The bacterial and fungal populationswere also assessed. The tea was tested for (a) its ability to improve plant nutrition through itsmicrobial action, (b) soil mineralization and direct nutrient supply, and (c) its ability to offerbio-protection against a fungal pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici).Results are available for the following factorial experiments (a) in a glasshouse using tomato ontwo soil types with aerated (ACT) and non-aerated compost tea (NCT) and with chemicalfertilizer and a no-fertilizer control, (b) using tomato under two sets of growth conditions withsterile and non-sterile ACT and NCT, grown in a 1:1 v/v sand–organic substrate mix in acompletely randomized design in a growth chamber, (c) hydroponics tomato plants treated withsterilized and non-sterilized ACT and NCT, and inoculated with or without pathogen.In experiment (a), shoot biomass and fruit yield were improved in ACT, NCT and chemicaltreatments over the control but no difference existed between the three amended treatments.Inexperiment (b), there was significant difference in shoot biomass of tomato in both sterilizedand non-sterilized compost teas when compared to non-amended control, however, nodifference was found between compost tea treatments. This result is consistent with a nutrientbenefit to the crop from the treatments. In experiment (c), both sterilized and non-sterilizedaerated compost teas reduced disease severity significantly when compared to the watercontrol.A parallel laboratory experiment to experiment (c) was conducted with F. oxysporumgrown in-vitro to determine the efficacy of different compost teas and results indicated thatthere was no obvious effect of CTs except for non-sterilized ACT, 100 ml/L and non-sterilizedNCT, 100 ml/L. However, statistical analysis showed that non-sterilized ACT, 100 ml/L had asignificant effect on the suppression of mycelial growth rate of F. oxysporum (P

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportPROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Karuna ShresthaCo-Principal Investigator: Prof. David MidmoreFUNDINGOthers: Assoc.Central Queensland UniversityProf. Kerry WalshAssoc. Prof. Nanjappa Ashwath48

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportMICROFUNGI IN ROCKHAMPTON MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLYVery little work has been carried out on the mycology of domestic water supplies. There are nolegislated standards for fungi in water and the few international reports that have beenpublished have all used different protocols, lengths of study periods and various water sources.This is a seminal study of the mycology of a sub-tropical city’s water supply post-treatment.Fungi are known to cause off-odours and smells and some are opportunistic human pathogens.A standard protocol has been devised using a standardised medium supplemented withstreptomycin onto which is placed a 0.45 µm filter through which a known amount of samplewater has been passed. This filter-medium combination is then incubated in the dark at 25°Cand colony counts made at regular times. Samples have been regularly taken from ninestandpipes and six storage reservoirs throughout the city over a period of about 15 months. Afurther four sampling sites are located at the local treatment plant. This plant draws water fromthe Fitzroy River which is then flocculated using poly-aluminium chloride, settled, sand filteredand then chlorinated to a level known to suppress bacterial growth.Microfungi have been found in all parts of the supply system with the exception of that sampletaken immediately post-chlorination. A large data bank has been assembled for each of the 19sites and this contains not only the mycobiological data but also data relating to the physicochemicalparameters of the sampling sites. In total, 63 genera of microfungi have beenrecovered from the distribution system and the 5 most commonly encountered, as a % ofsamples, are Cladosporium (52%), Penicillium (17%), Aspergillus (7%), Fusarium (3%) andTrichoderma (3%). These are common saprotrophic fungi usually associated with decayingvegetation. There is evidence that with increasing oxidation-reduction potential and with freeand total chlorine that the number of microfungi recovered falls. Increasing turbidity increasesthe number of microfungi recovered but an increase in temperature increases the bacterial andyeast counts but not that of filamentous fungi.Cultural and SEM studies on biofilm formation on PVC and concrete coupons placed in thewater supply have revealed a paucity of microbiological matter. This is thought to be due to theoligotrophic nature of the water supply. Thus, the source of microfungi is probably not frombiofilms due to lack of nutrients. Seminal studies on PAC flocs has shown that they remove notonly colloidal inorganic matter but also organic particles, bacteria, fungal propagules andhyphae, cyanoprokaryotes and other microscopic aquatic organisms.Microfungal contamination from the reservoirs has also been thoroughly checked by a varietyof means and there is very little, if any, microfungal growth within the reservoirs. Thus, thesource of these microfungi is thought to be from the air from which they are deposited into thetreatment plant intake water with subsequent contamination while in the reservoirs which arenot air-tight. Run-off water is also a likely source.The maximum level of chlorination which meets national guidelines with regards bacterialsuppression is 0.6 mg/L. It is now thought that filamentous fungi are damaged but not killed bythe chlorine and that they can repair chlorine damage. Intensive lab-based studies are nowexamining the effect of chlorine levels and exposure times on fungal spore survival.PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators:Supervisor:Noel SammonDr Keith HarrowerFUNDINGRockhampton City CouncilCentral Queensland University49

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportWORKSHOP ON INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT INHORTICULTURE COMMODITIES AND MULTIVARIATE DATA ANALYSISSUMMARYHorticulture Research Division (HRD), Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC),Kathmandu, Nepal and Centre for Plant and Water Science (CPWS), Central QueenslandUniversity (CQU), Rockhampton jointly organized a five-day training workshop onInternational Supply Chains for Horticultural Produce, with focus on Quality Assessment andthe use of Multivariate Statistical Analysis. The training was scheduled 17 to 21 July 2007 atNARC training complex in Khumaltar.This programme was partially supported by The ATSE Crawford Fund, Australia and CAMOSoftware India Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore, India.The broad objectives of the training workshop were: to deepen understanding of ‘produce quality’, particularly with reference to horticulturalproduce; to develop practical skills in assessing such attributes; and to understand thetheory of advanced technologies being developed for assessment of such attributes, to develop an understanding of the dominant supply chains for international marketingof horticultural produce, and their required specifications/quality control, includingoverview of QC structures such as the Codex Alimentarius, EurepGap.and USDAproduct specification guidelines.The training was focused on: Supply chain management of perishable commodities with particular focus on fruit andvegetables. Training also included some successful stories of Australian horticultureindustries in mango, citrus and grapes, and the consequent changes to productionpractice, transport (cool chain) and marketing. Examples of quality control/regulatory systems in use for fresh fruit, eg Australia andNew Zealand product specification guideline, EurepGap, USDA supply chain standardand product supply chain in Thailand. A rapid marketing appraisal survey was designed to understand the present marketingsystem, government regulatory and policy framework for marketing fresh fruit andvegetables in Kathmandu city. Training also covered the standard quality control assessment procedures. Training highlighted advanced, non-invasive quality control procedures: e.g., NIRS,NMR, acoustic, X-ray. Topics in sampling technique and sample preparation. Use of chemo-metric techniques using multivariate analysis, for example using “TheUnscrambler” package. Introduction to a specific (multivariate) statistical analysis tool, for use in R&Dprograms.Training coordinator and presenter Mr Phul Subedi, delivered and highlighted the importanceof the training in the context of Nepal as it was just started as a member country to the WTO.In the training a total of 14 young scientists working countrywide in Agricultural ResearchStation (horticulture) participated.50

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportRespondents indicated that hands-on practical exercises on quality assessment of fresh fruit andvegetables using both conventional and high technology such as NIRS were very effective anduseful for the researcher.Practical exercise on the use of chemometric software'' The Unscrambler'' version 9.7 formultivariate data analysis was found to be useful statistical package to compare the attributecorrelation in complex biological research.PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators:Others:Kerry WalshTek Gotame, Phul SubediFUNDINGATSE CRAWFORD FundCAMO Software India Pvt. Ltd51

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportINTEGRATING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION INTO AGROFORESTRY INSOUTHEAST ASIASUMMARYTraining and research activities on simple drip irrigation and agroforestry, with vegetables,were undertaken in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.The major activity within this project relates to provision of theoretical and practical input intothe ongoing research in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, funded by USAID viaSANREM.Visits to the research sites in the Philippines in January and in Indonesia in May wereaccompanied by discussion with the researchers from both international and nationalorganisations. The visit to Indonesia was in conjunction with an international training courseon Drip Irrigation and Minimum Tillage.Results are promising on integrating vegetable-tree (VAF) systems. The complementary effectson yields in the space between rows of trees have to be greater than the competitive effects oftrees on vegetables close to the trees. The concept of ‘net complementarity’ has been shown tobe a simple tool for assessing appropriate tree-vegetable integration. The optimum tree spacingcan be achieved when two complementary zones are at least 20-25 m apart. Tree speciesdetermined to be suitable for VAF systems are Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus torelliana andAcacia mangium, and vegetables determined to be suitable are cabbage, Chinese cabbage,cauliflower and bell pepper. In all countries yield and growth studies on Chinese cabbage,tomato and bell pepper are taking place in the space between trees under conventional and striptillage,and with and without drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is being used to reducedcompetition for water between the trees and the vegetable crops.Sparse shade trials with vegetablesPROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators:Co-supervisors:Installing a simple drip system in IndonesiaProf David MidmoreFUNDINGSANREM and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University52

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportAppendix 1. PHOTOGRAPHS OF CPWS STAFF AND STUDENTSProf David MidmoreDirectorA/Prof Kerry WalshDeputy DirectorA/Prof NanjappaAshwathAssoc ProfessorDr Keith HarrowerAssoc ProfessorDr Bob NewbySenior LecturerDr Billy SinclairSenior LecturerDr Surya BhattaraiPostdoctoral ResearchOfficerDr Phul SubediResearch Officer& PhD studentDr Mihail MukarevResearch OfficerDr Ajay SharmaProject Manager& PhD studentBen KeleProject Manager& PhDBarry HoodResearch OfficerDr Brett RoeResearch FellowAndrew RankResearch FellowLaurie TaitTechnician& MScRobert LowryResearch WorkerBrock McDonaldResearch WorkerRoshan SubediResearch WorkerSandrine MakielaResearch Worker& PhDLinda AhernAdministration Officer53

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportDonna Kele (Hobbs)AdministrativeAssistantBrie CraneAdministrativeAssistantJordie BembridgeAdministrativeAssistantPeter DaviesPhDJay DhungelPhDSam FesukMscJohn GuthriePhDSubhashHathurusinghaPhDTracey HowkinsPhDDixie NottPhDLance PendergastPhDSohail QureshiPhDRia ReyesPhDNoel SammonPhDShona SchroederPhDKaruna ShresthaPhDShamsa SyedaPhDManouchehr TorabiPhDKartik VenkatramanPhDStaff/Students not available for photos: Vicki Barden, Kim Bedwell, Jordie Bembridge,Bhima Bhattarai, Larry Coleman, Gagen Deep, Michael Fleming, Rebecca Jolley, IshitaNanclanwah, Chander Pandey, Ajitpal Singh54

2007 Centre for Plant & Water Science Annual ReportAppendix 2. CENTRE FOR PLANT & WATER SCIENCE PUBLICITY55