Overview
Background
I have a keen interest in the evolutionary relationships that underpin symbioses, particularly those involved in plant disease. There are countless examples of how diseases have impacted on different crops throughout history, and this is an ongoing issue that deleteriously impacts food security. My research involves developing a better understanding of the epidemiology of plant diseases and pests, and delivering improved diagnostics and field management. Working with collaborators and international experts, my work involves research on a broad range of plants that are affected by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes and viruses. I have a strong interest in the biotic factors that govern soil health and the methods by which we can promote the development of beneficial microbial communities.
Availability
- Dr Anthony Young is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, Macquarie University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Macquarie University
Research interests
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Discovering pathogens and other endosymbionts of sugarcane
Using molecular techniques to identify the presence of different organisms associated with sugarcane and its relatives. These include the organism responsible for chlorotic streak and bacterial strains closely related to those that cause ratoon stunting disease.
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Understanding nematode evolution and pathogen emergence
Nematodes are the most abundant and diverse of animal life-forms. They play a key role in nutrient cycling and soil health. However, some attack plants we like. Virtually nothing is known about how these relationships develop. That's one subject my team is examining.
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Improve mungbean performance against halo blight and tan spot
The bacterial diseases halo blight (Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola) and tan spot (Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens subsp. flaccumfaciens) are major production constraints to Australian and international mungbean crops. Working closely with collaborators at QUT and DAF, we are aiming to identify improved genetic traits against these diseases and develop enhanced diagnostic tests for these targets.
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Epidemiology of pasture dieback
Pasture dieback is an emerging threat to grazing industries in Queensland. We have a multidisciplinary team examining different aspects of the disorder with a view towards long term, environmentally sustainable management.
Research impacts
I have led the Australian sugar industry in the management of ratoon stunting disease and chlorotic streak disease, and have had a pivotal role in developing diagnostic tests for bacterial diseases of mungbean. I developed a project that has led to improved potato production in the southern Philippines, while my training and mentorship has delivered pathology and diagnostic expertise to numerous Australian and international scientists. My work on the Australian Sugar Industry Biosecurity Group and related committees has improved biosecurity outcomes in Australia and abroad. There are exciting opportunities to work on a broad range of different crop presentations and to deploy the latest in molecular technologies to address the many challenges facing agriculture in the 21st Century.
Works
Search Professor Anthony Young’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
The effect of protein supplied in the growth medium on plant pathogen resistance
Lonhienne, Thierry G. A., Trusov, Yuri, Young, Anthony, Schmidt, Susanne and Paungfoo-Lonhienne, Chanyarat (2014). The effect of protein supplied in the growth medium on plant pathogen resistance. Plant Signaling and Behavior, 9 (10) e976159, e976159.1-e976159.3. doi: 10.4161/15592324.2014.976159
2013
Conference Publication
Generating and assessing chlorotic streak disease (CSD) ratings for twenty sugarcane varieties grown at Harwood
Young, Anthony, Davis, Wayne and Lokes, Steve (2013). Generating and assessing chlorotic streak disease (CSD) ratings for twenty sugarcane varieties grown at Harwood. 35th Annual Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 2013 (ASSCT 2013) , Townsville, Australia, 16-18 April 2013. Mackay, QLD, Australia: Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists.
2012
Conference Publication
Reassessing rsd: Insights from harwood
Young, Anthony, Lokes, Steve, Davis, Wayne and Aitken, Bob (2012). Reassessing rsd: Insights from harwood. 34th Annual Conference of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 2012, ASSCT 2012, Palm Cove, QLD, Australia, 1-4 May 2012. Mackay, QLD, Australia: Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists.
2011
Journal Article
Stem cankers on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Australia reveal a complex of pathogenic Diaporthe (Phomopsis) species
Thompson, S. M., Tan, Y. P., Young, A. J., Neate, S. M., Aitken, E. A. B. and Shivas, R. G. (2011). Stem cankers on sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Australia reveal a complex of pathogenic Diaporthe (Phomopsis) species. Persoonia, 27 (1), 80-89. doi: 10.3767/003158511X617110
2011
Journal Article
Fungal planet description sheets: 69-91
Crous, P. W., Groenewald, J. Z., Shivas, R. G., Edwards, J., Seifert, K. A., Alfenas, A. C., Alfenas, R. F., Burgess, T. I., Carnegie, A. J., Hardy, G. E. St. J., Hiscock, N., Hueberli, D., Jung, T., Louis-Seize, G., Okada, G., Pereira, O. L., Stukely, M. J. C., Wang, W., White, G. P., Young, A. J., McTaggart, A. R., Pascoe, I. G., Porter, I. J. and Quaedvlieg, W. (2011). Fungal planet description sheets: 69-91. Persoonia, 26, 108-156. doi: 10.3767/003158511X581723
2011
Journal Article
Outbreak of angular leaf spot, caused by Xanthomonas fragariae, in a Queensland strawberry germplasm collection
Young, Anthony J., Marney, Thomas S., Herrington, Mark, Hutton, Don, Gomez, Apollo O., Villiers, Adam, Campbell, Paul R. and Geering, Andrew D. W. (2011). Outbreak of angular leaf spot, caused by Xanthomonas fragariae, in a Queensland strawberry germplasm collection. Australasian Plant Pathology, 40 (3), 286-292. doi: 10.1007/s13313-011-0045-y
2011
Conference Publication
Cryptic species of Phomopsis from sunflower in Australia revealed by molecular, morphological and pathogenicity studies
Thompson, S., Young, A. and Shivas, R. (2011). Cryptic species of Phomopsis from sunflower in Australia revealed by molecular, morphological and pathogenicity studies. Australasian Plant Pathology Society Biennial Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 26-29 April 2011.
2011
Journal Article
Ramichloridium spp. on Musa in northern Queensland: introducing Ramichloridium ducassei sp. nov. on leaf streaks of Ducasse banana
Shivas, R. G., Grice, K. R. E. and Young, A. J. (2011). Ramichloridium spp. on Musa in northern Queensland: introducing Ramichloridium ducassei sp. nov. on leaf streaks of Ducasse banana. Australasian Plant Pathology, 40 (1), 61-65. doi: 10.1007/s13313-010-0014-x
2010
Conference Publication
Phomopsis Stem Canker – an emerging disease of Australian sunflowers
Thompson, S., Young, A. and Shivas, R. (2010). Phomopsis Stem Canker – an emerging disease of Australian sunflowers. Australian Summer Grains Conference , Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 21-24 June 2010.
2010
Book Chapter
Mango
Coates, Lindy, Akem, Chrys, Cooke, Tony, Dann, Elizabeth and Young, Anthony (2010). Mango. Diseases of fruit crops in Australia. (pp. 157-174) edited by Denis Persley, Susan House and Tony Cooke. Collingwood, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing.
2009
Conference Publication
Risks and rewards of molecular taxonomy: an Australian example
Young, A., Thompson, S. and Shivas, R. (2009). Risks and rewards of molecular taxonomy: an Australian example. 4th Meeting of the Thai Mycological Association, Chiangmai, Thailand, 24 October 2009.
2009
Conference Publication
Developments in banana Xanthomonas wilt
Young, A. (2009). Developments in banana Xanthomonas wilt. 8th Australian Banana Congress, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 4-6 June 2009.
2009
Book Chapter
Banana
Grice, Kathy, Henderson, Julieane, Pattison, Tony, Thomas, John, Vawdrey, Lynton and Young, Anthony (2009). Banana. Diseases of Fruit Crops in Australia. (pp. 65-89) edited by Tony Cooke, Denis Persley and Susan House. Australia: CSIRO.
2008
Journal Article
Notes on Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae bacterial necrosis of mango (Mangifera indica) in Australia
Young, A. (2008). Notes on Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae bacterial necrosis of mango (Mangifera indica) in Australia. Australasian Plant Disease Notes, 3 (1), 138-140. doi: 10.1071/DN08053
2007
Journal Article
Burkholderia andropogonis blight of golden cane palms in north Queensland
Young, A. J., Grice, K. R. E., Trevorrow, P. R. and Vawdrey, L. L. (2007). Burkholderia andropogonis blight of golden cane palms in north Queensland. Australasian Plant Disease Notes, 2 (1), 131-132. doi: 10.1071/DN07052
2007
Conference Publication
Chemical and non-chemical control of banana corm rot
Young, A. and Akiew, E. B. (2007). Chemical and non-chemical control of banana corm rot. 7th Australian Banana Industry Congress, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 14-15 June 2007.
2006
Conference Publication
Separating glucosinolate-related suppression from other impacts of mustard biofumigants
Kirkegaard, J. A., Gimsing, A. L., Wang, J. F., Akiew, S. and Young, A. (2006). Separating glucosinolate-related suppression from other impacts of mustard biofumigants. 2nd International Biofumigation Symposium, Moscow, ID, United States, 25-28 June 2006.
2006
Journal Article
Recent advances in the molecular biology of Leifsonia xyli subsp xyli, causal organism of ratoon stunting disease
Brumbley, S. M., Petrasovits, L. A., Hermann, S. R., Young, A. J. and Croft, B. J. (2006). Recent advances in the molecular biology of Leifsonia xyli subsp xyli, causal organism of ratoon stunting disease. Australasian Plant Pathology, 35 (6), 681-689. doi: 10.1071/AP06074
2006
Journal Article
Genetic uniformity of international isolates of Leifsonia xyli subsp xyli, causal agent of ratoon stunting disease of sugarcane
Young, A. J., Petrasovits, L. A., Croft, B. J., Gillings, M. and Brumbley, S. M. (2006). Genetic uniformity of international isolates of Leifsonia xyli subsp xyli, causal agent of ratoon stunting disease of sugarcane. Australasian Plant Pathology, 35 (5), 503-511. doi: 10.1071/AP06055
2004
Book Chapter
Ratoon stunting disease of sugarcane: History, management and new research
Young, A. and Brumbley, S. M. (2004). Ratoon stunting disease of sugarcane: History, management and new research. Sugarcane pathology. Vol. III: Bacterial and nematode diseases. (pp. 97-124) edited by Rao, G. P., Saumtally, Salem and Rott, Philippe. Enfield, U.S.: Science Publishers.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Anthony Young is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Various molecular and traditional plant pest and pathology projects.
To undertake a PhD project at UQ requires a funded project. These are generally funded by external partners and their availability varies. Traditional and molecular techniques can be applied to a range of pests and pathogens across any crop presentation. More than happy to discuss projects.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Determining the role of ground pearls in Pasture Dieback
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shane Campbell, Dr Alwyn Williams
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Doctor Philosophy
RNA-based control of Phytophthora root rot
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anne Sawyer
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Doctor Philosophy
Utilizing Remote Sensing and Machine Learning to Detect Plantation Trees Infected by Fungal Diseases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman, Associate Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimisation of a Stem-Implantation Technology for the Chemical and Biological Control of Chinee Apple (Ziziphus mauritiana)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shane Campbell, Professor Victor Galea
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimising a Stem Injection Technology for the Chemical and Biological Control of Environmental Woody Weeds
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shane Campbell, Professor Victor Galea
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular insights of plant-microbe interactions in chili bacterial leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. euvesicatoria
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sarah Meale
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2021
Master Philosophy
Development of a loop ¿ mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Sweetpotato virus G (SPVG) in Sweetpotato planting materials for commercial production in Papua New Guinea
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Victor Galea
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a management system for mimosa bush (Vachellia farnesiana): Evaluating chemical herbicide methods and investigating the potential for harnessing dieback as a management tool
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shane Campbell, Professor Victor Galea
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Climatic and epidemiological characterisation of new rubber leaf fall disease: A remote sensing approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman, Associate Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Anthony Young directly for media enquiries about:
- agriculture
- Bacteria
- biosecurity
- diagnostics
- integrated pest management
- molecular biology
- mungbean
- pineapple
- Plant Disease
- quarantine pest
- soybean
- sugarcane
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