Unlocking the potential of optimised crop height (ARC Linkage Project administered by La Trobe University) (2026-2029)
Abstract
This project aims to understand how crop hormone pathways intersect to regulate plant height. The project expects to use newly developed technologies and genetic resources to discover genes and regulatory elements that control crop height, tiller number and yield in sorghum and maize, to improve protection from storm damage and lodging, and reduce dwarfing side effects. Expected outputs include enhanced understanding of growth responses that determine crop height, and analysis of crop varieties to help breeders develop cultivars that are more resilient to climate extremes. This should provide significant benefits to agricultural productivity and help train and educate future researchers of agri-tech industries in regional Australia.
