CSIRO

A wheat variety from ancient Persia has been used to successfully breed the world’s first salt-tolerant durum variety, says Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. Australia produces high quality durum, but the crop’s sensitivity to salt has limited where it can be grown. The new variety, bred by CSIRO Plant Industry and New South […] Read more

A new generation of chemical pesticides will disrupt the life cycle of insects, preventing them from reaching their normal adult form. Because the pesticides attack insect juvenile hormone, which has no equivalent in higher animals, they will be harmless to vertebrate animals and humans, said Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. The research team […] Read more

Small proteins that bacteria use like missiles to fight off competing bacteria could one day partly replace antibiotics in the treatment of animal diseases. The animal health division of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia has started two research projects on the proteins, called bacteriocins, with the aim of identifying some that […] Read more

Scientists from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization have identified ways of freeing up phosphorus fertilizer, which has become tightly held in soil. The research team estimates Australian agricultural soils might hold up to $10 billion worth of phosphorus as a result of fertilizer applications. Alan Richardson and fellow CSIRO plant industry researcher Peter […] Read more

Wheat producers election LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (Special) – Two new directors and one incumbent have been acclaimed to the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission. Clint Stienely of Empress succeeds retiring director Bryan Corns of Grassy Lake. Re-elected was Allan Gajdostik of Foremost. Craig Shaw of Lacombe will fill another position until 2000 when an election will […] Read more