Increasing the effectiveness of N fixation in pulses through improved rhizobial strains in the GRDC Western region

This investment aims to develop improved rhizobial strains and inoculation practices for chickpea, lentil and faba bean in acidic soils of the Western region. This investment will expand upon a recently contracted Southern project (DAS1805-004RTX) and current Northern region procurement to establish a national program of rhizobium evaluation targeting acid-soils expansion areas across all regions of Australia. Rhizobial screening and N fixation experiments in lentil, chickpea and faba bean will be coordinated nationally across multiple acidic soils environments and will employ standardised trial design and data analysis approaches (SAGI) to enable comparative analysis of regional evaluation data. A national approach is proposed with a view to delivering data that will facilitate development of rhizobial strains that have maximum market penetration and improve knowledge regarding how regional practices impact N-fixation. Collaboration across the three regional investments, the genebank and the regional extension projects is essential

The GRDC welcomes applications from individual organisations and collaborative approaches, which includes a capacity building (Post-Doctoral) focus in horizontal gene transfer. It is anticipated that this element will enhance collaboration with rhizobiologists and increase the likelihood of success.

https://grdc.com.au/research/applying-and-reporting/current-procurement/open-tenders