Centre for Crop Health (CCH)

Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland

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The Centre for Crop Health is a multidisciplinary research centre that conducts focussed research on: identifying genes conferring improved crop health and disease resistance, examining the genetics and biology of crop pathogens, improving disease management in farming systems and the effects of climate variability on crop health and nutritional value. Our focus is on delivering and communicating research outcomes that will improve crop health, increase sustainability and profitability for rural communities and enhance global food security.

Website https://www.usq.edu.au/research/institutes-centres/ilse/crop-health

Key science sectors

• Environment and nature
• Food and agriculture

Strengths and capabilities

• Summer crop health research
• Winter crop health research
• Integrated crop nematology research
• Regional, national and international recognition of research outcomes
• Strong industry links
• Practical, viable disease management options
• Molecular biology expertise
• Plant physiology expertise
• Microbiology expertise

Facilities and major equipment

• Physical Containment Class 2 laboratories
• Controlled environment facilities for plant growth
• Plant disease inoculation equipment
• Nematology laboratory
• Plant genetics and molecular laboratories
• Glasshouses/preparation spaces

Number of research staff

Up to 20 research staff

Address

Block D, West Street, Toowoomba, 4350

Lead researchers

• Professor Gavin Ash—Internationally recognised for research in biopesticides and plant disease diagnostics.
• Professor Levente Kiss—Internationally recognised for research in Powdery Mildew Fungi
• Associate Professor Adam Sparks—International research in Southeast Asia in rice disease modelling

Achievements of the centre

• International recognition of research in climate variability, crop improvement, farming systems biology and pathogen genetics and biology
• Strong international links with India, South Africa, South-East Asia, Japan, China, Turkey, North America and Papua New Guinea.

Organisation type

• University Research Centre