THE Victorian Government will set up an Australian Grains Genebank at Horsham as part of $10.6 million funding boost to state grain research.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said today the funding, spread over four years, would be used on new research, development and extension to enhance the productivity of the grains sector.It includes sourcing new germplasm to be used in crop breeding programs.
“Our researchers will develop new grains germplasm to underpin the breeding of varieties better suited to local conditions, superior agronomic packages for cereals, oilseeds and pulses and new soil management options for local production systems,” Mr Walsh said.
Most of the research will be carried out by DPI researchers at Horsham but it also have a particular focus on high rainfall zones, he said.
The Australian Grains Genebank will accumulate tropical and temperate climate cereal, pulse and oilseed collections now held in a number of facilities around the nation.
“Access to the world’s collections of germplasm and crop varieties that can be included in breeding programs in Australia and a strong commitment to research are vital to the long term prosperity of our grains sector,” Mr Walsh said.
