Vision

• To develop an international research network within South East Asia in plant health
• To be a leading research and advisory group in all areas of plant health issues in South East Asia and within the Melbourne School of Land and Environment at the University of Melbourne
• To deliver quality teaching in plant pathology, crop protection systems and other areas relevant to plant health

Program Leader

Associate Professor Paul Taylor, School of Agriculture and Food Systems, Melbourne School of Land and Environment, University of Melbourne

Network

The network will consist of the following research groups where research collaborations have already been established with the Melbourne School of Land and Environment, University of Melbourne

Prof. Kevin Hyde	Centre for Research in Fungal Diversity, Department of Ecology and Biodiversity. Hong King University, Pokfulam. Hong Kong
Prof. Yuanchao Wang	Department of Plant Pathology, Nanjing Agricultural University. Nanjing, China.
Prof. Kai-Wun Yeh	Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University. Taipei, Taiwan.
Assoc. Prof. Orarat Mongkolporn	Department of Horticulture, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus. Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Dr. Ramalingam Sathishkumar	Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University. Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
Dr. Mohammad Yusoff	Institute of Biological Sciences, Malaya University. Malaysia
Dr. Nigel Crump	Department of Primary Industries, Knoxfield. Melbourne, Australia
Mr. Kurt Lindbeck	Department of Primary Industries, Horsham. Victoria, Australia.

Scope

The Center for Plant Health will be focused on utilizing the latest molecular biology tools combined with basic disciplinary approach to drive cutting-edge research in the nature of the plant’s response to biotic and abiotic stresses; and to validate taxonomy and genetic diversity of pests and diseases in SE Asia.  The outputs will be better genotypes of crops and vegetables with improved resistance to pathogens, pests and environmental stresses; integrated control measures with less reliance on pesticides and fungicides; and in country preparedness for protection from incursion of exotic pests and diseases.

The research at UM will be underpinned by teaching in Plant Pathology and Crop Protection Systems.  Staff exchange visits to and from UM and training programs for young researchers in partner Universities will be funded through International research projects (DEST strategic country funding, Thai Royal Golden Jubilee) the Crawford Fund and Faculty development programs.

Workshops in regional countries will provide hands-on training to local staff and extension officers in plant pathogen and pest diagnosis, recent on-farm research and development techniques, and in integrated pest and disease management. 

Current Key Research Areas

• Genetic diversity and evolution of plant pathogens
• Taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of plant pathogens
• Development of probes for endemic and exotic disease diagnosis
• Functionality of resistance or tolerance genes expressed during pathogen invasion and exposure to abiotic stresses
• Functionality of avirulence and pathogenicity genes expressed during plant infection