Ms Chaiyya Cooper1, Dr Amanuel Bekuma1, Dr Brenton Leske1
1Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development
Biography:
Chaiyya is a research scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, working with the frost research team. Her research is focused on testing solutions to inhibit Ice Nucleating Bacteria, which have been found to increase frost damage in cereal crops. She has a Bachelor of Agribusiness, and a Bachelor of Honours (Science) Agriculture and Food Science from Curtin University.
Abstract:
Winter-grown cereal crops are sensitive to frost damage at the reproductive stage which can negatively impact yield. Ice Nucleating Bacteria (INB) are naturally present in cropping systems and increase the risk of frost damage. These bacteria possess an Ice Nucleation Protein (INP), which can catalyse freezing at temperatures as warm as -2°C. Previous studies focusing on INB and in-field thermography have identified older leaves and stubble as primary sites of ice formation, leading to subsequent frost damage in the plant's reproductive parts. In this study we have evaluated two bactericidal products, Cu+Zn and K-Soap, as well as two cryoprotectants (Cryo-E, and Cryo-F). In the 2023 season, we have measured the effects of these chemical products to inhibit ice nucleation activity of senesced leaf samples, and to limit yield loss from frost damage of field grown wheat and barley. Senesced leaf tissue samples were collected fortnightly to determine their freezing point, which was used as a proxy for the potential frost susceptibility of the plants. Floret sterility and grain yield data indicated that mild to moderate frost events in 2023 didn’t allow discrimination among treatments for frost damage. However, the observed reduction in the freezing point of older leaves following direct application of some of the products might impact floret sterility and yield if a discriminative level of frost occurs during the reproductive stages of the plant. Future research will focus on optimising product application and establishing correlation between frost damage and INA in older leaves of wheat and barley.