QTL for wheat septoria resistance

About the research project

Septoria tritici Blotch (STB) is a stubble borne foliar disease of wheat emerging particularly in high and medium rainfall zones (HRZ & MRZ) of the southern regions including South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. In 2009, it was estimated that STB had the potential to cost the Southern Australian cropping region $21 million per year. In addition, increased incidences of STB were reported during the last 10 years in these regions indicating the potential loss could be high if left untreated. Maximum disease spread identified to occur during flag leaf emergence to grain milk development stage (adult plant stage) leading to estimated yield losses between 20-90% in HRZ and 40-50% during the same growth stage in MRZ. At present growers use fungicides as part of an integrated disease management system to control STB, at a cost of approximately $121 million per year. However, this approach to control STB is expected to be constrained in the future with increased incidences of reduced sensitivity of Z. tritici to group 3 fungicides across the major wheat producing countries including Australia. On the other hand, the wheat varieties that are grown in these regions are susceptible (S) or very susceptible (VS) to STB in their disease resistance. Therefore, the proposed project aims to identify novel sources of STB resistance by screening Australian and International germplasm and to identify genes that are resistant to predominant native pathotypes.

Primary supervisor

Meet Professor Meixue Zhou

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Master's in Plant Genetics.

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Skills in molecular biology

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Professor Meixue Zhou to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 March 2027.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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