Agriculture
Be alert, not alarmed about foot and mouth disease
The spread of foot-and-mouth disease to Bali was not unexpected, but what we each do next will determine the consequences, says a University of Melbourne expert
Drugging plants to learn their secrets
New University of Melbourne research finds that discovering chemicals and drugs that affect the circadian rhythms of plants could improve crop yields.
Protecting Australia from foot-and-mouth disease
Australia's been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 1872, but outbreaks in neighbouring countries are a cause for concern, says University of Melbourne expert
Feral honeybees key to controlling deadly parasite
To combat the Varroa destructor parasite attacking honeybees, Australia also needs to target feral bee populations, say University of Melbourne and RMIT experts
Five priorities for managing nitrogen pollution
Nitrogen is essential for life on Earth but excess can damage the environment. University of Melbourne researchers recommend five areas of focus for management.
Tackling a global crop pandemic - from the air
The spread of Xf bacteria is a huge threat to global agriculture, but University of Melbourne research is enhancing airborne detection methods to control it.
How do organic and non-organic foods influence our gut microbiome?
A University of Melbourne review into how organic and conventionally farmed foods affect the gut microbiome found mixed results, indicating more research needed
Smaller plants show promise for future food crops
University of Melbourne researchers have bred smaller soybean plants with the same yield, raising hopes smaller crops could grow more food on less land.
Protecting Australia’s citrus industry
University of Melbourne researchers have identified an Australian strain of fungus that causes citrus rot, calling for controls to protect the citrus industry
Creating clean transport fuels from waste
By extracting biofuel from agricultural and urban waste, University of Melbourne researchers aim to create a low-cost, zero emission transport fuel