Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is capable of causing significant reduction in growth and seed production in soybeans. Within its native range, Aphis glycines is considered to be an important pest of soybeans in China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines and a minor seasonal pest in south-east Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia. It has also been reported from Taiwan, India, Vietnam, Kenya and eastern portions of the former Soviet Union. The soybean aphid was recently introduced to Australia (during the 1999-2000 growing season) and Nth America in mid-2000. The origin/s of these infestations are currently unknown, but of major bio-security concern.
In Australia, this exotic pest was first detected in northern NSW, but has since been reported in all major soybean production areas in NSW and QLD, and is more prevalent on the coast. Media reports indicate that a rapid expansion of soybeans as a fallow crop in sugar cane districts in the Burdekin is likely over the next few years (27 May 2010: Big Future for Grain Legume Rotations), potentially providing suitable habitat for Aphis glycines to extend its range and become a greater problem to the soybean industry.
This project will use a molecular genetic approach to:
- examine the pattern of genetic diversity of global populations of Aphis glycines and if it exists, the genetic basis of any host based variation
- identify the mode of reproduction and clonal diversity of global populations
- examine the origin and colonisation routes of current global soybean aphid incursions to better inform risk analysis and preventative management.
- Study level
- PhD
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Keywords
- pest, crop
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Susan Fuller
