Discovery of the molecular mode of action of karrikins in plants [ 2010 - 2012 ]

Research Grant

Researchers Prof SM Smith; A/Prof EL Ghisalberti; Dr KW Dixon

Brief description Karrikins are a newly-discovered family of naturally-occurring plant growth regulators that stimulate seed germination and seedling vigour. They were discovered in smoke and while they are centrally important in fire ecology they have far wider significance since species from non-fire-prone regions also respond to karrikins. Our research will discover how karrikins work at the molecular level in plant cells. Our discoveries will be applied to improve growth of crop plants, to stimulate germination of weeds so that they can be eradicated, and in restoration ecology to revegetate degraded land such as minesites. Australia's world-leading position in this new important research area will be enhanced.

Funding Amount $300,000

Funding Scheme Discovery Projects