Scientists at the CSIRO have studied the footprint of the Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi fungus that affects chestnuts.
Researchers measured the levels of chemical compounds, called volatiles, released by chestnut trees. They found four biomarker compounds released by infected chestnut burrs and nuts.
In 2016 humidity and moisture forced Australian growers to destroy more than 40 per cent of the national crop due to nut rot.
Chestnut Australia will seek funding for the next step of the research, which is to chemically sort uninfected product and inactivate the fungi.
It has also received $103,400 from the Australian Government’s Farming Together program to investigate better packaging.
Sarah Lansdown
Sarah covers all stages of education in the capital, from early childhood to higher education. Previously she was a general news reporter at The Advocate in North West Tasmania. She was named Best New Journalist at the 2019 Tasmanian Media Awards for a series on paramedic shortages. Email: sarah.lansdown@canberratimes.com.au
Sarah covers all stages of education in the capital, from early childhood to higher education. Previously she was a general news reporter at The Advocate in North West Tasmania. She was named Best New Journalist at the 2019 Tasmanian Media Awards for a series on paramedic shortages. Email: sarah.lansdown@canberratimes.com.au
