Higher Degree by Research Application Portal

Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) is one of Australia’s most challenging broadleaf weeds. Diflufenican, a PDS-inhibiting herbicide (Group 12), is a key herbicide for managing wild radish populations. However, extensive reliance on this herbicide has led to its evolution of resistance. Globally, resistance to Group 12 herbicides has emerged in at least five species, including R. raphanistrum, Hydrilla verticillata, Arctotheca calendula, Senecio vernalis, and Sisymbrium orientale. In Western Australia, 70% of wild radish populations exhibit resistance to diflufenican. Despite this, research on PDS-inhibiting herbicide resistance in weed species is limited.

This project aims to investigate target site resistance PDS mutations that confer resistance to Group 12 herbicides, analyse the uptake and translocation of diflufenican in resistant and susceptible plants, identify non-target site resistance genes responsible for resistance in wild radish, and assess the potential risk of cross-resistance to other herbicides.

Must meet the minimum UWA PhD scholarship standard of 79% for Hons/Masters thesis. 

Open to domestic and international students

Degree in agriculture and Honours or Masters in molecular biology or plant breeding/genetics

Applicants should be familiar with:
-molecular biology techniques, including primer design, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR etc.
-plant tissue culture techniques.
-experimental design and data analysis

Prospective applicants must contact Professor Ken Flower (ken.flower@uwa.edu.au) in the first instance to register interest in this opportunity.

Professor Ken Flower - ken.flower@uwa.edu.au

Immediate - within the next 6 months