Better crops in sight of Minister's prize winner

Leading world research to identify genes that control plant development has won CSIRO Plant Industry's Dr Chris Helliwell the prestigious Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.

The award is for a scientist under 35 whose research in the life sciences advances, or has the potential to advance, human welfare or benefit society. 

Dr Helliwell has made breakthrough discoveries of plant genes responsible for hormone production in plants. Plant hormones determine plant height and lifespan, flowering and fruiting time, leaf and flower development and structural arrangement.

"Using our understanding of plant genes and the hormones they regulate we hope to breed crops that produce even better quality food," says Dr Helliwell. 

"For example currently our table grapes are sprayed with a plant hormone, called gibberellin, which produces large, juicy grapes."

"Our research could lead to the development of grapes that produce enough gibberellin at the right time without the need for spraying, reducing costs and management."

"It could also lead to more strategic application of plant hormones where they are needed to maximise their effectiveness."

Other potential applications of Dr Helliwell's research could include improving germination and early growth of dwarf cereal crops and improving flowering and fruit production in citrus.
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