A VICTORIAN grains chemist, Dr Joe Panozzo, has been awarded the prestigious Farrer Memorial Medal for his innovative research, which has resulted in improvements in plant breeding programs.
Farrer Memorial Trust chairman Scott Hansen said Dr Panozzo's work had contributed to improved grain varieties for Australian growers.
"Dr Panozzo has made significant advances in improving the efficiency in testing germplasm within plant breeding programs for quality traits in wheat, barley, canola, lentils and field peas," Mr Hansen said.
Dr Panozzo is a senior research scientist with the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, at its Horsham Grains Innovation Park.
In his oration, Dr Panozzo asked the question -'Will current plant breeding for grain quality traits be applicable in a changing environment?'
Dr Panozzo said what may not be apparent to those not directly associated with plant improvement was the need to look into the future, to foresee issues which may arise in a decades time.
"These issues may be related to the outbreak of new plant diseases, the effects of climate-variability, the establishment of new markets or a shift in food trends," Dr Panozzo said.
"The development of new varieties is becoming increasingly more difficult.
"Scientists try and combine genes which confer increased grain yields, improved agronomic traits for adaptability in a changing environment, resistance to pests and diseases as well as ensuring grains meet the market specifications.
He said in a highly competitive environment, gaining or maintaining market share was important for profitability, therefore breeding programs targetted quality traits to align with the largest markets.
"Also, with the acceleration of lifestyle diseases and the apparent increase in cereal based allergies, further research in developing new varieties to assist in overcoming these issues will become more important," Dr Panozzo said.
Currently Dr Panozzo's research includes the application of digital image analysis to quantify seed characteristics in pulse grains.
The Farrer Memorial Medal is awarded annually in memory of William James Farrer to a person who has rendered distinguished service in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education, extension or administration.
