Biological control of weeds

CSIRO has been working on the biological control of weeds since the 1920s and now has many active biological control projects underway.

Plant diseases and pests

CSIRO has extensive capabilities in researching, understanding and tackling various insect pests of plants, plant diseases and weeds.

Weeding out the risk of pest plants

More accurate assessments of the environmental risks associated with the release of disease-resistant plants are now possible following CSIRO’s development of a new framework that identifies potential weed pests.

Underground solutions to sustainable agriculture: Grains Week 2006

Australian researchers are overcoming major barriers to sustainable agriculture by improving root growth and function in cropping systems.

Farmer-researcher cooperation a key to better farming: Grains Week 2006

Greater cooperation between researchers and grower groups will improve Australian farming practices and enrich rural communities, according to a researcher working for CSIRO and the Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC).

An Atlantic salmon selective breeding program for Tasmania

A six-page 'backgrounder' on the establishment of a commercial selective breeding program for Tasmania's Atlantic salmon industry.

Fighting rust fungi for farmers (Podcast 25 May 2009)

Rust diseases of cereals are among the oldest plant diseases known to man, and although significant advances have been made against them, they remain a major economic concern for farmers. (5:28)

Sea trials for Atlantic salmon gill disease vaccine

A vaccine developed to boost the profitability of Tasmania’s A$230 million Atlantic salmon industry will be tested at a marine farm south of Hobart during spring and summer.

New tool to fast-track genetic gain in sheep

Scientists from CSIRO are part of an international team that today launched a new genomic tool which is set to transform the future selection and breeding of sheep around the world.

Atherton, Qld (Atherton laboratory)

CSIRO’s Atherton Laboratory is located in the heart of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in far north Queensland.

Melaka virus: a new bat-derived virus discovered in humans

In 2006, CSIRO was part of an international research collaboration that provided the first report of a new virus associated with bats, causing acute respiratory illness in humans.

CSIRO aids tsunami recovery (Podcast 12 Mar 2007)

Discover how CSIRO’s been at the forefront of the post-tsunami reconstruction effort on the island of Pra Thong, off Thailand’s west coast in this three minute podcast. (3:07)

CSIRO explores protecting poultry from avian influenza

A three-page article by CSIRO Livestock Industries providing in-depth information on our research aimed at protecting poultry from avian influenza and how CSIRO scientists are exploring gene silencing as a means to this end.

Worm study will help future parasite control

This article from Farming Ahead discusses CSIRO research on genetic and physical variations between different strains of Barber’s pole worm which should help producers develop better management strategies to minimise the impact of this parasite. (3 pages)

Obtaining blood samples from your poultry to submit to CSIRO for disease testing

Instructions on taking blood samples from poultry and submitting them to CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) for disease testing.

War on willows

This fact sheet details how CSIRO Plant Industry scientists are researching seed dispersal and polination strategies of one of the most agrresive willow species in Australia to help land managers control invasion in riverbank areas. (2 pages)

Protecting germinating grain crops in southern Australia

This article from Farming Ahead looks at control of pests of germinating crops of cereals, oilseeds and legumes which provide exports worth more than A$6 billion to Australia but cost growers several hundred million dollars each year controlling pests of seedlings. (5 pages)

Bats natural hosts of SARS virus

Collaborative research involving scientists in Australia, China and the US concludes, in a paper published in Science, that bats are highly likely to be the natural host of the virus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

CSIRO explores avian influenza protection

This two-page information sheet details how CSIRO is investigating gene silencing as a way to stop the spread of avian influenza.

Protecting Tasmania’s salmon industry (Podcast 16 Aug 2007)

Tasmania is renowned for its Atlantic salmon, but the fish are under attack from amoebic gill disease and in this podast Dr Mathew Cook, from CSIRO and the Food Futures Flagship, talks about a new a vaccine designed to boost the productivity of Tasmania’s  A$230 million a year Atlantic salmon industry. (4:53)

Australian ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) their biology and classification

This 288-page book includes a revision of all 57 current genera of Australian Coccinellidae, recognising 260 valid described species, and including some newly described genera and species.

Insects of stored products

An illustrated guide to the identification, biology and ecology of the major pests of stored products.

Dr Linfa Wang: identifying and characterising new animal viruses

Meet one of the scientists who identified bats as the natural host of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.

Biosecurity in the new bioeconomy symposium booklet

This booklet provides information on speakers and topics from the Biosecurity in the new bioeconomy symposium, held on 19-21 November 2009 in Canberra, Australia. (24 pages)

Recombinant antibodies

CSIRO has the capability to create recombinant antibody and peptide-based reagents for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic applications.