Exploring the biochemical and phylogenetic fingerprint of Australian native plants for sustainable use of saline lands

The remarkably rich Australian native vegetation has developed some unique morphological and genetic mechanisms to adapt to severe drought, salinity and water logging. However, their utilisation and significance has been under-explored, with relatively few dedicated studies. This project investigated the genetic and biochemical mechanisms of three osmoprotectants known to impart salt tolerance in certain Australian native plants (saltbushes and wattles) highlighting the use of these plants for reclamation of salt degraded lands. Another dimension of this study was the use of molecular phylogenetics for assisting in identification of additional salinity tolerant Acacia species (wattles) for agroforestry related applications.