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Closed ATM View - PROC-9176151

Developing strategies to mitigate and manage resistance to key herbicides in modern Australian cropping systems

Linda McDougall

Phone: 0472 832 502

Email Address: linda.mcdougall@grdc.com.au

Document(s) Contact Name:
Linda McDougall

Document(s) Contact Phone:
0472 832 502

Document(s) Contact Email:
linda.mcdougall@grdc.com.au

ATM ID:

PROC-9176151

Agency:

Grains Research and Development Corporation

Category:

70140000 - Crop production and management and protection

Close Date & Time:

13-Feb-2020 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time)
Show close time for other time zones

Publish Date:

15-Jan-2020

Location:

ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS

ATM Type:

Request for Tender

Multi Agency Access:

Panel Arrangement:

Multi-stage:

Description:

Background

Developing effective and economic weed management strategies to delay the onset of herbicide resistance is an important component of integrated weed mnagement. Whilst non-chemical tactics are an essential part of these strategies, herbicides can when prudently used, remain the crucial weed management tactic within a larger strategy. The 'mix and rotate' herbicide Mode of Action tactic is an important message to growers and advisers. However, the complex nature of herbicide resistance means that more nuanced strategies could be formulated. Strategies to do this need an understanding of the resistant weed but also need to be practical and relevant to the particular farming system. Understanding the nature of the resistance mechanism of the specific weed and the factors of its spread are essential in developing an effective resistance mitigation strategy. A 'one size fits all' solution will not apply to every weed, every resistance mechanism or farming system. Ground truthing herbicide resistance strategies will provide more confidence to growers that they are practical and relevant.

There are several areas that are a priority to develop better resistance management strategies including pre-emergent herbicides, non-selective herbicides and imidazolinone herbicide dominant rotations. Prolonging the efficacy of non-selective herbicides is essential due to their effectiveness and multiple uses. Imidazolinone herbicide use has become increasingly prolific in modern rotations in part, due to the amount of tolerant imidazolinone crop cultivars. The ability of imidazolinone herbicides to persist in soils means that this needs to be considered in addition to the risk of resistance when developing strategies. Other focus areas may arise if new and important cases of resistance develop. It is important to be able to quickly develop management options to help growers deal with the situation before it becomes a major problem.

To achieve the development of effective strategies and prolong the life of existing chemistry, considering the factors that contribute to herbicide resistance is vital. Strategies also need to be practical and relevant to the particular farming system. Whilst herbicides are central to herbicide resistance mitigation strategies, they need to be employed in an appropriate intergrated weed management and farming systems context.

Investment Description

The understanding of herbicide resistant weeds either from a geographical or mechanistic physiological level is only part of the solution to actually mitigate and manage the weeds in the paddock. Strategies to do this need an understanding of the resistant weed but also need to be practical and relevant to the particular farming system. Ground truthing herbicide resistance strategies will provide more confidence to growers that they are practical and relevant. Whilst a general methodological approach to achieve this is understood, herbicide resistance is dynamic and responds to farming system changes, weed evolution and chemistry development. New challenges to be overcome include strategies relevant to pre-emergent herbicides, non-selective herbicide and imidazolinone herbicide dominant rotations.

This investment will develop practical strategies to delay the onset of herbicide resistance in key weeds of grain cropping systems through using improved knowledge of resistance evolutionary dynamics in the context of the associated farming systems.

Applicants are expected to deliver outputs nationally and are encouraged to apply as a consortium if required to ensure the co-ordinated and cost-effective delivery of outputs across the country. It is expected representatives will actively engage across the weed RD and E spectrum that leads to improved outcomes for growers.

The proposed work should not duplicate other GRDC investments.

Expected Outcome

By 2025, 5% of growers have decreased the cost of managing herbicide resistant weeds by 10% through employing optimal strategies against key weeds of grain cropping systems in Australia.

Expected Outputs

Output 1

By August 2025, provide to industry practical and regionally relevant effective weed management strategies to mitigate new herbicide resistance issues in key grain cropping weeds.

Details:

Strategies developed through an understanding of herbicide resistance evolutionary dynamics and in the context of the associated farming systems.
Resistance traits of key summer and winter growing weed species and herbicides to be based on clear rationale and decided in consultation with GRDC but should include non-selective herbicides and resistance strategies addressing imidazolinone dominant rotations.
Strategies to be developed with consideration of true Integrated Weed Management and existing knowledge of alternative tactics.
Resistance strategies to be field tested where feasible.

Output 2

By August 2025, development and delivery of a communications package stemming from the project research to inform industry of the best practice integrated weed management strategies to mitigate herbicide resistance of key Australian cropping weeds.

Details:

Package to include established communication platforms such as WeedSmart and GRDC Communications and other dedicated products and activities.

Other Instructions:

Proposed Investment

The GRDC is focussed on delivering value to the Australian grain growers, therefore your application must demonstrate fair market value.

No budget range will be provided for this investment.

Contract

This investment will be contracted on a GRDC Standard Research Agreement (Two-Party), see attached copy below.

Application Evaluation

Applications will be considered by an Evaluation Committee and the successful applicants will be informed within 10 weeks of the application closing date.

Conditions for Participation:

Eligibility Criteria

The Applicant must be a single legal entity or recognised firm of partners.
The Applicant and any proposed subcontractor must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.

Evaluation Criteria

1. A clear and thorough plan to achieve the project outputs, specifying:

methodology to be used (including experimental activities, anticipated statistical analysis capacity, timings, scale, delivery mechanism of extension activities)
proposed milestones
proposed locations of trial sites and experimental activities
staffing (allocation and responsibility against delivery of project outputs including proposed subcontractors)
budget (against outputs and activities defining the funds sought in each year of the project and the potential investment from all parties)
project structure and management arrangements

2. A clear and thorough plan to deliver the project outcome, specifying:

expected steps to deliver the outcome (pathway to market)
identification of how target users of the project outputs will be engaged to participate
proposed information, products and/or services to be delivered to target users
potential for the development of commercial IP

3. Demonstrated track record of the project team, including:

relevant achievements of the project leader in providing leadership, co-ordination, management, monitoring and evaluation and the timely delivery of high-quality outputs
relevant technical knowledge and experience of all key personnel (including proposed subcontractors) in the research and extension area
relevant achievements in the delivery of commercial IP (if relevant)
ability of the project team to collaborate with the relevant research organisations and industry personnel to build on the research (national and international) already undertaken in this area on the factors that affect the adoption.

4. Freedom to Operate in regard to the provision of the project outputs to GRDC or a third party if required.

detail any Research Organisation intellectual property that is required to deliver the project outputs and any restrictions that may impact on the provision of project outputs to GRDC or a third party, if required.
detail any third-party intellectual property that is required to deliver the project outputs and any restrictions that may impact on the provision of project outputs to GRDC or a third party, if required.

In addition, the following are assessed by the tender evaluation team, but is not expected that the applicant will include specific reference to these criteria.

5. Quality and effectiveness of risk controls

Identify risks to project outcome delivery and address management of the risk via risk control.

6. The cost effectiveness and value for money of the tender response.

Timeframe for Delivery:

This project will run from July 2020 to June 2025

Address for Lodgement:

Applying

Applications must address the evaluation criteria, outcomes and outputs relevant to this procurement.

All tender applications must be submitted electronically by completing the online form via the GRDC Grains Investment Portal prior to the closing date for consideration.

Please read all information on this webpage before lodging an application in the Portal.

For information on applying and how to register refer to the guides in the GRDC Online Tools webpage:

To register as a first-time user: Guide: Registering for the Portal

To submit an online form application: Guide: Submitting an Application through the Portal

To view frequently asked questions: Grains Investment Portal FAQs

To print or export an application: How do I print or export my application

For questions regarding the Grains Investment Portal refer to the Guides and FAQs on the GRDC Online Tools webpage or submit a request via the Online Support Function.

NOTE: To proceed to the next section of an online form application, print/export a copy or save as a draft please ensure there is text in each field. Attachments may also be included via the last page of an application.