Centre for Rhizobium Studies
Welcome to the Centre for Rhizobium Studies
The Centre for Rhizobium Studies was formed at Murdoch University in 1997 in response to a decline in expertise in the disciplines of rhizobiology that confronted Australia from the late 1980s. It was particularly relevant at that time when Rural Industry, represented by the GRDC (Grains Research and Development Corporation) and AWI (Australian Wool Innovation), were major voices in the establishment and funding of the CRS. The other substantial partner in the CRS remains the WA Department of Agriculture.
In its first eight years of operation, the CRS has released six strains of root-nodule bacteria to commerce. These strains have been widely sown across southern Australia and these fix nitrogen that forms a substantial portion of this $2 billion asset. The CRS has been very influential in the improvement of inoculant carrier technologies that deliver these elite strains in good condition to their end users. The CRS is currently strongly involved in selecting and breeding new perennial legumes that are adapted to acidic and infertile soils, as well as developing appropriate rhizobia for them. The CRS has a very strong molecular group that assists in understanding the response of rhizobia to stress, which is very relevant to our agriculture. CRS also facilitates educational workshops for National and International students, such as the Crawford Fund sponsored Master Classes in modern rhizobium technologies.
