This project will trace all the costs included in transporting grains from farms to the Kwinana region. This will be done through a mathematical model that will also include the possibility of emergence of phosphine resistance through out the grains’ journey.

What is the biosecurity problem?

Emergence of phosphine resistance during transporting or storing of grains.

The main outputs of this project are to:

• evaluate a new-built surveillance program developed to improve market access for biosecurity research
• improve industrial decisions based on a new complete surveillance program, and
• improve Australia’s biosecurity outcomes as a result of a complete surveillance program that could be used to lower the losses result from pest attack.

Who will be the end-users of this research?

Research field, industry, farmers and Western Australia (in terms of increasing its exports).

Dr Manoj Nayak represented the CRCNPB at the XXIII International Congress of Entomology, held in Durban, South Africa.

This project will provide a mathematical framework from which future management strategies on phosphine fumigation of Rhyzopertha dominica can be derived, with consideration of the species' increasing genetic resistance to phosphine.

What is the biosecurity problem?

Phosphine resistance of Rhyzopertha dominica
(Coleoptera: Bostrichidae).

The outputs of this project are to:

• develop an understanding of the significance of the differences between resistance occurring on one gene compared to two genes for the emergence of resistance

• develop a preliminary software tool for assessing different fumigation strategies, and

• train an honours student in insecticide resistance modelling in the postharvest system, with the view to developing the skills necessary to do a PhD in this area.

Who will be the end-user of this research?

Bulk handlers are the major end uses of the project, although any stakeholder that stores grain will benefit from the research developed in the project. Stored product researches will also benefit from insights delivered by the project.