Dr
Sarah Collins
Research Scientist
My role in the department
Sarah has more than 20 years’ experience in plant pathology and leads DPIRD’s nematology team in research to help growers mitigate economic loss caused by plant parasitic nematodes in both horticultural and broadacre agriculture. The team also supports DPIRD’s Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DDLS) – plant pathology and offers expertise to WA Quarantine Services. Sarah directs research in local and national projects to answer questions specific to nematode issues in WA. Her team iscurrently engaged in five research grants for management of plant parasitic nematodes in broadacre crops. These projects achieve national engagement and collaboration between local and interstate research groups to produce cohesive results to help growers
My background
Sarah's current research concentrates on management options for soils where plant parasitic nematodes are at yield limiting levels. She helps growers achieve economic advantages of well managed soils through extension and communication of research. Sarah and her team have expertise in resistance and tolerance of WA’s broadacre crops to root lesion nematodes (RLN, Pratylenchus); soil amelioration effects on soil borne diseases and nematodes; rotation crops to manage root knot nematode (Meloidogyne) and RLN in south western vegetable growing areas; potential economic impacts of nematodes not present in WA.
Projects
- Dynamic changes in the biological, physical and chemical characteristics of soils after amelioration that affect soilborne pathogens. Royalties for Regions
- Increasing farming system profitability and longevity of benefits following soil amelioration. GRDC collaboration
- National Variety Trial Services to test wheat and barley variety resistance to Pratylenchus quasitereoides. GRDC collaboration
- Soilborne diseases extension Project. GRDC collaboration
- Resistance of milling and hay oats to root lesion nematodes Pratylenchus neglectus and P. quasitereoides in Western Australia. DPIRD Crop Protection small projects
Key Expertise
Grains and irrigated agriculture research, horticulture, root lesion nematode, free living nematodes, crop rotation, plant parasitic nematode, wheat, barley, lupins, pasture, soil health, extension, root knot and potato cyst nematodes, area freedom
Qualifications
- PhD, Plant Pathology, Murdoch University, 2007
- BS in Environmental Management, with 1st Class honours, Edith Cowan University, 1996
