Barley Net Blotch Initiative (BNBI) Program 2 – Host and pathogen genetics

Overview The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is seeking a capable partner to deliver Program 2 (Host and pathogen genetics) of the Barley Net Blotch Initiative (BNBI). This investment is intended to fast-track delivery of high levels of durable host resistance in well-adapted barley backgrounds, supported by breeder-deployable validated markers, characterised resistance sources, insights and capability from foundational and expanded pathogenic genomics research, a new durability risk-assessment framework, and a feasibility assessment of genome-editing capability. About Net form net blotch (NFNB), caused by Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt), and spot form net blotch (SFNB), caused by Pyrenophora teres f. maculata (Ptm), are the most economically damaging foliar diseases of barley in Australia, accounting for an estimated 80% of total yield losses from barley foliar pathogens. The estimated average annual cost to growers can be greater than $46/ha for SFNB and $42/ha for NFNB, and net blotches cost the industry an estimated $122 million each year through disease-related yield losses, downgraded grain quality, and higher fungicide management costs. Over the past decade, GRDC has invested in net blotch research through a bilateral partnership with the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), the Net Blotch Consortium (NBC), and a range of individual projects now nearing completion. These investments have built momentum and capability and generated valuable knowledge and data. GRDC is seeking to establish a nationally coordinated, five-year Barley Net Blotch Initiative comprising three interlinked programs (surveillance, genetics, and management) supported by a dedicated national coordinator. The initiative comprises: Program 1 - Pathogen surveillance, monitoring, and screening Program 3 - Integrated disease management and extension Program C - Coordination and capacity development Purpose Widespread planting of susceptible varieties, the practice of growing barley on barley, and an over-reliance on fungicides with a singular mode of action are driving net blotch pathogens to evolve and spread faster than current surveillance, varietal resistance breeding, management, and extension efforts can respond. New, aggressive strains can spread more than 400 km in a few years and overcome varietal resistance within about five years. Resistance or reduced sensitivity has now been detected against all three registered fungicide mode of action groups used for net blotch management, leaving growers with fewer chemical options and limited effective varietal resistance. Few broadly adapted barley varieties offer high, durable resistance to either NFNB or SFNB, and net blotch genetics research lags well behind research into rust diseases, with only one resistance gene cloned compared with 28 for barley leaf rust. This investment is intended to address the significant gap in foundational knowledge, genetic resources, and breeder-ready tools needed to identify, deploy, and stack resistance for enhanced, durable control of net blotch. Objectives BNBI Program 2 objectives include: Accelerating delivery of breeder-deployable tools and germplasm for durable, high-level NFNB and SFNB resistance in barley varieties adapted across Australia for malt and feed Delivering foundational and expanded host and pathogen genomics research, and a new durability risk-assessment framework, to fast-track breeding for durable resistance Establishing genome-engineering capability to accelerate future net blotch resistance breeding in barley Scope This procurement is specifically for the host genetics and pathogen genomics component of BNBI. The scope includes: Delivery of a broader, more integrated genetics program that accelerates the development of diverse, durable, higher-rated net blotch resistance and breeder-ready tools Provision of enhanced, broad-spectrum and durable resistance genes in adapted backgrounds, supported by robust diagnostic molecular markers and clear evidence of gene effectiveness Acceleration of pre-breeding resistance development through rapid-generation methods and/or genomics-based approaches that link genotype to phenotype more rapidly, combined with high-throughput seedling and adult-plant screening Focus on adult-plant resistance (APR), with continued seedling screening and resistance development alongside it Delivery of foundational and expanded host-pathogen genomics research Establishment of a durability risk-assessment framework that ranks resistance genes by risk and guides breeding for longer-lasting resistance Identification and assessment of methods to fast-track durable resistance breeding Embedding two PhD candidates within the program, participating in cross-program exposures and an annual PhD forum coordinated by the National Coordinator Contractor Requirements Applicants must review GRDC's Investment Decision Framework for Gene Technology (Crops) and ensure compliance where applicable Instructions to Tenderers Offers will remain open for acceptance by GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time. GRDC will accept tenders from consortia and is encouraging collaboration. It is preferred that the project will be contracted via a two-party agreement with sub-contracting arrangements. Tender responses must be submitted electronically through the Grains Investment Portal. All requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement must be made in writing (email) prior to 25 February 2027. GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests under Questions and Answers at the bottom of the opportunity webpage. Enquiries Attention: Justine Morgan Organisation: Grains Research and Development Corporation Email: tenders@grdc.com.au