University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia PhD candidate Golam Azam has been awarded the inaugural John Cripps Horticulture Scholarship to help unlock the genetic mysteries of the globally beloved Pink Lady apple.
The State Government-supported $150,000 scholarship is named in honour of the renowned WA breeder of the Cripps Pink, commonly known as Pink Lady, which is Australia’s most popular apple and among the leading cultivars worldwide.
Genome mapping will help plant breeders identify DNA markers crucial for developing unique, high-performance varieties, creating new options for apple lovers, and market opportunities for industry.
Image: UWA PhD candidate Golam Azam with Pink Lady apples.
The innovative work also aims to reduce apple breeding costs and fast-track improved and more profitable apple varieties.
WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said the cutting-edge research would help develop more local varieties for consumers to enjoy.
“It is fitting that the inaugural recipient of this award is going to build on the enduring legacy of John Cripps, while also supporting the future of the WA's important horticulture industry,” Ms Jarvis said.
Mr Azam’s project will launch next month, supervised by The UWA Institute of Agriculture Director Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) research scientist Dr Sultan Mia, and DPIRD Principal Research Fellow and UWA Associate Professor Michael Considine.
Given that WA is the second-largest exporter of apples in Australia, Mr Azam said the industry needed to supply markets with dependable streams of high-quality variants, and popular varieties to maintain customer satisfaction.
“Our first step will be sequencing the genomes of original Cripps Pink cultivar and its mutants, and then using comparative genomics tools to pinpoint the genomic variation responsible for those distinguishable features,” he said.
“The aim of the research is to determine genetic and genomic factors influencing phenotypic variation in Cripps Pink apple and its mutants.
“We also seek to identify important genes responsible for improvements between Cripps Pink and its natural variants during phases of fruit development.”
Image: John Cripps' daughter Alwyne Parker (back left), her son DPIRD technical officer Jack Parker, DPIRD horticulture and irrigated agriculture Director Rohan Prince, with Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis and inaugural John Cripps Scholarship recipient Golam Azam. Credit - DPIRD
Having started his career as a research scientist and plant breeder at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Mr Azam said he was extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with UWA and DPIRD.
“Being chosen as the recipient of the prestigious John Cripps Horticultural Scholarship is a huge honour for me,” he said. “I'm feeling thrilled and privileged to receive this wonderful news.”
To support his PhD studies, Mr Azam has also received the UWA Research Training Program (RTP) stipend for international students.
The John Cripps Horticulture Scholarship is funded by royalties from horticulture varieties developed by the State, including those from Cripps Pink, Cripps Red and ANABP 01 apples – marketed as Pink Lady, Sundowner and Bravo.
The initiative has been endorsed by the Cripps family and John's daughters, Alwyne Parker and Dr Helen Cripps.