About

Ryan Orr is a chemist and soil scientist with experience in the commercial laboratory and university sector. Currently his research is focused on minimizing the impacts of Panama disease in North Queensland by managing soil abiotic characteristics. In particular this research is investigating the use of fertilisers for micronutrient control.

After completing a BSc. in Chemistry with the University of Victoria in Canada, Ryan undertook an MSc. at James Cook University in Environmental Earth Science. His research focused on the prediction of soil organic carbon content in Papua New Guinean soils using infrared spectroscopy. He, supervised by Associate Professor Paul Nelson, is currently part of a multiorganisational attempt to combat Panama disease in the Australian banana growing industry.

Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 13+ research outputs authored by Mr Ryan Orr from 2017 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - National Soil Science Challenge

An eDNA molecular diagnostic tool for soil microbial biosecurity

Indicative Funding
$16,156 over 1 year (administered by Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environ)
Summary
We intend to sample sterilising footbath units on banana farms for the presence of a pathogenic soil-borne fungus that causes Panama disease in bananas. If successful this method would replace visual inspection of farms for biosecurity monitoring of the disease allowing for identification of farm infection long before traditional methods. We aim to adapt existing environmental DNA and quantitative PCR methods for this application.
Investigators
Ryan Orr (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords
soil -borne pathogen; biosecurity monitoring; fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense; portable qPCR; Diagnostic Method; Panama Disease
Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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