Understanding reaction products of granular and fluid P fertilisers in Australian soils: a way to enhance fertiliser efficiency. Despite posing significant challenges for crop P nutrition, alkaline soils are widespread in Australia and their agricultural use accounts for a significant fraction of the crop production nationwide. The benefits of fluid fertilizers over conventional granular products in these soils has been agronomically demonstrated. Knowledge of the behaviour of these products, pr ....Understanding reaction products of granular and fluid P fertilisers in Australian soils: a way to enhance fertiliser efficiency. Despite posing significant challenges for crop P nutrition, alkaline soils are widespread in Australia and their agricultural use accounts for a significant fraction of the crop production nationwide. The benefits of fluid fertilizers over conventional granular products in these soils has been agronomically demonstrated. Knowledge of the behaviour of these products, provided through an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms and reactions occurring, is critical to improve crop productivity. This project aims to study the reactions of fluid and granular fertilizers in soils using advanced spectroscopic and isotopic techniques, in order to provide a scientific basis for improving formulations and effectiveness.Read moreRead less
How are microorganisms and nutrient cycling in saline soils affected by soil matric potential? Dryland agriculture is threatened by salinity and drought, and it is well-known that individually, both can decrease not only crop growth but also microbial activity and nutrient cycling which are critical for sustainability. As our climate becomes drier, it is necessary to understand how microbial activity and nutrient cycling in saline soils will be affected by drought and sporadic summer rainfall ev ....How are microorganisms and nutrient cycling in saline soils affected by soil matric potential? Dryland agriculture is threatened by salinity and drought, and it is well-known that individually, both can decrease not only crop growth but also microbial activity and nutrient cycling which are critical for sustainability. As our climate becomes drier, it is necessary to understand how microbial activity and nutrient cycling in saline soils will be affected by drought and sporadic summer rainfall events. As an international team of soil biologists, we will investigate the interactions between salinity and soil moisture on microbial activity and nutrient cycling. The results will provide insights into nutrient cycling in saline soils now and in the future and the benefit of amelioration strategies.Read moreRead less
Explaining the interactions between drought and fertiliser use efficiency using tracing and imaging techniques. With climate change, Australian agriculture is faced with periods of increasing drought and changing rainfall patterns. At the same time, Australian farmers are faced with increasing costs of fertiliser inputs (their largest variable input cost), yet have little information on how they should change their nutrient management programs to suit the changing climatic conditions. This proje ....Explaining the interactions between drought and fertiliser use efficiency using tracing and imaging techniques. With climate change, Australian agriculture is faced with periods of increasing drought and changing rainfall patterns. At the same time, Australian farmers are faced with increasing costs of fertiliser inputs (their largest variable input cost), yet have little information on how they should change their nutrient management programs to suit the changing climatic conditions. This project aims to determine the effect of drought and rainfall patterns on the efficiency of fertiliser use by crops, through examination of the effects of soil moisture conditions on the interaction between soil and added fertilisers. Read moreRead less
Understanding plant residue decomposition by linking organic matter chemistry and soil microbiology. Soils are an important source or sink for CO2. Currently we lack a fundamental understanding of plant residue decomposition and their transformation into various soil organic carbon (SOC) pools. Since these different pools of soil C are recycled back to atmosphere at different rates, a better understanding of the process is crucial for our ability to manage soil C and to predict the impact of man ....Understanding plant residue decomposition by linking organic matter chemistry and soil microbiology. Soils are an important source or sink for CO2. Currently we lack a fundamental understanding of plant residue decomposition and their transformation into various soil organic carbon (SOC) pools. Since these different pools of soil C are recycled back to atmosphere at different rates, a better understanding of the process is crucial for our ability to manage soil C and to predict the impact of management on SOC. For the first time we will combine detailed chemical analyses of soil organic matter fractions with determination of decomposition rates and microbial community structure; thereby also increasing the knowledge of how Australia's biodiversity is modulated. Read moreRead less
The role of biological and chemical interactions in the rhizosphere in sustainable intercropping systems. Intercropping can result in large yield increases compared to mono-cropped systems. It is used extensively in China and could be an option for sustainable land-use in Australia. Belowground interactions between intercropped crop species may be important for the yield increase, but they are poorly understood, especially with regard to nutrient availability and soil biology. We will combine th ....The role of biological and chemical interactions in the rhizosphere in sustainable intercropping systems. Intercropping can result in large yield increases compared to mono-cropped systems. It is used extensively in China and could be an option for sustainable land-use in Australia. Belowground interactions between intercropped crop species may be important for the yield increase, but they are poorly understood, especially with regard to nutrient availability and soil biology. We will combine the field experience in intercropping systems of the Chinese scientists with the expertise of the Australian scientists in plant nutrition and rhizosphere ecology to characterise chemical and biological interactions in the rhizosphere governing nutrient availability and the competitive ability of intercropped species.Read moreRead less
How do legumes improve phosphorus uptake of the following wheat? World rock phosphate reserves for manufacturing phosphorus (P) fertilisers will be depleted in 50-100 years. Thus it is critical to reduce the reliance of the Australian agriculture on P fertilisers. The long-term application of P fertilisers has resulted in accumulation of P in a soil P bank which is unavailable to crops such as wheat. Legumes may have access to the soil P bank and increase growth and P uptake by the following wh ....How do legumes improve phosphorus uptake of the following wheat? World rock phosphate reserves for manufacturing phosphorus (P) fertilisers will be depleted in 50-100 years. Thus it is critical to reduce the reliance of the Australian agriculture on P fertilisers. The long-term application of P fertilisers has resulted in accumulation of P in a soil P bank which is unavailable to crops such as wheat. Legumes may have access to the soil P bank and increase growth and P uptake by the following wheat, but the mechanisms behind this effect are unclear. In this multidisciplinary international collaboration, we will characterise the changes in soil chemistry and microbiology in the legume-wheat rotation. The knowledge generated could result in greater utilisation of the soil P bank and decreased P fertiliser use.Read moreRead less
Spatial and temporal monitoring of soil erosion risk with satellite imagery. This project is directed towards Sustainable farm practices, one of the national priorities in the Caring for Our Country program. The satellite image-based monitoring system will provide new information about the changing distribution of erosion risk in seasonal cropping systems, and identify areas where agricultural practices significantly influence this risk. The research will allow landholders, regional, state and n ....Spatial and temporal monitoring of soil erosion risk with satellite imagery. This project is directed towards Sustainable farm practices, one of the national priorities in the Caring for Our Country program. The satellite image-based monitoring system will provide new information about the changing distribution of erosion risk in seasonal cropping systems, and identify areas where agricultural practices significantly influence this risk. The research will allow landholders, regional, state and national authorities to better target effort towards sustainable land management, and improve monitoring and reporting of land condition across broad agricultural regions. Dynamic monitoring of erosion risk will also track landscape conditions and farmer responses to changing climate.Read moreRead less
Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant competition: revealing underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. This project will increase understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms that enable widespread beneficial symbiotic soil fungi to influence plant productivity and biodiversity of natural and managed plant ecosystems. It will also aid biotechnological and agronomic goals of maximizing use of scarce soil nutrients, especially phosphate. Results will be important ....Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant competition: revealing underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. This project will increase understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms that enable widespread beneficial symbiotic soil fungi to influence plant productivity and biodiversity of natural and managed plant ecosystems. It will also aid biotechnological and agronomic goals of maximizing use of scarce soil nutrients, especially phosphate. Results will be important for agro-industry and Government groups focusing on 'healthy soil'. The project adds considerably to investment in research, infrastructure and international collaboration in this priority area. It will enhance Australia's reputation for research in soil biology and provide high standards in research education and training in an internationally recognised environment.Read moreRead less
The fate and toxicity of nanoparticles in the terrestrial environment. This research aims to provide the knowledge needed to understand the fate and effects of new nanoparticulate metal products in Australian landscapes. The movement and environmental effects of manufactured nanoparticulates are unknown, partly because of the difficulty of measuring and detecting these nano-products in the environment. This project will develop techniques to identify manufactured nanoparticulate metals in soils, ....The fate and toxicity of nanoparticles in the terrestrial environment. This research aims to provide the knowledge needed to understand the fate and effects of new nanoparticulate metal products in Australian landscapes. The movement and environmental effects of manufactured nanoparticulates are unknown, partly because of the difficulty of measuring and detecting these nano-products in the environment. This project will develop techniques to identify manufactured nanoparticulate metals in soils, and to determine the potential adverse effects of these products on plants and soil organisms. This will indicate the need, if any, for controls on the disposal or dispersal of nano-sized metal products in the terrestrial environment.Read moreRead less
Soil ecology in the 21st century - a crucial role in land management. Recent technological advances have helped us discover the role of soil ecology in achieving sustainability in Australia. This project will develop ways to take this complex knowledge and translate it into forms that can be used by land managers. This work will focus on soil carbon sequestration, but is relevant to many other environmental issues.