The University of Western Australia

Current research grants:

1. Overcoming soil biological constraints to yield - Grains Research and Development Corporation.
The removal of biological constraints to potential crop yield, as defined by water use efficiency, is a priority for many areas of Australia and has been recognised as a strategic investment area relevant to the GRDC-Soil Biology Initiative. The focus of this project is therefore to i) determine the specific aspects of soil biology in constraining yield potential, (ii) identify strategies to overcome these limitations and iii) determine the potential for soil biology to contribute to a profitable and viable farming system. This project has a considerable field trial component through strong links to farming groups throughout Western Australia. The more fundamental research is being conducted by Ms Frances Hoyle (PhD student) who is examining how the microbial community can be manipulated and ‘triggered’ into activity with the purpose of better aligning microbial nutrient cycling with crop demand. Staff associated with this project are: Dr Daniel Murphy (Project Leader), Ms Frances Hoyle, Professor Lyn Abbott and Dr Bill Bowden (WADA). PhD supervisors are Dr Daniel Murphy, Professor Phillip Brookes (Rothamsted Research, UK), Dr Ian Fillery (CSIRO) and Professor Lyn Abbott. Collaborators include: Dr James Fischer (WADA), Dr Kathy Ophel-Keller (SARDI), Dr Jackie Nobbs (SARDI).

2. Biological indicators of soil quality - Grains Research and Development Corporation
Within previously funded soil indicator research UWA staff developed a package of soil biological, chemical and physical indicators aimed at identifying the major soil constraints to agricultural crop production in Western Australian farming systems. This continuation is aimed at (i) extending the benchmarking program to other agro-ecological zones and (ii) assessing the capacity of mid infrared reflectance technology to be calibrated against a range of soil properties. Once calibrated for Western Australian soils mid infrared prediction will enable the rapid development of farm soil maps for a number of key soil parameters. This will enable spatial soil management for the purpose of identifying the location and extent of soil constraints to crop production. Research staff associated with this project are: Dr Daniel Murphy (Project Leader) and Dr Craig Russell.

3. Identifying benefits of composted soil amendments to vegetable production - RIRDC & WADA
This PhD project seeks to increase both the economic viability and the environmental sustainability of vegetable production through the development of production systems based on the use of compost. The PhD student (Ms Tamara Flavel) is based at UWA but also conducts fieldwork in Victoria. The area of study is expected to contribute to our knowledge of soil organic matter build up within intensive vegetable production systems, principally on sandy soils. Supervisors for this project are Dr Daniel Murphy and Professor Lyn Abbott.

4. Quantifying the re-establishment of soil processes and the impact of fire management on rehabilitated bauxite mines in Western Australia (2004-2006) – Australian Research Council & ALCOA.
A major objective in the rehabilitation of bauxite mines in the jarrah forest of Western Australia is to return a self-sustaining ecosystem. Nutrient cycling and microbial diversity are key components of the functioning of the rehabilitated system; but little is know about the resilience of these processes in jarrah forests. In collaboration with scientists at ALCOA we aim to determine how rehabilitated mine sites function (at a soil process level) in comparison to natural systems, and define the resilience of the soil microbial communities and associated soil processes (e.g. nutrient cycling) within rehabilitated sites with respect to further disturbances such as fire. This is of specific relevance to restoring biodiversity within rehabilitated Jarrah forests and establishing a time frame for their return to state government management. Ms Briony Lalor has been appointed as a PhD student to this project. Her aspect of this project will focus on quantify the impact of prescribed fire on the resilience of rehabilitated sites according to their ability to re-establish soil microbial structure, diversity, function and processes following burning. Staff associated with this project are: Dr Daniel Murphy (Chief Investigator), Dr Carl Grant (Partner Investigator, ALCOA), Dr William Cookson (Collaborator), Professor Lyn Abbott (Chief Investigator), Dr Natasha Banning (Research Associate) and Ms Anna Millar (Technician).

5. Maintenance of Australia’s soil resource – water, microbial diversity and function – ARC Discovery
Water availability is the major limitation to biological activity in semi-arid regions of Australia. We will aim to quantify the dynamic relationships between organic matter cycling, microbial diversity and function in relation to seasonality, drought and land management. This will lead to a comprehensive understanding of how water mediates the diversity of soil organisms and their associated functions. This is of specific relevance to maintaining biodiversity within the unique soil ecosystems that have developed under Australian climatic conditions. This discovery grant supports Dr William Cookson as an ARC Research Fellow. Additional staff associated with this project are: Dr Daniel Murphy (Chief Investigator), Dr Philip O’Brien (Chief Investigator, Murdoch University) and Dr Keith Goulding (Partner Investigator, Rothamsted Research UK). Collaborators include: Dr Ian Clarke (Rothamsted Research, UK) and Dr Petra Marschner (University of Adelaide).

6. Spatial distribution of nitrogen processes and microbial communities in arable soils at micro- and nano- scales - European Union (Newcastle University, UK and University of Western Australia).
The overall aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the regulation within arable soils of the fate and cycling of N at micro- and nano-scales. The non-uniform distribution of microbial sources and sinks in a heterogeneous soil structure can lead to the development of spatially complex microenvironments with significant implications for macroscopic behaviour. Unravelling the complexity in soils at micro- and nano-scales requires bridging of the physical and biological sciences and the application of novel imaging approaches. This project is at the forefront of developments in soil science research which link the heterogeneity of the soil’s physical and chemical environment with microbiological approaches. This project provides the opportunity to apply a number of techniques in novel ways to the study of the biological cycling of N in soils. This project combines existing state-of-the art molecular techniques to the measurement of the diversity and activity of biotic communities in soil with novel microscopic and isotopic approaches to provide a comprehensive analysis of N cycling at a micro- and nano-scale in arable soils. Staff associated with this project are: Dr Anke Herrmann (Research Fellow with time allocated 1/3 Newcastle, 2/3 UWA), Dr Daniel Murphy (Investigator, SEGS-UWA), Dr Pauline Grierson (Investigator, Plant Science-UWA), Dr Peta Clode (Investigator, CMM-UWA), Dr Tony O’Donnel (Investigator, Newcastle, UK) and Dr Elizabeth Stockdale (Investigator, Newcastle, UK).

7. Integrating microbiology and climatic drivers to determine triggers for nitrous oxide emissions from arable soils in semi-arid Western Australia - Australian Research Council and WADA.
Increasing nitrous oxide emissions from soil to the atmosphere are a concern as they contribute to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer. While 70–81% of this increase has been attributed globally to agricultural soils, the factors controlling emissions from arable soils in southern Australia are not well understood. We aim to characterise and model the relationship between the soil microbial community responsible for nitrous oxide emissions and soil water availability. Understanding the processes responsible for nitrous oxide emissions will enable us to change the way we manage our semi-arid soils so as to minimise nitrous oxide emissions. Staff associated with this project are: Dr Daniel Murphy (Chief Investigator), Dr Christoph Hinz (Chief Investigator), Dr Louise Barton (Chief Investigator), Research Associate and PhD student to be appointed.

8. Measurement of paddock-based greenhouse gas emissions from wheat production to improve life cycle assessment of wheat-products - AGO/GRDC project funded to DAWA with partnership agreement to UWA.
Details not disclosed. Staff associated with this project are: Dr Bill Porter (Chief Investigator, DAWA), Dr Louise Barton (Research Fellow, UWA), Ms Renee Buck (Research Officer, UWA), Dr Daniel Murphy (Investigator), Dr Christoph Hinz (Investigator). Numerous other national and international researchers are associated with this project.

9. A sustainable dryland community achieved through proactive research on effective management of the soil resource – GRDC project funded to the LIEBE farming group with agreement to UWA staff.
The primary aim is to develop and promote integrated farm management practices at the paddock and property scale that assist in identifying and alleviating soil constraints (physical, chemical and biological), including gaining an understanding of both temporal and spatial variability. A key issue in this environment is managing water to maximise efficient crop use balanced with minimising drainage and offsite impacts. It is difficult to manage water without situated knowledge of one's soil resource and its interactions with climate and management. Current grower knowledge of the soil resource, including inherent and induced constraints, can be greatly improved. Throughout the time frame of this project, it is planned to quantify and deliver information to growers on the extent and impact of soil constraints, and demonstrate the effects of different management practices and farming systems on these constraints.