PROJECT
Characterisation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, herbicides and novel fertiliser interactions for sustainable agriculture
Investigating how soil microbes contribute to nutrient cycling and the efficiency of fertiliser use
Some agricultural practices can override microbial processes in soil, including beneficial plant-microbial symbioses.
This project will investigate whether herbicides influence soil biological processes when different types of fertilisers are used. It is expected that complex interactions between fertiliser practice and herbicides may alter herbicide efficacy in weed control.
Novel fertiliser practices claimed to maximise benefits from soil microbial processes will be compared with traditional fertiliser practices. This project will evaluate fertiliser-herbicide interactions to clarify whether soil microbial benefits can be included as part of weed control programs.
The project is funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant with industry partners Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia and Australian Mineral Fertilisers.
For more background information see the suggested readings below.
- Suggested readings
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- Solaiman, Z. M., Marschner, P., Wang, D., Rengel, Z. 2007, 'Growth, P uptake and rhizosphere properties of wheat and canola genotypes in an alkaline soil with low P availability'. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 44, pp. 143-153.
- Wang, D., Marschner, P., Solaiman, Z. M., Rengel, Z. 2007, 'Belowground interactions between intercropped wheat and Brassicas in acidic and alkaline soils'. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 39, pp. 961-971.
- Solaiman, Z.M., Blackwell, P., Abbott, L.K., Storer, P. 2010, 'Direct and residual effect of biochar application on mycorrhizal root colonisation, growth and nutrition of wheat'. 1st Conference on Asia-Pacific Biochar, AUSTRALIA, 48, pp. 546-554.
- Dempster, D.N., Gleeson, D.B., Solaiman, Z.M., Jones, D.L., Murphy, D.V. 2012, 'Decreased soil microbial biomass and nitrogen mineralisation with Eucalyptus biochar addition to a coarse textured soil'. Plant and Soil, 354, pp. 311-324.
Research team leader: Dr Zakaria Solaiman
I am a soil microbiologist who has been researching arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, molecular soil ecology and plant nutrition for the past 20 years. I wrote my PhD on soil microbiology and plant nutrition and pursued several postdoctoral positions in Japan before moving to The University of Western Australia in 2000.
How to apply
Interested in becoming part of this project? Complete the following steps to submit your expression of interest:
Step 1 - Check criteria
General UWA PhD entrance requirements can be found on the Future Students website.
Step 2 - Submit enquiry to research team leader
Step 3 - Lodge application
After you have discussed your project with the research team leader, you should be in a position to proceed to the next step of the UWA application process: Lodge an application. Different application procedures apply to domestic and international students.
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