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

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.


Scholarships

Domestic students

All domestic students may apply for Research Training Program and University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) scholarships

International students

A range of scholarships are available from international organisations and governments. The full list, organised by country, is available on the Future Students website.

In addition, all international students may apply for International Research Training Program scholarships.

Indigenous students
Indigenous students are encouraged to apply for Indigenous Postgraduate Research Supplementary Scholarships.
Prestigious postgraduate research scholarships

Prestigious postgraduate research scholarships support graduate research training by enabling students of exceptional research promise to undertake higher degrees by research at the University.

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