Current Projects and Facilities

Projects and Facilities

The soil science group is based at the Parkville campus of the Melbourne School of Land and Environment. Our aim is to improve management of soil and water resources through high quality research and teaching. There are currently four academic staff, four research (including honorary and visiting) fellows, one technical officer and eight post graduate students.

Research Interests

Our research strengths are in the areas of soil chemistry and soil physics. The soils science research group studies water and nutrients (especially N and P) dynamics in plant-soil systems, GIS based agroecosystem modelling and decision support systems for optimal irrigation and fertilizer management, and the measurement and modeling of greenhouse gases from land sources. The following research projects are currently being undertaken by the soil science group.

Nitrogen projects - transformations, gaseous emissions

Current projects

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture
• Improving the management of water and nitrogen fertiliser for agricultural profitability, water quality and reduced nitrous oxide emissions in China and Australia (ACIAR)
• Synchronising nutrient supply and crop demand in modern cropping systems (GRDC)
• Improving the efficiency, profitability and environmental friendliness of nitrogen fertilizers (Incitec Pivot Limited/UM)
• Greenhouse gas emissions and intensive beef production. (AGO/MAL)
• Measuring emissions of indirect greenhouse gases from agriculture (AGO)
• Agricultural decision support systems for the optimum use of water and fertilizer nitrogen for sustainable agricultural production and improved environmental quality (China 948 program)
• Quantifying the effects of soil type and environmental factors on nitrous oxide emissions using laboratory incubations (AGO)

Recently completed projects

• Interaction of NH₃ and N₂O emissions and soil N processes for irrigated pastures (CSIRO/UM)
• Wine grape quality as affected by water and N supply in cool climate vineyards (Brown Brothers Miliwa)
• Managing the sub-soil constraints (CSIRO/UM collaborative project)

Contact for further information on nitrogen research projects: Dr Deli Chen, delichen@unimelb.edu.au

Phosphorus projects

Current projects

• Maximising pasture production from phosphatic fertilisers whilst mimimising environmental impact
• Riparian zones and P transport
• Cycling of P in pasture systems

Recently completed projects

• Biosolid management

Contact for further information on phosphorus research projects: Dr Tony Weatherley, anthony@unimelb.edu.au

Other projects

• Develop a handheld-based agricultural decision support system
• Effect of raised bed cropping on soil physical properties (GRDC and Southern Farming Systems)

Analytical Facilities and Equipment

• Analytical Facilities

Potential Honours Projects

• List of potential projects

Contact for further information on general research within the soils group: Dr Deli Chen, delichen@unimelb.edu.au