Visiting Post-doctoral fellow: Richard Brackin
Contact
r.brackin@uq.edu.au
Ph: +61 73365 2739
John Hines Building
School of Agricultural and Food Sciences
The University of Queensland
St Lucia
QLD 4106
Endeavour Research Fellow
Project
SMy Endeavour Research Fellowship project is about investigating plant - soil interactions using new sampling methods and µCT scanning technology. Understanding nitrogen dynamics in soil is critical for devising efficient cropping systems. Matching nitrogen supply (through fertiliser or organic materials) is a key objective of sustainable agriculture, however knowledge about rates of nutrient transformation in soil is poor, as is knowledge of plant nutrient uptake capacity. My research is linked to the core of the problem, by examining nutrient releases from fertiliser in soil, and also examining crop nitrogen uptake, using novel microdialysis technology. The knowledge generated is required for devising fertiliser efficient nitrogen supply systems. During my stay at Nottingham I’m very excited about combining cutting edge techniques and µCT technologies, which will allow simultaneous precision study of soil nutrient supply rates and root architecture responses to their environment.
My background
I started my career with a Bachelor’s degree and an Honours degree in plant physiology, specialising in nitrogen uptake (particularly organic forms of nitrogen). I subsequently got a job as a research assistant on a soil microbiology and nitrogen project, during which I did a lot of soil sampling, and ran the laboratory analysis (particularly liquid chromatography). During this time I developed a real passion about nitrogen and carbon cycling in soils, particularly in relation to land use change. This spurred me to start a PhD at The University of Queensland working on nitrogen cycling and soil microbial function in sugarcane and forest soils. Nitrogen is a big issue in sugarcane cropping, as high levels of nitrogen fertiliser are lost to the environment, much of it winding up in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, due to poor matching of fertiliser supply and crop demand. Since finishing my PhD I’ve been continuing this research theme working as a post-doc, also at The University of Queensland studying sugarcane-legume intercropping systems for their potential to provide fixed nitrogen throughout the sugarcane growing season.
Country of Birth: Australia
Hobbies: I’m an orchid enthusiast, with a large collection at home. I’m an amateur orchid breeder, and have created a number of my own hybrids.
A weird fact: Aren’t my hobbies weird enough?
r.brackin@uq.edu.au
Ph: +61 73365 2739
John Hines Building
School of Agricultural and Food Sciences
The University of Queensland
St Lucia
QLD 4106
Endeavour Research Fellow
Project
SMy Endeavour Research Fellowship project is about investigating plant - soil interactions using new sampling methods and µCT scanning technology. Understanding nitrogen dynamics in soil is critical for devising efficient cropping systems. Matching nitrogen supply (through fertiliser or organic materials) is a key objective of sustainable agriculture, however knowledge about rates of nutrient transformation in soil is poor, as is knowledge of plant nutrient uptake capacity. My research is linked to the core of the problem, by examining nutrient releases from fertiliser in soil, and also examining crop nitrogen uptake, using novel microdialysis technology. The knowledge generated is required for devising fertiliser efficient nitrogen supply systems. During my stay at Nottingham I’m very excited about combining cutting edge techniques and µCT technologies, which will allow simultaneous precision study of soil nutrient supply rates and root architecture responses to their environment.
My background
I started my career with a Bachelor’s degree and an Honours degree in plant physiology, specialising in nitrogen uptake (particularly organic forms of nitrogen). I subsequently got a job as a research assistant on a soil microbiology and nitrogen project, during which I did a lot of soil sampling, and ran the laboratory analysis (particularly liquid chromatography). During this time I developed a real passion about nitrogen and carbon cycling in soils, particularly in relation to land use change. This spurred me to start a PhD at The University of Queensland working on nitrogen cycling and soil microbial function in sugarcane and forest soils. Nitrogen is a big issue in sugarcane cropping, as high levels of nitrogen fertiliser are lost to the environment, much of it winding up in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, due to poor matching of fertiliser supply and crop demand. Since finishing my PhD I’ve been continuing this research theme working as a post-doc, also at The University of Queensland studying sugarcane-legume intercropping systems for their potential to provide fixed nitrogen throughout the sugarcane growing season.
Country of Birth: Australia
Hobbies: I’m an orchid enthusiast, with a large collection at home. I’m an amateur orchid breeder, and have created a number of my own hybrids.
A weird fact: Aren’t my hobbies weird enough?