Centre for Plant & Water Science - Central Queensland University

Centre for Plant & Water Science 

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering & Health 

2008 Annual Research Report

Centre for Plant & Water Science 2008 Annual Report 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

SECTION A GOALS, OBJECTIVES, TARGETS AND PROGRESS TOWARDS 

ACHIEVEMENT ........................................................................................... 1 

SECTION B STAFFING PROFILE ................................................................................... 4 

SECTION C PRODUCTIVITY ........................................................................................... 5 

C1 Scholarship and Community Service ............................................................... 5 

C2 Industry Collaboration .................................................................................... 12 

C3 Research Training ........................................................................................... 12 

C4 Centre Interaction ........................................................................................... 13 

SECTION D FINANCIAL SUMMARY ........................................................................... 14 

D1 A Summary of Income ................................................................................... 14 

D2 A Summary of Expenditure ............................................................................ 18 

SECTION E ISSUES AND COMMENTS ........................................................................ 21 

SECTION F FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2007 - 2011 ......................................... 22 

SECTION G PAST STUDENTS AND RESEARCH-ONLY STAFF 

CONTRIBUTIONS TO CENTRE FOR PLANT & WATER SCIENCE23 

SECTION H REPORTS ..................................................................................................... 27 

COMPARISON OF PHYTOCAPPING WITH COMPACTED CLAY CAPPING ... 27 

THE MYCOLOGY OF THE ROCKHAMPTON TREATED WATER SUPPLY ..... 28 

STUDIES ON WOODLANDS INVADED BY Allocasuarina littoralis .................... 29 

COMPOST TEA AS A MICROBIAL ENHANCER IN CROP PRODUCTION ....... 30 

CHARACTERISATION AND ASSESSMENT OF DRYNESS (GELLING) DEFECT 

OF MANDARIN FRUIT ............................................................................................. 32 

AUTOECOLOGICAL ROLE OF STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES IN Stevia rebaudiana . 34 

PROVENANCE VARIATIONS IN Calophyllum inophyllum L. WITH SPECIAL 

REFERENCE TO SEED OIL AND SEED OIL METHYL ESTER (BIODIESEL) ... 35 

BATTER SLOPE STABILISATION UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINES . 37 

GREEN WASTE – IS IT A WASTE OR AN UN-TAPPED RESOURCE ............... 38 

INCREASING INTEREST IN CARBON TRADING RESEARCH IN 

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ..................................................................................... 39 

MODELLING THE ROLE OF VEGETATION IN PHYTOCAPPING ..................... 41 

SCREENING OF TOMATO GERMPLASM FOR DROUGHT TOLERANCE ....... 43 

STABILISATION OF RAIL FORMATIONS USING NATIVE VEGETATION ..... 45 

EXPLORING THE RESPONSE OF SOME VEGETABLE SPECIES TO 

OXYGATION .............................................................................................................. 46 

OXYGATION OF SUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATED PINEAPPLE, COTTON 

AND WHEAT .............................................................................................................. 47 

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HYDROPONIC PRODUCTION OF A LEAF VEGETABLE PAK CHOI (Brassica 

rapa L.CHINESIS GROUP) GROWN WITH BOTH CHEMICAL (INORGANIC) 

FERTILIZER AND VERMICAST EFFLUENT ......................................................... 49 

ICEWARM GLOBAL WATER SYSTEMS II (THE ENGINEERED WATER 

CYCLE) .................................................................................................................. 50 

NATIVE GROUND COVER SPECIES FOR REVEGETATION UNDER HIGH 

VOLTAGE POWERLINES IN QUEENSLAND ........................................................ 51 

NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY FOR PREDICTING B74 MANGO 

MATURITY AND EATING QUALITY ..................................................................... 53 

INTEGRATING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION INTO AGROFORESTRY IN 

SOUTHEAST ASIA .................................................................................................... 55 

Appendix 1. PHOTOGRAPHS OF CPWS STAFF, STUDENTS & VISITORS ........ 56 

Appendix 2. CENTRE FOR PLANT & WATER SCIENCE PUBLICITY ................. 59 

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Section A GOALS, OBJECTIVES, TARGETS AND 

PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVEMENT 

The Centre and its staff had a good year in 2008. Continuing from our 2007 Strategic Plan 

goals, we raised our post-graduate student numbers and the range of activities, though on a 

declining source of external income. Nether the less a 12.6:1 ratio of external to internal 

funds was achieved (Table 8). Internal financial support received from the Office of 

Research increased considerably above that of the previous year (at the expense of that 

afforded to our host Faculty), although our RIGB income was considerably less. Of the 

increase, we apportioned funds for needed upgrade of our screen-house facility and vehicles, 

and set aside set-up funding for the two new Chairs to be hosted within our Centre, one in 

Bundaberg and one in Emerald. Protracted discussions with CQUni Facilities Management, 

Architectural Services and Suppliers have set the scene for a 2009 construction of a 

replacement for Building 205 (which was removed in 2007). This construction is integral to 

the development of the CPWS compound, and of our waste water management strategy. 

Our publications (10 refereed journal articles, and 26 conference papers) are somewhat 

below that projected for 2008, but numbers in 2009 will bring us back onto target. We gave 

papers in almost all states in Australia (with a show of strength, nine participants, at the 

Australia Horticultural Science Meeting on the Gold Coast), and in Italy, UK, Taiwan, 

China and Nepal. Improving on 2007, three students graduated in 2008, but again, 

submissions in 2009 and 2010 will bring us back to the numbers anticipated in our Strategic 

Plan. Our income ($1.18 m) for 2008 was also less than anticipated, but new large projects 

in 2009 will offset this decline. 

A number of achievements within 2008 are noteworthy. Approval by Food Standards 

Australia New Zealand of stevia glycosides as an intense sweetener was gained in October, 

following four years of concerted effort. This has important ramifications for the soft drink 

and confectionary industries, and for public health, and gained much attention nationally and 

beyond. Another major area of strength within the CPWS is that of non-invasive commodity 

assessment using NIRS. At the Annual 13 th ANISG Conference in Victoria in April this was 

recognised by the gaining of the overall award for innovation to Associate Professor Kerry 

Walsh, to the best poster to Dr Phul Subedi and to the best student paper to Ria Reyes. 

Other prizes were won by the Sunrise 1770; voted the Best Sustainable Development in 

Australia in 2008 (by the UDIA) and a finalist in the United Nations Association of 

Australia Watt Environment Day Awards in 2008, the development capitalises upon a waste 

water treatment technology developed by PhD student Ben Kele. 

Also noteworthy was the agreement between CQUniversity Australia and Queensland 

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to co-fund a new Chair in Vegetable Science 

to be based at Bundaberg. Signing for this took place in Bundaberg in November. This will 

provided leadership to vegetable and irrigation research in the Bundaberg area. Already in 

irrigation the CPWS has concentrated research effort on a new technology, termed 

‘oxygation’, and this has attained significant funding from Land and Water Australia’s 

National Programme for Sustainable Irrigation (NPSI), and Horticulture Australia (HAL), 

and from the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology. 

We continue to engage industry, with our stakeholder-relevant research, in particular with 

Color Vision System P/L, Integrated Spectronics Pty Ltd, One Harvest, Sanitarium, Boxsell, 

Vermicrobe, Netafim, Seair and Midell Development Pty Ltd. 

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Our staff fluctuated during the year, welcoming Jeffrey Conaghan as the Research 

Technician and Dr Brett Roe and Brock McDonald as members of the RIRDC rooftop 

project. 

We also welcomed Dr Sanjay Singh as an Endeavour Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellow from 

India, funded by the Australian Government to research drought tolerance in tomato, adding 

research strength to a project funded by the German Government indirectly through the 

Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (Taiwan). Delphine Lacombe, an intern 

from France also assisted on the same project, and Loic Burtin from the same institute in 

France worked on oxygation for six months. Varinderjit Khattra of the Indian Institute of 

Technology, Kharagpur spent four months working on NIRS. We were also fortunate to 

have a number (8) of volunteers who spent time learning research techniques and supporting 

our staff and students. These included Dr Mar Mar Thi, Elizabeth Atchison, Elena Churilova, 

Geeta Gautam Kafle, Caroline Midmore, Lynda Painter, Rita Subedi, Sousan Firoozi and a 

number of high school students. Ethan Harbinson, a student placement from Glenmore State 

High School, also spent time assisting Centre staff. Blandine Geneste, a visiting student 

from France, volunteered her time during her stay in Rockhampton. 

The core faculty academic staff of Prof Midmore, Prof Walsh and A/Prof Ashwath, as well 

as Centre Research Officers Dr Surya Bhattarai and Dr Phul Subedi, and administrative 

support from Linda Ahern has provided the stability for the Centre. Ms Ahern took a wellearned 

2.5 month long service leave until the end of the year. These staff were supported by 

other academics (Harrower, Newby, Reed) and casual administrative staff, the Centre 

running on 2.0 EFT Academics, 2.1 EFT Research Officers, 3.75 EFT technical and 1.35 

EFT administrative staff and 16 EFT postgraduate students (14 FT, 4 PT). 

Dr Din Zahid returned to Pakistan in February after his one year Pakistan Higher Education 

Council Fellowship with the CPWS, and Dr Xinming Chen arrived in August, also for a 

one-year Fellowship with the CPWS, funded by the China Scholarship Council. This 

research provided support to ongoing studies on oxygation. 

We were fortunate to welcome a number of new post-graduate students throughout the year: 

Thakur Bhattarai (community forestry), Elena Churilova (hydroponics) and Resham Gautam 

(native vegetation). Three students, Rebecca Jolley, Rashmi Jayaram and Kim Bedwell, 

withdrew in 2008 due to personal reasons, and a number of students converted to part-time 

due to work commitments. Amongst these was Kartik Venkatraman who gained 

employment as the coordinator of Technical Services for CQ Waste Management with the 

Rockhampton Regional Council in 2008 and Lance Pendergast converted to part-time in 

2008 to work for the Queensland Dept of Primary Industries. 

We also farewelled Rob Lowry with close to 12 years service as a Research Worker, and 

welcomed Graham Fox as the Research Worker (part-time). Both Sunita Lata and Lynda 

Painter were engaged as part-time Research Workers on the native vegetation project funded 

by Ergon/Powerlink and we also welcomed Amanda Twomey, Research Officer working on 

a Bio-diesel project, followed by an RIRDC project on fruit and nut trees. Amanda left at the 

end of the year. Andrew Rank and Bhima Bhattarai were welcomed for various project 

assistance and Neil Percival for administrative assistance. We farewelled Brie Crane, Neil 

Percival and Vicki Barden from their casual positions. Of faculty staff, we farewelled Dr 

Billy Sinclair as our Molecular Biologist, and still await a replacement. 

Professor Midmore was successful in gaining support for oxygation research, funded by 

NPSI and HAL, and continued his research on rooftop food production funded by RIRDC. 

He also gained new funding for a desk-top study on Australian native fruit and nut tree 

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species, and their potential role in annual cropping systems. Under the auspices of the 

Australian Institute for Agricultural Science and Technology, and with funding from HAL, 

he organised a public meeting for researchers and others to understand potential to develop 

IP, and was on the organising committee for an AIAST function. “Challenges and 

Opportunities for Agriculture in a Changing Carbon Economy” held in Brisbane in 

September. He gave invited presentations to the Australian Society of Horticultural Science, 

to the U3A, to Probus, and served as a resource person for a USAID review of the 

SANREM CRSP in the Philippines. He also did some project review work for the CGIAR 

and continued with editorial responsibilities for Experimental Agricultural and the Journal 

for Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, and participated on the committee planning the 

2014 International Horticultural Congress for Brisbane. 

SANREM Partners Gerald Shively of Purdue University’s agricultural economics 

department and David Midmore were interviewed on ABC Radio Australia about the impact 

of falling coffee prices on poor farmers across Southeast Asia. The segment aired Oct. 15 on 

the network’s current affairs program “Connect Asia”. 

The Non-invasive Group 2008 activities focused on the development of applications for the 

NIR handheld technology (delivered through Integrated Spectronics P/L). Work was 

undertaken within the Calypso mango program (with OneHarvest and Ololo Farm 

Management P/L, using the NIR technology to assess fruit maturity, and thus the time of 

harvest. Activity was based within large (60,000 tree) farms in Darwin, Katherine, 

Mataranka, Mareeba and Bundaberg, using the technology to assess spatial variation in fruit 

maturity on tree, and within orchard. Extension of results to the wider mango industry also 

occurred through presentation at the Australian Mango Industry Association meetings. A 

smaller exercise was also undertaken in terms of application to the mandarin industry. This 

groundwork laid the foundation for a new research direction and grant opportunities in 2009. 

The year 2008 strengthened our research focus on biofuels. An RIRDC project and a merit 

grant project awarded to A/P Ashwath investigated the potential of native species in 

biodiesel production. More than 100 native species were evaluated for biodiesel potential 

and one species was thoroughly tested for fuel quality and efficiency. The attendance at a 

second generation workshop by A/P Ashwath, in Canberra, opened up further opportunities 

to interact and collaborate with the leading biofuels researchers. The national research 

project on phytocapping (A-ACAP), sponsored by an ARC Linkage grant, is progressing 

well and is providing the data needed to convince regulatory authorities to accept 

phytocapping as a viable capping system for landfill remediation. Rotary Australia 

sponsored an extended visit to India by A/P Ashwath in which he promoted the use of 

Australian native species in waste land reclamation and for biofuel feedstock production. He 

gave lectures to a wide range of organisations, including Rotary Clubs, Universities, schools 

and research institutes and promoted phytocapping amongst a number of research institutes, 

city councils and pollution control authorities. 

Dr Surya Bhattarai, following his Endeavour Foundation Scholarship to Taiwan in 2007, 

gained significant research funding from AVRDC to support molecular and physiological 

research on tomato drought tolerance, and from AINSE for oxygation, strengthening our 

international reputation in the area of horticultural science. 

We continue to involve the local community in our research, with visits from local schools 

and societies and talks given to a number of schools and associations. One prime example of 

community involvement was the official opening of Hole Number 9 at the Rockhampton 

Golf Club, made possible by our support of the club in gaining a Commonwealth Water 

Grant. 

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Section B 

STAFFING PROFILE 

There was approx 1.95 EFT academic staff, 2.65 EFT research officers, 4.6 EFT research workers & 

1.6 EFT administrative staff associated with the Centre. 

Table 1. Staff and Honorary Research Fellows associated with the Centre 

Staff Category EFT Name Area 

Academic 0.5 A/Prof Ashwath, Nanjappa* Ecophysiology 

0.2 A/Prof Harrower, Keith* Microbiology 

0.6 Prof Midmore, David* Crop physiology 

0.05 Dr. Newby, Robert* Entomologist 

0.05 Prof Reed, Rob 2* Microbiology 

0.05 Dr Roe, Brett * Aquaculture, Hydropoinics 

0.1 Dr Sinclair, Billy* 1 Molecular biology 

0.5 A/Prof Walsh, Kerry*● Plant physiology 

Research Officers 1.0 Dr Bhattarai, Surya* Oxygation 

1 Dr Subedi, Phul* Non-invasive research 

0.05 Kele, Ben * Sunrise at 1770 

0.05 Dr Twomey, Amanda Biofuels, agroforestry 

Research Workers 0.7 Conaghan, Jeffrey 2 Technician 

0.95 McDonald, Brock Vermiculture, aquaponics 

0.3 Lowry, Robert 1 Plant growth facilities 

0.5 Fox, Graham 2 Plant growth facilities 

0.05 Bhattarai, Bhima Aerating saline irrigation 

0.2 Barden, Vicki 1 Native vegetation on clay soil sites 

0.2 Painter, Lynda 2,1 Native vegetation on clay soil sites 

0.1 Lata, Sunita Native vegetation on clay soil sites 

0.7 Subedi, Roshan Native vegetation on clay soil sites & Solid 

waste management 

Administration 1.0 Ahern, Linda Administration Officer 

Staff 0.1 Bunt, Enid 2 Administrative Assistant 

0.2 Crane, Brie 1 Administrative Assistant 

0.05 Percival, Neil 1 Administrative Assistant 

Honorary Research Dr Sands, Jim + Emerald Agricultural College 

Fellows Dr Burrows, William QDPI, Rockhampton - Woodland ecology 

Dr Carroll, Chris + QDNRM, Rockhampton – Irrigation 

Dr Dixon, Robert 

QDPI, Rockhampton 

Dr Radford, Bruce 

QDNRM, Biloela – Soil Science 

Rank, Andrew * 

Consultant – stevia 

Visitors - Scholars 0.2 Dr Din Zahid Pakistan Higher Education Council 

0.4 Dr Xinming Chen China Scholarship Council 

0.8 Dr Sanjay Singh N.D.University of Agriculture & 

Technology, India 

- Students 0.3 Varinderjit Khattra Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 

India 

0.4 Delphine Lacombe Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de 

Rennes, France 

0.4 Loic Burtin Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de 

Rennes, France 

Status (EFT) of academic staff is calculated as a percentage of research-active time. 

* Research active: named participant on a research project attracting external research income; named author on a DEST-qualified 

research publication; or supervisor to a research higher degree candidate. 

+ Members of Centre for Plant & Water Science Advisory Committee. 

# Includes postgraduate supervision. 

● 0.2 of salary drawn from external sources. 

1 Left during 2008 

2 Started during 2008 

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Section C 

C1 

PRODUCTIVITY 

Scholarship and Community Service 

The Centre maintained scholarly output in 2008, with 10 refereed articles published (DEST category 

C1) (Table 2, 3). 

Table 2. CPWS Publications 

Magazine Articles 

Bhattarai, S. and Midmore, D. (2008) 'Potential benefits of oxygation-aeration of irrigation water to 

the Australian fruit industry', Australian Fruitgrower, vol. 2, no. 1, pp 22-23. 

Bhattarai, S., Salvaudon, C. and Midmore, D.J. (2008) 'Oxygation of the rockwool substrate for 

hydroponics', Aquaponics Journal, vol. 2nd Quarter 2008, no. 49, pp 29-33. 

Roe, B.R. and Midmore, D.J. (2008) 'Sustainable aquaponics', Practical Hydroponics and 

Greenhouses Magazine, no. 103, November- December 2008. 

Journal Articles 

Bhatia, P. and Ashwath, N. (2008) 'Improving the quality of in vitro cultured shoots of tomato 

(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Red Coat)', Biotechnology, vol. 7, no. 2, pp 188-193. 

Bhattarai, S., Fox, J. and Gyasi-Agyei, Y. (2008) 'Enhancing buffel grass seed germination by acid 

treatment for rapid vegetation establishment on railway batters', Journal of Arid Environments, vol. 

72, no. 3, pp 255-262 

Bhattarai, S.P., Midmore, D.J. and Pendergast, L. (2008) 'Yield, water-use efficiencies and root 

distribution of soybean, chickpea and pumpkin under different subsurface drip irrigation depths and 

oxygation treatments in vertisols', Irrigation Science, vol. 26, no. 5 , pp 439-450. 

Makiela, S. and Harrower, K.M. (2008) 'Overview of the current status of buffel grass dieback', 

Australasian Plant Disease Notes, vol. 3, no. 1, pp 12-16. 

McHugh, A.D., Bhattarai, S., Lotz, G. and Midmore, D.J. (2008) 'Effects of subsurface drip 

irrigation rates and furrow irrigation for cotton grown on a vertisol on off-site movement of 

sediments, nutrients and pesticides', Agronomy for Sustainable Development, vol. 28, no. 4, pp 

507-519. 

Sammon, N.B. and Harrower, K.M. (2008) 'Microfungal contamination of municipal water supplies 

- a review', Water, vol. 35, no. 5, pp 98-102. 

Sharma, A., Harrower, K. and Ashwath, N. (2008) 'Enteric bacteria build-up in effluent irrigated 

plantations', Microbiology Australia, vol. 30, no. 1, pp 40-41. 

Smith, N.J.C., Zahid, D.M., Ashwath, N. and Midmore, D.J. (2008) 'Seed ecology and successional 

status of 27 tropical rainforest cabinet timber species from Queensland', Forest Ecology and 

Management, vol. 256, no. 5, pp 1031-1038. 

Subedi, P.P. and Walsh, K.B. (2008) 'Non-invasive measurement of fresh fruit firmness', Journal of 

Postharvest Biology and Technology, vol. 51, pp 297-304. 

Zhu, G.X., Midmore, D.J., Doughton, J.A., Cuppitt, D.A. and Lever, T. (2008) 'Factors contributing 

to the benefits of foliar nitrogen application for wheat in a sub-tropical winter environment', Journal 

of Crop Improvement, vol. 21, no. 41, pp 55-78. 

Conference Proceedings (Refereed and non-refereed) 

Ashwath, N. and Clark, A. (2008) 'In vitro propagation of selected clones of wasabi (Wasabia 

japonica)', Workshop presented at the 2008 National and Trans-Tasman Horticultural Science 

Conference Gold Coast, Australia, 21st - 23rd July, 2008. 

Ashwath, N. (2008) 'Selection and establishment of suitable plant species on phytocaps', paper 

presented at the 5th International Phytotechnologies Conference, Nanjing, China, 22nd - 25th 

October, 2008. 

5


Ashwath, N. (2008) 'The potential of using Chinese brake fern in arsenic contaminated site 

remediation: an Australian experience', paper presented at the Soilrem 2008, Nanjing, China, 

18th - 21st October, 2008. 

Bhattarai, S.P., de la Peña, R.C., Midmore, D.J. and Kadirvel, P. (2008) 'Rapid generation 

advancement in tomato', paper presented at the 6th In Vitro Culture and Horticultural Breeding 

Symposium (International), Brisbane, Australia, 24th - 28th August, 2008. 

Kele, B. (2008) 'A new dawn for decentralised sewerage', paper presented at the Onsite and 

Decentralised Sewerage and Recycling Conference, Benalla, VIC, 12th - 15th October 2008. 

Kele, B., Midmore, D.J., Hood, B. and McKennariey, B. (2008) 'Large on-site wastewater treatment 

and reuse systems for commercial applications', paper presented at the Onsite and Decentralised 

Sewerage and Recycling Conference, Benalla, VIC, 12th - 15th October 2008. 

Midmore, D.J. and Roe, B. (2008) 'Integrated aquaculture, hydroponics and vermiculture for food 

production – rooftops', presented at the 2008 National and Trans-Tasman Horticultural Science 

Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 21st - 23rd July, 2008. 

Nott, D., Walsh, K. and Harrower, K. (2008), 'Crowded house- a corymbia/ allocasuarina woodland 

association unburnt for 18 years in central Queensland', paper presented at the 33rd ESA Annual 

Conference, Sydney, Australia, 1st - 5th December, 2008. 

Qureshi, M.S. (2008) 'Population dynamics of SLW and its relationship with biotic factors in 

vegetable cropping systems', paper presented at the 2008 National and Trans-Tasman 

Horticultural Science Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 21st - 23rd July, 2008. 

Palada, M., Bhattarai, S. and Roberts, M. (2008) 'Farmer participatory evaluation of affordable 

microirrigation technology for vegetable production in Cambodia', paper presented at the 

American Society for Horticultural Science Conference, Orlando, Florida. 

Reed, R. and Tandon, P. (2008). 'Testing the waters – evaluation of a novel medium for the 

detection and enumeration of a Escherichia coli under field conditions in the developing world', 

paper presented at the 12th International symposium on Microbial Biology. Cairns. 17th - 22nd 

August, 2008. p 172. 

Reyes, R., Subedi, P. and Walsh, K.B. (2008) 'Exploring FTNIR and NIR spectroscopy for noninvasive 

assessment of steviol glycoside levels in stevia leaves.', presented at the 13th Australian 

Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference, Hamilton, Victoria, 9th - 10th April, 2008. 

Sammon, N.B. (2008) 'The mycrobiota of a municipal water supply system in tropical Australia', 

paper presented at the 12th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology ISME 12, Cairns 

Australia, 17th - 22nd August, 2008. 

Shrestha, K., Walsh, K.B., Harrower, K.M. and Midmore, D.M. (2008) 'The use and efficacy of 

compost tea in organic crop production', paper presented at 2008 National and Trans-Tasman 

Horticultural Science Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 21st - 23rd July, 2008. p 88. 

Shrestha, K. (2008) 'Compost tea and soil sustainability', paper presented at In Regenerative 

Agriculture – Healthy Soils Workshop, Calliope, Australia, 3rd - 4th December, 2008. 

Shrestha, K., Walsh, K.B., Harrower, K.M. and Midmore, D.J. (2008) 'Potentials of compost tea in 

organic crop production', paper presented at The 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress and 2nd 

ISOFAR Scientific Conference, Modena, Italy, 16th - 20th June, 2008. 

Shrestha, K. (2008) 'The use and efficacy of microbial enhancement in crop production', paper 

presented at the On-Farm training – Compost Tea Workshop, Shingle Hut, Moura, Australia, 

10th April, 2008. 

Subedi, P.P. and Walsh, K.B. (2008) 'Handheld SW-NIR spectrometry and the Australian mango 

industry', presented at the 13th Australian Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference, Hamilton, 

Victoria, 9th - 10th April, 2008. 

Subedi, P.P. and Walsh, K.B. (2008) 'Handheld SW-NIR spectrometry for the measurement of fruit 

firmness', presented at the 13th Australian Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference, Hamilton, 

Victoria, 9th - 10th April, 2008. 

Subedi, P.P., Walsh, K.B. & Hoffman, P. (2008) 'Prediction of mango eating quality at harvest 

using short-wave near infrared spectrometry', presented at the National and Trans-Tasman 

6


Horticultural Science Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 20th - 23rd July 2008. 

Torabi, M., Bhattarai, S., Dhungel, J. and Midmore, D. (2008) 'Improving efficiency of the 

introduction and distribution of air in subsurface drip irrigation streams' oral presentation at 

2008 National and Trans-Tasman Horticultural Science Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 21st 

- 23rd July, 2008. 

Venkatraman, K., Ashwath, N. and Su, N. (2008) 'Environmental performance of a phytocapped 

landfill in a semi arid region', paper presented at the National Landfill Managers and Operators 

Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 27th - 29th September, 2008. 

Venkatraman, K., Ashwath, N. and Su, N. (2008) 'Performance of a phytocapped landfill in a semi 

arid climate', paper presented at the 1st International Conference on Technologies and Strategic 

Management of Sustainable Biosystems, Perth, Australia, 6th - 9th July, 2008. 

Venkatraman, K. and Ashwath, N. (2008) 'Phytocapping of landfills an Australian experience', 

paper presented at the 5th International Phytotechnologies Conference, Nanjing, China, 22nd - 

25th October, 2008. 

Walsh, K., Mukarev, M. and Chen, D. (2008) 'Exploring chemometric approaches used with 

SWNIR instruments in estimation of fruit quality', presented at the 13th Australian Near Infrared 

Spectroscopy Conference, Hamilton, Victoria, 9th - 10th April, 2008. 

Walsh, K.B., Subedi, P.P., Hofman, M., Middleton, S., Brown, G. and Purdy, P. (2008) 'Measuring 

and predicting quality', presented at the 2008 National and Trans-Tasman Horticultural Science 

Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 21st - 23rd July, 2008. 

Table 3. Publications 

Year Books Book 

Chapters 

Journal 

Articles 

Conference 

Papers 

(TOTAL) 

Non-DEST 

Reports 

1998 2 10 16 8 

1999 1 13 18 18 

2000 1 11 18 6 

2001 1 12 16 4 

2002 1 12 11 10 

2003 8 13 9 

2004 1 5 18 19 10 

2005 3 25 12 11 

2006 1 20 17 8 

2007 14 16 2 

2008 10 26 3 

The profile of Centre activity is also indexed by the extent of activities on campus, in terms of 

seminars presented on campus, and by the number of visitors to the Centre (Table 4). 

7


Table 4. Visitors to CPWS 

Name From Date Activity 

John Hocken Waste 2 Energy 29 January Discuss research 

commercialisation 

John Ashton Sanitarium 26 March & 8 

August 

Research on stevia 

Peter McLaughlin Green Plate Pty Ltd 22-23 April Research on solar 

applications 

Russell Kimmins Green Plate Pty Ltd 22-23 April Research on solar 

applications 

Dr M Palada AVRDC, Taiwan 28-29 April Drought tolerance 

Dave Wyatt Earthly Worms 9-7 May & 

November 

Vermiculture research 

Darryl Jones Vermicrobe 6 May Vermiculture research 

Dr Robert de la Penã AVRDC, Taiwan 20-24 August Drought tolerance 

The monthly CPWS seminar series provides an opportunity for all staff and postgraduates to speak 

(Table 5), while all visitors are invited to present an ‘ad-hoc’ seminar during their visit. 

8


Table 5. Centre for Plant & Water Science Seminar Series 2008 

2008 CPWS SEMINAR SCHEDULE 

FEBRUARY 12.00pm Monday 18 February 2008 

Topic 1: “Research conducted during Fellowship at CPWS” 

Presenter: Dr Din Zahid 

MARCH 12.00pm Monday 31 March 2008 

Topic 1: “Volcanic Rock Filters” 

Presenter: Ben Kele 

APRIL 12.00pm Monday 28 April 2008 

Topic: 

“Integrated Crop Management Program at AVRDC - The World 

Vegetable Center” 

Presenter: Dr Manuel C. Palada 

JULY 12.00pm Wednesday 9 July 2008 

Topic 1: “Latest advances from Beckman Coulter for Particle and Cell Counting 

/Sizing and Viability” 

Presenter: Beckman Coulter Representative 

JULY 12.00pm Monday 28 July 2008 

Topic 1: “A brief report on 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress and 2nd 

ISOFAR Scientific Conference, Modena, Italy, 16-20 June, 2008” 

Presenter: Karuna Shrestha 

AUGUST 12.00pm Thursday 11 August 2008 

Topic 1: “Autoecological role of steviol glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana” 

Presenter: Ria Reyes 

AUGUST 1.00pm Thursday 21 August 2008 

Topic 1: “Genomics-assisted Utilization of Genes from Wild Germplasm” 

Presenter: Dr Robert C. de la Peña 

NOVEMBER 12.00pm Monday 24 November 2008 

Topic 1: “The use and efficacy of microbial enhancement in crop production.” 

Presenter: Karuna Shrestha 

Topic 2: “Crowded house - a Corymbia/Allocasuarina woodland association 

unburnt for 18 years in central Queensland.” 

Presenter: Dixie Nott 

The influence of the Centre is also indexed by the extent of involvement by Centre personnel in offcampus 

events (Table 6). 

9


Table 6. Presentations at Meetings, Seminars, Conferences, Workshops and Other Events 

Conferences at which presentations given 

Kartik Venkatraman travelled to Perth from 5 to 10 July to attend a conference on Technologies & 

Strategic Management of Sustainable Bio-systems. 

Kerry Walsh, Phul Subedi & Ria Reyes attended the 13th ANISG Conference & Short Course held 

in Hamilton, Victoria from 8 to 11 April. 

David Midmore travelled to the Philippines to participate in the USAID SANREM project review 

from 20 to 27 May. 

Nanjappa Ashwath attended a Bio-fuel Conference & visited RIRDC in Canberra from 10 to 12 

June. 

Karuna Shrestha gave a poster presentation at the ISFAR and IFOAM Conference in Italy from 16 

to 20 June. 

David Midmore travelled to the Brisbane to visit UQ & the Gold Coast and attend as an invited 

speaker the National and Trans-Tasman Horticultural Science Conference from 19 to 24 July 

2009. 

Kerry Walsh was also an invited speaker, and Phul Subedi presented, and Surya Bhattarai, Ria 

Reyes, Karuna Shrestha, Manouchehr Torabi & Jay Dhungel attended the National and Trans- 

Tasman Horticultural Science Conference held at the Gold Coast from 20 to 23 July. 

Jay Dhungel travelled to the Gold Coast from 11 to 15 August and attended & presented at the 14th 

Australian Cotton Conference. 

Noel Sammon and Prof Rob Reed attended the 12th International Symposium on Microbial 

Ecology (ISM-12) held in Cairns from 16 to 23 August 2008. 

David Midmore attended the AAB Conference “Resource Capture by Crops” at Nottingham 

University, UK from 10 to 12 September and presented a paper. 

Ben Kele was an invited Keynote Speaker at the Onsite and Decentralised Sewage Conference – 

Coming Clean: Sustainable Backyards and Beyond, in Benalla, Victoria from 12 to 15 October. 

Jay Dhungel travelled to Narrabri to attend the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC Annual 

Science Forum from 13 to 17 October 2008. 

Amanda Twomey attended and presented at the Bioenergy Conference held in Melbourne from 8 

to 9 November 

Dixie Nott attended and presented at the 33rd ESA Annual conference held in Sydney from 29 

November to 6 December. 

Meetings, Seminars, Workshops and Other Events Attended 

Kerry Walsh travelled to Sydney to attend meetings with Integrated Spectronics & HAL. 

N. Ashwath attend A-ACAP project planting at Townsville from 11 to 14 February. 

Surya Bhattarai travelled to AVRDC, Taiwan and presented a paper on “Genetics, physiological 

and molecular approaches to improve heat and drought tolerance in tomatoes”, from 23 to 29 

February. 

Keith Harrower & Rebecca Jolley travelled to Launceston, Tasmania from 24 to 27 February 2009 

to attend several meeting at various farms and wasabi meetings. 

David Midmore, Laurie Tait & Brock McDonald travelled to Brisbane from 24 to 27 February and 

visited Riverdell, Vermicrobe & Green Roof Australia for hydroponics discussions. 

Ben Kele was resource person for South Australian Environmental Training Day at Mission Beach, 

4 April. 

Jay Dhungel, Laurie Tait & Manouchehr Torabi travelled to Brisbane from 13 to 16 April to attend 

Instrumentation Training at QUT. 

Karuna Shrestha travelled to Moura from 10 to 11 April to attend an on-farm Compost Tea 

Workshop at Shingle Hut. 

10


Karuna Shrestha travelled to Brisbane from 14 to 15 April to attend an Endeavour Award Function. 

Surya Bhattarai, Jay Dhungel, Manouchehr Torabi & Laurie Tait travelled to QUT, Brisbane from 

13 to 16 April 2008 for instrumentation training and Surya then travelled to Kathmandu, Nepal 

& Hyderabad, India to visit and attend discussions at- the International Centre for Integrated 

Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal for potential collaboration for small 

scale drip irrigation and oxygation; International Development Enterprises (IDE)-Nepal; the 

Nepal Smallholder Irrigation Market Initiatives (SIMI) Kathmandu, Nepal for potential 

collaboration for small scale drip irrigation and oxygation; and the International Crop Research 

Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) for discussion and developing the methods for 

drought screening. 

Kerry Walsh travelled to Melbourne from 21 to 25 April for X-ray fruit assessment discussions 

with Industry Partners. 

Kerry Walsh attended discussion on X-ray fruit assessment held in Sydney from 14 to 16 May. 

Brock McDonald visited Vermicrobe International Pty Ltd, Northern NSW and Boxsell, Brisbane 

and for hydroponics discussion and collection of vermiculture units, from 21 to 27 May and 20 

to 23 June. 

Keith Harrower & Noel Sammon attended SEM training held in Gladstone on 17 July. 

Nanjappa Ashwath travelled to Kaniva, Victoria for bio-diesel discussions with Steve Hobbs of BE 

Bioenergy from 24 to 29 July. 

Kerry Walsh and Phul Subedi travelled to Sydney 20 to 22 August for new generation NIR work. 

Brett Roe attended & presented at 'Innovation in a Global Market' 2008 Brisbane Skretting 

Australasian Aquaculture Conference held in Brisbane from 3 to 7 August. 

David Midmore gave a presentation to the U3A on vermiculture and hydroponics on 4 August. 

Brett Roe attended a meeting re: aquaponics course development in Brisbane from 27 August to 1 

September. 

Lance Pendergast attended a Land & Water Australia (LWA) meeting held in Canberra from 1 to 4 

September. 

Surya Bhattarai and Jay Dhungel travelled to Canberra to attend a LWA Meeting and visited the 

University of Melbourne for data collection, from 1 to 7 September. 

Thakur Bhattarai attended a symposium and meeting on Challenges and Opportunities to 

Agriculture in a Changing Carbon Economy held in Brisbane from 3 to 4 September. 

David Midmore attended the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting at Imperial College, 

London from 3 to 5 September. 

Phul Subedi travelled to Katherine/Darwin to conduct NIR training for Calypso Growers from 6 to 

22 September. 

Kerry Walsh visited various farms re: use of paunch and meetings with stakeholders in the Biloela 

area on 12 September. 

Surya Bhattarai & Manouchehr Torabi visited ANSTO, Sydney from 15 to 19 September, funded 

by AINSE, to collect data on air bubble size distribution. 

Nanjappa Ashwath attended a Climate Change Adaptation Workshop held in Sydney & visited 

landfill sites at Pomona & Nudgee, near Brisbane from 1 to 4 October. 

Kerry Walsh & Brock McDonald attended a Grazing Best Practice Course held in Calliope from 9 

to 11 October. 

David Midmore gave a presentation to the Rockhampton Probus group on stevia research, on 16 

October. 

David Midmore & Surya Bhattarai travelled to Bundaberg from 11 to 12 November to meet with 

John Hall CropTech, and attended meetings with DPI and a Bundaberg Campus meeting for 

signing of a CQUni/QDPIF agreement. 

David Midmore & Surya Bhattarai travelled to Stanthorpe to meet with Fred Boronio for NPSI 

Project discussions from 18 to 19 November. 

11


C2 

Industry Collaboration 

Collaborative links between Centre staff and Color Vision Systems P/L & Integrated Spectronics P/L 

continued to strengthen as commercialisation of the NIRS technology proceeds. Fruitful interaction 

with the supply chain group, One Harvest, through the Calypso mango project, was underpinned by 

the deployment of Dr Subedi across most production regions during the mango harvest season. Links 

with Boxsell and Vermicrobe resulted in generous donation of equipment to support our on-campus 

RIRDC project on rooftop farming. Cooperation with Midell Developments Pty and Powerlink 

allowed for productive support of PhD programmes, as did the link with Sanitarium, Netafim and 

Seair (Canada). 

C3 

Research Training 

The Centre continued to foster postgraduate training, with one PhD awarded, and one MSc and two 

PhD theses submitted and 19 candidacies current. 

Table 7. Degrees Awarded, Theses Submitted & Current Students 

Degrees Awarded in 2008 

Name Degree Supervisor(s) Thesis Title 

Hoffmann, M. MSc Walsh Application of tree and stand allometrics to the 

determination of biomass and its flux in some 

north-east Australian woodlands : tree and stand 

allometrics 

Sharma, A PhD Ashwath 

Midmore 

Agroforesty systems for municipal effluent 

disposal 

Subedi, P. PhD Walsh 

Midmore 

Using near infrared spectroscopy to assess fruit 

eating quality 

Thesis Submitted in 2008 


Makiela, S. PhD Harrower 

Midmore 

Buffel grass dieback in Central Queensland 

Qureshi, S PhD Midmore 

Newby 

Sequiera 

Tait, L. MSc Walsh 

Burrows 

Pest management in small-scale tropical 

vegetable systems with particular reference to 

whitefly, Bermesia Fabaci, Biotype B control in 

cucurbits 

Stand structure and population dynamics of 

woodland communities in north-eastern 

Australia based on an established network of 

permanently position vegetation transects 

Current Students 


Bhattarai, T PhD Midmore 

Lockie 

Assessment of sustainability of community 

forestry in Nepal 

Churilova, E. MSc Midmore 

Roe 

Dhungel, J. PhD Midmore 

Bhattarai 

Walsh 

Gautam, R. PhD Ashwath 

Midmore 

Hathurusingha, S. PhD Ashwath 

Midmore 

Effect of vermicast (vermiculture effluent) on 

the yield and uptake of nutrients in 

hydroponically grown plants for commercially 

adopted NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) 

systems 

Innovative aeration of irrigation water 

Native ground cover species for revegetation 

under high voltage powerlines in Queensland 

Biodiesel potential of Beauty leaf tree 

(Calophyllum inophyllum). 

12


Howkins, T. PhD Midmore 

Ng 

Phytoremediation of arsenic contaminated site 

using arsenic hyperaccumulating plants 

Kele, B. PhD Midmore 

Miles 

Extension of the use of the KEWT system, 

including filtration 

Nott, D. PhD Walsh Eucalypt woodland stand structure: effect of 

management practices 

Pendergast, L. PhD Midmore 

Walsh 

Plant salinity tolerance mechanisms and the 

effects of sub-surface aeration on growth, water 

use efficiencies and salinity tolerance 

Reyes, R. PhD Walsh 

Midmore 

Autoecological role of steviol glycosides in 

Stevia rebandiana 

Sammon, N PhD Harrower A study of microfungi in Rockhampton 

reticulated water 

Shrestha, K. PhD Midmore 

Walsh 

Harrower 

Compost teas: their biology and activity 

Syeda, S. PhD Midmore 

Vicente-Beckett 

Torabi, M. PhD Midmore 

Walsh 

Bhattarai 

Venkatraman, K. PhD Ashwath 

Su 

C4 

Centre Interaction 

A study of the Dee River system, to explore the 

utilisation of fish parasites as bio-indicators of 

freshwater pollution, and an evaluation of the 

abilities of plants in the phytoremediation of 

heavy metals 

Aspects of oxygation 

Phytoremediation of landfill sites 

CPWS fosters links with other CQU researchers. In 2008 this involved much ground work, with in 

particular the CEM and CRE, for the creation of a new CQUniversity Flagship, the Institute for 

Research Industries and Sustainability (IRIS). This Institute acts as the umbrella for Research Centre 

activities under the broad remit of its title. Further information on IRIS is to be found at: 

http://iris.cqu.edu.au. Links including the supervision of a physics PhD student (C. Hayes), an 

engineering (CRE) Masters student, and a PhD student (D. Nott) with CEM staff. Indeed CEM & 

CPWS continue to function collaboratively across a range of resources (e.g. CEM usage of CPWSsupported 

vehicles, technicians, and equipment). Support has also been given to the Centre for 

Railway Engineering (CRE - Railway Embankment project). CPWS also contributes to the functions 

of the ISRD. Beyond CQUniversity CPWS interacts with other Australian universities via the ARC 

Phytocap project and the Rail CRC. 

13


Section D 

D1 

A Summary of Income 

FINANCIAL SUMMARY 

The Centre was supported by approx. $1.18 million in total funding during 2008, of which one third 

was provided as a CQU Budget allocation to the Centre (Table 8). Of this amount, core CQU research 

block funding was $93,844. Thus an 12.6:1 funding leverage was achieved on CQU funds. 

Table 8. Funding to CPWS in 2008 

Course Fees, Consultancy 

and Equipment 

Hire/Assets 

Amount % Research 

Misc Consultancies & Fees $15,405 Services, Admin Support, etc 

Sales $36 Publications 

SUB TOTAL $15,441 1.3% 

Project 

Leader 

University 

Research Budget Allocation $179,535 IGS funding Midmore 

Research Budget Allocation $93,844 CQU funding Midmore 

RAAS Award – Midmore $57,984 Post-doctoral fellowship - Bhattarai Midmore 

RDI Research Grant - $27,313 RDI(M)08-15 Provenance variations in 

growth and seed oil content of 

Calophyllum Inophyullum (Merit Grant) 

Research Support Grant $8,667 Research Support Grant - KB, SH, BK, 

RR, MT 

RTS Funds $82,376 

*$25,000 

2008 Student Allocation 

2007 Student Allocation received in 2008 

SUB TOTAL $449,719 38% (*Not included in 2008 figures) 

National Competitive Funding 

Ashwath 

Midmore 

Midmore 

Horticulture Australia Ltd 

(HAL) 

$123,490 Non-invasive technologies for the 

assessment of fruit internal quality 

RIRDC $135,100 Green roof-tops and self sufficient food 

production 

RIRDC $5,000 Opportunities for high protein fruit 

production with low quantities of water 

RIRDC $40,000 Evaluation bio-diesel potential of 

Australian native plants 

Cotton Catchment 

Communities (CRC) 

Horticulture Australia Ltd 

(HAL) 

Cotton Catchment 

Communities (CRC) 

Qld Dept of Premier and 

Cabinet 

$2,497 S’ship M Torabi: Studies on multigation 

under controlled conditions 

$7,600 Aeration of irrigation water for 

improvements in pineapple crop health 

and yield 

$2,412 S’ship J Dhungel: Field aspects of 

multigation – fertigation and oxygation 

$5,000 Smart State Grant - Evapotranspiration 

ET/Phytocap 

Powerlink $135,000 Selection of native ground cover species 

for revegetation under high voltage 

power lines (HVPL) 

River Basin Management 

Society 

$6,879 A study of microfungi in Rockhampton 

reticulated water 

Walsh 

Midmore 

Midmore 

Ashwath 

Midmore 

Midmore 

Midmore 

Ashwath 

Ashwath 

Harrower 

14


DPI/Horticulture Australia 

Ltd 

$9,000 Management of internal dryness of 

imperial mandarin 

NSW DPI $3,334 Nutrient management of Asian 

vegetables 

CRC Rail $1,142 Project #86 native vegetation on clay 

soil sites in central Queensland 

Land and Water Australia - 

NPSI 

SUB TOTAL $536,454 45.2% 

$60,000 Optimising delivery and benefits of 

aerated irrigation water 

Walsh 

Midmore 

Ashwath 

Midmore 

National Non Competitive Funding 

Midell Developments Pty Ltd $17,983 Sunrise at 1770 Kele 

Powerlink $3,500 Literature review Ashwath 

Rockhampton Regional 

Council 

$24,225 Greenwaste feasibility study Ashwath 

Oram’s Nursery $1,818 Development of tissue culture 

technology for the micropropagation of 

the vulnerable plant species Euodia sp. 

Ergon Energy $23,515 Slope stabilisation under high voltage 

power lines using native plants 

DPI & Fisheries $3,950 Development of best practice pre- and 

post-harvest protocols for production of 

B74 mango 

SUB TOTAL $74,991 6.3% 

International Non Competitive Funding 

Howkins 

Ashwath 

Walsh 

North Carolina A&T 

University/USAID 

$13,088 Agroforestry and sustainable vegetable 

production in SEA watersheds 

Midmore 

The World Vegetable Centre 

(AVRDC) 

SUB TOTAL $32,109 2.7% 

$19,021 Screening of tomato germplasm for 

drought tolerance and high lycopene 

content 

Bhattarai 

Infrastructure 

RIBG $76,402 6.5% Infrastructure Midmore 

TOTAL INCOME $1,185,116 

Institutional Grants Scheme (IGS) (and associated University contribution) and RIBG are awarded 

on a calculation based on activity level (principally NCG income) of the previous two years. RIBG is 

awarded solely on NCG grant activity. 

Total income was similar to 2007, and down on the previous four years, due largely to decreases in 

National Competitive Grants (completion of several large HAL grants and an ACIAR project) (Table 

9, Figure 1). Our RIBG allocation as a % of that gained by CQU was down from 78% in 2005, to 

55% in 2006 up to 72% in 2007, and then down to 28% in 2008. 

15


Table 9. Income per annum since 1994. Multiplier effect calculated as total income/CQU 

research block funds. 

Year 

Non- 

Comp. 

% 

Nat 

Comp 

% 

CQU 

% 

Consult 

% 

Infrast 

% 

Multiplier 

effect 

Total 

income 

$ 

1994 31 31 38 - 159,600 

1995 34 39 27 - 148,600 

1996 8 32 58 1 270,000 

1997 30 36 29 4 629,500 

1998 34 44 17 5 1,003,014 

1999 22 42 31 5 913,709 

2000 23 28 25 4 20 1,097,931 

2001 15 50 29 7 5 1,243,917 

2002 4 64 23 2 8 1,574,215 

2003 5 60 23 4 8 1,677,526 

2004 11 35 31 3 20 12.7 1,278,102 

2005 9 54 21 0.4 16 23.8 1,844,533 

2006 16 35 36 0.1 13 12.3 1,053,370 

2007 22 32 28 0.7 15 15.2 1,110,411 

2008 6 45 38 1.3 6 12.6 1,185,116 

Figure 1. Income per annum since 1994 

Figure 2. Multiplier effect on university contribution since 2004 

16


Centre associated staff/students secured $35,980 from the University research related schemes 

(ISRD grants, research support associated with UPRA and APRA scholarships), and the RAAS Post- 

Doctoral Fellowship for Dr Surya Bhattarai was funded through the Office of Research. This was 

further supplemented by funds from LWA’s NPSI support, to extend the duration until mid-2011. 

Research Training Scheme and overseas postgraduate fee support is allocated to Faculties, with 

$82,376 devolved from the Faculty to the Centre to support postgraduate activities (with reporting on 

expenditure provided to the Faculty). 

17


D2 

A Summary of Expenditure 

IGS & CQU research funding was allocated by the CPWS Planning & Development Committee to 

postgraduate linked research projects, consumables and maintenance by research program, 

administrative, technical and research salaries and scholarships (Table 10). 

Table 10. Disbursement of IGS and associated CQU funding (Centre allocation) 

2008 

Revenue 

($) 

Balance Brought forward in 2008 766 

2008 UC Funds 93,844 

2008 IGS Funds 179,536 

Funding from AH9297 & Misc Fund Codes 86,589 

2008 

Expenditure 

($) 

Expenditure 

Administration/Technician/Research Worker Support/Fees & 

Misc Costs 85,813 

Conservation and Rehabilitation Travel Support/Discretionary 5,000 

Agronomy and Crop Physiology Travel Support/Discretionary 6,000 

Product Quality and Plant Physiology Travel 

Support/Discretionary 4,000 

Postdoctoral Research Officer Support 6,000 

Laboratory (Eco Physiology, Molecular, NIR, Tissue Culture) 

Supplies and Operations/Growth Cabinet Maintenance/Software 30,000 

Student Support - Scholarships 9,420 

Plant Growth Facilities/Equipment 18,190 

Tfr to address deficit – RIGB & RI AH8297 87,960 

Office of Research Clawback 100,000 

Carry forward balance for activities in 2009 8,352 

Total 360,735 360,735 

Of IGS and associated CQU funds, approximately 24% was spent on salary, and the remainder on 

travel, equipment and staff and off-campus activities (Table 10). 

18


The Centre’s RIBG allocation was used towards the purchase of new equipment and the maintenance 

of old, and in support of technical staff who maintain the infrastructure base (Table 11). Of RIBG 

funds, 39% was allocated to salary, 16% to equipment and consumables, and 45% for 2008/09 

Compound upgrade. 

Table 11. Distribution of Research Infrastructure Block Grant (RIBG) in 2008 

2008 

Revenue 

($) 

2008 

Expenditure 

($) 

Balance Brought forward to 2008 -69,854 

Research Budget Allocation 2008 76,402 

RIBG Funding 69,894 

Funds from AH7899 and Misc Fund Codes 73,309 

Expenditure 

Administrative Support 62,477 

Office Equipment – Desktop Computer 1,114 

CPWS Compound Upgrade/Architect Fees/Building 205 83,017 

GenStat Floating Licence & PC Support/Maintenance 586 

Equipment – Mazzei Air Injectors 707 

Equipment – Anaerobic Chamber 1,850 

Total 149,751 149,751 

19


Draft budget for 2009 

For the coming year, the IGS – CQU allocation is $207,000, 75.7% of that in 2008. The draft budget 

(Table 12) accommodates this. Funding for the staff discretionary scheme is expanded to reflect the 

training requirements of the increased number of research staff in the Centre. We anticipate a further 

reduction in funds for 2010, hence we plan a sizeable carry forward amount. 

Table 12. Draft Budget for 2009 IGS – University contribution 

ITEM 

AMOUNT 

($) 

Administrative Assistance 88,000 

Administrative Supplies 6,000 

Plant Growth Facility 10,000 

Plant Production laboratory 

- ecophysiology 5,000 

- molecular 4,000 

- postharvest 4,000 

- tissue culture 4,000 

Agronomy and Crop Physiology Travel Support/Discretionary 6,000 

Product Quality and Plant Physiology Travel Support/Discretionary 4,000 

Conservation and Rehabilitation Travel Support/Discretionary 5,000 

Discretionary - Post-docs (x 2) 6,000 

Project specific support 

Student Support/Scholarships 25,000 

Software renewal (e.g. Matlab, SPSS, GenStat) 5,000 

Growth chamber service 5,000 

Equipment servicing 5,000 

Glasshouse/Compound/Building upgrades 15,000 

Vehicle 10,000 

TOTAL 207,000 

For the coming 2009 year, the RIBG allocation to the Centre is $28,407. This is a 37% decrease of 

the RIBG of 2008, due to our poorer performance in gaining competitive funding compared to the 

rest of the university research centres. The draft budget is presented below (Table 13). 

Table 13. Draft Budget for 2009 RIBG 

ITEM 

AMOUNT 

($) 

Administrative Assistance 5,000 

CPWS Research Worker 23,407 

TOTAL 28,407 

20


Section E 

ISSUES AND COMMENTS 

Reported income and outputs (graduations, publications) have levelled off somewhat in 2008 

although staffing levels remained essentially the same as in 2007. The Centre was active in preparing 

proposals but fewer were funded (more are expected for 2009); hence revenue will continue to 

decline, although other academic outputs remain high. Continued focus of CQU staff and resources 

into the emerging new flagships and to change within the university further diluted the 

competitiveness of the CPWS. Funding support for productive and non-project-constrained postdocs 

allows for development and expansion of new activities, catalysing further research income and 

outputs. This has resulted in increases in both internal and external funding for 2009. 

We believe that 2007 and 2008 have been years of great flux within the Faculty (and University), 

and together with the Flagship process these have significantly added to staff workloads, to the 

detriment of intellectual input into research. Appointment of Prof Walsh as Associate Dean for the 

College of Sciences reduced his time available for Centre activities. 

The slow processing of upgrades in infrastructure (e.g. the replacement of Building 205 that includes 

realignment of sewage, power and communications, a concrete base and erection of a replacement 

building, and erection of an expanded screenhouse facility) and the handing back of funding to the 

Office of Research, has reduced the efficiency and scope of research, with the 2009 outlook also 

rather bleak. We believe though we will do better in 2009! 

21


Section F FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2007 - 2011 

The Strategic Plan was prepared by Professor David Midmore in consultation with Centre Members 

in March 2007. 

The Centre’s strategic plans for (2002-2007) and (2007-2011) may be found at: 

http://cpws.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.dopage=526. 

22


Section G PAST STUDENTS AND RESEARCH-ONLY 

STAFF CONTRIBUTIONS TO CENTRE FOR PLANT & 

WATER SCIENCE 

(Employment on completion listed in brackets) 

PhD 

Subedi, P. (2003-2007). Using near infrared spectroscopy to assess fruit eating quality. (Post Doc 

CQU) 

Bhatia, P. (2002-2006). Regeneration, micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis in tomato. 

(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) (Japan Science Fellowship; Commonwealth Government, 

Canberra) 

Bhattarai, S. (2002-2006). The physiology of water use efficiency of crops subjected to subsurface 

drip irrigation, oxygation and salinity in a heavy clay soil. (Post Doc CQU) 

Long, R. (2000-2006). Improving fruit soluble solids content in melon (Cucumis melo L.) 

(reticulatus group) in the Australian production system. (CSIRO Researcher) 

Yates, E. (2000-2006). Revegetation of disturbed mangrove habitats in Central Queensland. 

(DOTARS Fellowship) 

Kuskopf, B. (1998-2006). Nitrogen fixation under conditions of water stress by ley legumes. 

(BFMEU Environmental Advisor, Ballarat) 

Guthrie, J. p/t (1997-2006). Robustness of NIR calibrations for assessing fruit quality. (DPIF Senior 

Experimentalist) 

Sangha, K. (2000-2005). Ecological services of trees in grazing systems. (Post Doc, JCU) 

Roe, B. (2000-2005). Ecologically engineered primary production in central Queensland, Australia – 

integrated fish and crayfish culture, constructed wetlands, flora hydroponics, and industrial 

wastewater. (Project Officer, Gosford City Council) 

Bhatia, N. (2001-2005). Ecophysiology of nickel hyperaccumulation in Stackhousia tryonii. 

(Australian Cyclotron Fellow, based at ANSTO, Sydney; then Office of Gene Technology 

Regulator, Canberra) 

Yang, XJ. (2000-2003). Manipulating and modelling source-sink relationships of crop plants. Central 

Queensland University. (Post Doc, CQU; then Post Doc UQ) 

Ockerby, S. (1998-2002). Leaves shed light on flowering (vegetative growth and control of floral 

induction in Sorghum bicolor). (Post Doc, CQU; then private research business) 

Zhu, G. (1998-2002). Optimising wheat production through management in the semi-arid tropics of 

central Queensland. (Post Doc, CQU; Post Doc, University of Melbourne) 

Lynch, T. (1997-2002). Intelligent support systems in agriculture: a study of their adoption and use. 

(CQU Lecturer) 

Cunningham, D. (1997-2000). Autecology of Cassia brewsterii. (Bureau of Rural Science, Canberra 

and UNEP, Washington) 

Greensill, C. (1997-2000) Non-invasive assessment of fruit quality by NIRS for fruit grading in an 

in-line setting. (CQU Lecturer, Rockhampton) 

Nissen, T.M. (1994-1998). Intercropping trees and vegetables - impact on soil quality and income. 

University of Georgia. (Post Doc University of Illinois; State Dept, US Govt.) 

Poudel, D.D. (1994-1998). Soil development and productivity, and erosion management of steepland 

volcanic-ash derived soils for sustainable vegetable production in Mindanao, the Philippines. 

University of Georgia. (Post Doc UC Davis, California; Professor, University of Louisiana) 

Kleinhenz, V. (1994-1997). Technologies for sustaining vegetable production in the tropical 

lowlands. Technical University of Munich. (Research Officer, Plant Sciences Group; World 

Vegetable Centre; Kasetsart University (Thailand), Jenaan Investment Co, Egypt) 

Michel, V. (1993-1997). The effect of cultural control methods on tomato bacterial wilt caused by 

Psendomonas solanacearum (E.F.Smith) in Southeast Asia. Swiss Federal Institute of 

Technology. (Swiss Agricultural Service) 

Thoennissen, C. (1993-1996). Nitrogen fertilizer substitution for tomato by legume green manures in 

tropical vegetable production systems. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. (SDC Project 

Officer) 

Brown, S. (1992-1996). Pathways of solute and gas movement within legume nodules. (Post Doc, 

UQ). 

23


Masters 

Fesuk, Mr Samuel (2003-2007). Germination and storage of selected Australian tropical native 

grasses in relation to their ecology and use in land rehabilitation. (High School teacher, 

Rockhampton) 

Hoffmann, Ms Madonna (2003-2007). Application of tree and stand allometrics to the determination 

of biomass and its flux in some north-east Australian woodlands. (Experimental Officer, Primary 

Industries & Fisheries 

Kele, B. (2000-2006). On-site waste-water treatment and reuse using recirculatory 

evapotranspiration channels in regional Queensland. (PhD programme, CQU) 

Pichot, A. (2005). Poly-culture of Lates calcarifer and Cheras quadricarinatus with constructed wetlands. 

l’I.S.A.R.A-LYON (Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture de Rhône-Alpes) 

Duff, A. (1999-2005). Growth and development of onion in a subtropical environment. (DPIF Senior 

Experimental Officer) 

Sparkes, E. (1998-2003). Development of herbicide control options for Prosopis velutina as part of 

an integrated control strategy. (DNRM Senior Experimentalist) 

Radloff, B. (1994-2003). Rehabilitation of a coal tailings dam at BHP Saraji mine. (Hunter Valley 

coal mine Environmental Officer) 

Weeden, B. (1998-2002). The commercial potential of sugar beet production (Beta vulgaris) for 

sugar production in the Mareeba-Dimbulah irrigation area of north Queensland. (DPIF Senior 

Expermentalist, Mareeba, Qld, Tender Manager, University of Wollongong) 

Smith, N. (1997-2002). Aspects off seed germination and early growth in rainforest cabinet timber 

species. (Environmental Consultant; DPI Project Officer) 

Huber, S. (2000). New uses for drip irrigation. Technical University of Munich. (PhD programme) 

Li, M. (1997-1998). Genetic diversity, physiology and production of Chinese water chestnut 

(Eleocharis dulcis [Burm.f.] Trin. ex Henschel). (Laboratory technician, Canada) 

Johnson, S. (1994-1997). Nitrogen fixation by ley legume pastures in CQ. (PhD UNE, NSW DPI) 

Guthrie, J. (1993-1996). Development of a noninvasive, objective test to measure the eating quality 

of mango and pineapple fruits. (PhD CQU, DPI Rockhampton) 

Scott, C. (1988-1996). On the use of paclobutrazol and cultar to control growth and flowering of 

pineapple. (Agronomist, Golden Circle Cannery) 

King, B. (1993-1995). Molecular techniques for the characterisation of citrus ploidy level. 

(supervisory assistance to primary supervisor, S. Lee, DPI, Bundaberg). (PhD, USA) 

List, S. (1992-1995). Oil production from the tea-tree, Melaleuca alternifolia: functional anatomy of 

the oil gland and development of a micro-propagation system. (Qld Museum, Brisbane) 

Chan, E. (1992-1994). Breeding for increased dinitrogen fixation in pea and soybean. (Project 

Advisor, AusAid Farming System Project, W. Samoa) 

Grey, J. (p/t 1992-1994). Tree clearing practices in Central Queensland. (Completed under Prof. G. 

Lawrence, HSS) 

Hoy, N.T. (1989-1992). Revegetation of a severely salt affected site at Barmoya, CQ. 

(Environmental Officer, Dept. of Minerals and Energy, Rockhampton) 

Mills, C. (1988-1990). A role for oxalates in Pisonia grandis, a tree of coral cays. (co-supervision 

with Dr. G. Pegg) Second MAppSc to graduate from CQU. (PhD, Research Officer, Griffith U) 

Thwaites, D. (1989). Tissue culture of Melaleuca alternifolia. Masters qual. (Forensics, Federal 

Police). (the first cohort of ‘postgraduate’ students at CQU – before establishment of the PhD 

program) 

24


UNDERGRADUATE HONOURS 

(employment on completion listed in brackets) 

Hanggi, S. (2005). Physiological responses of Chinese Brake Fern, Pteris vittata L. grown in 

agronomic treatments at an arsenic contaminated site. Honours (DNR&W Project Officer; 

Capricornia Conservation Commission) 

Pendergast, L. (2003). Effects of enhanced root zone aeration on growth, yield and water use of 

tomato and vegetable soybean subjected to soil salinity. 2B Honours (PhD CQU; DPI Emerald) 

Holland, J. (2002). Nutrient budget on an agriculture-hydroponic system. 1st Honours (International 

fishery company, NZ) 

Nelson, M. (2001). Studies on the genetic variation of taro (Colocasia esculentum var. antiquorum). 

2A Honours (PhD UQ) 

Thomas, P. (1998). Assessment of floristic change using a stable isotope methodology. 2A Honours 

(PhD CQU) 

Harrison, D. (1996). N2 fixation in sugar cane 1st Honours. (PhD UQ; Lecturer, UQ Brisbane) 

MacDonald, M. (1996). Agronomy of Vetiveria zizanioides 2A Honours (PhD UWA) 

Catesby, A. (1994). Papaya dieback : an insect transmitted disorder 2A Honours (PhD UQ; DPI, 

Qld) 

Sky, R. (1994). Sucrose unloading in the sugar cane stalk. (First 1st Honours awarded in Biology for 

a project based on CQU campus, c.f. CSIRO) (PhD UQ) 

Brown, S. (1991). Functional vascular anatomy of legume nodules. 2A Honours (PhD CQU; UQ, 

Brisbane) 

POSTDOCTORAL STAFF/RESEARCH OFFICERS 

Dr Mihail Mukarev (2007). (University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria) 

Mr Andrew Rank (2001-200_). Stevia (ongoing) 

Dr Grant Zhu (2006-2008). Bamboo agronomy and stevia (CQU); Phytoremedation (University of 

Melbourne) 

Mr. Yuyue Yang (2006). Modeller-Hydrology, China 

Dr Ninghu Su (2005- 2006). Hydrology (Lecturer, JCU, Ground water hydrology) 

Dr Zongjian Yang (2005-2006). Plant development (UQ Post doc) 

Mr Christo Leibenberg (2003-2006). Physicist (Research Director, Silex Pty Ltd) 

Mr Dan White (2000-2006). Asian Vegetables and Bamboo agronomy (Main Roads Cadetship) 

Dr. Mirta Golic (1999-2006). Spectroscopist (Peanut Company of Australia) 

Dr Jill Windle (2005). Choice modeling (Senior Research Officer, CQU) 

Dr Steve Ockerby (2002-2003). Bamboo agronomy (Private industry research officer) 

Dr Colin Greensil (1998-2002). Electronics-physicist (Lecturer, School Physical Systems, CQU) 

Dr Jodie Guthrie (1997-2002). Molecular biologist (casual lecturer, CQU) 

Dr Volker Kleinhenz (1997-2001). Bamboo agronomy (AIT Bangkok) 

Dr David Gallacher (1998-2000). Asian vegetables (American University Dubai) 

Dr Corey Hogarth (1998-1999). Navy bean agronomy (SPS Seed Company) 

Ms Joanna Wann (1997). Revegetation of Nickel tailings 

Dr A.B.M Siddique (1996). Electron microscopist (Post Doc fellow in Japan, UWA) 

Dr Sharon Brown (1996). Plant physiology (Senior Research Officer, Dept. of Agriculture, UQ) 

Dr Patrick Whitty (1996). Molecular biology (Postdoctoral fellow, Dundee University, Scotland) 

Dr John Milne (1995-1996). Entomology (Associate Professor, Mahidol University, Thailand) 

Dr Philip Brown (1995-96) Plant physiology (lecturer University of Tasmania – now Professor) 

Dr Helen Wallace (1995). Entomology (Lecturer, Sunshine Coast University – now Assoc Professor) 

Dr Virginia Shepherd (1994-1995). Plant physiology (Postdoctoral fellow, University of Adelaide) 

25


INTERNATIONAL VISITORS/STUDENTS (> 2 months duration) 

Dr Xinming Chen, 2008/9, China 

Dr Sanjay Singh, 2008, India 

Dr Din Zahid, 2007/8, Pakistan 

Ms Delphine Lacombe, 2008, France 

Mr Loic Burtin, 2008, France 

Ms Blandine Geneste, 2008, France 

Mr Varinderjit Khattral, 2008, India 

Mr Tek Gotame, 2007, Nepal 

Ms Bianca Pischke, 2006, Germany 

Ms Clémence Salvaudon, 2006, France 

Mr Thomas Aubron, 2006, France 

Dr Mihail Mukarev, 2005, Bulgaria 

Prof Doug Rutledge, 2005, France 

Mr Manouchehr Torabi, 2005, Iran 

Ms Marthe Vivante, 2005, France 

Mr Yuyue Yang, 2005, China 

Mr Li Runshen, 2004, China 

Ms Aurelie Pichot, 2003, France 

26


Section H 

REPORTS 

COMPARISON OF PHYTOCAPPING WITH COMPACTED CLAY 

CAPPING 

SUMMARY 

Field trials were established at Townsville (Fig 1), Lismore, Melbourne, Adelaide and 

Perth, with the view to testing the effectiveness of phytocapping technique to minimise 

percolation of water into buried waste in various agroclimatic regions of Australia. All 

trials except the one at Lismore consist of both phytocap (soil cover and perennial 

vegetation) and clay cap (compacted clay and grasses). The comparative trials have been 

established in 10 m x 20 m plots, each with or without lining (HPDE). The trials are being 

monitored for runoff, drainage, soil moisture content and methane emission. 

Although it is too early to conclude, monitoring to date has shed some light on establishment 

techniques and monitoring procedures. For example, the experience suggests that the top soil 

used in phytocapping must be tested for weed seeds to prevent the weeds competing with the 

established species. Furthermore, weed control needs careful attention so as to prevent 

damage to trees. Many difficulties were encountered in logging the data and transmitting 

these to the base station in Melbourne. Various means of overcoming technical difficulties 

have been identified and the types of instruments that produce consistent results in the field 

(e.g. soil moisture sensors, tipping buckets, etc.) have been noted. The trials will be 

monitored for a further 24 months to delineate the effectiveness of phytocapping in 

minimising percolation of water into buried waste. 

Fig 1. Plant growth in the phytocapped trial at Townsville (upper) early establishment in 2008; 

and (lower) well established in 2009 

PROJECT STAFF Dr Sam Yuen (UMelb) A/P Nanjappa Ashwath (CQU) 

A/P Hossein Ghadiri (GUni) A/P Margaret Greenway (GUni) 

A/P Mark Jaksa (UAdel) Prof Peter Newman (Curtin U) 

Dr Gareth Swarbrick (UNSW) Dr Andy Fourie (UWA) 

Co-investigators: Dr Grant Zhu (UMelb), Ms Melissa Salt (UAdel), Mr Hooman Maneshi (GUni), 

Mr Jianlei Sun (UMelb) plus industry partners & consultants 

FUNDING ARC Linkage, WMAA ($3.1 m) 

INCOME $0 

27


THE MYCOLOGY OF THE ROCKHAMPTON TREATED WATER 

SUPPLY 

SUMMARY 

A qualitative and quantitative study of the mycobiological population of all parts of the 

water supply system was conducted over 18 months and has now been completed. This study 

involved the collection and analysis of water samples monthly from nine mains stand pipes, 

six storage reservoirs, and four sites within the Glenmore Treatment Plant. 

Eleven physico/chemical parameters were also collected each month using a YSI multiparameter 

water meter. Samples were processed by membrane filtration followed by plating 

of the filter membranes on culture medium and subsequent enumeration and identification of 

resulting microfungal colonies. Sixty three genera were identified. Treated water on exit 

from the treatment plant was effectively devoid of microfungal contaminants but microfungi 

were isolated from all other parts of the system. Those reservoirs which are secondarily 

chlorinated on a regular and automatic basis yielded the lowest microfungal counts. 

Multivariate statistical analysis will now be carried out to determine any relationships 

between the microfungal population and the physico/chemical data collected. 

The sources of microfungal contamination are currently being investigated. Possible sources 

of microfungal propagules include airborne ingress to the pulse-filled reservoirs, and 

sporulating fungal biofilm growing on the internal walls of reservoirs and pipes and in the 

sediments accumulated in reservoirs and pipe dead ends. Coupons of glass, PVC and 

concrete have been immersed in two reservoirs to study the formation of fungal biofilm. 

Examination of surface deposits by micro-filtration and culture, fluorescent staining, and 

microscopic examination using light, scanning electron, and fluorescent microscopy 

techniques are being used. Preliminary results indicate that there is no sporulating 

microfungal biofilm within the system or on the coupons. This work is continuing. 

The possibility that microfungal spores survive the treatment plant processes, but in a 

damaged state, and are subsequently capable of resuscitation is being investigated by 

subjecting chlorinated fungal cultures to antioxidants known to protect spores of some 

species. Preliminary results indicate that resuscitation does not occur. 

Future work will include an examination of the role of coagulation/flocculation and sand 

filtration at the treatment plant. Preliminary tests have shown that polyaluminium hydroxide 

flocs are very efficient at entrapping microorganisms. 

Fig. 1. Mains sampling standpipe Fig. 2. Fluorescent micrograph of floc Fig. 3. Coupons ready for immersion 

showing entrapped microrganisms 

PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Noel Sammon 

Co-Principal Investigator: A/Prof. K. Harrower 

Others: 

A/Prof. L. Fabbro & Prof. R. Reed 

FUNDING Fitzroy River Water & CQUniversity 

INCOME $8,879 

28


STUDIES ON WOODLANDS INVADED BY Allocasuarina littoralis 

SUMMARY 

Woodland thickening is a worldwide phenomenon which is caused in part by changed land 

management regimes. To assess the effectiveness of fire and chemicals as agents capable of 

restoring woodland structure, field experiments were designed aimed at thinning a dense 

midstory of Allocasuarina littoralis in a long unburnt woodland site. 

Experimental design and initial observations 

Un-invaded woodlands were characterised by a tree basal area of around 15 to 17 m 2 /ha. The 

Allocasuarina invaded sites possessed around 3000 stems of Allocasuarina per hectare, 

contributing an additional 10 m 2 /ha. However, the ground layers of these sites were 

composed of a similar species richness of native grasses and legumes as un-invaded 

woodland nearby, but with a much reduced biomass. It was therefore hypothesised that the 

ecosystem would have a seed bank of remnant species that would support restoration if the 

Allocasuarina could be successfully removed from the system. 

Four replicates of three treatments (fire, chemical and fire + chemical) and controls were 

placed in a random block design on the experimental site which has a total area of 8.6 

hectares. Fire experiments are notoriously difficult to conduct successfully and safely in the 

field and this experiment proved to be no different. 

Fig 1. The block on the left had a deep litter layer but low grass height and biomass resulting 

in no foliage scorch, compared to the block on the right with scorch heights to 6 meters. The 

latter block is adjacent to an open area which facilitated the growth of a large body of 

unpalatable native grass to 1 meter. 

PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators: 

Co-Principal Investigator: 

Others: 

FUNDING CQUniversity 

INCOME $0 

Dixie Nott, Prof Kerry Walsh 

Dr Alistair Melzer (CEM) 

Dr Bill Burrows 

29


COMPOST TEA AS A MICROBIAL ENHANCER IN CROP 

PRODUCTION 

SUMMARY 

Compost tea is a microbially enhanced extract after incubating compost in water with microbial 

food sources (Ingham, 2005) for which many claims have been made. This research sets and tests 

hypotheses in the context of these claims. The following hypotheses have been established as to the 

efficacy of compost tea in terms of: (a) ability to directly improve plant nutrition via the nutrient 

content of the compost tea; (b) ability to improve plant nutrition through an indirect action, via 

microbial action in mineralising or solubilising of organic and inorganic components of the soil; (c) 

ability to offer bio-protection against a fungal pathogen (e.g. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici); 

(d) ability to accelerate litter decomposition; and (e) ability to provide protection to root growth 

against high levels of aluminium (Al) ions, via chelation of Al ions by humic acids or uptake by 

microbes. 

Using the experimental pots containing a previously grown tomato root systems in two soil types, the 

effect of addition of non-sterilised and sterilised aerated compost tea (ACT) on growth of a sorghum 

crop was assessed (addressing hypotheses ‘a’ and ‘b’). There was no significant difference either 

between the two treatments or amongst the prior fertiliser treatments in the average weight of 

aboveground sorghum biomass, harvested 50 days after sowing (DAS) although a significant 

difference was observed between the two soil types. Statistical analysis also revealed an interaction 

between four prior (tomato crop) treatments (control, ACT, non-aerated compost tea or NCT and 

chemical) and soil types (P


count method, Biolog TM , FF microplate) and molecular (such as DNA extraction, DGGE, i.e., 

denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) techniques have been established to describe microbial 

density and diversity in differently treated compost teas or compost tea treated soil samples (from 

Baralaba, courtesy of Scott Stevens, DNRM). 

Figure1. DNR trial at Baralaba growing wheat crop 

with different treatments including compost teas 

Figure 2. Compost tea applied field at Clermont 

growing chickpea 

Figure 3. Paunch composting site showing different 

aged-compost piles 

Figure 4. Characterising compost teas 

(rumen compost tea, vermiliquor, vermiliquor tea 

and vermicasting tea) while brewing for 48 hours 

PROJECT STAFF 

FUNDING 

INCOME $6,611 

Principal Investigator: Karuna Shrestha 

Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. David J. Midmore 

Others: Prof. Kerry B. Walsh 

Assoc. Prof. Keith M. Harrower 

Assoc. Prof. Nanjappa Ashwath 

CQUniversity 

31


CHARACTERISATION AND ASSESSMENT OF DRYNESS (GELLING) 

DEFECT OF MANDARIN FRUIT 

SUMMARY 

This represents the third year of a three-year funded activity within a larger DPI led, HAL 

funded project “Management of Internal Dryness of Imperial Mandarin”. In previous work 

we have obtained inconsistent results using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique to 

detect the gelling disorder in Imperial mandarin. In the year 2007/ 08, we aimed to extend 

NIRS work for further confirmation of the inconclusive results obtained in the previous 

years. In this current year other non-invasive techniques (nuclear magnetic resonance, 

computed tomography – X ray; on-line transmission X ray, firmness measurements by 

accelerometer, acoustic frequency and acoustic velocity) were also explored. Some more 

work was also extended for the characterisation of the gelling disorder and a confirmative 

trial “effect of long term storage on gelling defect” was undertaken. 

In previous years we had indicated that an optical method could be used to used to 

differentiate mandarin fruit with a dryness (‘gelling’) defect if the fruit were in ‘breaking 

green stage’ (with defect fruit being less mature than normal fruit). In the current year of 

activity, we were unable to validate this result. We had also reported no difference between 

interactance and transmittance optical geometries. Given that dryness-defect-affected-tissue 

appears white (i.e. is highly light scattering), it is reasonable to postulate that a transmission 

geometry should be advantageous. However, this was not demonstrated in a repeat 

experiment (interactance vs transmission geometries), nor in a laser scattering trial, with 

intact fruit. These results are attributed to the influence of the skin and flavedo. 

Other non-invasive techniques (nuclear magnetic resonance, computed tomography – X ray; 

on-line transmission X ray, firmness measurements by accelerometer, acoustic frequency 

and acoustic velocity) were also used unsuccessfully used to differentiate defect from 

normal fruit. These results were attributed to the lack of chemical differences, density 

difference and the interference of the skin, respectively. 

Given an indication in 06/07 that the severity of the defect increased in fruit in long term 

storage, a 14 week storage trial was established in 07/08 to investigate this possibility. The 

results did not support the hypothesis that defect severity increased during storage. Except in 

severely affected fruit, affected fruit were not different in water content relative to control 

fruit. Defect level was very poorly correlated to other measured fruit attributes (juice ºBrix, 

peel weight). 

In our previous report, we provided preliminary results that in mature affected fruit, juice 

sacs were characterised by the presence of numerous small cells, located to the outside of the 

juice sac. It was postulated that this defect is established early in fruit growth as juice sac 

cell division presumably ends early in fruit development. This observation was confirmed 

using resin embedded sections examined using light and transmission electron microscopy, 

and cryoplaned frozen specimens, examined using scanning electron microscopy. Further, in 

severely affected tissue, cell wall thickness was increased. 

A B C 

32


D E F 

Figure 1. Light microscopy of toluidine blue stained sections of resin embedded juice sacs, 

for (A, B) control fruit; (C, D), fruit with moderately severe symptoms of dryness defect, 

and (E, F) severely affected fruit. The number of cell layers in the hypodermal tissue 

increased in drynness affected fruit. However, there was no apparent difference in cell wall 

thickness. 

PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Dr Phul Subedi 

Co-Principal Investigator: Professor Kerry Walsh 

FUNDING HAL Australia 

INCOME $123,490 

33


AUTOECOLOGICAL ROLE OF STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES IN Stevia 

rebaudiana 

SUMMARY 

The physiological role of steviol glycosides (SG) in S. rebaudiana was explored by 

monitoring change in SG content in response to environmental conditions. Roles explored 

are carbohydrate reserve and osmoregulator. SG leaf content was determined through 

HPLC analysis of leaf extracts. Future investigation will test SG as an insect-deterrent 

compound. Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy will also be explored for non-invasive analysis 

of SG in stevia leaves. 

SG as an energy reserve 

Changes in SG leaf in response to relative to light and CO 2 were monitored to test the 

hypothesis that SGs function as an energy store in S. rebaudiana. Thirty plants were evenly 

distributed to different photosynthetic conditions (control 14 h light/10 h dark cycle, 

constant light, or constant dark). Two sets of five plants were maintained at either 500 or 

1400 ppm CO 2 under a 14 h light/10 h dark cycle. Plants in both experiments were initially 

acclimatized in a single growth cabinet at 25 o C and 65% relative humidity for one week 

prior to treatment. Starch leaf content was observed to increase with increasing light 

exposure whereas SG leaf content remained constant. The same behaviour was observed in 

the CO 2 experiment wherein plants at 1400 ppm CO 2 had an overall (5%) increase in starch 

leaf content over 4 days while SG content remained constant. Results from both experiments 

indicate that SG is not used as an energy store. 

Control 

Light 

Dark 

[Left Figure.] Starch leaf content of control, constant light and constant dark group in the light experiment 

[Right Figure.] % leaf DW of stevioside and rebaudioside A of control, constant light and constant dark group in the 

light experiment 

SG as an osmoregulator 

Changes in SG leaf content were monitored under water stress conditions to test the 

hypothesis that SGs can function as osmoregulatory compounds. Fifteen plants were evenly 

distributed into three groups with the control group receiving 500 mL of water daily, the 

mild water stress group receiving 150 mL of water daily and the severe water stress group 

remaining unwatered until the end of the treatment period. Leaf osmotic potential was found 

to increase with increasing water stress whereas SG leaf content remained constant 

indicating that SG is not used as a leaf osmoregulator in S. rebaudiana. 

PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: 


Ria Reyes / Kerry Walsh 

David Midmore 

FUNDING International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) 

INCOME $2,000 

34


PROVENANCE VARIATIONS IN Calophyllum inophyllum L. WITH 

SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SEED OIL AND SEED OIL METHYL 

ESTER (BIODIESEL) 

SUMMARY 

Calophyllum inophyllum (commonly known as beauty leaf) is a native tree that occurs along 

the coast lines of Northern Australia. It has been identified as a viable feed stock for 

biodiesel due to its favourable characters. It fruits profusely with 4000-10000 fruits per tree 

and the kernel contains 60% non-edible oil. 

As a continuation of the preliminary studies in 2007, a number of samples were conducted 

in 2008 to determine provenance variations in Calophyllum inophyllum. Provenances were 

selected based on their geo-climatic differences (in Australia and Sri Lanka). The major 

focus of the project was on kernel oil extraction, fatty acid profiling (FAP), fatty acid methyl 

ester (FAME; biodiesel) conversion, FAME characterisation and engine performance of 

FAME. A comparative flowering and fruiting phonological study was carried out between 

one provenance from the northern hemisphere (Sri Lanka) and one from the southern 

hemisphere (Australia). Randomly selected trees from selected provenances were studied for 

growth parameters and corresponding soils were tested for chemical composition. Seeds 

from different provenances were assessed for morphometric traits and for kernel oil content. 

Glasshouse experiments were carried out to assess early growth variations in Calophyllum 

inophyllum. 

The cold press extraction method was selected based on its relative advantages. A seed oil 

expeller was designed and developed to extract oil (Fig 1.). FAP analysis was carried out 

using gas chromatography. By using FAP values, a number of biodiesel slandered values 

were interpolated. An automated programmable biodiesel reactor was designed and 

developed to convert oil to biodiesel (Fig 2.). Cold pressed oil samples were converted into 

FAME by four different transesterification protocols (Fig 3.) which included a new protocol 

(Fig 5.), and the resulted FAME was compared for their physicochemical properties (ASTM 

biodiesel standards). Extensive engine performance tests were carried out with MAHA LPS 

2000 chassis dynamometer (Fig 4., 6.) 

Significant provenance variations and hemispherical variations were found in most of the 

seed related characters, early growth, FAP and biodiesel values. FAME of all provenances 

conformed to ASTM standards. A new protocol (Fig 3.) was found to yield ideal quality 

FAME. Engine power and fuel consumption was found to be comparable with mineral 

diesel. 

Fig 1. Modified seed oil expeller Fig 2. Automated biodiesel reactor Fig 3. Transesterification 

(stage3 FAME) 

35


Fig 4. Engine power graph Fig 5. FAME (biodiesel) derived Fig 6. Testing for fuel 

from different protocols consumption 

PROJECT STAFF 

Principal Investigators: 

Co-supervisor: 

Subhash Hathurusingha, A/Prof. N. Ashwath 

Prof. David Midmore 

FUNDING 

CQUniversity 

INCOME $29,313 

36


BATTER SLOPE STABILISATION UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE POWER 

LINES 

SUMMARY 

Results show that all three soil cover treatments viz rock mulch, green waste mulch and top 

soil were effective in controlling soil erosion from a battered slope. In the initial stages, the 

rock and green waste mulches contributed to erosion control, and at later stages, the 

established vegetation also contributed to erosion control via canopy rainfall interception 

and reduction in the intensity of rainfall. In the top soil treatments, only the emerging exotic 

grasses contributed to erosion control. 

A disturbed batter slope under high voltage power lines was stabilised at Stanwell Power 

Station using three soil treatments, viz rock mulching, green waste mulching and top soil 

placement. The rock- and green waste-mulched treatments were planted with 60 native 

shrubs and ground cover species. Within each treatment, five strips of plants were 

established at different positions of the slope (top, top-centre, middle, mid-centre and 

bottom). Survival, plant height and stem girth of established plants are being monitored to 

determine the effect of rock- and greenwaste mulches on plant growth. 

Comparison of the effects of rock mulch and green-waste mulch indicated that the plant 

growth was much superior in green waste-mulched treatment than in rock-mulched 

treatment. Green waste will break down with time, so comparative effects on plant growth to 

that of rock mulch will be evaluated. 

This experimental set up will allow us to identify plant species that perform well in different 

soil conditions (e.g. drought), as the conditions of the site will vary from top to the bottom 

of the slope, thus inducing inter-species and intra-species variations (variation between 

different locations within the batter slope) in growth and survival. 

Figure 1. Plants treated with rock mulch (left) and green waste mulch. (right) 7 months after 

planting. Note the plants treated with green waste mulch are greener and larger than those 

grown with rock mulch. 



Others: 

FUNDING Ergon Energy 


Associate Professor N. Ashwath 

M. Carige, M. Whiting, M. Abel 

V. Barden, L. Painter, R. Subedi 

37


GREEN WASTE – IS IT A WASTE OR AN UN-TAPPED RESOURCE 

SUMMARY 

Recent trends in waste management emphasise that all wastes should be rigorously assessed 

for their alternative uses before being discarded as a ‘waste’. In support of this concept, we 

have explored various ways of utilizing shredded green waste that was produced at 

Rockhampton city council. 

The first trial involved testing the green wastes for weed seeds, pathogens, heavy metals and 

organic contaminants. Our tests indicated that the greenwaste generated at Rockhampton 

contained none of the above components at levels that would prevent them from being used 

for various purposes. Our field trials to use the green waste as a source of ‘mulch’ 

demonstrated significant benefits to plant growth. However, this use did not become popular 

due to lack of demand and high transportation costs. Mixing of green waste with coal in 

power generation at Stanwell Power station proved a feasible option, but dedicated units 

were required to continue with this practice. Establishment of a power generating plant that 

relied on the wastes (e.g. green waste, biosolids, saw dust, paper, etc.) as the feed stock was 

also investigated, but this too required huge investments in infrastructure. The current trials 

therefore focussed on conversion of green waste into biogas, biochar and landscape mix. 

Two major options are being explored to test further use of shredded green waste. The first 

trial explored the potential of producing biogas and biochar from the green waste. Samples 

of green waste have been sent for analysis by BEST Energies. Economic viability of this 

option is currently being determined. 

The second option consisted of mixing green waste with other wastes such as biosolids, 

water treatment sludge (alum), cow paunch and limestone tailings, with the view to 

producing a ‘landscape mix’. Preliminary analysis suggested that none of the above 

ingredients could be used on their own to synthesize a plant growth media, due to 

constraints in pH, salinity or heavy metal compositions. Thus, trials are being carried out to 

mix these ingredients at different proportions, and to test their effects on plant growth. 

Two landscape mixes were prepared by mixing the above ingredients at different 

proportions. The effect of these mixes on plant growth is currently being tested on (a) 

vegetable crops, (b) native landscaping plants (see Fig 1) and (c) turf grass. 

Fig 1. The effects on plant growth of two landscape mixes prepared from green waste and 

other urban wastes generated at Rockhampton Regional Council. 

PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Assoc Prof Nanjappa Ashwath 

Co-Principal Investigator: Andrew Rank, Sunita Lata 

Others: 

Lindsay Best, Craig Dunglison 

FUNDING Rockhampton Regional Council 


38


INCREASING INTEREST IN CARBON TRADING RESEARCH IN 

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 

Summary 

Climate change, particularly global warming reputedly due to increasing levels of carbon 

dioxide in the atmosphere, constitutes a major threat to human well-being and survival. 

Forestry carbon-offsetting projects are now increasingly recognised as a cost-effective and 

practical solution to tackle these challenging problems. A study is being conducted in Nepal 

to look at the role of community-based forest management practice in climate mitigation and 

to look at its impacts on the well-being of local communities. The outcomes of the 

preliminary field study conducted in November/December 2008 show that community 

forestry user groups in Nepal are very keen to incorporate carbon projects into the 

participatory community forestry programme if it can positively impact on the livelihood of 

local communities and improve the forest condition. 

The principal investigator organised a preliminary field visit in Nepal from 28 th October to 

8 th December 2008. The objective of the trip was to select appropriate research sites for the 

study. The trip was also conducted to understand the interests of forest-dependent rural 

communities and forestry stakeholders on participatory forest management and payment for 

ecosystem services, particularly carbon trading. During the field visit, the researcher 

organised three forestry stakeholder workshops at national and regional levels to select 

potential community forests and community forestry user groups (CFUGs) for the study. 

The major stakeholders who participated in the programme were: CFUGs, Federation of 

Community Forest Users of Nepal, Government of Nepal, particularly the Department of 

Forest, and civil society and non-governmental organisations working on community 

forestry, climate change and people’s livelihood. On the basis of recommendations of the 

workshops, nine CFUGs were proposed which represent all three physiographic regions of 

Nepal: Terai (flat plain-altitude below 1000 m), Hills (1000 m – 2000 m) and Mountains 

(above 2500 m). 

A field visit was then organised to each group to discuss community interests, their 

perceptions of carbon trading and to observe the forests conditions. The local were briefed 

about the aim of the research, expected role of local communities, duration of the study and 

finally they were asked whether they were willing to become partners in field research. Most 

of the CFUGs were very interested to participate in the carbon management and carbon 

trading project through community forest management, and they even offered their forest for 

the study. 

After the field visits in all CFUGs, a one-day stakeholder’s workshop was organised to 

select the best CFUGs for the research case studies on carbon trading impact. The workshop 

finally ranked the selected CFUGs on the basis of accessibility, willingness to participate on 

carbon trading, diversity of disadvantaged castes and ethnic groups, CFUG that is receiving 

some sort of ecosystem service payment and CFUG having a history of forest inventory and 

growing stock. The three CFUGs selected first included one from each physiographic zone 

within the Central Development Region of Nepal - Dudhkoshi CFUG from Chitwan, Mahila 

Ghumti from Kulekhani and Jamire Ambutar from Sindhupalchowk. 

39


Researcher speaking about carbon trading in the general assembly of Dudhkoshi CFUG, Chitwan, Nepal 

Meeting with forestry stakeholders about the study 

Meeting with Female CFUG, Kulekhani 

The researcher also had the opportunity to participate in the Fifth National Community 

Forestry Workshop from 9 th to 11 th November 2008 in Kathmandu, which was organised by 

Department of Forests, Government of Nepal. The main focus of the workshop was how to 

transform the forestry sector into new directions such as ecosystem service payments, 

governance and economic contributions. The workshop was very important to allow the 

researcher to meet and share information on the study with policymakers, specialists, 

government senior personnel and national and international forestry scientists. In the second 

day of the workshop, the researcher facilitated a session called - Environmental Service, 

particularly carbon trading in national and international scenarios. 

The researcher attending in the 5 th National Community Forestry Workshop: Transforming 

the forestry sector - Setting new directions for community forestry 



FUNDING CQUniversity 

INCOME $2,000 

Thakur Bhattarai 

Prof David Midmore 

Prof Stewart Lockie 

40


MODELLING THE ROLE OF VEGETATION IN PHYTOCAPPING 

SUMMARY 

Landfill has been the most popular method of disposing wastes in urban areas. Landfills mostly contain 

putrescible wastes which can cause environmental hazards, if they come in contact with water. Thus, 

preventing entry of water into buried waste is the most important aspect in landfill remediation. Currently 

compacted clay capping is used to prevent percolation of water into waste. However, recent studies have 

shown that this practice is often ineffective. An alternative capping system known as ‘Phytocapping’ was, 

therefore, tested at Rockhampton. Phytocapping is the process of establishing vegetation on a layer of 

soil placed over the waste, so that the soil layer stores the water during rainfall events and the plants will 

remove the stored water during subsequent periods. Optimisation of these two events can result in 

prevention of water entering the waste. 

The Rockhampton trial involved the use of two depths of soil (thick 1400 mm and thin 700 mm) and 21 

tree species. The trees and the soil were monitored for three years. The trial demonstrated that the 

phytocapping can effectively limit the entry of water into the landfill, and the presence of vegetation is 

critical to achieve a desirable site water balance. The predicted percolation was 133.3 mm yr -1 and 153 

mm yr -1 in thick and thin systems respectively, when the vegetation component was removed in the 

simulation, as compared to 16.7 mm yr -1 and 23.8 mm yr -1 when the vegetation component was included 

in the simulation. Furthermore, the percolation rates in phytocapping systems (with vegetation) were 

much less than those expected of a clay capping system. Since the phytocapping systems are effective, 

they halve the cost of construction (compared to clay capping) and provide other environmental benefits, 

their use is recommended in low (


Vegetation component removed in the simulation 

Vegetation component included in the simulation 

Figure 1: Comparison of site water balance in thick and thin capping systems under non-vegetated (top) and 

vegetated (bottom) scenarios. Note the differences in Y axis values in vegetated and non-vegetated scenarios. 

The simulation was based on 15 years (1992 to 2006) of rainfall data. 

Fig 2. Luxurious growth of bamboo on a phytocapped landfill 

PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators: Assoc. Prof. Nanjappa Ashwath 

Kartik Venkatraman 

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Ninghu Su 

Others 

Craig Dunglison & Richard Yeates 

FUNDING 

Qld Dept of Premier and Cabinet - Growing the Smart State Grant & CQUniversity 

INCOME $7,136 

42


SCREENING OF TOMATO GERMPLASM FOR DROUGHT 

TOLERANCE 

SUMMARY 

Drought is an important abiotic stresses for crop production. With climate change, episodes of 

droughts are predicted to be frequent affecting crop yield and quality. Furthermore, pricing for 

water and decreasing allocation entrust pressures on irrigators. With this in mind a project is 

underway to screen for drought tolerance amongst tomato genotypes. 

The extent and duration of both intermittent and terminal drought stress impact on yield and quality 

and their effects can be amplified by interactions with high temperature, disease and hostile soil 

conditions. Detailed physiological characterisation becomes an important step for effective 

germplasm screening for utilizing such traits in breeding. In this project we aimed to develop 

methods for tomato drought screening, and link physiological traits with drought tolerance. Eighteen 

tomato lines from the world vegetable centre (AVRDC) Taiwan were tested under semi-controlled 

environments of the glasshouse or screen house at CPWS CQUniversity, Rockhampton in three trials 

(1. Drought pool, 2. Terminal drought, and 3. Deficit irrigation) during the 2007-2008 season. 

(a) (b) (c) 

Tomato accessions tested in: (a) drought pool experiment, (b) terminal drought, and (c) deficit 

irrigation experiments. 

Figure 1. Changes in soil water content at different depth in the tomato drought pool and tolerant 

accessions were capable of drawing soil water at deeper depths and lower than 15% water content. 

Experimental approach 1 – Drought pool 

S. pimpinellifollium accessions L3708 and LA1579 showed drought tolerance under declining soil 

moisture regimes as measured by number of flower bunch, fruits and biomass yield. These 

accessions also consistently showed lower crop water stress index and electrolyte leakage, lower leaf 

water potential and greater osmolality, plant height and delayed wilting compared to standard check 

Arka Meghali and hybrid check Trifecta. 

Experimental approach 2 – Terminal drought 

In the terminal drought experiment each accession was planted (15 August 2008) in an individual 

cylindrical container (130 L, 60 cm diameter x 85 cm height), in two replications, in a randomised 

fashion containing 169 kg of soil at field capacity (Figure 3). Relative ranking of the accessions for 

days to permanent wilting, monitoring of growth, development and physiological response was 

43


carried out as in the Drought pool experiment. Root length density distribution and root phenotyping 

was also conducted for each accession. 

Tomato accessions tested in terminal drought experiment, and approach for root recovering for 

phenotyping and RLD mapping. 

The results of the terminal drought experiment suggested that the wild tomato accessions L3708 and 

LA1579 (S. pimpinellifollium) and LA1940 (S. pennellii) had highest root length density and greatest 

root penetration compared to all other tested accessions (Figure 4). Delayed symptoms of permanent 

wilting noted in this experiment as well as in the drought pool experiment may well be associated 

with greater root foraging for soil water in these wild tomato accession under declining soil moisture 

regimes. 

Experimental approach 3 – Deficit irrigation 

In the deficit irrigation experiment each accession was planted (18 July 2008) in individual bucket 

containers (20 L, 25 cm diameter x 45 cm height) containing 27 kg of soil maintained at two 

different soil moisture levels [(field capacity and deficit irrigation (50% of FC)], replicated twice in a 

randomised fashion with daily irrigation supplied to maintain each treatment (Figure 5). Daily 

evapotranspiration requirements of each accession, crop water use, water use efficiency, stomatal 

frequency, distribution and sizing were studied in this trial, and measurements for soil moisture, 

physiological, morphological, growth and development traits and yields were assessed at monthly 

intervals. 

Under deficit irrigation the wild tomato accessions L3708 and LA1579 (S. pimpinellifollium) and 

LA1940 (S. pennellii) transpired least amount (20-45% of Arka Meghali) compared to all other 

accessions. However, the dry biomass production by these accessions under deficit irrigation was 

comparable to those highest transpiring accession such as Arka Meghali. 

Drought tolerant wild accessions showed sustained growth, slow development of drought symptoms, 

and were capable of producing flowers, fruits and completion of full life cycle under declining soil 

moisture conditions similar to terminal drought in field environments. It appears that root traits and 

leaf osmotic adjustment play key role on conferring drought tolerance in these accessions. However, 

their fruit quality was extremely poor and these plants have viny growth habit with profuse flowering 

and fruiting. However, they show promise for utilization of their candidate drought tolerant genes for 

crossing with appropriate cultivated tomato. Further research is required for detailed phenotying of 

drought tolerant traits and confirm these preliminary findings. 

Project Staff Dr Surya P Bhattarai Prof David Midmore 

Dr Robert de la Pena 

Dr Sanjay Singh 

Laurie Tait 

Delphine Lacombe 

Funding 

AVRDC, the World Vegetable Centre, Taiwan & CQUniversity 

Income 

$29,985.00 AUD and $33,000.00 USD 

44


STABILISATION OF RAIL FORMATIONS USING NATIVE 

VEGETATION 

SUMMARY 

Presence of woody vegetation in the vicinity of rail tracks is known to improve stability of 

rail formation in cracking clayey soils (Potter and Cameron 2005). This concept was tested 

at Banana, central Queensland, by establishing over 100 native species on either side of the 

rail track (Fig 1.). The established trial is being maintained and will be monitored when 

funded by the Rail CRC. 

During 2008, more than 65% of the established species have survived and produced 

appreciable amount of plant canopy (Fig 1.). Although equal number of seedlings was 

planted in each plot, some species have produced denser canopies than the others. Some 

coastal species that lacked frost tolerance have died and this area has been covered with 

local grasses. Some species are performing very well and have produced seeds. We plan to 

study changes in plant diversity, as the new seedlings are recruited from the seeds. We also 

plan to compare hydraulic properties of planted (perennial vegetation) and unplanted (annual 

vegetation) areas to delineate the effects of perennial vegetation on rail track stability. This 

information will finally help minimise maintenance costs of rail tracks as well as providing 

ecological sustainability to rail tracks. 

Fig 1. The Experimental site in 2007 (top) and in 2008 (bottom) 



Others: 

FUNDING CRC Rail 

INCOME $1,142 

Associate Professor N. Ashwath 

Dr Don Cameron (UniSA) 

Darryl Nissen (QR), Ajay Sharma 

45


EXPLORING THE RESPONSE OF SOME VEGETABLE SPECIES TO 

OXYGATION 

SUMMARY 

Various trials, with and without plants, evaluated a number of aspects of oxygation. Four 

species including pak choy, beetroot, shallot, and dwarf bean were studied in a pot 

experiment to examine their response to oxygation. The results showed that except for 

shallot, the other vegetables did not show significant increase in yield or yield components 

due to oxygation. The effect of pipe size, water cross sectional area, the geometry of joiners, 

and non-ionic surfactant at various concentrations on air flow rate distribution along a 

20 m lateral line was also studied to understand uniformity of supply within a field situation. 

The response of pak choy, beetroot, shallot, and dwarf bean grown in 26 L pots to oxygation 

was studied. For each species, the experiment was laid out as a Completely Randomized 

Block Design (CRBD), replicated four times with two treatments, irrigation with aerated 

water by means of air injector venturi or control. In addition to the crop yield, soil oxygen 

concentration, soil respiration rate, leaf chlorophyll concentration, photosynthetically active 

radiation, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis rate for aerated and 

non-aerated treatments were measured during the growing season. Aerated shallots in 

contrast to control ones showed significant higher performance in terms of leaf chlorophyll 

concentration, soil respiration rate, leaf length, leaf count and leaf weight per unit area at 5% 

level of confidence. The other vegetable species did not show significant response to 

oxygation. Production of aerenchyma and/or shallow roots might be responsible for lack of 

response in the other species. 

Three pipe sizes of 13 mm, 19 mm, and 25 mm and two types of pot emitters of 0.52 mm 2 

(1.2 L h -1 ) and 1.25 mm 2 (4 L h -1 ) water cross sectional area along with symmetric and 

asymmetric joiners spaced at 50 cm intervals on 20 m long recirculating pipes were tested. 

Generally, distribution of air flow rates in all trials was non-uniform. The closer the emitter 

to the venturi, the higher the air flow rate. The result of paired t-test performed on the air 

flow rates for a 19 mm pipe with asymmetric joiners indicated that the cross sectional area 

of the emitters had no significant effect on the air flow rate distribution at 5% level of 

confidence. By means of the same test, it was revealed that asymmetric joiners in contrast to 

symmetric ones cause significantly higher air flow rates along the pipe line regardless of the 

pipe size. Furthermore, with symmetric joiners, the smaller the pipe size, the higher will be 

the average of the air flow rate along the pipe; this trend was reversed if asymmetric joiners 

are used in the line. Application of a non-ionic surfactant (BS 1000) at 20, 35, 50, 65, 80, 

and 100 ppm concentrations in a non-recirculating partially open-end 20 m pipe of 19 mm 

ID with asymmetric joiners and 4 L h -1 pot drippers resulted in enhanced air flow rate 

uniformity, where the minimum surfactant concentration for yielding the highest air flow 

rate uniformity (CUC=80%) was 65 ppm. 

PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Manouchehr Torabi 

Co-Principal Investigator: Prof David Midmore 

Others: 

Dr Surya Bhattarai & Dr Xinming Chen 

FUNDING Cotton CRC, CQUniversity 

INCOME $4,497 

46


OXYGATION OF SUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATED PINEAPPLE, 

COTTON AND WHEAT 

SUMMARY 

Wheat followed a cotton crop in two soil types in concrete tubs, and itself was followed by a 

subsequent cotton crop. The effects of oxygation on the wheat suggest an increase in biomass which 

was associated with an increase in the leaf chlorophyll content, more ears per unit area, and 

reduced canopy temperature. A large-scale replicated trial on an existing pineapple crop in Yeppoon 

compared oxygation with no oxygation, both with subsurface drip irrigation. Total yield, but not 

marketable yield, was increased with oxygation, and some fruit quality parameters were also better 

with oxygation. 

Following on from the 2007/8 cotton crop (see Annual Report 2007) a wheat crop was planted, using 

two methods for aerating the irrigation water (Mazzei and Seair). The wheat crop was harvested 

before grain maturity to allow for planting of the subsequent cotton crop with the GM planting 

window. There was a significantly higher leaf chlorophyll concentration for Mazzei followed by 

Seair and control (Table 1). The number of wheat ears, leaf dry weight and total dry matter were 

significantly greater on the vertisol whereas chlorophyll content was greater on the ferrosol. 

Table 1. Effect of different oxygation methods and soil types of growth parameters and yield 

components of wheat 

Treatments 

Oxygation 

Soil type 

Levels 

WUEi 

Leaf Leaf 

Number 

(mol 

Weight of dry 

chlorophyll water 

of 

CWSI 1 CO 

matter (g m -2 ) 

2 

concentration potential 

Ears 

/ mmol 

(SPAD units) (-kPa) 

(m 2 ) 

H 2 O) 

Ear Leaf Stem 

Control 37.1 1000 0.22 5.96 329.4 260.0 136.1 308.9 

Mazzei 41.0 1040 0.18 6.54 357.1 289.2 160.2 313.2 

Seair 38.9 1130 0.18 5.96 337.5 271.0 132.1 322.4 

LSD (10 df) 2 2.3 197 0.10 0.94 57.5 58.2 38.7 69.0 

Vertisol 37.5 1090 0.21 6.36 383.4 328.5 194.3 382.5 

Ferrosol 40.9 1040 0.17 5.99 302.2 221.6 93.0 248.6 

LSD (10 df) 1.8 158 0.08 0.75 46.2 46.7 31.1 55.4 

1 Crop water stress index; 2 LSD (P


Table 2. Effect of oxygation on yield, various indices of water use efficiency, and soil respiration by 

pineapple. 

Treatments Estimated 

yield (t/ha) 

1 Industry 

yield (t/ha) 

2 IWUE 

(kg/m 3 ) 

3 WUE 

(kg/m 3 ) 

Soil respiration rate 

(g CO 2 /m 2 /h) 

Oxygation 79.6 53.08 44.56 2.549 2.42 

Control 68.2 50.92 43.60 2.448 1.18 

P value 0.005 0.295 0.569 0.307 0.001 

LSD 6.43 4.59 3.906 0.221 0.409 

1 : Industry yield refers to only marketable yield, 2 IWUE: Irrigation water use efficiency, 3 WUE: 

Season long water use efficiency includes rainfall + irrigation 



Others: 

FUNDING Cotton CRC 

INCOME $2,412 

Jay Dhungel 


Dr Surya Bhattarai & Dr Xinming Chen 

48


HYDROPONIC PRODUCTION OF A LEAF VEGETABLE PAK CHOI 

(Brassica rapa L.CHINESIS GROUP) GROWN WITH BOTH 

CHEMICAL (INORGANIC) FERTILIZER AND VERMICAST 

EFFLUENT 

SUMMARY 

Some effects of vermicompost effluent (vermiliquor), formed during the breakdown of 

organic wastes by earthworms (vermicomposting), on plant growth and nutrient uptake have 

been evaluated in a series of experiments. 

The overall purpose of the project is to develop an organic alternative to conventional 

inorganic solutions for hydroponically-growing plants and to formulate an organic fertilizer 

for the hydroponic production of Pak Choi. 

This project is the first to quantify how vermiliquor influences plant growth. By 

manipulating such parameters as pH, pH-buffers, ratio of dilution (electrical conductivity), 

aeration, and also differences in the type of composting process and the kind of organic 

wastes from which vermiliquor derived, growth of hydroponic vegetables can be modiifed. 

Worm and vermiliquor production also depend on season and source of food wastes. 

The experiments monitored the contribution of the parameters of nutrient solution like 

temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonium, potassium and 

external parameters like shading/solar activity and temperature on growth characteristics 

(growth period, leaf area, shoot and root weights). 

To increase commercial viability of the project the trial experiments were carried out in 

commercially adopted nutrient film technique and pot systems under different climatic 

conditions on both batched vermiliquor and in vivo vermiliquor from vermitanks directly 

linked to the hydroponic system. The latter, thus created a system of a ‘live’ vermiliquor 

recirculating between vermipits and hydroponic units. 

All physical, chemical and favourable visual differences of Pak Choi, hydroponically-grown 

with organic vermiliquor, compared to a conventional inorganic fertilizer Boxsell. 



Others: 

FUNDING RIRDC 

INCOME $131,100 

Elena Churilova 


Brock McDonald 

49


ICEWARM GLOBAL WATER SYSTEMS II (THE ENGINEERED 

WATER CYCLE) 

SUMMARY 

CQUniversity is in partnership with Deakin University, the University of South Australia, 

Flinders University, and the University of Adelaide to provide the International Centre for 

Excellence in Water and Resource Management (ICEWARM) with tertiary courses in water 

studies. ICEWARM offers postgraduate certificates and Master’s degrees in sustainable 

water management. CQUniversity wrote and offers the core course Global Water Systems II 

the Engineered Water Cycle. 

In 2006 a team from the CPWS wrote the core course Global Water Systems II the 

Engineered Water Cycle. This course was presented for the first time in 2007 via the Access 

Grid technology. Access Grid allowed the lecture to be presented to five different 

Universities in three states (South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland) at the same time, in 

real time via a satellite link. Students and lecturers could have instantaneous feedback and 

multiple windows could be open on the screen; campus views, powerpoint slides, internet 

pages and specific programs. All assessment pieces two assignments, two practical reports, 

and an exam) were submitted and marked electronically via the ICEWARM portal. After the 

course had been presented it underwent an academic review and was updated in light of the 

experiences gained. Research from the CPWS is being used to keep the course current. 

CQUniversity ITD department has developed a world-class Access Grid. CQUniversity is 

leading the way in this type of delivery mode. Global Water Systems II will be offered both 

internally and externally from 2009. 

Figure 1A. Field Trip to STP 

Figure 1B. Drinking recycled water at a 

potable water plant 

PROJECT STAFF 

Principal Investigator: Ben Kele 

Co-Principal Investigator: Prof David Midmore and A/P Larelle Fabbro 

Others: 

Jason Bell, ICEWARM Staff 

FUNDING 

INCOME $0 

50


NATIVE GROUND COVER SPECIES FOR REVEGETATION UNDER 

HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINES IN QUEENSLAND 

SUMMARY 

The practice of using tubestock in revegetation programs is becoming very popular. 

However, records of very low plant survival have been reported in such revegetation 

programs. Survival of plants in revegetated sites largely depends on how well the potting 

mix allows the water to enter into the root zone during establishment stage. This character 

is determined by the physical and chemical properties of potting media used in raising the 

seedlings. Forty one commercially available potting media that were sold in the markets 

were therefore tested along with two soil samples for their lack of ability to attract water 

from surrounding environment, the hydrophobicity. By using the Water Droplet Penetration 

Test (WDPT), hydrophobicity of those media was determined and the media categorised into 

five classes. Out of 43 media tested 28% of the media were classified as extreme, 35% as 

severe, 21% as strong, 11% as slight and 5% as non-hydrophobic. 

Construction of powerlines in Queensland is increasing at the rate of 3.4% per annum, to 

service increasing demand of electricity for various developmental activities such as mining, 

agriculture, industries, beef production, smelting and tourism. Extending the powerlines 

means more tree clearing or disturbance of already existing and adapted vegetation in the 

extended areas. The clearance of the existing plant communities greatly accelerates the 

process of soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and the rate of spread of invasive weeds. For 

revegetation of such degraded landscapes, a few exotic species have been used at high costs. 

Due to their invasive nature these species have gradually replaced valuable native 

biodiversity. As these powerlines pass through diverse bioregions of Queensland, use of 

exotic species in revegetation will not be a meaningful solution. Therefore, the proposed 

project will identify native ground cover species for successful revegetation of land under 

high voltage powerlines. The study will also develop suitable agronomic practices for 

survival and long term sustainability of established species. 

The most critical stage in revegetation program is the establishment phase. Use of nursery 

raised seedlings has become very popular in revegetation programs. Seedlings are mostly 

established in the rainy season with or without irrigation. Plant survival rate in such 

activities is very low and has negatively affected the revegetation program significantly. In 

nurseries, seedlings are raised in different potting media. The nature of potting media used in 

the nursery affects the ability of plants to extract available moisture from the surrounding 

soil once they are transplanted in the field. To determine the hydrophobic properties of 

media, we purchased 41 commercial media from shops in Rockhampton. Two soils (black 

and red) were also used as controls. By using the Water Droplet Penetration Test (WDPT), 

the degree of hydrophobicity of collected media was determined. Three drops of deionised 

water were placed on top of potting media at 1 cm apart (Fig 1). The time taken (in seconds) 

for the water drop to penetrate the media was recorded (Lal and Shukla 2004). Based on this 

time, the media were categorised into the following groups. 

36000 seconds: extremely hydrophobic 

Results (Fig 2) show that all potting media were hydrophobic to some degree, and the only 

two media that had no hydrophobicity were the two soils (black and red) that were used as 

controls (5% of the tested media). More than 50% of the media tested were severely to 

Page 51


extremely hydrophobic indicating that extra care must be taken in choosing potting media 

for revegetation programs, particularly when the transplanted seedlings are not watered 

regularly, or when they rely upon rainfall. This is because moisture content of the potting 

media in which the seedlings are raised will decline due to water use by the seedling and 

evaporation. This drying of potting media triggers hydrophobicity to such an extent that it 

will prevent movement of water from the surrounding soil into the potting media. The 

resulting situation ultimately results in either slow growth of the seedling or eventual loss of 

the plant. The ability of the plant to send roots into surrounding soil plays a critical role in 

their survival. Since native plants are slower at this than crop plants, many native plant 

seedlings do not respond as quickly as the media dries out. 

In field situations, where revegetation practitioners do not have any control on irrigation or 

soil moisture content, choosing a potting medium that is less likely to become hydrophobic 

when the soil moisture declines, will enhance the survival rate of transplanted seedlings. 

Figure 1. Droplet test used to determine hydrophobicity of potting media 

Figure 2: Percentage of tested media showing different degrees of hydrophobicity 

*Lal, R and Shukla, M (2004). Principles of soil physics. Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 

2004. Pp 716. 



Others: 

FUNDING Powerlink 

INCOME $135,000 

Resham Gautam 

A/Prof. Dr N. Ashwath 

Prof. Dr D. Midmore 

Page 52


NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY FOR PREDICTING B74 

MANGO MATURITY AND EATING QUALITY 

SUMMARY 

This projects represents the second year of a three year funded activity within a larger DPI 

led, HAL-Harvest Company funded project “Development of Best Practice Pre- and Post- 

Harvest Protocols for Production of B74 Mango, Phase II”. In a previous season, we have 

demonstrated that handheld unit can be used to predict DM and internal flesh colour in 

intact and just-harvested fruit, ºBrix in ripe fruit, and ºBrix of ripened fruit from spectra 

collected at the just-harvested stage. In the current project, we aim to extend this work done 

in previous years on Calypso mango, to confirm the robustness of the handheld unit in field 

conditions, advancement of handheld technology, and develop agronomic protocols for 

uniform and better mango maturity prediction. 

The previous season’s work was done testing both a portable laboratory-based NIRS unit 

connected to a laptop computer (the Shoebox system) and a portable handgun. During this 

season a portable handgun was utilised throughout the season and in some instances an online 

Insight unit was trialed along with the handheld unit. Trials were conducted near 

Darwin, Katherine, Mareeba and Bundaberg. 

Key findings 

Accuracy of the handheld NIR (iQ unit) under field conditions 

Based on two seasons results, the unit can be used with fruit over a range of temperature and 

ambient light conditions, however the instrument should be kept as cool as possible (e.g. 

storage in shade rather than in sun). Use of the instrument on exceptionally hot days (> 40º 

C) is not recommended. 

Predicting flesh colour and % DM 

Results indicate that models could be used across varieties through the growing season and 

between growing seasons if the model calibration population adequately represented the 

variation present in the new populations. 

A quality control procedure is recommended for the next few seasons at least. This would 

involve confirming the accuracy of the unit’s estimates of % DM and flesh colour by 

scanning about 20 fruit then measuring actual flesh colour and % DM for each fruit and 

averaging the results from the unit estimates and actual measurements. This should be done 

several times during the season and for each region. 

Prediction of flesh colour was not as robust, with large bias values skewing RMSEP (Root 

Mean Square Error of Prediction) values. It is recommended that a single model cannot be 

used across all growing districts, and that a model updating or bias adjustment procedure is 

required. Model performance should be checked on each farm, as outlined above. 

Predicting ripe fruit ºBrix 

As expected, the on-line InSight unit performed slightly better than the handheld iQ unit. 

However, DM content was well predicted by the iQ unit in fruit at the hard green stage, and 

the ripe stage TSS is well correlated to % DM at the hard green stage. Therefore NIRS 

should be able to predict ripe fruit ºBrix by scanning fruit at harvest. 

It is recommended that this issue be re-considered using a model developed using a wider 

range of DM and thus ripe fruit ºBrix values. Alternatively, as the link between DM and 

Page 53


final stage ºBrix is well established, it may be appropriate to simply adopt specifications on 

DM. 

A 

B 

Figure 1: A: Mango cultivar Calypso fruit sorted at harvest by SWNIRS PLSR DM model 

into three DM grades (left) 16%DM. B: Using the 

technology for quality control in packing shed. 

Application issues 

Testing manager and picker estimation of maturity 

Our data suggest that select harvesting based on fruit external appearance not be used as a 

standard practice. In preference identifying the most mature trees/areas of the farm should be 

identified using NIRS, and these trees/areas be strip-picked. 

Assessing block or maturity zone fruit maturity 

Trees in each maturity zone could be marked by colour-coded paint on the trunk, or similar. 

Using maturity zones may enable fewer trees to be sampled to accurately determine maturity 

zone because of less fruit maturity variation between trees. 

Flesh colour and DM changes during fruit growth 

We suggest tagging of about 10 fruit per tree on eight trees per management area and 

assessing their quality with the iQ every week from 4-6 weeks before the expected start of 

harvest. Graphing the results will help predict the start of commercial harvest for each 

maturity zone. 



FUNDING HAL Australia 

INCOME $123,490 

Dr. Phul Subedi 

Professor Kerry Walsh 

Page 54


INTEGRATING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION INTO AGROFORESTRY 

IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 

SUMMARY 

Acting as a resource person for research activities on simple drip irrigation and 

agroforestry with vegetables in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, the PI attended a 

global SANREM review meeting in Los Baños, the Philippines and assisted with editing of 

publications 

In its penultimate year, the SE Asian Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource 

Management Collaborative Support Research Program (SANREM CRSP) hosted the 2008 

Global Annual Meeting May 26-29. A gender workshop followed. The theme of the annual 

meeting focused on the program’s five Long-term Research Award projects. As defined by 

the World Food Program, sustainable agriculture reminds us “to allow for future generations, 

requires that we preserve our remaining resources, and … heal or rehabilitate resources that 

have been treated carelessly in the past. To do these things systematically is to follow a path 

of environmentally sustainable development.” The long–term research activities within 

SANREM direct their efforts toward livelihood and food security issues in developing 

countries. Of the long term research projects, four are addressing sustainable productions 

systems. In the SE Asia project, a vegetable-agroforestry approach has underpinned the 

search for sustainability, with all activities revolving around this theme. In essence, 

potentially innovative technology are researched and considered from environmental and 

socioeconomic perspectives. Together with marketing, gender, and policy studies and 

underpinning institutional innovations, the successful technologies are then scaled up to 

other stakeholders. All of the technologies are designed to reduce risks associated with 

production systems involving cash crops and staples. These activities were discussed in the 

light of food security, climate change, soil and land degradation and remediation, water use 

efficiency, and gender equity. The 2009 recipient of the Nobel Prize for Economics, Dr 

Elinor Ostrom of Indiana University was present and entered wholeheartedly into the 

discussions. 

PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigators: Prof David Midmore 

Co-supervisors: 

FUNDING SANREM 

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University 

INCOME $0 

Page 55


Appendix 1. PHOTOGRAPHS OF CPWS STAFF, STUDENTS & 

VISITORS 


Director 

Prof Kerry Walsh 

Deputy Director 

A/Prof Nanjappa 

Ashwath 

Assoc Professor 

Prof Rob Reed 

Professor of 

Biomedical Sciences 

Dr Keith Harrower 

Assoc. Professor in 

Microbiology 

Dr Bob Newby 

Senior Lecturer 

Dr Billy Sinclair 

Senior Lecturer 

Dr Bret Heath 

Lecturer 

Dr Surya Bhattarai 

Postdoctoral Research 

Officer 

Dr Phul Subedi 

Research Officer 

& PhD student 

Dr Amanda Twomey 

Research Officer 

John Guthrie 

Research Fellow 

Andrew Rank 


Dr Brett Roe 


Dr Xinming Chen 

Visiting Scholar 

Dr Sanjay Singh 


Dr Din Zahad 


Jeffrey Conaghan 

Technician 

Laurie Tait 

Technician 

& MSc 

Brock McDonald 

Aquaponics 

Technician 

Roshan Subedi 

Research Worker 

Robert Lowry 


Graham Fox 


Bhima Bhattarai 


Linda Ahern 

Administration Officer 

Page 56


Brie Crane 

Administrative 

Assistant 

Neil Percival 

Administrative 

Assistant 

Thakur Bhattarai 

PhD 

Elena Churliova 

MSc 

Peter Davies 

PhD 

Jay Dhungel 

PhD 

Sam Fesuk 

Msc 

Geeta Gautam 

MSc 

Resham Gautam 

PhD 

Subhash 

Hathurusingha 

PhD 

Tracey Howkins 

PhD 

Ben Kele 

PhD 

Sandrine Makiela 

PhD 

Dixie Nott 

PhD 

Lance Pendergast 

PhD 

Sohail Qureshi 

PhD 

Ria Reyes 

PhD 

Noel Sammon 

PhD 

Shona Schroeder 

PhD 

Karuna Shrestha 

PhD 

Shamsa Syeda 

PhD 

Manouchehr Torabi 

PhD 

Kartik Venkatraman 

PhD 

Loic Burtin 

Occupational Trainee 

Delphine Lacombe 


Page 57


Sonal Sarkar 


Blandine Geneste 

Volunteer 

Dr Pramod Shrestha 

Volunteer 

Dr Mar Mar Thi 

Volunteer 

Staff/Students not available for photos: Vicki Barden, Enid Bunt, Sunita Lata, Lynda 

Painter/ Rebecca Jolley, Kim Bedwell, Rashmi Jayaram 

Page 58


Appendix 2. CENTRE FOR PLANT & WATER SCIENCE PUBLICITY 

Page 59

Centre for Plant & Water Science - Central Queensland University

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