The Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems works to increase farm productivity without further degrading water, land and soils. Addressing the challenges posed by climate change and increasing human population, the centre’s research focuses on optimising crop production in rotation with legume pastures, and increasing biological nitrogen fixation while minimising impact on the environment.
We apply multi- and inter-disciplinary research to investigate and understand the health and biosecurity challenges that threaten
humans, animals, plants and their shared environment.
Legume Rhizobium Sciences research focuses on understanding the basic biology of rhizobia-legume symbioses and their application in the field to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.
We also manage the International Legume Inoculant Genebank (ILIG) online catalogue and our scientists provide oversight and expertise through the National Rhizobium Steering Committee.
We focus on managing grain protein and quality through manipulating organic and fertiliser sources of nitrogen.
Our research also examines integrated weed management, maximise production farming systems based on water use, and minimising biotic threats to production through systems integration.
We have a strong focus on developing farming enterprises to suit environmental constraints and conservation agriculture and soil fertility, including rehabilitation of poor or damaged soils.
We also investigate precision and remote data collection technologies and advanced agricultural chemistry.
We undertake research that assesses consumer concerns, markets and attitudes to different systems of agricultural production, for example. organic versus industrial; rainfed versus irrigated; live export versus manufactured meat.
We also evaluate the environmental consequences of different land uses in the agricultural space.
