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Professor Andrew Borrell
Professor

Andrew Borrell

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 4542 6740
Mobile: 
0419704550

Overview

Background

Overview

Dr Borrell obtained bachelor and master’s degrees in Agricultural Science at The University of Melbourne, focusing on the Green Revolution genes (Rht1 and Rht2) in wheat for his thesis. He then completed a PhD at The University of Queensland on improving the efficiencies of nitrogen and water use for rice in the semi-arid tropics. Andrew was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study the impact of rice research in Asia and the US on rice production in the Australian tropics. Much of his post-doctoral research has focused on improving drought adaptation in sorghum, rice, wheat and barley.

Dr Borrell is a crop physiologist and Centre Leader of the Queensland Government’s Hermitage Research Facility, a centre of excellence for crop improvement in water-limited environments. For more than a decade, Andrew has led an international project (Australia/US) aimed at discovering key genes underpinning the stay-green drought adaptation trait in cereals, using sorghum as a model crop. Prior to this, he conducted research to better understand the physiological basis of stay-green in sorghum. Dr Borrell began his career as a rice agronomist with the Queensland Government.

Dr Borrell co-leads projects in sub-Saharan Africa and India to develop drought-adapted sorghum germplasm. In addition to drought physiology in major cereals, Andrew has supervised a research program aimed at discovering frost adaptation in winter cereals at heading stage. He has also worked extensively in South-East Asia for the past 25 years developing sustainable cropping systems, including recent research on rice production and adaptation to climate change in Vietnam. Dr Borrell has served as Secretary-General of the Asian Crop Science Association.

Availability

Professor Andrew Borrell is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Research Interests

    Producing more food with less water is one of the major challenges facing humanity. My research involves elucidating the physiological/molecular basis of drought adaptation in cereals, including the discovery of genes and gene networks that regulate adaptation, e.g. the stay-green drought adaptation trait in sorghum, wheat and barley; root architecture in sorghum, wheat and barley; early vigour in barley. Strong international collaborations to advance these areas of research include partners in USA (Texas A&M University), India (ICRISAT, IIMR), and Ethiopia (EIAR, Jimma University) with funding from GRDC, TAMU, GCP, ACIAR and BMGF. Other research interests include the efficiency with which resources (radiation, water and nitrogen) are utilized by crop plants, and developing sustainable cropping systems. This research has focused on developing novel water-saving strategies for climate-smart rice production in Australia and Asia. International partners for this research have included Indonesia (University of Mataram, Lombok), Vietnam (VAAS), and Norway (NIBIO), with funding from GRDC, ACIAR and NIBIO. Photosynthesis is another research interest, with particular focus on extending the duration of photosynthesis in C3 (wheat) and C4 (sorghum) plants. This research is funded by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis.

Works

Search Professor Andrew Borrell’s works on UQ eSpace

133 works between 1989 and 2024

1 - 20 of 133 works

2024

Journal Article

Mapping quantitative trait loci for seminal root angle in a selected durum wheat population

Kang, Yichen, Alahmad, Samir, Haeften, Shanice V., Akinlade, Oluwaseun, Tong, Jingyang, Dinglasan, Eric, Voss‐Fels, Kai P., Potgieter, Andries B., Borrell, Andrew K., Makhoul, Manar, Obermeier, Christian, Snowdon, Rod, Mace, Emma, Jordan, David R. and Hickey, Lee T. (2024). Mapping quantitative trait loci for seminal root angle in a selected durum wheat population. The Plant Genome ARTN e20490, e20490. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20490

Mapping quantitative trait loci for seminal root angle in a selected durum wheat population

2024

Journal Article

Seminal root angle is associated with root system architecture in durum wheat

Kang, Yichen, Rambla, Charlotte, Haeften, Shanice V., Fu, Brendan, Akinlade, Oluwaseun, Potgieter, Andries B., Borrell, Andrew K., Mace, Emma, Jordan, David R., Alahmad, Samir and Hickey, Lee T. (2024). Seminal root angle is associated with root system architecture in durum wheat. Food and Energy Security, 13 (4) e570. doi: 10.1002/fes3.570

Seminal root angle is associated with root system architecture in durum wheat

2023

Journal Article

Genetic dissection of root architecture in Ethiopian sorghum landraces

Menamo, Temesgen, Borrell, Andrew K., Mace, Emma, Jordan, David R., Tao, Yongfu, Hunt, Colleen and Kassahun, Bantte (2023). Genetic dissection of root architecture in Ethiopian sorghum landraces. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 136 (10) 209, 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s00122-023-04457-0

Genetic dissection of root architecture in Ethiopian sorghum landraces

2023

Journal Article

Phosphorus management is key to effective deployment of root ideotypes in complex soil environments

van der Bom, Frederik J. T., Williams, Alwyn, Borrell, Andrew K., Raymond, Nelly and Bell, Michael J. (2023). Phosphorus management is key to effective deployment of root ideotypes in complex soil environments. Plant and Soil, 489 (1-2), 323-340. doi: 10.1007/s11104-023-06020-8

Phosphorus management is key to effective deployment of root ideotypes in complex soil environments

2023

Journal Article

Integrating stay-green and PIN-FORMED genes: PIN-FORMED genes as potential targets for designing climate-resilient cereal ideotypes

Wong, Albert Chern Sun, van Oosterom, Erik J., Godwin, Ian D. and Borrell, Andrew K. (2023). Integrating stay-green and PIN-FORMED genes: PIN-FORMED genes as potential targets for designing climate-resilient cereal ideotypes. AOB Plants, 15 (4) plad040, 1-10. doi: 10.1093/aobpla/plad040

Integrating stay-green and PIN-FORMED genes: PIN-FORMED genes as potential targets for designing climate-resilient cereal ideotypes

2023

Conference Publication

Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes

Geetika, Geetika, Borrell, Andrew, Thornton, Erin, Hunt, Colleen, Chapman, Scott, Philp, Trevor, Fekybelu, Solomon, Potgieter, Andries, Godwin, Ian, Hammer, Graeme, Mace, Emma and Jordan, David (2023). Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes. Global Sorghum Conference Sorghum in the 21st Century, Montpellier, France, 5-9 June 2023.

Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes

2023

Journal Article

Balancing pre- and post-anthesis growth to maximise water-limited yield in cereals

Borrell, Andrew K., Christopher, John T., Kelly, Alison, Collins, Brian and Chenu, Karine (2023). Balancing pre- and post-anthesis growth to maximise water-limited yield in cereals. Field Crops Research, 296 108919, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2023.108919

Balancing pre- and post-anthesis growth to maximise water-limited yield in cereals

2023

Conference Publication

Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes

Geetika, Geetika, Borrell, Andrew, Thornton, Erin, Reed, Sean, Hunt, Colleen, Chapman, Scott, Philp, Trevor, Fekybelu, Solomon, Potgieter, Andries, Godwin, Ian, Hammer, Graeme, Mace, Emma and Jordan, David (2023). Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes. Australian Summer Grains Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 13-15 March 2023.

Evaluating variation in stem strength in response to artificial drought stress amongst sorghum genotypes

2023

Book Chapter

Climate change impacts on agriculture: challenges and options to reduce emissions through climate-neutral and resilient farming systems

Nagothu, Udaya Sekhar, Borrell, Andrew and Tesfai, Mehreteab (2023). Climate change impacts on agriculture: challenges and options to reduce emissions through climate-neutral and resilient farming systems. Climate neutral and resilient farming systems: practical solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation. (pp. 1-23) edited by Udaya Sekhar Nagothu. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003273172-1

Climate change impacts on agriculture: challenges and options to reduce emissions through climate-neutral and resilient farming systems

2022

Journal Article

Genetic modification of PIN genes induces causal mechanisms of stay-green drought adaptation phenotype

Borrell, Andrew K., Wong, Albert C. S., George-Jaeggli, Barbara, van Oosterom, Erik J., Mace, Emma S., Godwin, Ian D., Liu, Guoquan, Mullet, John E., Klein, Patricia E., Hammer, Graeme L., McLean, Greg, Hunt, Colleen and Jordan, David R. (2022). Genetic modification of PIN genes induces causal mechanisms of stay-green drought adaptation phenotype. Journal of Experimental Botany, 73 (19), 6711-6726. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erac336

Genetic modification of PIN genes induces causal mechanisms of stay-green drought adaptation phenotype

2022

Journal Article

Genetic basis of sorghum leaf width and its potential as a surrogate for transpiration efficiency

Zhi, Xiaoyu, Hammer, Graeme, Borrell, Andrew, Tao, Yongfu, Wu, Alex, Hunt, Colleen, van Oosterom, Erik, Massey-Reed, Sean Reynolds, Cruickshank, Alan, Potgieter, Andries B., Jordan, David, Mace, Emma and George-Jaeggli, Barbara (2022). Genetic basis of sorghum leaf width and its potential as a surrogate for transpiration efficiency. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 135 (9), 3057-3071. doi: 10.1007/s00122-022-04167-z

Genetic basis of sorghum leaf width and its potential as a surrogate for transpiration efficiency

2022

Journal Article

Coordination of stomata and vein patterns with leaf width underpins water-use efficiency in a C4 crop

Pan, Ling, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Borrell, Andrew, Jordan, David, Koller, Fiona, Al-Salman, Yazen, Ghannoum, Oula and Cano, Francisco J. (2022). Coordination of stomata and vein patterns with leaf width underpins water-use efficiency in a C4 crop. Plant Cell and Environment, 45 (6), 1612-1630. doi: 10.1111/pce.14225

Coordination of stomata and vein patterns with leaf width underpins water-use efficiency in a C4 crop

2022

Journal Article

Estimating photosynthetic attributes from high-throughput canopy hyperspectral sensing in sorghum

Zhi, Xiaoyu, Massey-Reed, Sean Reynolds, Wu, Alex, Potgieter, Andries, Borrell, Andrew, Hunt, Colleen, Jordan, David, Zhao, Yan, Chapman, Scott, Hammer, Graeme and George-Jaeggli, Barbara (2022). Estimating photosynthetic attributes from high-throughput canopy hyperspectral sensing in sorghum. Plant Phenomics, 2022 9768502, 1-18. doi: 10.34133/2022/9768502

Estimating photosynthetic attributes from high-throughput canopy hyperspectral sensing in sorghum

2022

Conference Publication

Maximising water-limited yield in cereals by balancing pre- and post-anthesis growth

Borrell, Andrew, Christopher, Jack, Kelly, Alison, Collins, Brian and Chenu, Karine (2022). Maximising water-limited yield in cereals by balancing pre- and post-anthesis growth. Australian Agronomy Conference, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia, 18-22 September 2022.

Maximising water-limited yield in cereals by balancing pre- and post-anthesis growth

2021

Journal Article

Genetic control of leaf angle in sorghum and its effect on light interception

Zhi, Xiaoyu, Tao, Yongfu, Jordan, David, Borrell, Andrew, Hunt, Colleen, Cruickshank, Alan, Potgieter, Andries, Wu, Alex, Hammer, Graeme, George-Jaeggli, Barbara and Mace, Emma (2021). Genetic control of leaf angle in sorghum and its effect on light interception. Journal of Experimental Botany, 73 (3) erab467, 801-816. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erab467

Genetic control of leaf angle in sorghum and its effect on light interception

2021

Journal Article

QTL identified for stay-green in a multi-reference nested association mapping population of wheat exhibit context dependent expression and parent-specific alleles

Christopher, Mandy, Paccapelo, Valeria, Kelly, Alison, Macdonald, Bethany, Hickey, Lee, Richard, Cécile, Verbyla, Ari, Chenu, Karine, Borrell, Andrew, Amin, Asad and Christopher, Jack (2021). QTL identified for stay-green in a multi-reference nested association mapping population of wheat exhibit context dependent expression and parent-specific alleles. Field Crops Research, 270 108181, 108181. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2021.108181

QTL identified for stay-green in a multi-reference nested association mapping population of wheat exhibit context dependent expression and parent-specific alleles

2021

Conference Publication

Discovering the genetic blueprint for designing drought-adapted crops

Wong, Albert Chern Sun, Godwin, Ian D., van Oosterom, Erik J. and Borrell, Andrew K. (2021). Discovering the genetic blueprint for designing drought-adapted crops. Plant Biology Worldwide Summit 2021, Virtual, 19 - 23 July 2021. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7277031

Discovering the genetic blueprint for designing drought-adapted crops

2021

Journal Article

Hotter, drier, CRISPR: the latest edit on climate change

Massel, Karen, Lam, Yasmine, Wong, Albert C. S., Hickey, Lee T., Borrell, Andrew K. and Godwin, Ian D. (2021). Hotter, drier, CRISPR: the latest edit on climate change. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 134 (6), 1691-1709. doi: 10.1007/s00122-020-03764-0

Hotter, drier, CRISPR: the latest edit on climate change

2021

Book Chapter

Sorghum

Borrell, Andrew, van Oosterom, Erik, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Rodriguez, Daniel, Eyre, Joe, Jordan, David J., Mace, Emma, Singh, Vijaya, Vadez, Vincent, Bell, Mike, Godwin, Ian, Cruickshank, Alan, Tao, Yongfu and Hammer, Graeme (2021). Sorghum. Crop physiology: case histories for major crops. (pp. 196-221) edited by Victor O. Sadras and Daniel F. Calderini. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-819194-1.00005-0

Sorghum

2020

Journal Article

Genetic diversity of Ethiopian sorghum reveals signatures of climatic adaptation

Menamo, T., Kassahun, B., Borrell, A. K., Jordan, D. R., Tao, Y., Hunt, C. and Mace, E. (2020). Genetic diversity of Ethiopian sorghum reveals signatures of climatic adaptation. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 134 (2), 731-742. doi: 10.1007/s00122-020-03727-5

Genetic diversity of Ethiopian sorghum reveals signatures of climatic adaptation

Funding

Current funding

  • 2021 - 2027
    Reducing lodging risk in sorghum to increase grower confidence and profitability
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Cereal blueprints for a water-limited world
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2023
    Climate-smart interventions for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia
    International Development Research Centre-Cultivate Africa's Future Fund
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Postdoctoral Fellowship interfacing crop improvement and agronomy/nutrition programs
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Proving that PIN genes are associated with drought adaptation in sorghum: A targeted research project to enhance commercialisation opportunities
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    PEARL 1: Characterizing the Ethiopian Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] Germplasm Collection for Drought Adaption Traits Associated with Root and Shoot
    Jimma University
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2020
    Sorghum Core Breeding Project
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Development and evaluation of drought-adapted sorghum germplasm for Africa and Australia - Phase II
    Generation Challenge Program Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Identifying candidate genes for stay-green in Sorghum (extension) (GRDC project led by DAFF)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Development and evaluation of drought-adapted sorghum germplasm for Africa & Australia (CIMMYT project novated from DEEDI)
    International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Improving postrainy sorghum varieties to meet the growing grain and fodder demand in India (ICRISAT(ACIAR) project novated from DEEDI)
    International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2013
    Optimised wheat root architecture for increased yield and yield stability in the face of a changing climate
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Nationally coordinated frost trials
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Andrew Borrell is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Andrew Borrell directly for media enquiries about:

  • Climate-smart crops
  • Discovering genes for drought adaptation in cereals
  • Drought adaptation in crops
  • Root architecture in crops
  • Science and food security
  • Stay-green trait

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