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
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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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
2012
Journal Article
Current and emerging screening methods to identify post-head-emergence frost adaptation in wheat and barley
Frederiks, T. M., Christopher, J. T., Harvey, G. L., Sutherland, M. W. and Borrell, A. K. (2012). Current and emerging screening methods to identify post-head-emergence frost adaptation in wheat and barley. Journal of Experimental Botany, 63 (15), 5405-5416. doi: 10.1093/jxb/ers215
2012
Journal Article
The relationship between the stay-green trait and grain yield in elite sorghum hybrids grown in a range of environments
Jordan, D. R., Hunt, C. H., Cruickshank, A.W., Borrell, A. K. and Henzell, R. G. (2012). The relationship between the stay-green trait and grain yield in elite sorghum hybrids grown in a range of environments. Crop Science, 52 (3), 1153-1161. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2011.06.0326
2012
Conference Publication
Physiological and molecular approaches to drought adaptation in cereals (Plenary Address)
Borrell, A. K. (2012). Physiological and molecular approaches to drought adaptation in cereals (Plenary Address). Indian Society of Plant Physiology 2012 Conference, Hyderabad, India, 10-14 December 2012.
2011
Journal Article
Does increased leaf appearance rate enhance adaptation to postanthesis drought stress in sorghum?
van Oosterom, E. J., Borrell, A. K., Deifel, K. S. and Hammer, G. L. (2011). Does increased leaf appearance rate enhance adaptation to postanthesis drought stress in sorghum?. Crop Science, 51 (6), 2728-2740. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2011.01.0031
2011
Journal Article
Yield, transpiration efficiency, and water-use variations and their interrelationships in the sorghum reference collection
Vadez, V., Krishnamurthy, L., Hash, C. T., Upadhyaya, H. D. and Borrell, A. K. (2011). Yield, transpiration efficiency, and water-use variations and their interrelationships in the sorghum reference collection. Crop and Pasture Science, 62 (8), 645-655. doi: 10.1071/CP11007
2011
Conference Publication
Developing drought-adapted sorghum germplasm for Africa and Australia: Stay-green trait beneficial in tall and short backgrounds
Borrell, Andrew K., Jordan, David R. and George-Jaeggli, Barbara (2011). Developing drought-adapted sorghum germplasm for Africa and Australia: Stay-green trait beneficial in tall and short backgrounds. Plant and Animal Genome XIX Conference, San Diego CA, United States, 15-19 January 2011.
2011
Journal Article
Stay-green quantitative trait loci's effects on water extraction, transpiration efficiency and seed yield depend on recipient parent background
Vadez, Vincent, Deshpande, Santosh P., Kholova, Jana, Hammer, Graeme L., Borrell, Andrew K., Talwar, Harvinder S. and Hash, C. Thomas (2011). Stay-green quantitative trait loci's effects on water extraction, transpiration efficiency and seed yield depend on recipient parent background. Functional Plant Biology, 38 (7), 553-566. doi: 10.1071/FP11073
2011
Journal Article
Post head-emergence frost resistance of barley genotypes in the northern grain region of Australia
Frederiks, Troy, Christopher, John, Fletcher, Susan and Borrell, Andrew (2011). Post head-emergence frost resistance of barley genotypes in the northern grain region of Australia. Crop and Pasture Science, 62 (9), 736-745. doi: 10.1071/CP11079
2011
Conference Publication
Optimising methods of field screening for reproductive frost resistance
Frederiks, T. M., Christopher, J. T., Harvey, G., Kelly, A. and Borrell, A. K. (2011). Optimising methods of field screening for reproductive frost resistance. Wheat Breeders Assembly, Perth, Australia, 24-26 August 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Characterising root systems throughout the life cycle to identify adaptive root traits for water-limitation
Christopher, J. T., Borrell, A. K., Chenu, K., Jennings, R., Harvey, G., Manschadi, A. M. and Hammer, G. L. (2011). Characterising root systems throughout the life cycle to identify adaptive root traits for water-limitation. Wheat Breeding Assembly, Perth, Australia, 24-26 August 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Variation in frost susceptibility of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) during head-emergence and implications for phenotyping
Frederiks, T.M., Christopher, J.T., Borrell, A.K. and Fletcher, S. (2011). Variation in frost susceptibility of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) during head-emergence and implications for phenotyping. 9th International Plant Cold Hardiness Seminar (IPCHS), Luxembourg, Belgium, 17-22 July 2011.
2010
Journal Article
Functional dynamics of the nitrogen balance of sorghum: I. N demand of vegetative plant parts
Van Oosterom, EJ, Borrell, AK, Broad, IJ and Hammer, GL (2010). Functional dynamics of the nitrogen balance of sorghum: I. N demand of vegetative plant parts. Field Crops Research, 115 (1), 19-28. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2009.09.018
2010
Journal Article
Functional dynamics of the nitrogen balance of sorghum. II. Grain filling period
Van Oosterom, EJ, Chapman, SC, Borrell, AK, Broad, IJ and Hammer, GL (2010). Functional dynamics of the nitrogen balance of sorghum. II. Grain filling period. Field Crops Research, 115 (1), 29-38. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2009.09.019
2010
Conference Publication
A GCP Challenge Initiative: Drought Tolerance Improvement for Sorghum in Africa
Borrell, Andrew, Paterson, Andrew H., Hash, C. Tom, Billot, Claire, Jordan, David R., Lespinasse, Denis, Weltzien, Eva, Rattunde, H. Fred W., Upadhyaya, Hari D., Glaszmann, Jean-Christophe, Rami, Jean-Francois, Vaksmann, Michel, Teme, Niaba, Niangado, Oumar, Ramu, Punna, Senthilvel, S., Deshpande, Santosh P., Bouchet, Sophie and Kresovich, Stephen (2010). A GCP Challenge Initiative: Drought Tolerance Improvement for Sorghum in Africa. Plant & Animal Genome XVIII Conference, San Diego, CA, U.S.A., 9-13 January 2010.
2010
Conference Publication
Plant design features that improve grain yield of sorghum under post-anthesis drought stress
van Oosterom, Erik, Borrell, Andrew, Deifel, Kurt and Hammer, Graeme (2010). Plant design features that improve grain yield of sorghum under post-anthesis drought stress. Australian Summer Grains Conference 2010, Gold Coast, Qld., Australia, 21-24 June 2010. Barton, A.C.T., Australia: Grains Research and Development Corporation.
2009
Journal Article
Rice responses to soil management in a rice-based cropping system in the semi-arid tropics of southern Lombok, Eastern Indonesia
Ma'shum, M., Tisdall, J. M., Borrell, A. K., McKenzie, B. M., Gill, J. S., Kusnarta, I. G. M., Mahrup, Sukartono and Van Cooten, D. E. (2009). Rice responses to soil management in a rice-based cropping system in the semi-arid tropics of southern Lombok, Eastern Indonesia. Field Crops Research, 110 (3), 197-206. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2008.08.003
2008
Journal Article
Developmental and physiological traits associated with high yield and stay-green phenotype in wheat
ChristopherJT, ManschadiAM, HammerGL, BorrellAK and JennyCFegent (2008). Developmental and physiological traits associated with high yield and stay-green phenotype in wheat. Australian Journal of Agicultural Research, 59 (4), 354-364. doi: 10.1071/AR07193
2008
Conference Publication
Stay-green wheat for Australia's changing, dry environment
Christopher, J. T., Manschadi, A., Hammer, G. L. and Borrell, A. K. (2008). Stay-green wheat for Australia's changing, dry environment. 11th International Wheat Genetics Symposium, Brisbane, Queensland, 24-29 Aug 2008. Sydney, Australia: Sydney University Press.
2007
Conference Publication
Sorghum stay-green QTL individually reduce post-flowering drought-induced leaf senescence
Harris, Karen, Subudhi, PK, Borrell, Andrew, Jordan, David, Rosenow, Darrell, Nguyen, Henry, Klein, Patricia, Klein, Robert and Mullet, John (2007). Sorghum stay-green QTL individually reduce post-flowering drought-induced leaf senescence. International Conference on Integrated Appraches to Sustain and Improve Plant Production under Drought Stress, Rome, Italy, 24-28 September 2005. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erl225
2006
Conference Publication
What determines expression of stay-green under post-anthesis drought stress?
Van Oosterom, E J, Hammer, G L, Borrell, A. and Broad, J. (2006). What determines expression of stay-green under post-anthesis drought stress?. 5th Australian Sorghum Conference, Gold Coast, 30 January - 2 February 2006. Gold Coast: Range Media Pty Ltd.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Andrew Borrell is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Genetic control of stomatal conductance in sorghum and its effects on drought adaptation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Emma Mace, Dr Erik Van Oosterom, Dr Alex Wu
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Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing natural genetic variation and genome engineering to optimise barley root systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin, Dr Karen Massel, Dr Peter Crisp, Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Hannah Robinson
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Manipulation of plant architecture genes in sorghum to manage drought adaptation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin, Dr Erik Van Oosterom
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
New insights into designer root systems for durum wheat improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Emma Mace, Associate Professor Andries Potgieter, Dr Samir Alahmad, Professor Lee Hickey
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Building Blocks for Designer Ideotypes: Dissecting Plant Architecture Genes using CRISPR/Cas9
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Erik Van Oosterom, Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Karen Massel, Professor Ian Godwin
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2023
Master Philosophy
Investigating the genetics and value of root traits to support yield in barley
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin, Dr Samir Alahmad, Professor Lee Hickey
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Hyperspectral sensing methods and genome-wide association studies to improve photosynthetic capacity in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Graeme Hammer, Dr Alex Wu, Associate Professor Andries Potgieter, Dr Barbara George-Jaeggli
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating root traits for drought adaptation in barley: an insight into the genetics influencing root system architecture
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Kelly, Professor Lee Hickey
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Breeding wheat for drought adaptation: Development of selection tools for root architectural traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Associate Professor Karine Chenu
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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