Overview
Background
- Professor Wade graduated with BAgrSc (Hons) in Crop Agronomy from the University of Queensland, a PhD in Crop Science from the University of Western Australia, and Research Fellowships to the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics in India, and Texas A&M University in the USA. Len was based at Emerald with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries from 1974 to 1993, as Agronomist, then Senior and Principal Agronomist. From 1993 to 2002, Len moved to the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, as Agronomist/Physiologist, Rainfed Consortium Coordinator, and Program Leader for Rainfed-Lowland and Flood-Prone Ecosystem Programs across South and South-East Asia. For five years, Professor Wade was GRDC Chair in Crop Agronomy at the University of Western Australia, before joining Charles Sturt University as Strategic Research Professor in Farming Systems, Crop Physiology and Crop Improvement, from 2007 to 2016. Since July 2016, Len has been Honorary Professor at The University of Queensland in the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, to facilitate his continuing professional engagement via mentoring of younger colleagues, assistance to international projects, publication in international journals, editorial advisory boards of Field Crops Research and Crop and Environment, and consultant to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Len's paper on perennial rice, which was published in Nature Sustainability in November 2022, was identified as Runner-Up for Science Breakthrough of the Year by the journal, Science. Len presented an invited lecture on this work to the American Academy for the Advancement of Science at the Breakthrough of the Year Celebrations in Washington DC in March 2023. Recently, Len has been included in Research.Com's list of best scientists in Plant Science and Agronomy, with world ranking 1554, national ranking 139 and D = 48.
Availability
- Honorary Professor Len Wade is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia
Research interests
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Farming Systems
Resource balance and sustainability, systems integration and delivery, farmer perception and adoption, and farmer livelihood and food security.
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Crop Physiology
Avoidance and tolerance strategies for drought (and heat), roots and water extraction, osmotic adjustment and water-soluble carbohydrates, genotype-by-environment interactions, associated genetics QTL and genomic hotspots.
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Crop Improvement
Development of dual-purpose perennial grain crops for grain and grazing, including systems flexibility, sustainability and integration with livestock.
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Across Ecosystems
Comparable interests across rice-based systems in sub-humid environments, wheat-based systems in mediterranean environments, and maize- and sorghum-based systems in sub-humid and semi-arid environments, for synergistic benefits.
Works
Search Professor Len Wade’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Perennial rice regrowth responds to stubble characteristics, temperature and genotype
Huang, Guangfu, He, Mi, Wang, Silai, Li, Yufu, Li, Jianli, Zhang, Yujiao, Zhang, Shilai, Lian, Xiaoping, Zhang, Jing, Wade, Len J. and Hu, Fengyi (2025). Perennial rice regrowth responds to stubble characteristics, temperature and genotype. Field Crops Research, 322 109746, 109746-322. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109746
2025
Journal Article
Post‐rice soybeans and peanuts differ in performance, water use, and water‐use efficiency in the rainfed lowlands
Vongthilard, S., Inthavong, T., Sengxua, P., Eberbach, P., Harnpichitvitaya, D. and Wade, L. J. (2025). Post‐rice soybeans and peanuts differ in performance, water use, and water‐use efficiency in the rainfed lowlands. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 8 (1) e70041. doi: 10.1002/agg2.70041
2024
Journal Article
Solute contributions to osmotic adjustment in leaf segments of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) exposed to polyethylene glycol-induced water deficit
Nio, Song Ai, Ludong, Daniel P.M., Acuna, Tina L. Botwright and Wade, Len J. (2024). Solute contributions to osmotic adjustment in leaf segments of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) exposed to polyethylene glycol-induced water deficit. Plant Production Science, 27 (2), 99-109. doi: 10.1080/1343943x.2023.2299644
2023
Journal Article
Responses to elevated daytime air and canopy temperature during panicle development in four rice genotypes under paddy conditions in large field chambers
Pasuquin, Estela M., Eberbach, Philip L., Hasegawa, Toshihiro, Lafarge, Tanguy, Harnpichitvitaya, Dome and Wade, Len J. (2023). Responses to elevated daytime air and canopy temperature during panicle development in four rice genotypes under paddy conditions in large field chambers. Crop and Environment, 2 (3), 147-156. doi: 10.1016/j.crope.2023.04.004
2023
Journal Article
Switch to perennial rice promotes sustainable farming
Hu, Fengyi and Wade, Len J. (2023). Switch to perennial rice promotes sustainable farming. Nature Sustainability, 6 (1), 17-18. doi: 10.1038/s41893-022-01002-7
2022
Journal Article
Sustained productivity and agronomic potential of perennial rice
Zhang, Shilai, Huang, Guangfu, Zhang, Yujiao, Lv, Xiutao, Wan, Kejiang, Liang, Jian, Feng, Yupeng, Dao, Jinrong, Wu, Shukang, Zhang, Lin, Yang, Xu, Lian, Xiaoping, Huang, Liyu, Shao, Lin, Zhang, Jing, Qin, Shiwen, Tao, Dayun, Crews, Timothy E., Sacks, Erik J., Lyu, Jun, Wade, Len J. and Hu, Fengyi (2022). Sustained productivity and agronomic potential of perennial rice. Nature Sustainability, 6 (1), 28-38. doi: 10.1038/s41893-022-00997-3
2022
Journal Article
Performance and adoption of submergence-tolerant TDK1-Sub1 rice in southern Lao PDR
Jackson, Tamara M., Newby, Jono, Phouyyavong, Khamphou, Vorlason, Sisavanh, Simali, Phetsamone, Sihathep, Vorachith, Zeleke, Ketema, Sengxua, Pheng, Harnpichitvitaya, Dome and Wade, Len J. (2022). Performance and adoption of submergence-tolerant TDK1-Sub1 rice in southern Lao PDR. Crop and Environment, 1 (2), 108-114. doi: 10.1016/j.crope.2022.04.001
2022
Journal Article
Nutrients enhance genotype and water responses in rainfed lowland rice in southern Lao PDR
Sengxua, P., Inthavong, S., Sihatep, V., Samson, B. K., Newby, J., Jackson, T. M., Harnpichitvitaya, D. and Wade, L. J. (2022). Nutrients enhance genotype and water responses in rainfed lowland rice in southern Lao PDR. Crop and Environment, 1 (1), 50-58. doi: 10.1016/j.crope.2022.03.004
2021
Book Chapter
Rice
Fukai, Shu and Wade, Len J. (2021). Rice. Crop Physiology Case Histories for Major Crops. (pp. 44-97) edited by Victor O. Sadras and Daniel F. Calderini. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819194-1.00002-5
2020
Journal Article
Neo-functionalization of a Teosinte branched 1 homologue mediates adaptations of upland rice
Lyu, Jun, Huang, Liyu, Zhang, Shilai, Zhang, Yesheng, He, Weiming, Zeng, Peng, Zeng, Yan, Huang, Guangfu, Zhang, Jing, Ning, Min, Bao, Yachong, Zhao, Shilei, Fu, Qi, Wade, Len J., Chen, Hua, Wang, Wen and Hu, Fengyi (2020). Neo-functionalization of a Teosinte branched 1 homologue mediates adaptations of upland rice. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 725, 725. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-14264-1
2020
Journal Article
Short-duration mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) genotypes differ in performance, water use and apparent water-use efficiency in southern Lao PDR
Samson, Benjamin K., Sengxua, Pheng, Vorlason, Sisavanh, Douangboupha, Khamsouk, Eberbach, Philip, Vote, Camilla, Jackson, Tamara, Harnpichitvitaya, Dome and Wade, Len J. (2020). Short-duration mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) genotypes differ in performance, water use and apparent water-use efficiency in southern Lao PDR. Field Crops Research, 245 107662, 107662. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2019.107662
2019
Journal Article
Genotype by environment interactions for performance of perennial rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L./Oryza longistaminata) relative to annual rice genotypes over regrowth cycles and locations in southern China
Zhang, Shilai, Huang, Guangfu, Zhang, Jing, Huang, Liyu, Cheng, Mao, Wang, Zhili, Zhang, Yini, Wang, Chunli, Zhu, Pinfen, Yu, Xuanli, Tao, Ke, Hu, Jian, Yang, Feng, Qi, Huawen, Li, Xueping, Liu, Shulin, Yang, Rongjiao, Long, Yunchuan, Harnpichitvitaya, Dome, Wade, Len J. and Hu, Fengyi (2019). Genotype by environment interactions for performance of perennial rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L./Oryza longistaminata) relative to annual rice genotypes over regrowth cycles and locations in southern China. Field Crops Research, 241 107556, 107556. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2019.107556
2019
Journal Article
Quantification of an overlooked water resource in the tropical rainfed lowlands using RapidEye satellite data: a case of farm ponds and the potential gross value for smallholder production in southern Laos
Vote, Camilla, Eberbach, Philip, Inthavong, Thavone, Lampayan, Rubenito M., Vongthilard, Somsamay and Wade, Len J. (2019). Quantification of an overlooked water resource in the tropical rainfed lowlands using RapidEye satellite data: a case of farm ponds and the potential gross value for smallholder production in southern Laos. Agricultural Water Management, 212, 111-118. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2018.08.016
2018
Journal Article
Performance and survival of perennial rice derivatives (Oryza sativa L./Oryza longistaminata) in Lau PDR
Samson, Benjamin K., Voradeth, Singtty, Zhang, Shilai, Tao, Dayun, Xayavong, Sisavanh, Khammone, Thiravong, Douangboupha, Khamsouk, Sihathep, Vorachith, Sengxua, Pheng, Phimphachanhvongsod, Viengsavanh, Bouahom, Bounthong, Jackson, Tamara, Harnpichitvitaya, Dome, Hu, Fengyi and Wade, Len J. (2018). Performance and survival of perennial rice derivatives (Oryza sativa L./Oryza longistaminata) in Lau PDR. Experimental Agriculture, 54 (4), 592-603. doi: 10.1017/S0014479717000266
2018
Journal Article
Integrated nutrient–weed management under mechanised dry direct seeding (dds) is essential for sustained smallholder adoption in rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.)–Corrigendum
Sengxua, Pheng, Jackson, Tamara, Simali, Phetsamone, Vial, Leigh K., Douangboupha, Khamsouk, Clarke, Elizabeth, Harnpichitvitaya, Dome and Wade, Len J. (2018). Integrated nutrient–weed management under mechanised dry direct seeding (dds) is essential for sustained smallholder adoption in rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.)–Corrigendum. Experimental Agriculture, 55 (4), 526-527. doi: 10.1017/S0014479718000248
2018
Journal Article
Accounting for genotype-by-environment interactions and residual genetic variation in genomic selection for water-soluble carbohydrate concentration in wheat
Ovenden, Ben, Milgate, Andrew, Wade, Len J., Rebetzke, Greg J. and Holland, James B. (2018). Accounting for genotype-by-environment interactions and residual genetic variation in genomic selection for water-soluble carbohydrate concentration in wheat. G3: Genes Genomes Genetics, 8 (6), 1909-1919. doi: 10.1534/g3.118.200038
2018
Journal Article
Integrated nutrient–weed management under mechanised dry direct seeding (dds) is essential for sustained smallholder adoption in rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Sengxua, Pheng, Jackson, Tamara, Simali, Phetsamone, Vial, Leigh K., Douangboupha, Khamsouk, Clarke, Elizabeth, Harnpichitvitaya, Dome and Wade, Len J. (2018). Integrated nutrient–weed management under mechanised dry direct seeding (dds) is essential for sustained smallholder adoption in rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.). Experimental Agriculture, 55 (4), 1-17. doi: 10.1017/S0014479718000145
2018
Journal Article
The performance of early-generation perennial winter cereals at 21 sites across four continents
Hayes, Richard C., Wang, Shuwen, Newell, Matthew T., Turner, Kathryn, Larsen, Jamie, Gazza, Laura, Anderson, James A., Bell, Lindsay W., Cattani, Douglas J., Frels, Katherine, Galassi, Elena, Morgounov, Alexey I., Revell, Clinton K., Thapa, Dhruba B., Sacks, Erik J., Sameri, Mohammad, Wade, Len J., Westerbergh, Anna, Shamanin, Vladimir, Amanov, Amir and Li, Guangdi D. (2018). The performance of early-generation perennial winter cereals at 21 sites across four continents. Sustainability, 10 (4) 1124, 1124. doi: 10.3390/su10041124
2018
Journal Article
Performance, economics and potential impact of perennial rice PR23 relative to annual rice cultivars at multiple locations in Yunnan Province of China
Huang, Guangfu, Qin, Shiwen, Zhang, Shilai, Cai, Xiaolin, Wu, Shukang, Dao, Jinrong, Zhang, Jing, Huang, Liyu, Harnpichitvitaya, Dome, Wade, Len J. and Hu, Fengyi (2018). Performance, economics and potential impact of perennial rice PR23 relative to annual rice cultivars at multiple locations in Yunnan Province of China. Sustainability (Switzerland), 10 (4) 1086, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/su10041086
2018
Journal Article
Comparison of leaf osmotic adjustment expression in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under water deficit between the whole plant and tissue levels
Nio, Song Ai, Mantilen Ludong, Daniel Peter and Wade, Len J. (2018). Comparison of leaf osmotic adjustment expression in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under water deficit between the whole plant and tissue levels. Agriculture and Natural Resources, 52 (1), 33-38. doi: 10.1016/j.anres.2018.03.003
Media
Enquiries
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- Perennial Rice
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