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
2011
Journal Article
Stable soil organic matter: a comparison of C:N:P:S ratios in Australian and other world soils
Kirkby, C. A., Kirkegaard, J. A., Richardson, A. E., Wade, L. J., Blanchard, C. and Batten, G. (2011). Stable soil organic matter: a comparison of C:N:P:S ratios in Australian and other world soils. Geoderma, 163 (3-4), 197-208. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2011.04.010
2011
Journal Article
Increases in seed density can improve plant stand and increase seedling vigour from small seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Ball, B., Meharry, D., Acuna, T. L. Botwright, Sharma, D. L., Hamza, M. and Wade, L. J. (2011). Increases in seed density can improve plant stand and increase seedling vigour from small seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Experimental Agriculture, 47 (3), 445-457. doi: 10.1017/S0014479710001006
2010
Journal Article
Perennial Questions of Hydrology and Climate Response
Glover, J. D., Reganold, J. P., Bell, L. W., Borevitz, J., Brummer, E. C., Buckler, E. S., Cox, C. M., Cox, T. S., Crews, T. E., Culman, S. W., Dehaan, L. R., Eriksson, D., Gill, B. S., Holland, J., Hu, F., Hulke, B. S., Ibrahim, A. M. H., Jackson, W., Jones, S. S., Murray, S. C., Paterson, A. H., Ploschuk, E., Sacks, E. J., Snapp, S., Tao, D., Van Tassel, D. L., Wade, L. J., Wyse, D. L. and Xu, Y. (2010). Perennial Questions of Hydrology and Climate Response. Science, 330 (6000), 33-34. doi: 10.1126/science.330.6000.33-b
2010
Journal Article
Response
Glover, J. D., Reganold, J. P., Bell, L. W., Borevitz, J., Brummer, E. C., Buckler, E. S., Cox, C. M., Cox, T. S., Crews, T. E., Culman, S. W., Dehaan, L. R., Eriksson, D., Gill, B. S., Holland, J., Hu, F., Hulke, B. S., Ibrahim, A. M.H., Jackson, W., Jones, S. S., Murray, S. C., Paterson, A. H., Ploschuk, E., Sacks, E. J., Snapp, S., Tao, D., Van Tassel, D. L., Wade, L. J., Wyse, D. L. and Xu, Y. (2010). Response. Science, 330 (6000), 33-34.
2010
Journal Article
Perennial wheat: a review of environmental and agronomic prospects for development in Australia
Bell, Lindsay W., Wade, Len J. and Ewing, Mike A. (2010). Perennial wheat: a review of environmental and agronomic prospects for development in Australia. Crop & Pasture Science, 61 (9), 679-690. doi: 10.1071/CP10064
2010
Journal Article
Increased food and ecosystem security via perennial grains
Glover, J. D., Reganold, J. P., Bell, L. W., Borevitz, J., Brummer, E. C., Buckler, E. S., Cox, C. M., Cox, T. S., Crews, T. E., Culman, S. W., DeHaan, L. R., Eriksson, D., Gill, B. S., Holland, J., Hu, F., Hulke, B. S., Ibrahim, A. M. H., Jackson, W., Jones, S. S., Murray, S. C., Paterson, A. H., Ploschuk, E., Sacks, E. J., Snapp, S., Tao, D., Van Tassel, D. L., Wade, L. J., Wyse, D. L. and Xu, Y. (2010). Increased food and ecosystem security via perennial grains. Science, 328 (5986), 1638-1639. doi: 10.1126/science.1188761
2009
Journal Article
Fractal analysis on root systems of rice plants in response to drought stress
Wang, Hong, Siopongco, Joel, Wade, Len J. and Yamauchi, Akira (2009). Fractal analysis on root systems of rice plants in response to drought stress. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 65 (2-3), 338-344. doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2008.10.002
2009
Journal Article
Rooting behavior of rice cultivars under different planting methods
Uddin, Md Romij, Wade, Leonard John, Pyon, Jong Yeong and Mazid, Md Abdul (2009). Rooting behavior of rice cultivars under different planting methods. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology, 12 (1), 17-24. doi: 10.1007/s12892-008-0057-5
2009
Journal Article
Severity of root rot in mature subterranean clover and associated fungal pathogens in the wheatbelt of Western Australia
O'Rourke, Tiernan A., Scanlon, Tim T., Ryan, Megan H., Wade, Len J., McKay, Alan C., Riley, Ian T., Li, Hua, Sivasithamparam, Krishnapillai and Barbetti, Martin J. (2009). Severity of root rot in mature subterranean clover and associated fungal pathogens in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. Crop & Pasture Science, 60 (1), 43-50. doi: 10.1071/CP08187
2009
Journal Article
Stomatal responses in rainfed lowland rice to partial soil drying; comparison of two lines
Siopongco, Joel D. L. C., Sekiya, Kazumi, Yamauchi, Akira, Egdane, James, Ismail, Abdelbagi M. and Wade, Len J. (2009). Stomatal responses in rainfed lowland rice to partial soil drying; comparison of two lines. Plant Production Science, 12 (1), 17-28. doi: 10.1626/pps.12.17
2008
Journal Article
Genotype x environment interactions for grain yield of upland rice backcros lines in diverse hydrological environments
Botwright Acuna, T. L., Lafitte, H. R. and Wade, L. J. (2008). Genotype x environment interactions for grain yield of upland rice backcros lines in diverse hydrological environments. Field Crops Research, 108 (2), 117-125. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2008.04.003
2008
Journal Article
A preliminary whole-farm economic analysis of perennial wheat in an Australian dryland farming system
Bell, Lindsay W., Byrne (nee Flugge), Felicity, Ewing, Mike A. and Wade, Len J. (2008). A preliminary whole-farm economic analysis of perennial wheat in an Australian dryland farming system. Agricultural Systems, 96 (1-3), 166-174. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2007.07.007
2008
Journal Article
Stomatal responses in rainfed lowland rice to partial soil drying; evidence for root signals
Siopongco, Joel D. L. C., Sekiya, Kazumi, Yamauchi, Akira, Egdane, James, Ismail, Abdelbagi M. and Wade, Len J. (2008). Stomatal responses in rainfed lowland rice to partial soil drying; evidence for root signals. Plant Production Science, 11 (1), 28-41. doi: 10.1626/pps.11.28
2007
Journal Article
Nitrogen contributions in a windmill grass (Chloris truncata)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system in south-western Australia
Syme, H., Botwright Acuna, T. L., Abrecht, D. and Wade, L. J. (2007). Nitrogen contributions in a windmill grass (Chloris truncata)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system in south-western Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 45 (8), 635-642. doi: 10.1071/SR07159
2007
Journal Article
Genotypic differences in root penetration ability of wheat through thin wax layers in contrasting water regimes and in the field
Botwright Acuna, T. L., Pasuquin, E. and Wade, L. J. (2007). Genotypic differences in root penetration ability of wheat through thin wax layers in contrasting water regimes and in the field. Plant and Soil, 301 (1-2), 135-149. doi: 10.1007/s11104-007-9428-9
2006
Journal Article
Internal efficiency, nutrient uptake, and the relation to field water resources in rainfed lowland rice of northeast Thailand
Naklang, K., Harnpichitvitaya, D., Amarante, S. T., Wade, L. J. and Haefele, S. M. (2006). Internal efficiency, nutrient uptake, and the relation to field water resources in rainfed lowland rice of northeast Thailand. Plant and Soil, 286 (1-2), 193-208. doi: 10.1007/s11104-006-9037-z
2006
Journal Article
Emergence, stand establishment and vigour of deep-sown Australian and CIMMYT wheats
Gooding, S., Botwright Acuna, T. L., Fox, P. N. and Wade, L. J. (2006). Emergence, stand establishment and vigour of deep-sown Australian and CIMMYT wheats. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 46 (9), 1167-1175. doi: 10.1071/EA05200
2006
Journal Article
Factors affecting rice yield and fertilizer response in rainfed lowlands of northeast Thailand
Haefele, SM, Naklang, K, Harnpichitvitaya, D, Jearakongman, S, Skulkhu, E, Romyen, P, Phasopa, S, Tabtim, S, Suriya-Arunroj, D, Khunthasuvon, S, Kraisorakul, D, Youngsuk, P, Amarante, ST and Wade, LJ (2006). Factors affecting rice yield and fertilizer response in rainfed lowlands of northeast Thailand. Field Crops Research, 98 (1), 39-51. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2005.12.003
2006
Journal Article
Partitioning of dry matter during drought stress in rainfed lowland rice
Kumar, R., Sarawgi, A. K., Ramos, C., Amarante, S. T., Ismail, A. M. and Wade, L. J. (2006). Partitioning of dry matter during drought stress in rainfed lowland rice. Field Crops Research, 98 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2005.09.015
2006
Journal Article
Hydrogen isotope composition of soil water above and below the hardpan in a rainfed lowland rice field
Yano, Katsuya, Sekiya, Nobuhito, Samson, Benjamin K., Mazid, M. A., Yamauchi, Akira, Kono, Yasuhiro and Wade, Len J. (2006). Hydrogen isotope composition of soil water above and below the hardpan in a rainfed lowland rice field. Field Crops Research, 96 (2-3), 477-480. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2005.09.011
Media
Enquiries
Contact Honorary Professor Len Wade directly for media enquiries about:
- Perennial Rice
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