Overview
Background
My research focusses on soil health in cropping and pasture systems, specialising in soil carbon and soil organic matter dynamics, microbial ecology, and plant-soil interactions. I am interested in how agronomic interventions impact soil health and in developing methods to reverse soil fertility decline and build healthier, more productive soils. This includes understanding the impacts of tillage, cover cropping, crop rotational diversity, nutrient management, and organic amendments on soil functional processes and crop development and productivity.
I have extensive experience in designing and analyzing field and glasshouse experiments and implementing advanced statistical models using R. I have excellent verbal and written communication skills, maintain positive relationships with collaborators both nationally and internationally, and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Availability
- Dr Alwyn Williams is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Biology, Imperial College London
- Masters (Coursework) of Forest Science, Imperial College London
- Doctor of Philosophy of Forestry, University of Canterbury
Works
Search Professor Alwyn Williams’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
Fallow replacement cover crops impact soil water and nitrogen dynamics in a semi-arid sub-tropical environment
Garba, Ismail Ibrahim, Fay, Daniel, Apriani, Reni, Yusof, Dk Yusrina Pg, Chu, Danqing and Williams, Alwyn (2022). Fallow replacement cover crops impact soil water and nitrogen dynamics in a semi-arid sub-tropical environment. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 338 108052, 108052. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2022.108052
2022
Conference Publication
Modelling long-term impact of diverse cover crops in dryland on fallow efficiency and soil nitrogen dynamics
Garba, Ismail Ibrahim and Williams, Alwyn (2022). Modelling long-term impact of diverse cover crops in dryland on fallow efficiency and soil nitrogen dynamics. XVIIth Congress of the European Society for Agronomy, Potsdam, Germany, 29 August - 2 September 2022.
2022
Book Chapter
Decline in soil fertility and biological diversity
Williams, Alwyn , Dalal, Ram and Hedlund, Katarina (2022). Decline in soil fertility and biological diversity. Soil constraints on crop production. (pp. 267-292) edited by Yash Dang, Neal Menzies and Ram Dalal. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
2022
Journal Article
Cropping system diversification influences soil microbial diversity in subtropical dryland farming systems
Williams, Alwyn, Birt, Henry W. G., Raghavendra, Anil and Dennis, Paul G. (2022). Cropping system diversification influences soil microbial diversity in subtropical dryland farming systems. Microbial Ecology, 85 (4), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s00248-022-02074-w
2022
Journal Article
Germination behaviour of Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana under a range of light and temperature regimes
Ali, Mohammad, Suthar, Premal C., Williams, Alwyn, Michael Widderick and Adkins, Steve W. (2022). Germination behaviour of Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana under a range of light and temperature regimes. Crop and Pasture Science, 73 (12), 1395-1405. doi: 10.1071/CP22074
2022
Journal Article
Cover crop legacy impacts on soil water and nitrogen dynamics, and on subsequent crop yields in drylands: a meta-analysis
Garba, Ismail I., Bell, Lindsay W. and Williams, Alwyn (2022). Cover crop legacy impacts on soil water and nitrogen dynamics, and on subsequent crop yields in drylands: a meta-analysis. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 42 (3) 34. doi: 10.1007/s13593-022-00760-0
2022
Journal Article
Comparison of equations to predict the metabolisable energy content as applied to the vertical strata and plant parts of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
Lwin, D. S., Williams, A., Barber, D. E., Benvenutti, M. A., Williams, B., Poppi, D. P. and Harper, K. J. (2022). Comparison of equations to predict the metabolisable energy content as applied to the vertical strata and plant parts of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Animal Production Science, 62 (11), 1006-1013. doi: 10.1071/an21510
2022
Conference Publication
Fate of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana seeds under different burial depths and wheat residue loads
Ali, Mohammad, Williams, Alwyn, Widderick, Michael and Adkins, Steve W. (2022). Fate of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana seeds under different burial depths and wheat residue loads . System Solutions for Complex Problems, Toowoomba, QLD Australia, 18-22 September 2022. Toowoomba, QLD Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2022
Conference Publication
Winter cover crop biomass production and water use in southeast Queensland
Garba, I. I., Apriani, R., Chu, D., Pg Yusof, D. Y. and Williams, A. (2022). Winter cover crop biomass production and water use in southeast Queensland. System Solutions for Complex Problems, Toowoomba, QLD Australia, 18-22 September 2022. Toowoomba, QLD Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2022
Conference Publication
Mungbean responses to elevated day- and night-time temperatures
Williams, Alwyn, Wenham, Kylie, Smith, Millicent, Rachaputi, R. C. N. and Collins, Marisa (2022). Mungbean responses to elevated day- and night-time temperatures. System Solutions for Complex Problems, Toowoomba, QLD Australia, 18-22 September 2022. Toowoomba, QLD Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2022
Conference Publication
Controlled traffic and wider row spacing reduces the incidence of Chlorotic Streak Disease (CSD) in sugarcane seedbeds in subtropical Australia
Wang, Ke, Williams, Alwyn and Young, Anthony (2022). Controlled traffic and wider row spacing reduces the incidence of Chlorotic Streak Disease (CSD) in sugarcane seedbeds in subtropical Australia. System Solutions for Complex Problems, Toowoomba, QLD Australia, 18-22 September 2022. Toowoomba, QLD Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2022
Conference Publication
Interaction between root architecture, soil moisture and phosphorus placement on cereal productivity
van der Bom, Frederik, Williams, Alwyn and Bell, Michael (2022). Interaction between root architecture, soil moisture and phosphorus placement on cereal productivity. System Solutions for Complex Problems, Toowoomba, QLD Australia, 18-22 September 2022. Toowoomba, QLD Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2022
Conference Publication
Interactive effect of high temperature and reduced soil moisture availability on the morpho-physiological traits and glyphosate susceptibility of windmill grass (Chloris truncata R.Br.)
Peerzada, Arslan Masood, Williams, Alwyn, O'Donnell, Chris and Adkins, Steve (2022). Interactive effect of high temperature and reduced soil moisture availability on the morpho-physiological traits and glyphosate susceptibility of windmill grass (Chloris truncata R.Br.). Australasian Weeds Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 25-29 September 2022. Adelaide, SA, Australia: CAWS - Council of Australasian Weed Societies and the Weed Management Society of South Australia.
2022
Journal Article
Impacts of reducing fallow periods on indicators of soil function in subtropical dryland farming systems
Williams, Alwyn, Kay, Phillip, Stirling, Graham, Weng, Xinting and Bell, Lindsay (2022). Impacts of reducing fallow periods on indicators of soil function in subtropical dryland farming systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 324 107727, 107727. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2021.107727
2022
Conference Publication
Impacts of strategic tillage in a no-tillage conservation cropping system on wild oats population
Ali, Mohammad, Xu, Sijia, Widderick, Michael, Williams, Alwyn and Adkins, Steve (2022). Impacts of strategic tillage in a no-tillage conservation cropping system on wild oats population. Australasian Weeds Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 25-29 September 2022. Adelaide, SA, Australia: CAWS - Council of Australasian Weed Societies and the Weed Management Society of South Australia.
2022
Other Outputs
Datasets supporting the adoption of multifunctional cover crops related to soil water and nitrogen in water-limited environments
Garba, Ismail Ibrahim and Williams, Alwyn (2022). Datasets supporting the adoption of multifunctional cover crops related to soil water and nitrogen in water-limited environments. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8c41f39
2021
Journal Article
Effect of elevated temperature on growth and glyphosate susceptibility of Chloris truncata R.Br., Sonchus oleraceus L., and Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq
Peerzada, Arslan M., Williams, Alwyn, O'Donnell, Chris and Adkins, Steve W. (2021). Effect of elevated temperature on growth and glyphosate susceptibility of Chloris truncata R.Br., Sonchus oleraceus L., and Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 69 (3), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/03650340.2021.1994953
2021
Journal Article
Effect of soil moisture regimes on the glyphosate sensitivity and morpho-physiological traits of windmill grass (Chloris truncata R.Br.), common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), and flaxleaf fleabane [Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq.]
Peerzada, Arslan Masood, Williams, Alwyn, O’Donnell, Chris and Adkins, Steve (2021). Effect of soil moisture regimes on the glyphosate sensitivity and morpho-physiological traits of windmill grass (Chloris truncata R.Br.), common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), and flaxleaf fleabane [Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq.]. Plants, 10 (11) 2345, 2345. doi: 10.3390/plants10112345
2021
Journal Article
Using multi-temporal satellite data to analyse phenological responses of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) to climatic variations in South Sumatra, Indonesia
Azizan, Fathin Ayuni, Astuti, Ike Sari, Aditya, Mohammad Irvan, Febbiyanti, Tri Rapani, Williams, Alwyn, Young, Anthony and Abdul Aziz, Ammar (2021). Using multi-temporal satellite data to analyse phenological responses of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) to climatic variations in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Remote Sensing, 13 (15) 2932, 2932. doi: 10.3390/rs13152932
2021
Conference Publication
Germination enhancement of Australian native species Lomandra longifolia and Lomandra hystrix using different mechanical and chemical treatments
Beveridge, F.C., Williams, A., Cave, R. and Adkins, S.W. (2021). Germination enhancement of Australian native species Lomandra longifolia and Lomandra hystrix using different mechanical and chemical treatments. SERA 2021, Darwin, NT Australia, 10-13 May 2021.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Alwyn Williams is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Promoting soil health in Australian cropping systems
Soil health in Australian cropping systems is declining, undermining long-term production potential. Ongoing research opportunities are available to investigate soil health-related issues, including soil fertility and crop nutrient management (including impacts of contrasting fertiliser strategies as well as use of organic amendments), soil carbon, novel cropping practices (including methods of ecological intensification, e.g., cover cropping, and increasing crop rotational diversity), and analysis of soil biota and plant-soil interactions. Students with a strong GPA are welcome to contact Alwyn to discuss project opportunities.
-
Promoting soil health in Australian cropping systems
Soil health in Australian cropping systems is declining, undermining long-term production potential. Ongoing research opportunities are available to investigate soil health-related issues, including soil fertility and crop nutrient management (including impacts of contrasting fertiliser strategies as well as use of organic amendments), soil carbon, novel cropping practices (including methods of ecological intensification, e.g., cover cropping, and increasing crop rotational diversity), and analysis of soil biota and plant-soil interactions. Students with a strong GPA are welcome to contact Alwyn to discuss project opportunities.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Managing nitrogen in Ord valley irrigated cropping
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Carbon and Nitrogen cycling through diverse cover crop system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins, Dr Sundar Kalaipandian, Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using stable isotope techniques to quantify the above and below-ground N contribution from legume residues to subsequent grain crops
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, Dr Chelsea Janke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of different crop residues affecting soil nutrient stratification, soil moisture dynamics and crop productivity under no-till agriculture systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, Dr Yui Osanai
-
Doctor Philosophy
Pathogenicity, Genomic Characterisation, and Management of Fusarium proliferatum and F. oxysporum in Allium spp. with focus on Garlic (Allium sativum)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Professor Victor Galea
-
Doctor Philosophy
Interactions between seed functional traits and climate change in the Australian flora: implications for seed-based restoration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Robyn Cave, Dr Sundar Kalaipandian, Professor Steve Adkins
-
Doctor Philosophy
Determining the role of ground pearls in Pasture Dieback
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shane Campbell, Associate Professor Anthony Young
-
Doctor Philosophy
WEED DYNAMICS IN A SWEET CORN-BRASSICA CROPPING SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
-
Doctor Philosophy
Soil biology impacts on sustainability and productivity of high value vegetable cropping systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Professor Victor Galea
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in northern grain systems through quantifying the soil-plants dynamics of enhanced efficiency nitrogen products.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tim McLaren, Professor Michael Bell
-
Doctor Philosophy
WEED DYNAMICS IN A SWEET CORN-BRASSICA CROPPING SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Cover cropping in drylands for improved agronomic and environmental outcomes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman, Professor Bhagirath Chauhan
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
WEED DYNAMICS IN A SWEET CORN-BRASSICA CROPPING SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Interactions between seed functional traits and climate change in the Australian flora: implications for seed-based restoration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Robyn Cave, Dr Sundar Kalaipandian, Professor Steve Adkins
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
A systems approach modelling the interdependence between livelihoods, wildfire and biochar on degraded peatlands in Central Kalimantan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of a variable changing climate on Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana management in conservation agriculture
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the opportunities to improve smallholder rubber production through the development of an integrated decision support system: A Malaysian case study
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
GLYPHOSATE EFFICACY UNDER PROJECTED CLIMATE CHANGE: IMPACT ON THREE SUMMER FALLOW WEEDS OF AUSTRALIAN NORTHERN GRAIN REGION
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chris O'Donnell, Professor Steve Adkins
-
2020
Master Philosophy
Enhancing seed-based restoration in south-east Queensland using Australian native species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Robyn Cave, Professor Steve Adkins
Media
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