Dr Alwyn Williams
Dr

Alwyn Williams

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 54601 617

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

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Agro-ecosystem function and prediction Agroforestry Agronomy Carbon sequestration science Crop and pasture nutrition Crop and pasture production Environmental Sciences Environmental rehabilitation and restoration Forestry sciences Horticultural production Soil sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Biology, Imperial College London
  • Masters (Coursework) of Forest Science, Imperial College London
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Forestry, University of Canterbury

Search Professor Alwyn Williams’s works on UQ eSpace

81 works between 2010 and 2024
All (81) Journal Article (55) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (20) Other Outputs (4)

61 - 80 of 81 works

2017

Journal Article

A cooperative governance network for crop genome editing

Jordan, Nicholas R., Dorn, Kevin M., Smith, Timothy M., Wolf, Katie E., Ewing, Patrick M., Fernandez, Adria L., Runck, Bryan C., Williams, Alwyn, Lu, You and Kuzma, Jennifer (2017). A cooperative governance network for crop genome editing. Embo Reports, 18 (10), 1683-1687. doi: 10.15252/embr.201744394

A cooperative governance network for crop genome editing

2017

Journal Article

Agricultural management practices influence AMF diversity and community composition with cascading effects on plant productivity

Manoharan, Lokeshwaran, Rosenstock, Nicholas P., Williams, Alwyn and Hedlund, Katarina (2017). Agricultural management practices influence AMF diversity and community composition with cascading effects on plant productivity. Applied Soil Ecology, 115, 53-59. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.03.012

Agricultural management practices influence AMF diversity and community composition with cascading effects on plant productivity

2017

Journal Article

Cover crop-based, organic rotational no-till corn and soybean production systems in the mid-atlantic United States

Wallace, John M., Williams, Alwyn, Liebert, Jeffrey A., Ackroyd, Victoria J., Vann, Rachel A., Curran, William S., Keene, Clair L., VanGessel, Mark J., Ryan, Matthew R. and Mirsky, Steven B. (2017). Cover crop-based, organic rotational no-till corn and soybean production systems in the mid-atlantic United States. Agriculture-Basel, 7 (4) 34, 34. doi: 10.3390/agriculture7040034

Cover crop-based, organic rotational no-till corn and soybean production systems in the mid-atlantic United States

2017

Journal Article

Reconciling opposing soil processes in row-crop agroecosystems via soil functional zone management

Williams, Alwyn, Davis, Adam S., Jilling, Andrea, Grandy, A. Stuart, Koide, Roger T., Mortensen, David A., Smith, Richard G., Snapp, Sieglinde S., Spokas, Kurt A., Yannarell, Anthony C. and Jordan, Nicholas R. (2017). Reconciling opposing soil processes in row-crop agroecosystems via soil functional zone management. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, 236, 99-107. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2016.11.012

Reconciling opposing soil processes in row-crop agroecosystems via soil functional zone management

2017

Journal Article

Long-term agricultural fertilization alters arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition and barley (Hordeum vulgare) mycorrhizal carbon and phosphorus exchange

Williams, Alwyn, Manoharan, Lokeshwaran, Rosenstock, Nicholas P., Olsson, Pal Axel and Hedlund, Katarina (2017). Long-term agricultural fertilization alters arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition and barley (Hordeum vulgare) mycorrhizal carbon and phosphorus exchange. New Phytologist, 213 (2), 874-885. doi: 10.1111/nph.14196

Long-term agricultural fertilization alters arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition and barley (Hordeum vulgare) mycorrhizal carbon and phosphorus exchange

2016

Journal Article

Precision control of soil nitrogen cycling via soil functional zone management

Williams, Alwyn, Davis, Adam S., Ewing, Patrick M., Grandy, A. Stuart, Kane, Daniel A., Koide, Roger T., Mortensen, David A., Smith, Richard G., Snapp, Sieglinde S., Spokas, Kurt A., Yannarell, Anthony C. and Jordan, Nicholas R. (2016). Precision control of soil nitrogen cycling via soil functional zone management. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, 231, 291-295. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2016.07.010

Precision control of soil nitrogen cycling via soil functional zone management

2016

Journal Article

Soil water holding capacity mitigates downside risk and volatility in US rainfed maize: time to invest in soil organic matter?

Williams, Alwyn, Hunter, Mitchell C., Kammerer, Melanie, Kane, Daniel A., Jordan, Nicholas R., Mortensen, David A., Smith, Richard G., Snapp, Sieglinde and Davis, Adam S. (2016). Soil water holding capacity mitigates downside risk and volatility in US rainfed maize: time to invest in soil organic matter?. PLoS One, 11 (8) e0160974, e0160974. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160974

Soil water holding capacity mitigates downside risk and volatility in US rainfed maize: time to invest in soil organic matter?

2016

Journal Article

A comparison of soil hydrothermal properties in zonal and uniform tillage systems across the US Corn Belt

Williams, Alwyn, Davis, Adam S., Ewing, Patrick M., Grandy, A. Stuart, Kane, Daniel A., Koide, Roger T., Mortensen, David A., Smith, Richard G., Snapp, Sieglinde S., Spokas, Kurt A., Yannarell, Anthony C. and Jordan, Nicholas R. (2016). A comparison of soil hydrothermal properties in zonal and uniform tillage systems across the US Corn Belt. Geoderma, 273, 12-19. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.03.010

A comparison of soil hydrothermal properties in zonal and uniform tillage systems across the US Corn Belt

2016

Journal Article

Soil functional zone management: a vehicle for enhancing production and soil ecosystem services in row-crop agroecosystems

Williams, Alwyn, Kane, Daniel A., Ewing, Patrick M., Atwood, Lesley W., Jilling, Andrea, Li, Meng, Lou, Yi, Davis, Adam S., Grandy, A. Stuart, Huerd, Sheri C., Hunter, Mitchell C., Koide, Roger T., Mortensen, David A., Smith, Richard G., Snapp, Sieglinde S., Spokas, Kurt A., Yannarell, Anthony C. and Jordan, Nicholas R. (2016). Soil functional zone management: a vehicle for enhancing production and soil ecosystem services in row-crop agroecosystems. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7 (FEB2016) 65. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00065

Soil functional zone management: a vehicle for enhancing production and soil ecosystem services in row-crop agroecosystems

2016

Journal Article

Enhanced control of soil nitrogen cycling through soil functional zone management

Williams, Alwyn, Ewing, Patrick M., Jordan, Nicholas R., Davis, Adam S., Grandy, A. Stuart, Smith, Richard G., Kane, Daniel A., Snapp, Sieglinde S., Koide, Roger T., Mortensen, David A., Spokas, Kurt A. and Yannarell, Anthony C. (2016). Enhanced control of soil nitrogen cycling through soil functional zone management. Plant Genome, 49 (6), 42-45. doi: 10.2134/CS2016-49-0602

Enhanced control of soil nitrogen cycling through soil functional zone management

2016

Journal Article

Sustainable commercialization of new crops for the agricultural bioeconomy

Jordan, N. R., Dorn, K., Runck, B., Ewing, P., Williams, A., Anderson, K. A., Felice, L., Haralson, K., Goplen, J., Altendorf, K., Fernandez, A., Phippen, W., Sedbrook, J., Marks, M., Wolf, K., Wyse, D. and Johnson, G. (2016). Sustainable commercialization of new crops for the agricultural bioeconomy. Elementa: science of the anthropocene, 2016 (4) 000081, 000081-10. doi: 10.12952/journal.elementa.000081

Sustainable commercialization of new crops for the agricultural bioeconomy

2015

Journal Article

Crop rotations including ley and manure can promote ecosystem services in conventional farming systems

Albizua, Amaia, Williams, Alwyn, Hedlund, Katarina and Pascual, Unai P (2015). Crop rotations including ley and manure can promote ecosystem services in conventional farming systems. Applied Soil Ecology, 95, 54-61. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.06.003

Crop rotations including ley and manure can promote ecosystem services in conventional farming systems

2014

Journal Article

Indicators and trade-offs of ecosystem services in agricultural soils along a landscape heterogeneity gradient

Williams, Alwyn and Hedlund, Katarina (2014). Indicators and trade-offs of ecosystem services in agricultural soils along a landscape heterogeneity gradient. Applied Soil Ecology, 77, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2014.01.001

Indicators and trade-offs of ecosystem services in agricultural soils along a landscape heterogeneity gradient

2014

Journal Article

Above- and below-ground interactions with agricultural management: effects of soil microbial communities on barley and aphids

Williams, Alwyn, Birkhofer, Klaus and Hedlund, Katarina (2014). Above- and below-ground interactions with agricultural management: effects of soil microbial communities on barley and aphids. Pedobiologia, 57 (2), 67-74. doi: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2014.01.004

Above- and below-ground interactions with agricultural management: effects of soil microbial communities on barley and aphids

2013

Journal Article

The effects of 55 years of different inorganic fertiliser regimes on soil properties and microbial community composition

Williams, Alwyn, Borjesson, Gunnar and Hedlund, Katarina (2013). The effects of 55 years of different inorganic fertiliser regimes on soil properties and microbial community composition. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 67, 41-46. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2013.08.008

The effects of 55 years of different inorganic fertiliser regimes on soil properties and microbial community composition

2013

Journal Article

Different arbuscular mycorrhizae and competition with an exotic grass affect the growth of Podocarpus cunninghamii Colenso cuttings

Williams, Alwyn, Ridgway, Hayley J. and Norton, David A. (2013). Different arbuscular mycorrhizae and competition with an exotic grass affect the growth of Podocarpus cunninghamii Colenso cuttings. New Forests, 44 (2), 183-195. doi: 10.1007/s11056-012-9309-9

Different arbuscular mycorrhizae and competition with an exotic grass affect the growth of Podocarpus cunninghamii Colenso cuttings

2013

Journal Article

Indicators of soil ecosystem services in conventional and organic arable fields along a gradient of landscape heterogeneity in southern Sweden

Williams, Alwyn and Hedlund, Katarina (2013). Indicators of soil ecosystem services in conventional and organic arable fields along a gradient of landscape heterogeneity in southern Sweden. Applied Soil Ecology, 65, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2012.12.019

Indicators of soil ecosystem services in conventional and organic arable fields along a gradient of landscape heterogeneity in southern Sweden

2012

Journal Article

Different arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants affect the growth andsurvival of Podocarpus cunninghamii restoration plantings in the Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand

Williams, A., Norton, D. A. and Ridgway, H. J. (2012). Different arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants affect the growth andsurvival of Podocarpus cunninghamii restoration plantings in the Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 50 (4), 473-479. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2012.672429

Different arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants affect the growth andsurvival of Podocarpus cunninghamii restoration plantings in the Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand

2012

Journal Article

Estimating carbon stocks in stands of Podocarpus cunninghamii in the eastern South Island high country of New Zealand

Williams, Alwyn and Norton, David A. (2012). Estimating carbon stocks in stands of Podocarpus cunninghamii in the eastern South Island high country of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science, 42, 29-38.

Estimating carbon stocks in stands of Podocarpus cunninghamii in the eastern South Island high country of New Zealand

2011

Journal Article

Growth and competitiveness of the New Zealand tree species Podocarpus cunninghamii is reduced by ex-agricultural AMF but enhanced by forest AMF

Williams, Alwyn, Ridgway, Hayley J. and Norton, David A. (2011). Growth and competitiveness of the New Zealand tree species Podocarpus cunninghamii is reduced by ex-agricultural AMF but enhanced by forest AMF. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 43 (2), 339-345. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2010.10.021

Growth and competitiveness of the New Zealand tree species Podocarpus cunninghamii is reduced by ex-agricultural AMF but enhanced by forest AMF

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from the decomposition of crop residue (GRDC grant administered by QUT)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Utilising novel Pongamia trees to decarbonise Australia's beef value-chain
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Supporting sustainable diversification of ORIA cropping system (CRC Northern Australia Project leading by Northern Australia Crop Research Alliance Pty Ltd)
    Northern Australia Crop Research Alliance Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Understanding impacts of contrasting cropping systems on soil organic matter, microbial activity and the dynamics of soil water and nitrogen in rainfed cropping systems on Vertosols in northeast Aust
    Soil Science Challenge
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Predicting nitrogen cycling and losses in Australian cropping systems - augmenting measurements to enhance modelling
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2026
    Crop health and nutrient management of shallot-chilli-rice cropping systems in coastal Indonesia
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022
    Efficacy of a range of Industrial Hemp seed priming and chemical treatments on seed germination, seedling emergence, and growth
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Determine the role of ground pearls in pasture dieback
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Technical and data management support for NCR1907-001RTX
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Machine learning to extract maximum value from soil and crop variability (GRDC project administered by The University of Adelaide).
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Optimising mungbean yields - mungbean physiology
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Postdoctoral Fellowship interfacing crop improvement and agronomy/nutrition programs
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Promoting soil health in broadacre agriculture via greater crop rotational diversity and reduced fallow periods
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Alwyn Williams is:
Available for supervision

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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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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