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
2010
Journal Article
Current nursery practice with regard to mycorrhizae and the propagation of New Zealand's native plants
Williams, Alwyn (2010). Current nursery practice with regard to mycorrhizae and the propagation of New Zealand's native plants. Ecological Management and Restoration, 11 (3), 220-223. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00557.x
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Alwyn Williams is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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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
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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
Exploring the Potential for a Coconut-Based Industry in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sundar Kalaipandian, Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
-
Doctor Philosophy
Managing nitrogen in Ord valley irrigated cropping
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell
-
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
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
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
Determining the role of ground pearls in Pasture Dieback
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shane Campbell, Associate Professor Anthony Young
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Cover cropping in drylands for improved agronomic and environmental outcomes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman, Professor Bhagirath Chauhan
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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 Sundar Kalaipandian
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
WEED DYNAMICS IN A SWEET CORN-BRASSICA CROPPING SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Associate Advisor
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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
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of a variable changing climate on Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana management in conservation agriculture
Associate Advisor
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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
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2020
Master Philosophy
Enhancing seed-based restoration in south-east Queensland using Australian native species
Associate Advisor
-
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
Media
Enquiries
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