![Associate Professor Craig Hardner](/sites/default/files/profiles/1973.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Associate Professor Craig Hardner holds a bachelor in Forest Science awarded by the University of Melbourne, and BSc (Hons) and PhD from the University of Tasmania. Prior to his PhD, A/Prof Hardner worked as a Research Fellow at Swedish Agricultural University 1988-1990 supporting willow breeding for energy production. Between 1996-2007, A/Prof Hardner lead the CSIRO macadamia breeding program. A/Prof Hardner joined the University of Queensland in 2007 and commenced a joint appointment with Queensland Government as a research fellow in horticulture breeding and genetics. He has an extensive collaboration network in horticulture breeding and conservation including domestic and international organisations and Universities.
A/Prof Hardner was lead author on a 128 page review of macadamia genetics and domestication published in 2009 and is curator of macadamia cultivar descriptions for HortScience. He was awarded a Churchill fellowship in 2012 to travel to Hawaii to trace the domestication pathway of macadamia.
Availability
- Associate Professor Craig Hardner is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, University of Melbourne
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Tasmania
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Tasmania
Research interests
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Quantitative genetics
I am a world leader in development and application of mixed model methods for prediction of genetic value in forestry, macadamia, sugar cane, mango, and apple. In particular, I am interested in use of multi-variate approaches to model complex experimental designs including multiple locations, repeated measures, and spatial variation, and genetics including individual, parental, non-additive variation and polyploidy. I am also developing approaches for using genomic relationship matrices to leverage historical breeding and variety testing data to expand knowledge of GxE in horticultural crops.
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Conservation genetics of macadamia
Macadamia is an iconic Australian genus, being the only international crop domesticated from Australian flora. My research in this area uses sequencing and molecular markers to improve understanding of structure of remnant wild populations and trace the domestication history of the major sources of germplasm utilised for commercial production. This research also investigates opportunities available for breeding from utilisation of the remnant wild resources. I published a 128 pages seminal review of macadamia genetics and domestication in 2009.
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Tree breeding
I have major research activity in the quantitative genetics and breeding of perennial crops. I have an extensive background in genetic improvement of eucalypt and macadamia crops.I bred and selected new macadamia cultivars targeted specifically to Australian industry that will be released in 2017, and continue as a co-principal investigator on the current breeding program with responsibility for genetic analyses, evaluation of alternative breeding strategies and estimation of economic weights for selection.
Research impacts
MACADAMIA
Dr Hardner is responsible for developing new macadamia cultivars selected specifically for Australian production systems, promising a 30% increase in productivity. He also leads research on tracing the domestication of macadamia and identifying the wild origin of domesticated cultivars to further improve knowledge of the cultural history of the plant. He initiated, and is a member, of the Macadamia Conservation Committee which brings together Australian industry, university researchers, government officers, and NGOs to develop and support strategies for conservation of macadamia in the wild.
IMPROVED SELECTION METHODS
Dr Hardner has developed statistical approaches, and software for implementation, to improve prediction of genetic value of selection candidates in sugar cane, apple and eucalypts. His research on analysis of alternative breeding strategies has contributed to more efficient breeding strategies for macadamia, apple, eucalypts and strawberry.
ADAPTATION IN HORTICULTURAL CROPS
Dr Hardner is working with international researchers to use genomic approaches to combine historical data collected previously on varieties planted in different locations to improve understanding of the GxE to underpin improved production efficiency through better matching of genotype and production environment. This work will also be used to improve adaption strategies under the effects of climate change.
Works
Search Professor Craig Hardner’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Crop domestication in the Asia Pacific region: a review
Okemo, Pauline, Wijesundra, Upendra, Nakandala, Upuli, Dillon, Natalie, Chandora, Rahul, Campbell, Bradley, Smith, Millicent, Hardner, Craig, Cadorna, Charles A., Martin, Guillaume, Yahiaoui, Nabila, Garsmeur, Olivier, Pompidor, Nicolas, D’Hont, Angelique and Henry, Robert J. (2024). Crop domestication in the Asia Pacific region: a review. Agriculture Communications, 2 (1) 100032, 100032. doi: 10.1016/j.agrcom.2024.100032
2023
Conference Publication
A novel open pollinated seed production strategy to exploit both additive and non-additive genetic effects in Eucalyptus dunnii
Bird, Michael, Hardner, Craig, Heberling, Mónica and Gore, Peter (2023). A novel open pollinated seed production strategy to exploit both additive and non-additive genetic effects in Eucalyptus dunnii. IUFRO Conference 2023, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, 20-24 November 2023. Montevideo, Uruguay: Universidad de la República, Facultad de Agronomía. doi: 10.31285/agro.27.1269
2023
Journal Article
Genetic parameter estimates for Eucalyptus dunnii wood properties assessed by multiple methods
Hardner, Craig, Bird, Michael, Heberling, Monica and Gore, Peter (2023). Genetic parameter estimates for Eucalyptus dunnii wood properties assessed by multiple methods. Agrociencia Uruguay, 27 (NE2), e1318. doi: 10.31285/agro.27.1318
2023
Conference Publication
Genotype-by-environment interactions in major agronomic traits in sweet cherry: flowering and fruit quality
Branchereau, C., Hardner, C., Dirlewanger, E., Wenden, B., Alletru, D., Parmentier, J., Ivancic, A., Giovannini, D., Brandi, F., López-Ortega, G., García-Montiel, F., Quilot-Turion, B. and Quero-García, J. (2023). Genotype-by-environment interactions in major agronomic traits in sweet cherry: flowering and fruit quality. XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Adaptation of Horticultural Plants to Abiotic Stresses, Angers, France, 14-20 August 2022. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1372.4
2023
Journal Article
Genetic parameters of husk spot resistance in macadamia breeding families
Nunn, Jasmine, Hardner, Craig, De Faveri, Joanne, Akinsanmi, Olufemi A., O’Connor, Katie, Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2023). Genetic parameters of husk spot resistance in macadamia breeding families. Euphytica, 219 (5) 54, 1-21. doi: 10.1007/s10681-023-03169-2
2023
Journal Article
Genotype-by-environment and QTL-by-environment interactions in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) for flowering date
Branchereau, Camille, Hardner, Craig, Dirlewanger, Elisabeth, Wenden, Bénédicte, Le Dantec, Loïck, Alletru, David, Parmentier, Julien, Ivančič, Anton, Giovannini, Daniela, Brandi, Federica, Lopez-Ortega, Gregorio, Garcia-Montiel, Federico, Quilot-Turion, Bénédicte and Quero-García, José (2023). Genotype-by-environment and QTL-by-environment interactions in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) for flowering date. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14 1142974, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1142974
2023
Conference Publication
A strategy for aggregating multi-source historical phenotypic and genotypic data sets containing homonyms for global genomic prediction in apple (Malus domestica)
Edge-Garza, D., Evans, K., Ross, E.M., Jung, S., Main, D. and Hardner, C. (2023). A strategy for aggregating multi-source historical phenotypic and genotypic data sets containing homonyms for global genomic prediction in apple (Malus domestica). XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Breeding and Effective Use of Biotechnology and Molecular Tools in Horticultural Crops, Angers, France, 14-20 August 2022. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1362.17
2023
Journal Article
Value chain stakeholder preferences are misaligned with economic weights derived from the bio-economic model: what is the effect on the ranking of candidates?
Kern, S., Santos, B., Topp, B., Cave, R., Bignell, G., Mulo, S. and Hardner, C. (2023). Value chain stakeholder preferences are misaligned with economic weights derived from the bio-economic model: what is the effect on the ranking of candidates?. Acta Horticulturae (1362), 529-538. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1362.71
2023
Conference Publication
Flexible linear mixed models for complex data in horticultural tree breeding
Hardner, C. and De Faveri, J. (2023). Flexible linear mixed models for complex data in horticultural tree breeding. XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Breeding and Effective Use of Biotechnology and Molecular Tools in Horticultural Crops, Angers, France, 14-20 August 2022. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1362.19
2023
Journal Article
SNP and haplotype-based genomic prediction of fruit quality traits in sweet cherry (Prunus avium)
Munyengwa, N., Peace, C., Dillon, N.L., Ortiz-Barrientos, D., Christie, N., Myburg, A.A. and Hardner, C. (2023). SNP and haplotype-based genomic prediction of fruit quality traits in sweet cherry (Prunus avium). Acta Horticulturae (1362), 173-180. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1362.23
2023
Journal Article
Review of the aroma chemistry of pineapple (Ananas comosus)
George, Jenson, Nguyen, Thoa, Williams, David, Hardner, Craig, Sanewski, Garth and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2023). Review of the aroma chemistry of pineapple (Ananas comosus). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71 (9), 4069-4082. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c08546
2023
Journal Article
Evaluation of in-field inoculation methods for characterisation of macadamia germplasm to husk spot incidence and severity
Nunn, Jasmine, Akinsanmi, Olufemi Akinyemi, Hardner, Craig, De Faveri, Joanne, O'Connor, Katie, Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2023). Evaluation of in-field inoculation methods for characterisation of macadamia germplasm to husk spot incidence and severity. Plant Disease, 107 (1), 76-82. doi: 10.1094/pdis-03-22-0507-re
2022
Journal Article
The influence of genetic structure on phenotypic diversity in the Australian mango (Mangifera indica) gene pool
Wilkinson, Melanie J., Yamashita, Risa, James, Maddie E., Bally, Ian S. E., Dillon, Natalie L., Ali, Asjad, Hardner, Craig M. and Ortiz-Barrientos, Daniel (2022). The influence of genetic structure on phenotypic diversity in the Australian mango (Mangifera indica) gene pool. Scientific Reports, 12 (1) 20614, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24800-7
2022
Journal Article
Multi-environment genomic prediction for soluble solids content in peach (Prunus persica)
Hardner, Craig M., Fikere, Mulusew, Gasic, Ksenija, da Silva Linge, Cassia, Worthington, Margaret, Byrne, David, Rawandoozi, Zena and Peace, Cameron (2022). Multi-environment genomic prediction for soluble solids content in peach (Prunus persica). Frontiers in Plant Science, 13 960449, 1-18. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.960449
2022
Conference Publication
Tropical fruit - using key aroma components as predictors of sensory quality
George, Jenson, Hardner, Craig, Nguyen, Thoa, Sanewski, Garth and Smyth, Heather (2022). Tropical fruit - using key aroma components as predictors of sensory quality. TropAg 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 31 October - 2 November 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Genome-wide association study for abscission failure of fruit pericarps (stick-tights) in wild macadamia germplasm
Nunn, Jasmine, De Faveri, Joanne De, O’Connor, Katie, Alam, Mobashwer, Hardner, Craig, Akinsanmi, Olufemi and Topp, Bruce (2022). Genome-wide association study for abscission failure of fruit pericarps (stick-tights) in wild macadamia germplasm. Agronomy, 12 (8) 1913, 1913. doi: 10.3390/agronomy12081913
2022
Journal Article
Using choice analysis of growers’ preferences to prioritize breeding traits in horticultural tree crops: a macadamia case study
Kern, Stéphane, Santos, Bruno, Topp, Bruce, Cave, Robyn, Bignell, Grant, Mulo, Shane and Hardner, Craig (2022). Using choice analysis of growers’ preferences to prioritize breeding traits in horticultural tree crops: a macadamia case study. Scientia Horticulturae, 294 110766, 110766. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110766
2022
Journal Article
Signatures of selection in recently domesticated macadamia
Lin, Jishan, Zhang, Wenping, Zhang, Xingtan, Ma, Xiaokai, Zhang, Shengcheng, Chen, Shuai, Wang, Yibin, Jia, Haifeng, Liao, Zhenyang, Lin, Jing, Zhu, Mengting, Xu, Xiuming, Cai, Mingxing, Zeng, Hui, Wan, Jifeng, Yang, Weihai, Matsumoto, Tracie, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine J. and Ming, Ray (2022). Signatures of selection in recently domesticated macadamia. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 242, 242. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-27937-7
2022
Conference Publication
Genomic Selection to improve quantitative resistance to Blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans ) in Canola (Brassica napus )
Lambrides, Christopher , Liddle, Willow , Tabah, David , Hardner, Craig and Arief, Vivi (2022). Genomic Selection to improve quantitative resistance to Blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans ) in Canola (Brassica napus ). Australasian Plant Breeding Conference, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 9-11 May 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
The pursuit of excellence; some reflections after 50+ years of plant breeding at The University of Queensland (9771)
Lambrides, Christopher , Basford, Kaye , DeLacy, Ian , Cooper, Mark , Hardner, Craig , Godwin, Ian , Dieters, Mark and Arief, Vivi (2022). The pursuit of excellence; some reflections after 50+ years of plant breeding at The University of Queensland (9771). Australasian Plant Breeding Conference, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 9-11 May 2022.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Craig Hardner is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Improved breeding methods for horticultural tree crops
There are a number of areas that can be explored with in this research rea including: (i) use of mixed models to improve prediction accuracy of genetic potential, (ii) modelling of alternative breeding strategies, including understanding the efficiency of current observational based approaches, (iii) economic impact of breeding methods
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Leveraging historical international data to better understand adaptation patterns in horticultural tree crops
This study is part of a large international collaboration that I lead. The approach is to examine the success of using genomic data to combine existing data previously collected by field evaluation programs to improve understanding of genotype and environment matching and improve strategies for dealing with the impact of climate change. crops include apple, peach, strawberry, cherry, macadamia and possibly mango.
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Structure and origin of domesticated macadamia germplasm
This study will undertake historical research and use molecular approaches to better understand the different sources of macadamia germplasm introduced into Hawaii, California and South Africa during the 20th century and how that contributes to the currently utilised commercial cultivars.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Genetics of fruit sensory traits in strawberry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth, Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino
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Master Philosophy
Unravelling the identity and relationships of Australian apple varieties
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Genomic prediction in mango
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos
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Doctor Philosophy
Genetics of sensory traits in pineapple
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth, Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino
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Doctor Philosophy
Global Genomic Prediction in Apple
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Voss-Fels, Dr Elizabeth Ross
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing a rapid and cost effective genotyping method for blueberry breeding
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Topp, Professor Robert Henry
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Doctor Philosophy
Choice analysis evaluating factors influencing horticultural crop cultivars adoption and how those are accounted for in bio-economic modelling
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Topp
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing efficient breeding strategies to improve yield and quality in passionfruit
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Topp, Professor Heather Smyth, Dr Mobashwer Alam
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Doctor Philosophy
Tropical fruit flavour: Identifying key aroma compounds that underpin sensory quality traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth
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Doctor Philosophy
Genomic Selection to improve quantitative resistance to Blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) in Canola (Brassica napus).
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Vivi Arief, Dr Christopher Lambrides
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing genetic parameters of growth and wood property traits, and deployment strategies, for pulpwood production improvement in Eucalyptus dunnii
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic variation in Macadamia for resistance to Husk Spot, caused by Pseudocercospora macadamiae
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Femi Akinsanmi, Dr Mobashwer Alam, Professor Bruce Topp
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic-assisted exploitation of wild germplasm for improvement of macadamia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry, Dr Mobashwer Alam, Professor Bruce Topp
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Selection strategies to improve yield in macadamia using component traits and genomics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry, Dr Mobashwer Alam, Professor Ben Hayes, Professor Bruce Topp
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Multi-trait selection of strawberries in southeast Queensland
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic Improvement of Corymbia citriodora: Mixed model applications
Associate Advisor
Media
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