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
2025
Journal Article
Accounting for population structure in genomic prediction of strawberry sweetness at a global scale
Fikere, Mulusew, Zurn, Jason D., Verma, Sujeet, Amaya, Iraida, Muñoz, Pilar, Sánchez-Sevilla, José F., Cockerton, Helen M., Harrison, Richard J., Mahoney, Lise L., Davis, Thomas M., Hancock, James F., Finn, Chad E., Mathey, Megan M., Neal, Jodi, Ko, Hian-Lien, Whitaker, Vance M., Bassil, Nahla V. and Hardner, Craig (2025). Accounting for population structure in genomic prediction of strawberry sweetness at a global scale. Scientific Reports, 15 (1) 40547. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-24188-0
2025
Conference Publication
Evaluating the relationship among sensory, mechanical and histological parameters using the Warner-Bratzler Shear Force method to assess fibrous texture in a diverse set of pineapple
Jenny, Farhana, Smyth, Heather, Moura Nadolny, Jaqueline, Sanewski, Garth, Cozzolino, Daniel and Hardner, Craig (2025). Evaluating the relationship among sensory, mechanical and histological parameters using the Warner-Bratzler Shear Force method to assess fibrous texture in a diverse set of pineapple. TropAg Conference2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Increased genomic predictive ability in mango using GWAS-preselected variants and fixed-effect SNPs
Munyengwa, Norman, Wilkinson, Melanie J., Ortiz-Barrientos, Daniel, Dillon, Natalie L., Webb, Matthew, Ali, Asjad, Bally, Ian S. E., Myburg, Alexander A. and Hardner, Craig M. (2025). Increased genomic predictive ability in mango using GWAS-preselected variants and fixed-effect SNPs. Frontiers in Plant Science, 16 1664012, 1-21. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1664012
2025
Conference Publication
Characterising the relationship between volatile profiles and sensory attributes in Australian strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivars
Hettiarachchi, D., Smyth, H., Nguyen T., Cozzolino, D., Neal, J. and Hardner, C. (2025). Characterising the relationship between volatile profiles and sensory attributes in Australian strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivars. 4th Food Chemistry Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, 14-16 October 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Exploring pineapple fruit fibrous texture : bridging phenotypic traits to genetic factors
Jenny, Farhana, Hardner, Craig, Smyth, Heather, Moura Nadolny, Jaqueline, Sanewski, Garth and Cozzolino, Daniel (2025). Exploring pineapple fruit fibrous texture : bridging phenotypic traits to genetic factors. Hort Innovation “Genetics of Fruit Sensory Preferences” (AS19003) Annual Workshop, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 15 October 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Fruit crops: development, stress resilience and molecular breeding
Xu, Qiang, Wu, Juyou, Han, Yuepeng and Hardner, Craig (2025). Fruit crops: development, stress resilience and molecular breeding. Molecular Breeding, 45 (10) 76, 76. doi: 10.1007/s11032-025-01597-7
2025
Journal Article
Macadamia genetic diversity research crucial to industry: Bio-technologies to Accelerate Plant Biodiversity Conservation
Currey, Anne, Bond, Denise, Hayward, Alice, Hardner, Craig and Epplett, Nyree (2025). Macadamia genetic diversity research crucial to industry: Bio-technologies to Accelerate Plant Biodiversity Conservation. Australian Macadamia Society. News Bulletin, 53 (3), 42-43.
2025
Journal Article
Pedigree analysis of rabbiteye blueberry indicates limited genetic diversity
Abdolshahi, Roohollah, Hardner, Craig, Main, Dorrie, Jung, Sook, Chu, Ye and Ru, Sushan (2025). Pedigree analysis of rabbiteye blueberry indicates limited genetic diversity. HortScience, 60 (8), 1260-1267. doi: 10.21273/hortsci18637-25
2025
Conference Publication
Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality
George, Jenson, Nguyen, Thoa, Sanewski, Garth, Hardner, Craig and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2025). Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality. Crop to Kitchen 2025, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 24 June 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Identification of genetic determinants of fibrosity in pineapple fruit using genome-wide association study (gwas) approach
Jenny, Farhana, Smyth, Heather, Cozzolino, Daniel, Sanewski, Garth, Moura Nadolny, Jaqueline and Hardner, Craig (2025). Identification of genetic determinants of fibrosity in pineapple fruit using genome-wide association study (gwas) approach. 17th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference (APBC), Perth, WA, Australia, 4-6 June 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality
George, Jenson, Nguyen, Thoa, Sanewski, Garth, Hardner, Craig and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2025). Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality. QAAFI Research Meeting 2025, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19 March 2025. Brisbane, QLD Australia: University of Queensland.
2025
Journal Article
Relationship between key aroma compounds and sensory attributes of Australian grown commercial pineapple cultivars
George, Jenson, Pramanik, Ishita, Sanewski, Garth, Nguyen, Thoa, Pun, Sharon, Edwards, David, Currie, Margaret, Møller, Simoné, Hardner, Craig, Lyons, Philippa and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2025). Relationship between key aroma compounds and sensory attributes of Australian grown commercial pineapple cultivars. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 73 (10), 5839-5849. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c12482
2025
Conference Publication
Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality
George, Jenson, Nguyen, Thoa, Sanewski, Garth, Hardner, Craig and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2025). Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality. 19th NZOZ Sensory Symposium 2025 - Expanding Horizons, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 19 - 21 Feb 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Exploring the relationship between chemical profile and sensory flavour attributes in Australian strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cultivars
Hettiarachchi, D., Smyth, H., Cozzolino, D., Neal, J. and Hardner, C. (2025). Exploring the relationship between chemical profile and sensory flavour attributes in Australian strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cultivars. 19th Annual NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 19-21 February 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality
George, Jenson, Nguyen, Thoa, Sanewski, Garth, Hardner, Craig and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2025). Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality. Global Food Systems Leadership Program (GFSLP), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14 January 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Centromeres are hotspots for chromosomal inversions and breeding traits in mango
Wilkinson, Melanie J., McLay, Kathleen, Kainer, David, Elphinstone, Cassandra, Dillon, Natalie L., Webb, Matthew, Wijesundara, Upendra K., Ali, Asjad, Bally, Ian S. E., Munyengwa, Norman, Furtado, Agnelo, Henry, Robert J., Hardner, Craig M. and Ortiz‐Barrientos, Daniel (2025). Centromeres are hotspots for chromosomal inversions and breeding traits in mango. New Phytologist, 245 (2), 899-913. doi: 10.1111/nph.20252
2024
Conference Publication
Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality
George, Jenson, Sanewski, Garth, Nguyen, Thoa, Hardner, Craig and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2024). Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality. 2024 RACI R&D Topics Conference in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry (AND1657), Hobart, TAS Australia, 2 - 4 December 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Stable isotope dilution assay and HS-SPME-GCMS quantification of key aroma volatiles of Australian pineapple (Ananas comosus) cultivars
George, Jenson, Nguyen, Thoa T.L., Sanewski, Garth, Hardner, Craig and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2024). Stable isotope dilution assay and HS-SPME-GCMS quantification of key aroma volatiles of Australian pineapple (Ananas comosus) cultivars. Food Chemistry, 455 139956, 139956. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139956
2024
Conference Publication
Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality
George, Jenson, Pramanik, Ishita, Sanewski, Garth, Nguyen, Thoa, Pun, Sharon, Edwards, David, Currie, Margaret, Møller, Simoné, Hardner, Craig, Smyth, Heather and Lyons, Philippa (2024). Key aroma compounds as predictors of pineapple sensory quality. 17th Weurman Flavour Research Symposium, Wageningen, Netherlands, 24-27 September 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Improving selection efficiency of strawberry sensory traits in breeding: physicochemical variation in strawberries
Hettiarachchi, D., Hardner, C., Smyth, H., Cozzolino, D. and Neal, J. (2024). Improving selection efficiency of strawberry sensory traits in breeding: physicochemical variation in strawberries. QAAFI Next Gen Ag Annual Symposium, St Lucia, QLD, Australia, 6 September 2024.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Craig Hardner is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
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
Genomic prediction in mango
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos
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Doctor Philosophy
Fast-tracking genetic gains for E. smithii pulp plantations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alice Hayward
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing a rapid and cost effective genotyping method for blueberry breeding
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Topp, Emeritus Professor Robert Henry
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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
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, Dr Shabbir Ahmad
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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
Genetics of fruit sensory traits in strawberry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth, Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino
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Doctor Philosophy
Genotyping by sequencing in Apple
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elizabeth Ross
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Global Genomic Prediction in Apple
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Voss-Fels, Dr Elizabeth Ross
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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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2025
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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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic variation in Macadamia for resistance to Husk Spot, caused by Pseudocercospora macadamiae
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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: Emeritus 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: Emeritus 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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