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
2019
Journal Article
Global Macadamia Science: Overview of the Special Section
Hardner, Craig M., Wall, Marisa and Cho, Alyssa (2019). Global Macadamia Science: Overview of the Special Section. Hortscience, 54 (4), 592-595. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI13543-18
2019
Journal Article
Population structure, genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium in a macadamia breeding population using SNP and silicoDArT markers
O’Connor, Katie, Kilian, Andrzej, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine, Baten, Abdul, Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2019). Population structure, genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium in a macadamia breeding population using SNP and silicoDArT markers. Tree Genetics & Genomes, 15 (2) 24, 24. doi: 10.1007/s11295-019-1331-z
2019
Journal Article
Selecting for nut characteristics in macadamia using a genome-wide association study
O’Connor, Katie, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2019). Selecting for nut characteristics in macadamia using a genome-wide association study. HortScience, 54 (4), 629-632. doi: 10.21273/hortsci13297-18
2019
Journal Article
Wild Origins of Macadamia Domestication Identified Through Intraspecific Chloroplast Genome Sequencing
Nock, Catherine J., Hardner, Craig M., Montenegro, Juan D., Termizi, Ainnatul A. Ahmad, Hayashi, Satomi, Playford, Julia, Edwards, David and Batley, Jacqueline (2019). Wild Origins of Macadamia Domestication Identified Through Intraspecific Chloroplast Genome Sequencing. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10 334, 334. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00334
2019
Journal Article
Utilization of multiyear plant breeding data to better predict genotype performance
Arief, Vivi N., Desmae, Haile, Hardner, Craig, DeLacy, Ian H., Gilmour, Arthur, Bull, Jason K. and Basford, Kaye E. (2019). Utilization of multiyear plant breeding data to better predict genotype performance. Crop Science, 59 (2), 480-490. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2018.03.0182
2019
Book Chapter
Macadamia (Macadamia spp.) breeding
Topp, Bruce L., Nock, Catherine J., Hardner, Craig M., Alam, Mobashwer and O’Connor, Katie M. (2019). Macadamia (Macadamia spp.) breeding. Advances in plant breeding strategies: nut and beverage crops. (pp. 221-251) edited by Jameel M. Al-Khayri, Shri Mohan Jain and Dennis V. Johnson. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-23112-5_7
2019
Other Outputs
SNP and phenotype data, and GWAS results for macadamia breeding progeny population
O'Connor, Katie, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2019). SNP and phenotype data, and GWAS results for macadamia breeding progeny population. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2019.808
2019
Journal Article
Prediction of genetic value for sweet cherry fruit maturity among environments using a 6K SNP array
Hardner, Craig M., Hayes, Ben J., Kumar, Satish, Vanderzande, Stijn, Cai, Lichun, Piaskowski, Julia, Quero-Garcia, José, Campoy, José Antonio, Barreneche, Teresa, Giovannini, Daniela, Liverani, Alessandro, Charlot, Gérard, Villamil-Castro, Miguel, Oraguzie, Nnadozie and Peace, Cameron P. (2019). Prediction of genetic value for sweet cherry fruit maturity among environments using a 6K SNP array. Horticulture Research, 6 (1) 6, 6. doi: 10.1038/s41438-018-0081-7
2019
Conference Publication
A global analysis of soluble solids content in strawberry
Zurn, Jason D., Fikere, Mulusew, Verma, Sujeet, Amaya, Iraida, del Rio, Pilar Munoz, Sanchez-Sevilla, Jose F., Cockerton, Helen, 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., Hardner, Craig M. and Bassil, Nahla (2019). A global analysis of soluble solids content in strawberry. Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Las Vegas, NV United States, 22-25 July 2019. Alexandria, VA United States: American Society for Horticultural Science.
2019
Conference Publication
Building international partnerships for the collation of historical data to study the environmental stability of genomic predictions in sweet cherry
Hardner, C., Peace, C., Quero-Garcia, J., Vanderzande, S., Giovannini, D., Barreneche, T., Campoy, J. A., Charlot, G., Liverani, A., Oraguzie, N., Villamil-Castro, M., Cai, L., Ordidge, M., Wünsch, A., Sotiropoulos, T., Kazantzis, K., Patocchi, A., Perren, S., Graetz, D. and Iezzoni, A. (2019). Building international partnerships for the collation of historical data to study the environmental stability of genomic predictions in sweet cherry. VIII International Cherry Symposium, Yamagata, Japan, 5-9 June 2017. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1235.6
2018
Journal Article
Effect of tree density on competition between Leucaena leucocephala and Chloris gayana using a Nelder Wheel trial. II. belowground interactions
Pachas, A. Nahuel A., Shelton, H. Max, Lambrides, Christopher J., Dalzell, Scott A., Murtagh, G. John and Hardner, Craig M. (2018). Effect of tree density on competition between Leucaena leucocephala and Chloris gayana using a Nelder Wheel trial. II. belowground interactions. Crop and Pasture Science, 69 (7), 733-744. doi: 10.1071/CP18040
2018
Conference Publication
Variation in precocity in a macadamia breeding population
Alam, M.M., Howell, E., Hardner, C.M. and Topp, B.L. (2018). Variation in precocity in a macadamia breeding population. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 20-25 November, 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.80
2018
Conference Publication
Variation in floral and growth traits in a macadamia breeding population
O’Connor, K.M., Hardner, C.M., Alam, M.M., Hayes, B.J. and Topp, B.L. (2018). Variation in floral and growth traits in a macadamia breeding population. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 20-25 November, 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.77
2018
Journal Article
Genomic heritability estimates in sweet cherry reveal non-additive genetic variance is relevant for industry-prioritized traits
Piaskowski, Julia, Hardner, Craig, Cai, Lichun, Zhao, Yunyang, Iezzoni, Amy and Peace, Cameron (2018). Genomic heritability estimates in sweet cherry reveal non-additive genetic variance is relevant for industry-prioritized traits. BMC Genetics, 19 (1) 23. doi: 10.1186/s12863-018-0609-8
2018
Book Chapter
Macadamia integrifolia and M. tetraphylla
Hardner, C. and Topp, B. (2018). Macadamia integrifolia and M. tetraphylla. Trees for life in Oceania: conservation and utilisation of genetic diversity. (pp. 147-151) edited by Lee Thomson, John Doran and Bronwyn Clarke. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
2017
Journal Article
Exploring opportunities for reducing complexity of genotype-by-environment interaction models
Hardner, Craig (2017). Exploring opportunities for reducing complexity of genotype-by-environment interaction models. Euphytica, 213 (11) 248. doi: 10.1007/s10681-017-2023-0
2017
Conference Publication
Prospects of utilizing wild germplasm for future improvement of macadamia
Mai, Thuy, Alam, Mobashwer, Henry, Robert, Hardner, Craig and Topp, Bruce (2017). Prospects of utilizing wild germplasm for future improvement of macadamia. International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg2017, Brisbane, Australia, 20-22 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Searching for extended variability in nut characteristics in wild macadamia gene pool
Mai, Thuy, Alam, Mobashwer, Topp, Bruce, Hardner, Craig and Henry, Robert (2017). Searching for extended variability in nut characteristics in wild macadamia gene pool. International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 19-20 November 2017. Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers.
2017
Conference Publication
Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of 'HAES741' and 'HAES660' macadamia cultivars
Alam, Mobashwer, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine, O'Connor, Katie and Topp, Bruce (2017). Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of 'HAES741' and 'HAES660' macadamia cultivars. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Opportunities and challenges in macadamia breeding
Topp, Bruce, Hardner, Craig, Alam, Mobashwer, Akinsanmi, Olufemi, O'Connor, Katie, Mai, Thuy and Russell, Dougal (2017). Opportunities and challenges in macadamia breeding. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, USA, 13-14 September 2017.
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 sensory traits in pineapple
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
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, Dr Shabbir Ahmad
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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
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
Global Genomic Prediction in Apple
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kai Voss-Fels, Dr Elizabeth Ross
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Doctor Philosophy
Genomic prediction in mango
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos
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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
Genetics of sensory traits in pineapple
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth, Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino
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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
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
Genotyping by sequencing in Apple
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elizabeth Ross
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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
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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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: 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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