
Overview
Background
Graduated with a B Agric Science (Hons() degree from UQ in 1978, after which I worked as a research agronomist for the West Australian Dept of Agriculture at Kununurra, in the Ord River Irrigation Area, until 1983. During that period I worked primarily with grain legumes (chickpeas and cowpeas) and peanuts, focussing on agronomic management practices (fertilisers, soil amendments, crop protection strategies, irrigation), and enrolled part time in a research Masters on growth physiology of peanuts through UQ. IThe M AgrSc was conferred in 1985.
I took up a position with the Qld Dept Primary Industries at Kingaroy in mid 1983, working on soil fertility management/restoration and continuing to research the physiology of the peanut crop. We ran long term farming systems experiments, and also participated in and ultimately led two successive phases of ACIAR funded research on peanut production in Indonesia.
In 1990 I was granted study leave from DPI to undertake a sponsored PhD program at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This was completed in 1993 and I returned to Kingaroy with DPI, where I remained based at the Kingaroy Research Station until 2014. During that time our research focussed on soil fertility management (especially P and K), soil physical restoration using ley pastures, soil water dynamics and legume N fixation in rainfed cropping systems, and also in researching the Yield Decline phenomenon in the sugar industry. The latter was a major collaborative, multidisciplinary research project over 15 years, that led to the design and testing of a new sugarcane cropping system. Most research was externally funded, through the Grains, Cotton and Sugar Research and Development Corporations.
In 2010 I was invited to join UQ on secondment at the establishment of the Qld Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), and accepted that role while being based in Kingaroy. In 2014 I was appointed to the Chair in Tropical Agronomy in the School of Agriculture and Food Science (SAFS) at Gatton Campus, relocating to Gatton in 2015, but remain a QAAFI Affiliate. Since that time, I have increasingly focussed on soil fertility management and the development and testing of management strategies to optimize the efficiency of nutrients and water in grains, cotton and sugarcane cropping systems.
I have led an ACIAR project developing more sustainable management systems for sloping lands in NW Vietnam and NE Laos, and have also been involved in advisory bodies associated with the Reef Water Quality Management Plan, and with overseeing research activity in grains and sugarcane industries. Currently I lead national and regional research projects on improving fertiliser N management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the grains cropping systems in Australia, funded by GRDC and the Federal Goverment Soil Science Challenge initiative.
Availability
- Professor Michael Bell is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Guelph
Research interests
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Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture
Minimizing GHG emissions from fertiliser use, and maximizing soil carbon sequestration in agricultural soils
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Improving farming systems sustainability
Improving the understanding of crop sequences, tillage systems and agricultural inputs on the efficiency of use of water and nutrients and the protection of the soil resource in broadacre farming systems
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Soil fertility management
Developing sustainable nutrient management strategies to prevent fertility decline, maintain profitability and reduce environmental impacts
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Maximizing biological N fixation by legume crops and pastures
Understanding the net N benefits from legumes in cropping systems, and how this can be optimised for different land use systems
Works
Search Professor Michael Bell’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
The spatial distribution of soil nitrogen determines responses of Sorghum bicolor to banded phosphorus fertiliser
Hunter, Megan A., Bell, Michael J., van der Bom, Frederik J. T., Smith, Millicent R., Janke, Chelsea K. and McLaren, Timothy I. (2024). The spatial distribution of soil nitrogen determines responses of Sorghum bicolor to banded phosphorus fertiliser. Crop and Pasture Science, 75 (12). doi: 10.1071/cp24256
2024
Journal Article
Comparison of natural abundance and enriched 15N methods to quantify nitrogen fertilizer recovery in maize under field conditions
Manandhar, Sarita, Martinez, Cristina, Menzies, Neal W., Dalal, Ram C. and Bell, Michael (2024). Comparison of natural abundance and enriched 15N methods to quantify nitrogen fertilizer recovery in maize under field conditions. Plant and Soil, 1-19. doi: 10.1007/s11104-024-07088-6
2024
Conference Publication
Insights in the ability of high-resolution narrow band multispectral and thermal sensors to estimate cotton production in Australia
Devoto, F., Reynolds-Massey-Reed, S., Segura, Pinzon C., Bell, M., Mclaren, T., Awale, R., Camino, C., Bange, M., Woodgate, W., Chapman, S. and Potgieter, A. B. (2024). Insights in the ability of high-resolution narrow band multispectral and thermal sensors to estimate cotton production in Australia. 2024 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Athens, Greece, 7-12 July 2024. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/igarss53475.2024.10642663
2024
Journal Article
Phosphorus availability and speciation in the fertosphere of three soils over 12 months
McKenna, Brigid A., Kopittke, Peter M., Bell, Michael J., Lombi, Enzo, Klysubun, Wantana, McLaren, Timothy I., Doolette, Casey L. and Meyer, Gregor (2024). Phosphorus availability and speciation in the fertosphere of three soils over 12 months. Geoderma, 447 116913, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2024.116913
2024
Journal Article
Root angle, phosphorus, and water: interactions and effects on durum wheat genotype performance in drought-prone environments
van der Bom, Frederik J. T., Williams, Alwyn, Raymond, Nelly S., Alahmad, Samir, Hickey, Lee T., Singh, Vijaya and Bell, Michael J. (2024). Root angle, phosphorus, and water: interactions and effects on durum wheat genotype performance in drought-prone environments. Plant and Soil, 500 (1-2), 69-89. doi: 10.1007/s11104-023-05966-z
2024
Journal Article
Impact of Contrasting Rates of Phosphate Fertiliser Addition in Two Vertisols: Effects of Fresh Application and Residual Fertiliser on Sorption and Plant Uptake
Raymond, Nelly S., van der Bom, Frederik J. T., Janke, Chelsea and Bell, Michael J. (2024). Impact of Contrasting Rates of Phosphate Fertiliser Addition in Two Vertisols: Effects of Fresh Application and Residual Fertiliser on Sorption and Plant Uptake. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 24 (3), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s42729-024-01841-7
2024
Journal Article
Can zeolites be used in sugarcane cropping systems to help reduce nitrogen losses into the Australian Great Barrier Reef?
De Antoni Migliorati, Massimiliano, Leo, Stephen, Millar, Graeme J., Bell, Michael J., Strazzabosco, Alice and Grace, Peter R. (2024). Can zeolites be used in sugarcane cropping systems to help reduce nitrogen losses into the Australian Great Barrier Reef?. Plant and Soil, 504 (1-2), 1-18. doi: 10.1007/s11104-024-06643-5
2024
Book Chapter
Banding nitrogen fertilisers and the implications for enhanced efficiency fertiliser technology
Janke, Chelsea K., Martinez, Cristina, Dang, Yash and Bell, Michael J. (2024). Banding nitrogen fertilisers and the implications for enhanced efficiency fertiliser technology. Improving nitrogen use efficiency. (pp. 1-1) Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. doi: 10.19103/as.2024.0135.12
2024
Journal Article
Revised emission factors for estimating direct nitrous oxide emissions from nitrogen inputs in Australia's agricultural production systems: a meta-analysis
Grace, Peter, De Rosa, Daniele, Shcherbak, Iurii, Strazzabosco, Alice, Rowlings, David, Scheer, Clemens, Barton, Louise, Wang, Weijin, Schwenke, Graeme, Armstrong, Roger, Porter, Ian and Bell, Michael (2024). Revised emission factors for estimating direct nitrous oxide emissions from nitrogen inputs in Australia's agricultural production systems: a meta-analysis. Soil Research, 62 (1) SR23070. doi: 10.1071/SR23070
2024
Book Chapter
Genetic and Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc in Maize and Sweetcorn (Zea mays L.)
Cheah, Zhong Xiang, O’Hare, Tim, Harper, Stephen and Bell, Michael (2024). Genetic and Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc in Maize and Sweetcorn (Zea mays L.). Phytoremediation and Biofortification: Strategies for Sustainable Environmental and Health Management. (pp. 201-223) New York, NY United States: Apple Academic Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003402084-10
2023
Journal Article
Short‐term phosphorus sorption and desorption in contrasting cropped Vertisols
Raymond, Nelly S., Kopittke, Peter M., Bom, Frederik van der, Barrow, N. J. and Bell, Michael J. (2023). Short‐term phosphorus sorption and desorption in contrasting cropped Vertisols. European Journal of Soil Science, 74 (5) e13418, 1-18. doi: 10.1111/ejss.13418
2023
Conference Publication
Sensitivity of capsicum germplasm to magnesium deficiency growing in the solution culture
Nguyen, P. T., Bell, M. J. and Harper, S. M. (2023). Sensitivity of capsicum germplasm to magnesium deficiency growing in the solution culture. XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Plant Nutrition, Fertilization, Soil Management, Angers, France, 14- 20 August 2022. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1375.18
2023
Journal Article
Phosphorus management is key to effective deployment of root ideotypes in complex soil environments
van der Bom, Frederik J. T., Williams, Alwyn, Borrell, Andrew K., Raymond, Nelly and Bell, Michael J. (2023). Phosphorus management is key to effective deployment of root ideotypes in complex soil environments. Plant and Soil, 489 (1-2), 323-340. doi: 10.1007/s11104-023-06020-8
2023
Other Outputs
Maize trials
Williams, Alwyn and Bell, Michael (2023). Maize trials. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/d6c64ea
2023
Other Outputs
Chickpea trials
Williams, Alwyn and Bell, Michael (2023). Chickpea trials. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8479e01
2023
Journal Article
Spatio-temporal distribution of water and phosphorus determine growth of sorghum genotypes with contrasting nodal root angle
van der Bom, Frederik, Williams, Alwyn, Raymond, Nelly, Sulman, Richard, McLean, Greg and Bell, Michael (2023). Spatio-temporal distribution of water and phosphorus determine growth of sorghum genotypes with contrasting nodal root angle. Plant and Soil, 499 (1-2), 37-54. doi: 10.1007/s11104-023-06073-9
2023
Journal Article
Impact of contrasting fertilizer technologies on N dynamics from subsurface bands of “pure” or blended fertilizer applications
Janke, Chelsea K. and Bell, Michael J. (2023). Impact of contrasting fertilizer technologies on N dynamics from subsurface bands of “pure” or blended fertilizer applications. Soil, 9 (1), 243-259. doi: 10.5194/soil-9-243-2023
2023
Journal Article
Calcium use during paediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest is associated with worse outcomes
Cashen, Katherine, Sutton, Robert M., Reeder, Ron W., Ahmed, Tageldin, Bell, Michael J., Berg, Robert A., Burns, Candice, Carcillo, Joseph A., Carpenter, Todd C., Dean, J. Michael, Diddle, J. Wesley, Federman, Myke, Fink, Ericka L., Franzon, Deborah, Frazier, Aisha H., Friess, Stuart H., Graham, Kathryn, Hall, Mark, Hehir, David A., Horvat, Christopher M., Huard, Leanna L., KirkpatrickN, Theresa, Maa, Tensing, Manga, Arushi, McQuillen, Patrick S., Morgan, Ryan W., Mourani, Peter M., Nadkarni, Vinay M., Naim, Maryam Y. ... Meert, Kathleen L. (2023). Calcium use during paediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest is associated with worse outcomes. Resuscitation, 185 109673, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2022.109673
2023
Journal Article
Mobility and lability of phosphorus from highly concentrated fertiliser bands
Meyer, Gregor, Bell, Michael J., Kopittke, Peter M., Lombi, Enzo, Doolette, Casey L., Brunetti, Gianluca, Klysubun, Wantana and Janke, Chelsea K. (2023). Mobility and lability of phosphorus from highly concentrated fertiliser bands. Geoderma, 429 116248, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116248
2023
Journal Article
Soil and fertiliser nitrogen performance indicators for irrigated cotton in Australia
Smith, John, Fukai, Shu and Bell, Michael (2023). Soil and fertiliser nitrogen performance indicators for irrigated cotton in Australia. Soil Research, 61 (4), 329-344. doi: 10.1071/sr21323
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Michael Bell is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in northern grain systems through quantifying the soil-plants dynamics of enhanced efficiency nitrogen products.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alwyn Williams, Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Managing nitrogen in Ord valley irrigated cropping
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alwyn Williams
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Doctor Philosophy
Contrasting the phosphorus responsiveness of winter pulses and cereals - the role of nitrogen and crop phenology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Millicent Smith, Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Using stable isotope techniques to quantify the above and below-ground N contribution from legume residues to subsequent grain crops
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alwyn Williams, Dr Chelsea Janke
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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
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yui Osanai, Dr Alwyn Williams
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Doctor Philosophy
Wheat responses to different sources of nitrogen as affected by phosphorus in the northern grain region of eastern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Vilim Filipović, Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying fertiliser phosphorus use efficiency in Vertosols across the Northern Region
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke, Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Wheat responses to different sources of nitrogen as affected by phosphorus in the northern grain region of eastern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Vilim Filipović, Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Contrasting the phosphorus responsiveness of winter pulses and cereals - the role of nitrogen and crop phenology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Millicent Smith, Dr Tim McLaren
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying fertilizer N and legume N recoveries in a no till maize-legume rotation using stable isotope techniques
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic and agronomic biofortification of zinc in sweetcorn
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of banding urea and enhanced efficiency fertilizers on nitrogen transformations and the implications for nitrogen use efficiency in high-risk environments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernhard Wehr
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of strategic tillage in soil microbial communities in Vertisols from Queensland, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yash Dang, Dr Lilia Carvalhais
Media
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