
Overview
Background
My research is focused on exploring the functioning of agricultural systems. My projects are often carried out in multidisciplinary teams and with the participation of multiple stakeholders e.g. farmers, private consultants, agribusinesses, policy. My aims are to understand how people make decisions and act, how those decisions can be informed, and how the final actions affect the performance of crops, animals, farm businesses, the broader environment and the social and food systems. I also provide science leadership to a multidisciplinary team of crop physiologists, agronomists, modellers and socio-economists i.e. QAAFI Farming Systems Research Group. The key mission of this group is to identify pathways for the sustainable intensification of agriculture in Australia and in low-income countries.
Availability
- Professor Daniel Rodriguez is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Research) of Science, Wageningen University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Wageningen University
Research interests
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Risk management in agriculture
My research is focused on exploring the functioning of agricultural systems. My projects are often carried out in multidisciplinary teams and with the participation of multiple stakeholders e.g. farmers, private consultants, agribusinesses, policy. This presents unique challenges, including longer lead times to publication compared to disciplinary research. My aims are to understand how people make decisions and act, how those decisions can be informed, and how the final actions affect the performance of crops, animals, farm businesses, the broader environment and the social and food systems.
Research impacts
Evidence of his impact include, the development of whole farm simulation capacity within the APSIM model, which lead to UQ’s participation in a $40M project, resulting in the increased food security of 240,000 smallholder farmers in Africa; the production of evidence on how improved crop designs could deliver large profit gains (~$140 ha-1year-1) in Queensland’s 600,000 ha sorghum industry; and the identification of farm business designs that are more profitable, sustainable and resilient in face of increasing climate variability and change. He achieved this in partnerships with farmers, National and International donors and the private sector. His leadership in research is also evidenced by receiving 5 invitations as a keynote speaker at international conferences in the last 5 years. He annually present at industry forums, and he is active with government groups in the translation of his research into industry practice; and in informing policy. Prof Rodriguez leads and mentors a team of 5 full time researchers. He has successfully graduated 6 PhD students since starting at the University of Queensland in 2010, and mentored multiple Honours, MSc and MPhil students in collaboration with UQ Schools. He is presently the President of the Australian Society of Agronomy (2019-21) and organiser of the Australian Agronomy Conference, Toowoomba October 2021. Prof Rodriguez was member of the Local Confirmation and Promotions Committee at UQ’s Faculty of Science (2014-2016); he is member of the College of Experts at UQ’s Global Change Institute; he was Editor-in-Chief of Agricultural Systems 2013-2018 (IF 3.19); he is member of the Editorial Board of Agricultural Systems, and Associate Editor of Field Crops Research; he is one of the permanent organisers of the International Symposium for Farming Systems Design since 2009, the Global Food Security Conference in 2015 and 2017, and the World Congress on Conservation Agriculture in 2011; and organiser of the 2021 Australian Agronomy Conference in Toowoomba Queensland.
Works
Search Professor Daniel Rodriguez’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2024
Journal Article
Agronomic adaptations to heat stress: Sowing summer crops earlier
Rodriguez, Daniel, Serafin, Loretta, de Voil, Peter, Mumford, El, Zhao, Dongxue, Aisthorpe, Darren, Auer, Jane, Broad, Ian, Eyre, Joe and Hellyer, Mark (2024). Agronomic adaptations to heat stress: Sowing summer crops earlier. Field Crops Research, 318 109592, 109592. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109592
Featured
2024
Journal Article
Sowing summer grain crops early in late winter or spring: effects on root growth, water use, and yield
Zhao, Dongxue, deVoil, Peter, Rognoni, Bethany G., Wilkus, Erin, Eyre, Joseph X., Broad, Ian and Rodriguez, Daniel (2024). Sowing summer grain crops early in late winter or spring: effects on root growth, water use, and yield. Plant and Soil, 504 (1-2), 625-642. doi: 10.1007/s11104-024-06648-0
Featured
2023
Journal Article
A framework for the assessment of farm diversification options in broadacre agriculture
Adhikari, Lipy, Komarek, Adam M., de Voil, Peter and Rodriguez, Daniel (2023). A framework for the assessment of farm diversification options in broadacre agriculture. Agricultural Systems, 210 103724, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103724
Featured
2022
Journal Article
3D characterization of crop water use and the rooting system in field agronomic research
Zhao, Dongxue, Eyre, Joseph X., Wilkus, Erin, de Voil, Peter, Broad, Ian and Rodriguez, Daniel (2022). 3D characterization of crop water use and the rooting system in field agronomic research. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 202 107409, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2022.107409
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Untangling genotype x management interactions in multi-environment on-farm experimentation
Rotili, Diego Hernán, de Voil, Peter, Eyre, Joseph, Serafin, Loretta, Aisthorpe, Darren, Maddonni, Gustavo Ángel and Rodríguez, Daniel (2020). Untangling genotype x management interactions in multi-environment on-farm experimentation. Field Crops Research, 255 107900, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2020.107900
Featured
2019
Journal Article
Understanding the diversity in yield potential and stability among commercial sorghum hybrids can inform crop designs
Clarke, S.J., McLean, J., George-Jaeggli, B., McLean, G., de Voil, P., Eyre, J.X. and Rodriguez, D. (2019). Understanding the diversity in yield potential and stability among commercial sorghum hybrids can inform crop designs. Field Crops Research, 230, 84-97. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2018.10.010
Featured
2018
Journal Article
Predicting optimum crop designs using crop models and seasonal climate forecasts
Rodriguez, D., deVoil, P., Hudson, D., Brown, J. N., Hayman, P., Marrou, H. and Meinke, H. (2018). Predicting optimum crop designs using crop models and seasonal climate forecasts. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 2231, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20628-2
Featured
2017
Journal Article
To mulch or to munch? Big modelling of big data
Rodriguez, D., de Voil, P., Rufino, M. C., Odendo, M. and van Wijk, M. T. (2017). To mulch or to munch? Big modelling of big data. Agricultural Systems, 153, 32-42. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2017.01.010
Featured
2016
Journal Article
Ex-ante analysis of opportunities for the sustainable intensification of maize production in Mozambique
Roxburgh, Caspar W. and Rodriguez, Daniel (2016). Ex-ante analysis of opportunities for the sustainable intensification of maize production in Mozambique. Agricultural Systems, 142, 9-22. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2015.10.010
Featured
2016
Journal Article
Drivers of household food availability in sub-Saharan Africa based on big data from small farms
Frelat, Romain, Lopez-Ridaura, Santiago, Giller, Ken E., Herrero, Mario, Douxchamps, Sabine, Djurfeldt, Agnes Andersson, Erenstein, Olaf, Henderson, Ben, Kassie, Menale, Paul, Birthe K., Rigolot, Cyrille, Ritzema, Randall S., Rodriguez, Daniel, van Asten, Piet J. A. and van Wijk, Mark T. (2016). Drivers of household food availability in sub-Saharan Africa based on big data from small farms. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 113 (2), 458-463. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1518384112
2025
Journal Article
Guiding cultivar choice in smallholder agriculture: Identifying suitability hotspots for maturity groups of field crops
Grewer, Uwe, de Voil, Peter, MacCarthy, Dilys S. and Rodriguez, Daniel (2025). Guiding cultivar choice in smallholder agriculture: Identifying suitability hotspots for maturity groups of field crops. Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 20 100204, 100204-20. doi: 10.1016/j.resenv.2025.100204
2025
Journal Article
The plasticity of root traits and their effects on crop yield and yield stability
Zhao, Dongxue, de Voil, Peter, Sadras, Victor O., Palta, Jairo A. and Rodriguez, Daniel (2025). The plasticity of root traits and their effects on crop yield and yield stability. Plant and Soil 107914, 1-16. doi: 10.1007/s11104-024-07185-6
2024
Other Outputs
Assessing Pongamia growth, seed yield and economics in Central Queensland
Shaygan, Mandana, Anzooman, Monia, McIntyre, Neil, deVoil, Peter, Rodriguez, Daniel and Lane, Joe (2024). Assessing Pongamia growth, seed yield and economics in Central Queensland. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2024
Journal Article
Irrigation with Artificial Intelligence: Problems, Premises, Promises
Wei, Hanyu, Xu, Wen, Kang, Byeong, Eisner, Rowan, Muleke, Albert, Rodriguez, Daniel, deVoil, Peter, Sadras, Victor, Monjardino, Marta and Harrison, Matthew Tom (2024). Irrigation with Artificial Intelligence: Problems, Premises, Promises. Human-Centric Intelligent Systems, 4 (2), 1-19. doi: 10.1007/s44230-024-00072-4
2024
Journal Article
Agronomic adaptations to heat stress: sowing summer crops early in late winter
Rodriguez, Daniel, Serafin, Loretta, de Voil, Peter, Mumford, Michael, Zhao, Dongxue, Aisthorpe, Darren, Auer, Jane, Broad, Ian, Eyre, Joe and Hellyer, Mark (2024). Agronomic adaptations to heat stress: sowing summer crops early in late winter. agriRxiv, 318 109592. doi: 10.31220/agrirxiv.2024.00243
2023
Journal Article
Incorporating environmental covariates to explore genotype × environment × management (G × E × M) interactions: A one-stage predictive model
Mumford, Michael H., Forknall, Clayton R., Rodriguez, Daniel, Eyre, Joseph X. and Kelly, Alison M. (2023). Incorporating environmental covariates to explore genotype × environment × management (G × E × M) interactions: A one-stage predictive model. Field Crops Research, 304 109133, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2023.109133
2023
Other Outputs
Early sorghum 2019-2022 data set
Rodriguez, Daniel and Zhao, Dongxue (2023). Early sorghum 2019-2022 data set. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/7924c5e
2022
Journal Article
Agronomic and on-farm infrastructure adaptations to manage economic risk in Australian irrigated broadacre systems: A case study
Monjardino, Marta, Harrison, Matthew T., DeVoil, Peter, Rodriguez, Daniel and Sadras, Victor O. (2022). Agronomic and on-farm infrastructure adaptations to manage economic risk in Australian irrigated broadacre systems: A case study. Agricultural Water Management, 269 107740, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107740
2022
Journal Article
Sustainable intensification practices reduce food deficit for the best- and worst-off households in Ethiopia and Mozambique
Wilkus, Erin Lynn, deVoil, Peter, Marenya, Paswel, Snapp, Sieg, Dixon, John and Rodriguez, Daniel (2022). Sustainable intensification practices reduce food deficit for the best- and worst-off households in Ethiopia and Mozambique. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5 649218. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.649218
2021
Journal Article
Application, adoption and opportunities for improving decision support systems in irrigated agriculture: a review
Ara, Iffat, Turner, Lydia, Harrison, Matthew Tom, Monjardino, Marta, deVoil, Peter and Rodriguez, Daniel (2021). Application, adoption and opportunities for improving decision support systems in irrigated agriculture: a review. Agricultural Water Management, 257 107161, 107161. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2021.107161
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Daniel Rodriguez is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Optimising sorghum agronomy
Background
Australia’s climate has warmed by about 1.4 °C since 1910, leading to an increase in the frequency of extreme heat events and the frequency and intensity of water stresses. Climate trends and ongoing climate change provide clear focus on the need to increase crop adaptation to water and heat stresses.
Here we propose that early sowing of sorghum could increase sowing opportunities and simultaneously avoid heat and water stress at flowering in some cropping systems and locations.
Previous research identified that early sown sorghum crops show high yield potentials with increased downside risk due to (i) poorly emerged crops when sown in cold soils, (ii) the likelihood of frost damage, and (iii) stunted growth due to lower than optimum air temperatures. However, there is no clear information on the benefits and trade-offs of the practice. Particularly there is limited information on low temperature thresholds for frost damage, cold temperature impacts on crop establishment, growth and development, water use dynamics, water use efficiency, yield potential and yield components, and the effects on subsequent crops in the cropping system for winter sown sorghum agronomic packages.
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Matching adapted pulse genotypes with soil and climate to maximise yield and profit, with manageable risk in Australian cropping systems
Pulses can increase profits, diversify income and increase sustainability. Megatrends in global food markets favour consumption of plant-based protein. However, significant productivity gaps remain, driven by lack of understanding of pulse physiology and agronomy. This project focuses on chickpea in Queensland, and will deliver location, soil and season-specific management options that optimise production to better enable growers to (i) attain water limited yield potential, (ii) increase profitability and (iii) reduce risk.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the reliability and profitability of sorghum in north west NSW
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
De-risking Broadacre Cropping Options in Northern Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adam Komarek
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Doctor Philosophy
De-risking the Diversification of Northern Queensland¿s Farming Systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adam Komarek
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Doctor Philosophy
Designing Farming Systems with Whole Farm Models
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hamish McGowan, Dr Dongxue Zhao
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the reliability and profitability of sorghum in north west NSW
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Digital technologies to Increase the Sustainability of African Livestock systems under climate risks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adam Komarek
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Master Philosophy
Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench) Germination in Cold and Drying Soil
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yash Dang, Dr Joe Eyre
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Doctor Philosophy
Overcoming the root phenotyping bottleneck in cereals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Kelly, Professor David Jordan, Dr Dongxue Zhao
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Managing variable seasonal weather conditions in smallholder agriculture: Exposure, impacts, adaptations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Christopher O'Donnell, Dr Dong-Hyuk Kim
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2023
Master Philosophy
Crop sensing as a tool to assist data collection in maize agronomic trials
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joe Eyre, Associate Professor Andries Potgieter
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Risks and opportunities from more productive and resilient cropping system strategies in the Central and Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joe Eyre
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Drivers for high yield in rainfed cropping: A comparative analysis between Manica, Mozambique and Queensland Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joe Eyre
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Residue Management Strategies for the Rainfed N-Deprived Maize-legume Cropping Systems of Central Mozambique
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
The role of intercropping and sole cropping across environments of contrasting level of productivity in Ethiopia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Shu Fukai
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
From complex to complicated: Addressing global phosphorus inefficiency with field scale agricultural systems models
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Options for managing climate variability and market risks for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thilak Mallawaarachchi
Media
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