
Overview
Background
Professor Dr. Rodriguez is a biophysicist trained at Wageningen University, specializing in crop ecophysiology and systems modelling to enhance adaptation in broadacre crops. His recent research focuses on trait physiology and high-throughput field phenotyping for drought tolerance in grain crops. He combines empirical research, crop modelling, and data analytics to develop more profitable, sustainable, and resilient crops and cropping systems. Dr. Rodriguez collaborates with institutions in Australia and various countries in eastern and southern Africa, Indonesia, Latin America, and China. He served as President of the Australian Society of Agronomy and organized the 2022 Australian Agronomy Conference. He has contributed to the Academic Board of the University of Queensland and its Research and Innovation Committee. Dr. Rodriguez is the founding editor-in-chief of Nature’s npj Sustainable Agriculture and serves as an Expert Advisor for the Independent Science for Development Council of CGIAR. He is also a member of the College of Experts at the University of Queensland’s Global Change Institute and sits on the Editorial Board of multiple academic journals.
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
-
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 annual invitations as a keynote speaker at international conferences. 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 full-time researchers. He has successfully graduated numerous 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 was President of the Australian Society of Agronomy (2019-22) and organiser of the Australian Agronomy Conference, Toowoomba October 2022. 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; he is member of the Editorial Board of Agricultural Systems, and was 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. He is the foundational editor in chief for Nature's journal npj Sustainable Agriculture, and serves as an Expert Advisor for the Independent Science for Development Council of CGIAR.
Works
Search Professor Daniel Rodriguez’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Book Chapter
Intercropping in sustainable maize cultivation
Temesgen, Abeya, Fukai, Shu and Rodriguez, Daniel (2017). Intercropping in sustainable maize cultivation. Achieving sustainable cultivation of maize - Volume 2: Cultivation techniques, pest and disease control. (pp. 203-225) edited by Dave Watson. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.
2017
Journal Article
Planting date and yield benefits from conservation agriculture practices across Southern Africa
Nyagumbo, Isaiah, Mkuhlani, Siyabusa, Mupangwa, Walter and Rodriguez, Daniel (2017). Planting date and yield benefits from conservation agriculture practices across Southern Africa. Agricultural Systems, 150, 21-33. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2016.09.016
2017
Conference Publication
Understanding the importance of matching sorghum hybrids and agronomy to site and seasonal conditions
Clarke, Simon J., McLean, James, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Eyre, Joseph and Rodriguez, Daniel (2017). Understanding the importance of matching sorghum hybrids and agronomy to site and seasonal conditions. 18th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference, Ballarat, VIC Australia, 24-28 September 2017. Australian Society of Agronomy.
2017
Book Chapter
Climate risk management in maize cropping systems
Rodriguez, Daniel, Roxburgh, Caspar, Farnsworth, Claire, Ferrante, Ariel, Eyre, Joseph, Irvine-Brown, Stuart, McLean, James and Bielich, Martin (2017). Climate risk management in maize cropping systems. Achieving sustainable cultivation of maize - Volume 2: cultivation techniques, pest and disease control. (pp. 227-245) edited by Dave Watson. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds. doi: 10.19103/AS.2016.0002.26
2016
Journal Article
Interactions between the water and nitrogen economies of crops: physiological, agronomic, economic, breeding and modelling perspectives
Sadras, V. O., Hayman, P. T., Rodriguez, D., Monjardino, M., Bielich, M., Unkovich, M., Mudge, B. and Wang, E. (2016). Interactions between the water and nitrogen economies of crops: physiological, agronomic, economic, breeding and modelling perspectives. Crop and Pasture Science, 67 (10), 1019-1053. doi: 10.1071/CP16027
2016
Journal Article
Interactions between intervention packages, climatic risk, climate change and food security in mixed crop-livestock systems in Burkina Faso
Rigolot, C., de Voil, P., Douxchamps, S., Prestwidge, D., Van Wijk, M., Thornton, P., Rodriguez, D., Henderson, B., Medina, D. and Herrero, M. (2016). Interactions between intervention packages, climatic risk, climate change and food security in mixed crop-livestock systems in Burkina Faso. Agricultural Systems, 151 (5), 217-224. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2015.12.017
2016
Book Chapter
Modelling dryland agricultural systems
Rodriguez, Daniel, de Voil, Peter and Power, B. (2016). Modelling dryland agricultural systems. Innovations in dryland agriculture. (pp. 239-256) edited by Muhammad Farooq and Kadambot H. M. Siddique. Cham, Switzerland: Springer . doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-47928-6_9
2016
Conference Publication
Updating the crop simulation model APSIM to predict yields of more specifically-adapted sorghum hybrids
Brider, Jason, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Broad, Ian, Eyre, Joseph, McLean, Greg, McLean, James, Skerman, Andrew and Rodriguez, Daniel (2016). Updating the crop simulation model APSIM to predict yields of more specifically-adapted sorghum hybrids. Australian Summer Grains Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 7-9 March 2016.
2016
Journal Article
Energy from the foodbowl: associated land-use conflicts, risks and wicked problems
Everingham, Jo-Anne, Collins, Nina, Cavaye, Jim, Rifkin, Will, Vink, Sue, Baumgartl, Thomas and Rodriguez, Daniel (2016). Energy from the foodbowl: associated land-use conflicts, risks and wicked problems. Landscape and Urban Planning, 154, 68-80. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.01.011
2015
Journal Article
Agent-based simulation of pricing strategy for agri-products considering customer preference
Chang, Xue, Li, Jing, Rodriguez, Daniel and Su, Qun (2015). Agent-based simulation of pricing strategy for agri-products considering customer preference. International Journal of Production Research, 54 (13), 1-19. doi: 10.1080/00207543.2015.1120901
2015
Journal Article
A bio-economic analysis of the benefits of conservation agriculture: the case of smallholder farmers in Adami Tulu district, Ethiopia
Tessema, Yohannis, Asafu-Adjaye, John, Rodriguez, Daniel, Mallawaarachchi, Thilak and Shiferaw, Bekele (2015). A bio-economic analysis of the benefits of conservation agriculture: the case of smallholder farmers in Adami Tulu district, Ethiopia. Ecological Economics, 120, 164-174. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.10.020
2015
Journal Article
Crop rotation model for contract farming with constraints on similar profits
Li, Jing, Rodriguez, Daniel, Zhang, Dongqing and Ma, Kaiping (2015). Crop rotation model for contract farming with constraints on similar profits. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 119, 12-18. doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2015.10.002
2015
Journal Article
As the level of crop productivity increases: is there a role for intercropping in smallholder agriculture
Temesgen, Abeya, Fukai, Shu and Rodriguez, Daniel (2015). As the level of crop productivity increases: is there a role for intercropping in smallholder agriculture. Field Crops Research, 180, 155-166. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2015.06.003
2015
Conference Publication
Adapting rain-fed sorghum agronomy to breeding progress - cropping system model parameterisation
George-Jaeggli, Barbara, Brider, Jason, Broad, Ian, Chenu, Karine, Eyre, Joseph, Ferrante, Ariel, McLean, Greg, McLean, James, Skerman, Andrew and Rodriguez, Daniel (2015). Adapting rain-fed sorghum agronomy to breeding progress - cropping system model parameterisation. Australian Agronomy Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 21-24 September 2015. Warragul, VIC, Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2015
Book Chapter
Raising productivity of maize-based cropping systems in eastern and southern Africa: Step-wise intensification options
Dimes, John, Rodriguez, Daniel and Potgieter, Andries (2015). Raising productivity of maize-based cropping systems in eastern and southern Africa: Step-wise intensification options. Crop Physiology Applications for Genetic Improvement and Agronomy. (pp. 93-110) edited by Sadras, Victor O and Calderini, Daniel F. United States of America: Elsevier : Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-417104-6.00005-4
2015
Conference Publication
High yielding wheat in the northern region: impact of nitrogen fertilisation on grain yield and quality in modern cultivars
Ferrante, Ariel, Eyre, Joseph, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, McLean, James, Chenu, Karine, deVoil, Peter, McLean, Greg and Rodriguez, Daniel (2015). High yielding wheat in the northern region: impact of nitrogen fertilisation on grain yield and quality in modern cultivars. Australian Agronomy Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 21-24 September 2015. Warragul, VIC, Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2015
Conference Publication
Maize yield determination in the Northern Region: hybrid by environment by management interactions
Ferrante, Ariel, Eyre, Joe, George-Jaeggli, Barbara, McLean, James, Chenu, Karine, deVoil, Peter, McLean, Greg and Rodriguez, Daniel (2015). Maize yield determination in the Northern Region: hybrid by environment by management interactions. Australian Agronomy Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 21-24 September 2015. Warragul, VIC, Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2014
Journal Article
Spatial estimation of wheat yields from Landsat's visible, near infrared and thermal reflectance bands
Potgieter, A. B., Power, B., Mclean, J., Davis, P. and Rodriguez, D. (2014). Spatial estimation of wheat yields from Landsat's visible, near infrared and thermal reflectance bands. International Journal of Remote Sensing Application, 4 (3), 134-143. doi: 10.14355/ijrsa.2014.0403.03
2014
Journal Article
APSIM - evolution towards a new generation of agricultural systems simulation
Holzworth, Dean P., Huth, Neil I., deVoil, Peter G., Zurcher, Eric J., Herrmann, Neville I., McLean, Greg, Chenu, Karine, van Oosterom, Erik J., Snow, Val, Murphy, Chris, Moore, Andrew D., Brown, Hamish, Whish, Jeremy P. M., Verrall, Shaun, Fainges, Justin, Bell, Lindsay W., Peake, Allan S., Poulton, Perry L., Hochman, Zvi, Thorburn, Peter J., Gaydon, Donald S., Dalgliesh, Neal P., Rodriguez, Daniel, Cox, Howard, Chapman, Scott, Doherty, Alastair, Teixeira, Edmar, Sharp, Joanna, Cichota, Rogerio ... Keating, Brian A. (2014). APSIM - evolution towards a new generation of agricultural systems simulation. Environmental Modelling and Software, 62, 327-350. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.07.009
2014
Journal Article
Designing sustainable agricultural production systems for a changing world: methods and applications
Dogliotti, S., Rodriguez, D., Lopez-Ridaura, S. and Tittonell, P. (2014). Designing sustainable agricultural production systems for a changing world: methods and applications. Agricultural Systems, 126, 1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2014.02.003
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Daniel Rodriguez is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
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.
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Designing Farming Systems with Whole Farm Models
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hamish McGowan, Dr Dongxue Zhao
-
Doctor Philosophy
De-risking the Diversification of Northern Queensland¿s Farming Systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adam Komarek
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving the reliability and profitability of sorghum in north west NSW
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Drought tolerance in sorghum: the roots of the solution
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dongxue Zhao
-
Doctor Philosophy
Overcoming the root phenotyping bottleneck in cereals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Kelly, Professor David Jordan, Dr Dongxue Zhao
-
Master Philosophy
Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench) Germination in Cold and Drying Soil
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yash Dang, Dr Joe Eyre
-
Doctor Philosophy
Digital technologies to Increase the Sustainability of African Livestock systems under climate risks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adam Komarek
Completed supervision
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Residue Management Strategies for the Rainfed N-Deprived Maize-legume Cropping Systems of Central Mozambique
Principal Advisor
-
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
-
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
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
From complex to complicated: Addressing global phosphorus inefficiency with field scale agricultural systems models
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Options for managing climate variability and market risks for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thilak Mallawaarachchi
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Professor Daniel Rodriguez's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: