Overview
Background
Dr Dongxue Zhao is a Research Fellow within the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at The University of Queensland, Australia. Her research aims to contribute to sustainable gains in crop productivity by improving our understanding of how crop-soil interactions determine crop and root growth, water and nutrient uptake, and final yield. In her research, she combines innovative proximal and remote sensing techniques of crops, soils and roots, with predictive modelling and artificial intelligence tools. These include integrating electromagnetic induction (EMI) techniques, and drone and satellite imagery to monitor crop root growth and water use dynamics over time; 3D mapping of soil properties and sub-soil constraints to map resource constraints; time-lapse imaging of soil wetting and drying cycles for applications in irrigated cropping; developing new hyperspectral libraries for the rapid estimation of plant, crop and soil properties; data fusion and machine learning in the landscape mapping of soil carbon, plant water and nutrients availability.
Research Interests
- Phenotyping crop rooting systems in the field
- 3D characterization of soil water content and crop water use
- Developing new spectral databases for measuring and monitoring soil and plant properties
Availability
- Dr Dongxue Zhao is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Environmental Management, The University of New South Wales
Works
Search Professor Dongxue Zhao’s works on UQ eSpace
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, 1-16. doi: 10.1007/s11104-024-07185-6
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
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
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
2024
Conference Publication
High-throughput crop root phenotyping through electromagnetic induction method
Zhao, Dongxue, Rodriguez, Daniel and deVoil, Peter (2024). High-throughput crop root phenotyping through electromagnetic induction method. Agrogeo24, Zürich, Switzerland, 1 - 2 February 2024. Zürich, Switzerland: Agrogeophysics. doi: 10.62329/dwac3279
2024
Journal Article
Optimizing the ecological network of resource-based cities to enhance the resilience of regional ecological networks
Zhao, Yuxi, Zhang, Ming, Zhao, Dongxue, Duo, Linghua and Lu, Chunyang (2024). Optimizing the ecological network of resource-based cities to enhance the resilience of regional ecological networks. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31 (11), 17182-17205. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-32271-8
2023
Journal Article
The response of ecosystem vulnerability to climate change and human activities in the Poyang lake city group, China
Chen, Yaoyao, Duo, Linghua, Zhao, Dongxue, Zeng, Yi and Guo, Xiaofei (2023). The response of ecosystem vulnerability to climate change and human activities in the Poyang lake city group, China. Environmental Research, 233 116473, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116473
2023
Journal Article
Research on the coupling coordination and driving role of urbanization and ecological resilience in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River
Xiao, Sheng, Duo, Linghua, Guo, Xiaofei, Zou, Zili, Li, Yanan and Zhao, Dongxue (2023). Research on the coupling coordination and driving role of urbanization and ecological resilience in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. PeerJ, 11 e15869, 1-28. doi: 10.7717/peerj.15869
2023
Journal Article
Spatiotemporal heterogeneity between agricultural carbon emission efficiency and food security in Henan, China
Gu, Ruili, Duo, Linghua, Guo, Xiaofei, Zou, Zili and Zhao, Dongxue (2023). Spatiotemporal heterogeneity between agricultural carbon emission efficiency and food security in Henan, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30 (17), 49470-49486. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-25821-z
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
2023
Journal Article
Soil organic carbon prediction by multi-digital data fusion for nitrogen management in a sugarcane field
Zhao, Xueyu, Wang, Jie, Zhao, Dongxue and Triantafilis, John (2023). Soil organic carbon prediction by multi-digital data fusion for nitrogen management in a sugarcane field. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 127 (1), 119-136. doi: 10.1007/s10705-022-10233-1
2022
Journal Article
Mapping Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) across sugarcane fields with different comparisons by using DUALEM data
Zhao, Xueyu, Wang, Jie, Zhao, Dongxue, Sefton, Michael and Triantafilis, John (2022). Mapping Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) across sugarcane fields with different comparisons by using DUALEM data. Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, 27 (4), 191-205. doi: 10.32389/jeeg22-002
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
2022
Journal Article
Soil organic carbon (SOC) prediction in Australian sugarcane fields using Vis–NIR spectroscopy with different model setting approaches
Zhao, Xueyu, Zhao, Dongxue, Wang, Jie and Triantafilis, John (2022). Soil organic carbon (SOC) prediction in Australian sugarcane fields using Vis–NIR spectroscopy with different model setting approaches. Geoderma Regional, 30 e00566, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.geodrs.2022.e00566
2022
Journal Article
Dynamic change of vegetation index and its influencing factors in Alxa League in the arid area
Zhou, Peng, Zhao, Dongxue, Liu, Xiao, Duo, Linghua and He, Bao-Jie (2022). Dynamic change of vegetation index and its influencing factors in Alxa League in the arid area. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10 922739, 1-14. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2022.922739
2022
Journal Article
Spatiotemporal pattern evolution of urban ecosystem resilience based on “Resistance-Adaptation-Vitality”: a case study of Nanchang City
Duo, Linghua, Li, Yanan, Zhang, Ming, Zhao, Yuxi, Wu, Zhenhua and Zhao, Dongxue (2022). Spatiotemporal pattern evolution of urban ecosystem resilience based on “Resistance-Adaptation-Vitality”: a case study of Nanchang City. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10 902444, 1-20. doi: 10.3389/feart.2022.902444
2022
Journal Article
Perception, physiological and psychological impacts, adaptive awareness and knowledge, and climate justice under urban heat: a study in extremely hot-humid Chongqing, China
He, Bao-Jie, Zhao, Dongxue, Dong, Xin, Xiong, Ke, Feng, Chi, Qi, Qianlong, Darko, Amos, Sharifi, Ayyoob and Pathak, Minal (2022). Perception, physiological and psychological impacts, adaptive awareness and knowledge, and climate justice under urban heat: a study in extremely hot-humid Chongqing, China. Sustainable Cities and Society, 79 103685, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2022.103685
2022
Journal Article
Clay content mapping and uncertainty estimation using weighted model averaging
Zhao, Dongxue, Wang, Jie, Zhao, Xueyu and Triantafilis, John (2022). Clay content mapping and uncertainty estimation using weighted model averaging. CATENA, 209 (Part 2) 105791, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.catena.2021.105791
2022
Journal Article
Unravelling drivers of field-scale digital mapping of topsoil organic carbon and its implications for nitrogen practices
Wang, Jie, Zhao, Dongxue, Zare, Ehsan, Sefton, Michael and Triantafilis, John (2022). Unravelling drivers of field-scale digital mapping of topsoil organic carbon and its implications for nitrogen practices. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 193 106640, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2021.106640
2022
Journal Article
Will individuals visit hospitals when suffering heat-related illnesses? Yes, but…
He, Bao-Jie, Zhao, Dongxue, Dong, Xin, Zhao, Ziqi, Li, Liguang, Duo, Linghua and Li, Jing (2022). Will individuals visit hospitals when suffering heat-related illnesses? Yes, but…. Building and Environment, 208 108587. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108587
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Dongxue Zhao is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Drought tolerance in sorghum: the roots of the solution
Droughts are a major constraint to dryland agriculture worldwide. Climate change is amplifying the frequency and intensity of droughts, making the need to increase crop resilience urgent. Plant breeding programs are developing new genotypes of improved drought tolerance, but progress is slow. The development of improved plant genotypes (G) relies on the ability to screen large numbers of experimental lines for favourable traits (phenotyping) across contrasting growing environments. Agronomists instead build drought tolerance by identifying optimum combinations of G and agronomic managements (M) that best fit site and expected environmental conditions. Under drought, the crop rooting system, its architecture, size, and activity, determine the capacity of the crop to take up water for photosynthesis and yield, underpinning agricultural productivity. Identifying desirable root phenotypes directly in the field would be the short route to help identify and incorporate traits that enhance drought tolerance in breeding programs, and to inform more resilient crop managements. In this project we aim to develop a new, repeatable, inexpensive, quick, and accurate method for phenotyping rooting systems in the field. The approach will integrate the use of proximal electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensing of soils, drone imagery and crop ecophysiological principles. The key objectives of this fellowship are to: 1. Develop and test a proof-of-concept root phenotyping method in collaboration with a sorghum breeding company to screen root traits in large numbers of G, and GxM combinations. 2. Develop a ready-to-use data acquisition platform, data pipeline, and analysis method for root phenotyping in collaboration with a service provider of digital agriculture products. This will allow breeding companies to accelerate genetic progress and build drought resilience into their genotypes; agronomists to identify more resilient combinations of genotype and management practices, and digital agriculture businesses offer new products and services to breeding companies and agronomists.
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Matching pulse crop designs to site and expected seasonal conditions to maximise yield and profit: a crop ecophysiology approach (GRDC project administered by CSIRO)
Chickpeas 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. As part of a collaborative effort between UQ-QAAFI Centre for Crop Sciences and CSIRO, this project aims to improve our understanding of the impact of different water availabilities and temperature relationships on chickpea growth, development, and yield potential. The student will join a team of field agronomists, crop modellers, and crop physiologist that are conducting on-farm and on-research station trials to research the impacts of water availability and temperature regimes during critical periods of biomass partitioning and yield formation for chickpeas. The focus of the trials is to improve our understanding of the dynamics of yield formation under contrasting stresses. The student will be trained on the use of proximal root and canopy sensing technologies in the phenotyping of canopies and rooting systems using drones and DualEM sensors. Field, trials will be conducted during at least two seasons to improve and validate the APSIM model that will be used to assess yield and risks associated to contrasting GxExM combinations. Frequent travelling to the field and working outdoors in farmers’ fields will be required.
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Proximal 3D sensing of plant available water capacity
Plant available water capacity (PAWC) is the main soil property required to assess the amount and distribution of plant available water (PAW), used to inform pre planting, planting, and in-crop management decisions. Having access to reliable spatial maps of PAWC and PAW can also help inform cost-benefit analyses of investments in precision agriculture technologies and their applications. Previous attempts to map PAWC and PAW included the use of inverse crop modelling approaches to link maps of crop yield and vegetation indices with soil PAWC using crop models. The approach assumes that the observed yield is only affected by PAWC, it tends to only produce accurate representations of the total plant available water rather than its distribution in the soil profile and is unable to be applied to the fields without multiple seasons of yield maps. Another approach has taken advantage of the existing soil-landscape maps and PAWC information in the APSoil database. However, not all areas across Australia have been covered by the database and soil-landscape maps, and the data in APSoil can be highly imprecise, and highly specific to particular point locations, limiting the capability of this approach to account for spatial variations of PAWC for a target field. Here we propose a new conceptual approach to map PAWC and PAW rapidly and cost-effectively that combines 3D proximal sensing of permanent soil properties with the characterisation of transient site conditions using 3D maps of root growth and activity (Zhao, et al., 2022), and APSIM modelling. The student will be trained on the use of proximal sensing technologies and crop modeling for 3D characterizing soil moisture dynamics.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Overcoming the root phenotyping bottleneck in cereals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Kelly, Professor David Jordan, Professor Daniel Rodriguez
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating root-shoot dynamics to improve water-use efficiency of barley
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alex Wu, Associate Professor Karine Chenu, Dr Hannah Robinson, Dr Millicent Smith, Professor Lee Hickey
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Doctor Philosophy
Designing Farming Systems with Whole Farm Models
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hamish McGowan, Professor Daniel Rodriguez
Media
Enquiries
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