Overview
Background
Professor Ram Dalal is a Professor in the School of Agriculture and Food Science at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He has contributed significantly to create awareness in the farming, scientific and general community to the seriousness and insidious nature of soil degradation. As a consequence, restorative practices for sustainable land management were developed and promoted. The international nature of the program was demonstrated by the fact that it was part of the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Program. It is now nationally recognized by policy makers and politicians that land degradation and sustainable land management are the national and international priorities. These projects have made significant contribution towards these issues.
In the last 30 years Dr Dalal has worked towards sustainable land management systems, nitrogen management and soil carbon dynamics. He was the co-leader of soil carbon program in the CRC for Greenhouse Accounting (199-2006), leader of soil carbon changes following land clearing funded by the Australian Greenhouse Office (1998-2002), reviewer for the IPCC Good Practice Guidance (2006) for the land sector, and leader of the National Soil Carbon Program (2012-2015) and Soil Constraints Initiative - Management of Sodic, Magnesic or Dispersive Soils (2015). He has been a consultant and project research contributor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (2004-2009). Recently, he has led a number of projects on estimating soil carbon stock following land use change from native vegetation to croplands, grazing lands, and management of croplands and grazing lands and rangelands (2009-2015) funded by the Department of Environment and Heritage, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Department of Agriculture, Commonwealth of Australia. In addition, he has also been involved in estimating nitrous oxide and methane emissions/ uptake from different ecosystems including agriculture, grassland, plantation forestry and estuarine/ mangrove systems (2000 – 2015). He led the National Soil Carbon Program from 2012 to 2015.
Availability
- Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute
Research interests
-
Soil and Land Management
Soil fertility, soil biology, soil chemistry, soil and water conservation, landscape restoration, soil carbon sequestration in cropping, pasture and forestry systems and nitrogen management in cropping and pasture systems, phosphorus and zinc nutrition, soil constraints including sodicity and salinity
-
Crop and Pasture Production
Sustainable crop rotations, sustainable pasture production systems, crop and pasture rotations, crop and pasture nutrition, fertiliser use and nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency
-
Greenhouse Gases Mitigation
Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane emissions and uptake in soil-plant systems, carbon sequestration
Research impacts
My research programs created or contributed significantly to create awareness in the rural, scientific and general community in Queensland, nationwide and internationally to the seriousness and insidious nature of land degradation, carbon loss, sustainability indicators and landscape processes that lead among others, to poor soil and land quality, fertility decline and stream and groundwater quality deterioration. For the last 25 years, landscape restoration, soil organic matter management, carbon sequestration and nitrogen management, and site-specific management for soil and subsoil and other constraints and sustainable crop and pasture rotations and vegetation management have been the central research platforms across cropping, rangelands and forestry ecosystems. The international nature of the program is demonstrated by the fact that it was one of only two sites listed from Australia with the International Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Program. The Fertility Restoration Site of this program was frequently visited by national and international scientists.
Policy makers and politicians now nationally recognize that land degradation, carbon loss and landscape degradation processes lead to deteriorating water quality, and that sustainable land, vegetation and water use, and greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change are the state and national priorities. These projects have been pioneer in Australia in these fields and made significant contribution towards resolving these issues, and provided impetus to initiating similar studies in Australia and worldwide.
Works
Search Professor Ram Dalal AM’s works on UQ eSpace
2011
Journal Article
Seasonal variation in nitrous oxide and methane emissions from subtropical estuary and coastal mangrove sediments, Australia
Allen, D., Dalal, R. C., Rennenberg, H. and Schmidt, S. (2011). Seasonal variation in nitrous oxide and methane emissions from subtropical estuary and coastal mangrove sediments, Australia. Plant Biology, 13 (1), 126-133. doi: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00331.x
2011
Journal Article
Crop rotations for sustainable grain production on a vertisol in the semi-arid subtropics
Thomas, G. A., Dalal, R. C., Weston, E. J., King, A. J., Holmes, C. J., Orange, D. N. and Lehane, K. J. (2011). Crop rotations for sustainable grain production on a vertisol in the semi-arid subtropics. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 35 (1), 2-26. doi: 10.1080/10440046.2011.530195
2010
Book
Advanced techniques for managing subsoil constraints (DNR00008: Northern Grains Region): Project results book 2010
Yash Dand, Ram Dalal, Jack Christopher, Armando Apan, Matthew Pringle, Kathryn Bailey and Andrew Biggs eds. (2010). Advanced techniques for managing subsoil constraints (DNR00008: Northern Grains Region): Project results book 2010. Canberra, ACT, Australia: GRDC.
2010
Journal Article
A review of sampling designs for the measurement of soil organic carbon in Australian grazing lands
Allen, D. E., Pringle, M. J., Page, K. L. and Dalal, R. C. (2010). A review of sampling designs for the measurement of soil organic carbon in Australian grazing lands. Rangeland Journal, 32 (2), 227-246. doi: 10.1071/RJ09043
2010
Journal Article
Green waste compost reduces nitrous oxide emissions from feedlot manure applied to soil
Dalal, RC, Gibson, I, Allen, DE and Menzies, NW (2010). Green waste compost reduces nitrous oxide emissions from feedlot manure applied to soil. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 136 (3-4), 273-281. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2009.06.010
2010
Journal Article
Effect of nitrogen fertilizer management and waterlogging on nitrous oxide emission from subtropical sugarcane soils
Allen, D. E., Kingston, G., Rennenberg, H., Dalal, R. C. and Schmidt, S. (2010). Effect of nitrogen fertilizer management and waterlogging on nitrous oxide emission from subtropical sugarcane soils. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 136 (3-4), 209-217. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2009.11.002
2010
Journal Article
Soil carbon dynamics in saline and sodic soils: A review
Wong, V. N.L., Greene, R. S.B., Dalal, R. C. and Murphy, B. W. (2010). Soil carbon dynamics in saline and sodic soils: A review. Soil Use and Management, 26 (1), 2-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-2743.2009.00251.x
2010
Conference Publication
Reduction of soil nitrogen losses from a Vertisol with organic waste amendments under subtropical conditions
Vaughan, Sarah M., Dalal, Ram, Harper, Stephen and Menzies, Neal (2010). Reduction of soil nitrogen losses from a Vertisol with organic waste amendments under subtropical conditions. 19th World Congress of Soil Science: Soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Brisbane, Australia: International Union of Soil Sciences.
2010
Conference Publication
Modelling N mineralization from green manure and farmyard manure from a laboratory incubation study
Mohanty, M., Probert, M. E., Reddy, K. Sammi, Dalal, R. C., Rao, A. Subbo and Menzies, N. W. (2010). Modelling N mineralization from green manure and farmyard manure from a laboratory incubation study. 19th World Congress of Soil Science: Soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Brisbane, Australia: International Union of Soil Sciences.
2010
Conference Publication
Leaching losses of nutrients from farmyard manure pits in Central India
Reddy, K. Sammi, Blamey, F. Pax C., Dalal, Ram C., Mohanty, M., Singh, Muneshwar, Rao, A. Subbo, Pandey, M. and Menzies, Neal W. (2010). Leaching losses of nutrients from farmyard manure pits in Central India. 19th World Congress of Soil Science: Soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Brisbane, Australia: International Union of Soil Sciences.
2010
Journal Article
Diagnosis, extent, impacts, and management of subsoil constraints in the northern grains cropping region of Australia
Dang, Y. P., Dalal, R. C., Buck, S. R., Harms, B., Kelly, R., Hochman, Z., Schwenke, G. D., Biggs, A. J. W., Ferguson, N. J., Norrish, S., Routley, R., McDonald, M., Hall, C., Singh, D. K., Daniells, I. G., Farquharson, R., Manning, W., Speirs, S., Grewal, H. S., Cornish, P., Bodapati, N. and Orange, D. (2010). Diagnosis, extent, impacts, and management of subsoil constraints in the northern grains cropping region of Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 48 (2), 105-119. doi: 10.1071/SR09074
2010
Conference Publication
Modelling N mineralization from high C:N rice and wheat crop residues
Mohanty, M., Probert, M. E., Reddy, K. Sammi, Dalal, R. C., Rao, A. Subbo and Menzies, N. W. (2010). Modelling N mineralization from high C:N rice and wheat crop residues. 19th World Congress of Soil Science: Soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Brisbane, Australia: International Union of Soil Sciences.
2010
Conference Publication
Development of farmers’ participatory integrated nutrient management technology using the Mother – Baby Trial approach
Reddy, K. Sammi, Mohanty, M., Rao, D. L. N., Rao, A. Subba, Blamey, F. Pax C., Dalal, Ram C., Dixit, S. K., Pandey, M. and Menzies, Neal W. (2010). Development of farmers’ participatory integrated nutrient management technology using the Mother – Baby Trial approach. 19th World Congress of Soil Science: Soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Brisbane, Australia: International Union of Soil Sciences.
2009
Journal Article
Processes and magnitude of CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes from liming of Australian acidic soils: a review
Page, K. L., Allen, D. E., Dalal, R. C. and Slattery, W. (2009). Processes and magnitude of CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes from liming of Australian acidic soils: a review. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 47 (8), 747-762. doi: 10.1071/SR09057
2009
Journal Article
Poor adoption of ley-pastures in south-west Queensland: Biophysical, economic and social constraints
Singh, D. K., McGuckian, N., Routley, R. A., Thomas, G. A., Dalal, R. C., Dang, Y. P., Hall, T. J., Strahan, R., Christodoulou, N., Cawley, S. and Ward, L. (2009). Poor adoption of ley-pastures in south-west Queensland: Biophysical, economic and social constraints. Animal Production Science, 49 (10), 894-906. doi: 10.1071/AN09015
2009
Journal Article
Nitrous oxide emission from feedlot manure and green waste compost applied to Vertisols
Dalal, Ram C., Gibson, Iain R. and Menzies, Neal W. (2009). Nitrous oxide emission from feedlot manure and green waste compost applied to Vertisols. Biology And Fertility of Soils, 45 (8), 809-819. doi: 10.1007/s00374-009-0394-7
2009
Journal Article
Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from soil are reduced following afforestation of pasture lands in three contrasting climatic zones
Allen, D. E., Mendham, D. S., Bhupinderpal-Singh, , Cowie, A., Wang, W., Dalal, R. C. and Raison, R. J. (2009). Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from soil are reduced following afforestation of pasture lands in three contrasting climatic zones. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 47 (5), 448-458. doi: 10.1071/SR08151
2009
Journal Article
Pasture-crop rotations for sustainable production in a wheat and sheep-based farming system on a Vertosol in south-west Queensland, Australia
Thomas, G. A., Dalal, R. C., Weston, E. J., Lehane, K. J., King, A. J., Orange, D. N., Holmes, C. J. and Wildermuth, G. B. (2009). Pasture-crop rotations for sustainable production in a wheat and sheep-based farming system on a Vertosol in south-west Queensland, Australia. Animal Production Science, 49 (8), 682-695. doi: 10.1071/EA07170
2009
Journal Article
Carbon storage in a Ferrosol under subtropical rainforest, tree plantations, and pasture is linked to soil aggregation
Richards, Anna E., Dalal, Ram C. and Schmidt, Susanne (2009). Carbon storage in a Ferrosol under subtropical rainforest, tree plantations, and pasture is linked to soil aggregation. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 47 (4), 341-350. doi: 10.1071/SR08162
2009
Journal Article
Carbon dynamics of sodic and saline soils following gypsum and organic material additions: A laboratory incubation
Wong, Vanessa N.L., Dalal, Ram C. and Greene, Richard S.B. (2009). Carbon dynamics of sodic and saline soils following gypsum and organic material additions: A laboratory incubation. Applied Soil Ecology, 41 (1), 29-40. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2008.08.006
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Sustainable and resilient farming systems intensification in the eastern Gangetic plains
The overall aim of the project is to reduce poverty in the eastern Gangetic plains by improving the productivity, profitability and sustainability of smallholder agriculture.
The project has four objectives that will lead towards sustainable and resilient farming systems intensification in the EGP:
1. Understand farmer circumstances with respect to cropping systems, natural and economic resources base, livelihood strategies, and capacity to bear risk and undertake technological innovation.
2. Develop, with farmers more productive and sustainable technologies that are resilient and profitable for smallholders.
3. Catalyse, support and evaluate institutional and policy changes that establish an enabling environment for the adoption of high-impact technologies from Objective 2.
4. Facilitate widespread adoption of sustainable, resilient and more profitable farming systems.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Ameliorating soil constraints using inorganic and organic amendments under rainfed conditions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernhard Wehr, Dr Yash Dang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Impact of Fungal Activity on Soil Carbon Dynamics - Tracing Carbon Fluxes Across Plant-Fungi-Mineral Networks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Vijaya Singh
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanisms of general disease suppressiveness in organic fields
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the influence of long-term land use change on the chemical speciation of C, S and P in SOM fractions isolated using density and physical fractionation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Brigid McKenna, Dr Tim McLaren, Professor Peter Kopittke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanisms of general disease suppressiveness in organic fields
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Ameliorating soil constraints using inorganic and organic amendments under rainfed conditions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernhard Wehr, Dr Yash Dang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanisms driving the persistence of soil organic matter
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanisms of general disease suppressiveness in organic fields
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanisms of general disease suppressiveness in organic fields
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamics of Soil Organic Matter: Storage, Composition, and Responses to Land Use Change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Han Weng, Professor Peter Kopittke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamics of Soil Organic Matter: Storage, Composition, and Responses to Land Use Change
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Han Weng, Professor Peter Kopittke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Organic matter decomposition and turnover in rhizobiomes of bauxite residue technosols
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Longbin Huang, Dr Fang You
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of pesticides, nitrification inhibitors, lime, and copper on soil N transformations and nitrous oxide emissions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke, Dr Yash Dang
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying fertilizer N and legume N recoveries in a no till maize-legume rotation using stable isotope techniques
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The amelioration of sodic soils with gypsum and organic amendments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke, Dr Bernhard Wehr
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding phosphorus behaviour in soils
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Soil organic matter turnover over decadal to millennial timescales
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Simulation of nitrogen release from organic materials in the soybean/wheat cropping systems on Vertisols in central India
Associate Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Rehabilitation of Organic Carbon and Microbial Community Structure and Functions in Cu-Pb-Zn Mine Tailings for in situ Engineering Technosols
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Longbin Huang
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration and Turnover in Leucaena-grass Pastures of Southern Queensland
Associate Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Reduction of nitrogen loss from intensive horticultural systems in the sub-tropics using organic waste amendments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Subsoil constraints to root growth and water use efficiency in northern grain soils
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gunnar Kirchhof
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN NATIVE RAINFOREST TREE PLANTATIONS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
FRACTIONATION OF SOILS BASED ON BONDING ENERGY AND AGGREGATE SIZE: METHOD FOR STUDYING THE EFFECT OF STRUCTURAL HIERARCHY ON DEGRADATION PROCESS
Associate Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
ACCUMULATION OF SUBSOIL AMMONIUM IN BRIGALOW AND BELAH SOIL
Associate Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
DYNAMICS OF N & P RELEASE FROM LAND APPLIED PIGGERY SLUDGE
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: