Overview
Background
Acid soil, Aluminium toxicity, soil acidity, rhizosphere, plant roots, root growth, plant cell wall, nutrient uptake, plant nutrition
Having completed my B.Sc. majoring in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Chemistry, I completed my M.Sc. (Agric) in Horticultural Science. After completing a PhD on the effect of heavy metals and aluminium on plant root biochemistry, I have worked for various plant biotechnology companies, focussing on genetic engineering of crops, in-vitro growth, propagation systems and salinity tolerant tree crops. After rejoining the University, I have been involved in minesite rehabilitation, focussing on plant-soil-water relationships. I have completed and ARC funded research on Al toxicity, focussing on the hydrolysis of Al in plant roots. I am currently researching the effect of coal seam water application and the movement of salts in soils. I am also teaching the introductory Soil Science course to undergraduate students.
Availability
- Dr Bernhard Wehr is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Research interests
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Plant-soil interactions
Plant roots are growing in soil and plants obtain most of their water and nutrients from the soil. Hostile soil conditions can significantly lower yields and affect profitability of producers. Common soil constraints in Australia and soil salinity and alkalinity, and poor soil physical properties. Management of soil constaints is necessary to increase yield and maintain profitability.
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Plant root physiology and plant cell walls
Plant cell walls are the part of plants roots in intimate contact with the soil. In particular, the anionic and cations charges found in plant cell walls play an important in how the plant perceives the soil environment and this affects uptake of nutrients by plant roots. Furthermore, the architecture of the root system affects how plants can exploit the soil for maximise uptake of water and nutrients.
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Aluminium toxicity and tolerance in plants
Aluminium toxicity is a significant problem in Australia and the rest of the world. In acid soils, dissolution of Al minerals releases trivalent Al ions which impair root growth. Consequently, water and nutrient uptake is decreased, resulting in yield losses. Understanding why Al is toxic to plant roots and management of acid soils to overcome Al toxicity is important to maintain or increase productivity.
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Agroforestry
Diversification of agricultural land use use to incorporate forestry can have a number of benefit for the environment and the producer. By setting aside less productive land for forestry, land degradation can be reversed or at least minimised by reducing wind and water erosion. In addition, forestry can provide habitat for native species and increase biodiversity. Beneficial effects are lowering of watertables in areas where dryland salinity is an issue, thereby preventing land degradation, increased soil carbon sequestration, increased visual amenity and an additional income stream.
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Land-disposal of waste products
Beneficial re-use of waste water and waste products such a manure and sewage can maintain or improve productivity by supplying water and nutrients to crops. Careful analysis of risks and benefits is required to evaluate the suitability of land disposal of waste products.
Works
Search Professor Bernhard Wehr’s works on UQ eSpace
2011
Journal Article
Recovery of cowpea seedling roots from exposure to toxic concentrations of trace metals
Blamey, F. P. C., Kopittke, P. M., Wehr, J. B. and Menzies, N. W. (2011). Recovery of cowpea seedling roots from exposure to toxic concentrations of trace metals. Plant and Soil, 341 (1-2), 423-436. doi: 10.1007/s11104-010-0655-0
2010
Journal Article
Rhizotoxic effects of silver in cowpea seedlings
Blamey, F. Pax C., Kopittke, Peter M., Wehr, J. Bernhard, Kinraide, Thomas B. and Menzies, Neal W. (2010). Rhizotoxic effects of silver in cowpea seedlings. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 29 (9), 2072-2078. doi: 10.1002/etc.236
2010
Book
Elders Forestry - UQ - DEEDI Research project on teak mineral nutrition: Final Report 2010
Wehr, Bernhard, Menzies, Neal and Smith, Tim (2010). Elders Forestry - UQ - DEEDI Research project on teak mineral nutrition: Final Report 2010. Australia: Australian Government, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).
2010
Journal Article
Comparative hydrolysis and sorption of Al and La onto plant cell wall material and pectic materials
Wehr, J. Bernhard, Blamey, F. Pax C., Kopittke, Peter M. and Menzies, Neal W. (2010). Comparative hydrolysis and sorption of Al and La onto plant cell wall material and pectic materials. Plant and Soil, 332 (1-2), 319-330. doi: 10.1007/s11104-010-0297-2
2010
Journal Article
Effects of Ca, Cu, Al and La on pectin gel strength: Implications for plant cell walls
McKenna, Brigid A., Nicholson, Timothy M., Wehr, J. Bernhard and Menzies, Neal W. (2010). Effects of Ca, Cu, Al and La on pectin gel strength: Implications for plant cell walls. Carbohydrate Research, 345 (9), 1174-1179. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2010.03.044
2010
Journal Article
Hydrolysis and speciation of Al bound to pectin and plant cell wall material and its reaction with the dye chrome azurol S
Wehr, J. Bernhard, Blamey, F. P. C., Hanna, J. V., Kopittke, P. M, Kerven, G. L. and Menzies, N. W. (2010). Hydrolysis and speciation of Al bound to pectin and plant cell wall material and its reaction with the dye chrome azurol S. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58 (9), 5553-5560. doi: 10.1021/jf100201x
2010
Journal Article
Comparison between methods using copper, lanthanum, and colorimetry for the determination of the cation exchange capacity of plant cell walls
Wehr, J. Bernhard, Blamey, F. Pax C. and Menzies, Neal W. (2010). Comparison between methods using copper, lanthanum, and colorimetry for the determination of the cation exchange capacity of plant cell walls. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58 (8), 4554-4559. doi: 10.1021/jf100097k
2010
Book
Annual Report 2009. Elders Forestry - UQ - DPI Research project on teak mineral nutrition
Wehr, Bernhard and Smith, Tim E (2010). Annual Report 2009. Elders Forestry - UQ - DPI Research project on teak mineral nutrition. St Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2010
Book
Screening of teak genotypes for acid soil tolerance: Outcome report to Elders Forestry
Wehr, J. Bernhard (2010). Screening of teak genotypes for acid soil tolerance: Outcome report to Elders Forestry. Joint ITC – UQ – DPIF research project St Lucia QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland School or Land, Crop and Food Sciences.
2010
Journal Article
Metal ion effects on hydraulic conductivity of bacterial cellulose-pectin composites used as plant cell wall analogs
McKenna, BA, Kopittke, PM, Wehr, JB, Blamey, FPC and Menzies, NW (2010). Metal ion effects on hydraulic conductivity of bacterial cellulose-pectin composites used as plant cell wall analogs. Physiologia Plantarum, 138 (2), 205-214. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2009.01306.x
2010
Conference Publication
Novel methods to investigate metal interactions with plant cell walls
McKenna, Brigid A., Wehr, J. Bernhard, Kopittke, Peter M., Blamey, F. Pax C. and Menzies, Neal W. (2010). Novel methods to investigate metal interactions with plant cell walls. 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: International Union of Soil Sciences.
2010
Conference Publication
Magnitude and kinetics of metal rhizotoxicity in cowpea
Kopittke, Peter M., Blamey, F. Pax C., Wehr, J. Bernhard and Menzies, Neal W. (2010). Magnitude and kinetics of metal rhizotoxicity in cowpea. 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: International Union of Soil Sciences.
2010
Conference Publication
Aluminum sensitivity and optimum Ca and pH requirement of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) clones used for forestry plantations in Australia
Wehr, J. Bernhard, Smith, Tim, Blamey, Pax and Menzies, Neal (2010). Aluminum sensitivity and optimum Ca and pH requirement of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) clones used for forestry plantations in Australia. 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 1-6 August, 2010. Australia: International Union of Soil Science.
2009
Journal Article
Mechanical and structural properties of native and alkali-treated bacterial cellulose produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus strain ATCC53524
McKenna, Brigid A., Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Wehr, J. Bernhard, Gidley, Michael J. and Menzies, Neal W. (2009). Mechanical and structural properties of native and alkali-treated bacterial cellulose produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus strain ATCC53524. Cellulose, 16 (6) 1047, 1047-1055. doi: 10.1007/s10570-009-9340-y
2009
Book
Interim report to ITC Ltd on the teak mineral nutrition trial at Ripple Creek
Wehr, Bernhard (2009). Interim report to ITC Ltd on the teak mineral nutrition trial at Ripple Creek. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2009
Journal Article
Metal-induced cell rupture in elongating roots is associated with metal ion binding strengths
Kopittke, P. M., McKenna, B. A., Blamey, F. P. C., Wehr, J. B. and Menzies, N. W. (2009). Metal-induced cell rupture in elongating roots is associated with metal ion binding strengths. Plant and Soil, 322 (1), 303-315. doi: 10.1007/s11104-009-9917-0
2009
Conference Publication
Similarities and differences in the recovery of cowpea roots from toxicities of aluminum, copper and lanthanum
Kopittke, P.M., Blamey, F.P.C., Wehr, J.B. and Menzies, N.W. (2009). Similarities and differences in the recovery of cowpea roots from toxicities of aluminum, copper and lanthanum. Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH: A Nutriomic Approach, Guangzhou, China, 17-21 May 2009. China: South China University of Technology Press.
2009
Conference Publication
Aluminum bound to plant cell walls - Does staining give clues about the bound Al species?
Wehr, J.B., Blamey, F.P.C., Kerven, G.L., Horst, W.J., Hanna, J.V. and Menzies, N.W. (2009). Aluminum bound to plant cell walls - Does staining give clues about the bound Al species?. Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH: A Nutriomic Approach, Guangzhou, China, 17-21 May 2009. Guangzhou, China: South China University of Technology Press.
2008
Book
Annual report 2008 and milestone reports: ITC teak mineral nutrition project
Wehr, Bernhard and Smith, Tim E. (2008). Annual report 2008 and milestone reports: ITC teak mineral nutrition project. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland.
2008
Book
Liming requirement of some prospective teak plantation soils in northern Queensland: final recommendation to ITC Ltd
Wehr, Bernhard (2008). Liming requirement of some prospective teak plantation soils in northern Queensland: final recommendation to ITC Ltd. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Bernhard Wehr is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Effect of silicon on plant physiological processes
This is a short-term project suited for an Hons/Masters level study.
Current field trials are conducted in which different types silicon amendments have been added to soil. The silicon has effects on both soil properties and plant physioloigcal processes. This project will only investigate plant responses, e.g. water stress tolerance, disease resistance, silicon uptake and distribution in crop species.
The project is suited to a student with good plant science background. The project can be located at either Gatton or St Lucia
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Effect of silicon on soil properties
This is a short-term project suited for an Hons/Masters level study.
Current field trials are conducted in which different types silicon amendments have been added to soil. The silicon has effects on both soil properties and plant physioloigcal processes. This project will only investigate changes in soil properties, e.g. water holding capacity, aggregation and aggregate strength, nutrient availability (esp phosphorus), and soil organic matter turnover.
The project is suited to a student with good soil science/chemistry background. The project can be located at either Gatton or St Lucia.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Ameliorating soil constraints using inorganic and organic amendments under rainfed conditions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM, Dr Yash Dang
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of environmental, genotypic and nutritional factors influencing yield and quality of garlic
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The amelioration of sodic soils with gypsum and organic amendments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Kopittke, Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM
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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
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of toxic cations on bacterial cellulose pectin composites used as cell wall analogs
Associate Advisor
Media
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