
Overview
Background
May 2002–ongoing: Senior Lecturer Land Resources Sciences, Principla Research Fellow, School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences; The University of Queensland, Australia
As lecturer of Land Resources Sciences at the University of Queensland, Dr Kirchhof has both led and collaborated on over half a dozen projects, and supervised numerous research staff and students. His research has focussed on:
- Soil–Water relationships;
- Conservation Agriculture and Irrigation scheduling
- Soil erosion
- Water and Nutrient Balances;
- Spatial Variability of Soil Properties from Ped to Landscape Scales;
- Dry-land Salinity Management;
- Water Recycling
- Computer Modelling of Water Flow with Special Reference to Variability and assessment of deep drainage
- Knowledge Management;
2011-15 Course leader: Australia Awards in Africa Dryland Farming/Soil and Water conservation Short Course Awards, UniQuest; Australia and Africa, Dr Kirchhof led the design and delivery of the AusAID-funded Dryland Farming Short Course Award, contracted to UniQuest/UQ-ID through GRM International, which was delivered twice a year in 2011 and 2014.
Countries of work experience: Indonesia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Burkino Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia, Australia.
Previous postions:
Oct 1997–May 2002: Senior Soil Scientist, Soil Conservation, NSW Agriculture; Australia
Mar 1996–Oct 1997: Soil Physicist, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; Ibadan, Nigeria
Dec 1991–Mar 1996: Research Fellow, Department of Agriculture, The University of Queensland; Brisbane
Jan 1989–Dec 1991: Soil Scientist, CASSIRO Ltd, Wauchope, NSW
Availability
- Dr Gunnar Kirchhof is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Soil and Water Management
Water in the soil environment and landscapes: even though it is usually not considered a nutrient, it can in fact be seen as the most important nutrient. It drives productivity of our ago-ecosystems as well their sustainability. Water must be used efficiently, what can efficient water use achieve? What are the limits of this efficiency?
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Conservation Agriculture
Conservation Agriculture (CA) is considered the current best management practice for sustainable and productive ago-ecosystems. Is this correct? - May be not? We need to know more about practical suitability of CA in a range of environments, especially in Africa as wholesale promotion of CA can be detrimental to its adoption potential. The big questions are: is it a management method to satisfy world food demand? Can it be used to mitigate or manage climate change? What are its limitations?
Research impacts
Conservation Agriculture – achieving impact in Africa
http://www.australiaawardsafrica.org/news/conservation-agriculture-achieving-impact-in-africa/
Works
Search Professor Gunnar Kirchhof’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Synergy of Organic Fertilizer and Mulch in Improving Soil Chemical Properties for Golden Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Cultivation in Dry Land of North Lombok, Indonesia
Azizah, Isnaniar Rahmatul, Sukartono, Bakti, Lalu Arifin Aria, Kusumo, Bambang Hari, Kusnarta, I Gusti Made and Kirchhof, Gunnar (2025). Synergy of Organic Fertilizer and Mulch in Improving Soil Chemical Properties for Golden Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Cultivation in Dry Land of North Lombok, Indonesia. Malaysian Journal of Soil Science, 29, 317-330.
2025
Journal Article
Carbon Sequestration in Australian Vertisols under Conservation Agriculture – Facts and Public Perception
Faehnrich, Bettina, Kirchhof, Gunnar, Hulugalle, Nilantha and Goebel, Bernhard (2025). Carbon Sequestration in Australian Vertisols under Conservation Agriculture – Facts and Public Perception. International Soil and Water Conservation Research. doi: 10.1016/j.iswcr.2025.07.013
2025
Journal Article
Tissue paper-based hydrogels for soil water maintenance and nitrogen release
Kuneski, Ana Carla, Haridevan, Hima, Ninkovic, Elena, McLeary, Ena, Martin, Darren and Kirchhof, Gunnar (2025). Tissue paper-based hydrogels for soil water maintenance and nitrogen release. Gels, 11 (8) 599, 599-8. doi: 10.3390/gels11080599
2025
Journal Article
Pinelands: Impacts of Different Long-Term Land Uses on Soil Physical Properties in Red Ferrosols
Avila, Ana Carolina de Mattos e, Albuquerque, Jackson Adriano and Kirchhof, Gunnar (2025). Pinelands: Impacts of Different Long-Term Land Uses on Soil Physical Properties in Red Ferrosols. Land, 14 (7) 1471, 1471. doi: 10.3390/land14071471
2022
Other Outputs
Strengthening capacities to innovate through North-South collaborative agricultural research in Papua New Guinea
Kirchhof, Gunnar (2022). Strengthening capacities to innovate through North-South collaborative agricultural research in Papua New Guinea. Asia-Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services Network (APIRAS) Hyderabad Telangana, India: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
2022
Journal Article
Responses of soil organic carbon, aggregate diameters, and hydraulic properties to long-term organic and conventional farming on a Vertisol in India
Schweizer, Steffen A., Graf-Rosenfellner, Markus, Bhat, Nisar A., Kayser, Gilles, Sisodia, Bhupendra S., Kirchhof, Gunnar, Zikeli, Sabine, Cadisch, Georg and Bhullar, Gurbir S. (2022). Responses of soil organic carbon, aggregate diameters, and hydraulic properties to long-term organic and conventional farming on a Vertisol in India. Land Degradation and Development, 33 (5), 785-797. doi: 10.1002/ldr.4216
2021
Journal Article
50 years of continuous no-tillage, stubble retention and nitrogen fertilization enhanced macro-aggregate formation and stabilisation in a Vertisol
Hati, Kuntal M., Jha, Pramod, Dalal, Ram C., Jayaraman, Somasundaram, Dang, Yash P., Kopittke, Peter M., Kirchhof, Gunnar and Menzies, Neal W. (2021). 50 years of continuous no-tillage, stubble retention and nitrogen fertilization enhanced macro-aggregate formation and stabilisation in a Vertisol. Soil and Tillage Research, 214 105163, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.still.2021.105163
2021
Conference Publication
Sweetpotato yield comparison from pathogen tested and non-pathogen tested vines with coffee pulp in the PNG Highlands
Yeffrey, Yapo, Sirabis, William, Wehr, Bernhard, Menzies, Neal and Kirchhof, Gunnar (2021). Sweetpotato yield comparison from pathogen tested and non-pathogen tested vines with coffee pulp in the PNG Highlands. The Soil Science Australia and the New Zealand Society of Soil Science Joint Conference., Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 June - 2 July 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
Soil fertility management techniques for increased sweetpotato root yield in Papua New Guinea (PNG) highlands
Jeffrey, Yapo, Sirabis, William, Atung, Cyril, Ramakrishna, Akkinapally, Wehr, Bernhard, Menzies, Neal and Kirchhof, Gunnar (2021). Soil fertility management techniques for increased sweetpotato root yield in Papua New Guinea (PNG) highlands. The Soil Science Australia and the New Zealand Society of Soil Science Joint Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 June - 2 July 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Gamma irradiation with 50 kGy has a limited effect on agronomic properties of air-dry soil
Wehr, J. Bernhard and Kirchhof, Gunnar (2021). Gamma irradiation with 50 kGy has a limited effect on agronomic properties of air-dry soil. Soil Systems, 5 (2) 28, 28. doi: 10.3390/soilsystems5020028
2020
Other Outputs
Sustaining soil fertility in support of intensification of Sweetpotato cropping systems
Wehr, Bernhard, Kirchhof, Gunnar and Menzies, Neal (2020). Sustaining soil fertility in support of intensification of Sweetpotato cropping systems. Canberra, ACT, Australia: ACIAR.
2020
Conference Publication
Assessment of soil structural properties in relation to land use change in South-East Asia
Lastic, Rachel de, Hoàng, Thảo, Nguyen, Phuong, Son, Sovanda, Suos, Vuthy and Kirchhof, Gunnar (2020). Assessment of soil structural properties in relation to land use change in South-East Asia. The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2019 , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11–13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036182
2020
Conference Publication
Jatropha curcas development as intervention potential to tackling land, energy and food challenges of rural communities in dryland sub-Saharan Africa
Ogunwole, Joshua, Kirchhof, Gunnar, Birhanu, Birhanu Z., Duiker, Sjoerd and Pires, Luiz F. (2020). Jatropha curcas development as intervention potential to tackling land, energy and food challenges of rural communities in dryland sub-Saharan Africa. Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI . doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036085
2019
Other Outputs
Sustaining soil fertility in support of intensification of Sweetpotato cropping systems
Wehr, Bernhard, Kirchhoff, Gunnar and Menzies, Neal (2019). Sustaining soil fertility in support of intensification of Sweetpotato cropping systems. Canberra, ACT, Australia: ACIAR.
2018
Journal Article
Management of the major chemical soil constraints affecting yields in the grain growing region of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia – a review
Page, K. L., Dalal, R. C., Wehr, J. B., Dang, Y. P., Kopittke, P. M., Kirchhof, G., Fujinuma, R. and Menzies, N. W. (2018). Management of the major chemical soil constraints affecting yields in the grain growing region of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia – a review. Soil Research, 56 (8), 765-779. doi: 10.1071/sr18233
2018
Journal Article
Root zone temperature alters storage root formation and growth of sweetpotato
Taranet, P., Kirchhof, G., Fujinuma, R. and Menzies, N. (2018). Root zone temperature alters storage root formation and growth of sweetpotato. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 204 (3), 313-324. doi: 10.1111/jac.12262
2018
Journal Article
Intensified sweetpotato production in Papua New Guinea drives plant nutrient decline over the last decade
Fujinuma, Ryosuke, Kirchhof, Gunnar, Ramakrishna, Akkinapally, Sirabis, William, Yapo, Jeffery, Woruba, Deane, Gurr, Geoff and Menzies, Neal (2018). Intensified sweetpotato production in Papua New Guinea drives plant nutrient decline over the last decade. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 254, 10-19. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2017.11.012
2017
Journal Article
The effect of salinity on plant-available water
Sheldon, Anna R., Dalal, Ram C., Kirchhof, Gunnar, Kopittke, Peter M. and Menzies, Neal W. (2017). The effect of salinity on plant-available water. Plant and Soil, 418 (1-2), 477-491. doi: 10.1007/s11104-017-3309-7
2017
Journal Article
Growth and yield response of glasshouse- and field-grown sweetpotato to nitrogen supply
Taranet, Prapa, Harper, Stephen, Kirchhof, Gunnar, Fujinuma, Ryosuke and Menzies, Neal (2017). Growth and yield response of glasshouse- and field-grown sweetpotato to nitrogen supply. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 108 (3), 309-321. doi: 10.1007/s10705-017-9858-6
2017
Book
Technical Management of soil physical and chemical constraints to grains cropping in Queensland and New South Wales: A review. Technical Final report (UQ00084)
Menzies, Neal , Page, Kathryn , Dalal, Ram , Dang, Yash , Kopittke, Peter , Wehr, Bernhard , Orton, Thomas , Kirchhof, G. and Fujinuma, R. (2017). Technical Management of soil physical and chemical constraints to grains cropping in Queensland and New South Wales: A review. Technical Final report (UQ00084). Canberra, ACT, Australia: GRDC.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Gunnar Kirchhof is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Impact of Soil Organic Carbon on Nitrogen and Water Dynamics under Rainfed and Irrigated Sweetpotato Production in Papua New Guinea Highlands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Vilim Filipović
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Master Philosophy
Improving crop establishment with biogels in a variable and changing climate
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darren Martin, Dr Joe Eyre, Dr Hima Haridevan
Completed supervision
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Nitrogen and root zone temperature effects on sweetpotato cultivation on large mounds
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Improving the capacity to represent surface runoff processes in rangeland biophysical models
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
An investigation into the chemical, physical and biological properties of manufactured soil produced from bauxite residue
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ya-Feng Zhou, Dr Richard Haynes
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
The potential of Australian bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) for vegetating hostile soils
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Shu Fukai, Dr Christopher Lambrides
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The water and salt balance of a land disposal system for highly saline industrial effluent
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Sources, mobility and fate of salts in soils of the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin
Associate Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Long-term productivity of Leucaena (Leucaena Leucocephala) - Grass pastures in Queensland
Associate Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Subsoil constraints to root growth and water use efficiency in northern grain soils
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
THE HYDROLOGY OF SEPTIC TANK - SOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEMS: INVESTIGATION AND PREDICTION OF HYDRAULIC FAILURE
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Gunnar Kirchhof directly for media enquiries about:
- Agro-ecosystems - tropical
- Conservation agriculture
- Papua New Guinea - farming
- Papua New Guinea - highland soil
- Soil - fertility decline
- Soil management
- Soil science
- Tropical and temperate regions - soil
- Urban water recycling
- Water management
- Water recycling
- Water utilities
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