Overview
Background
Not only do soils provide humans with 98.8% of our food, they also provide humanity with a broad range of other services such as carbon storage and greenhouse gas regulation. However, soils are also the most complex ecosystem in the world – it is this complexity that forms the basis of Peter's research at The University of Queensland (UQ). As a Soil Scientist, Peter is actively involved in the management and conservation of soil; one of the basic elements which sustain life. Whilst soil takes hundreds or thousands of years to form, it can be destroyed in a matter of years if not managed correctly. The management and conservation of the soil-environment is arguably the biggest challenge we face as we move into the future. We need new ideas to solve the world’s problems.
The aim of Peter's research is to increase plant growth in soils that are degraded and infertile, both in Australia and developing countries. He has a demonstrated ability to lead outstanding research programs across a range of inter-connected themes, spanning in scale from fundamental research to landscape-scale projects, with this demonstrating a unique ability to link industry partners with high quality research. Peter's research spans the areas of agricultural production, water chemistry, and waste disposal, currently focusing on (i) the global development of advanced and novel methodologies for investigation of plants and soils, (ii) behaviour of nutrients, fertilizers, and carbon in soils, and (iii) plant growth in degraded soils.
Peter is Past President of Soil Science Australia (QLD), a former ARC Future Fellow, recipient of the JK Taylor Gold Medal in Soil Science (2018), and recipient of the CG Stephens Award in Soil Science (2005).
Availability
- Professor Peter Kopittke is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Behaviour of nutrients, fertilizers, and carbon in soils
My research is providing important insights into the behaviour and cycling of nutrients in soils. This includes the behaviour of fertilizers upon their addition to soils, as well as the long-term effects of agricultural cropping on the cycling and loss of nutrients from soils. For example, my research is currently investigating how to increase farmer’s profitability when using deep-banded P fertilizers in soils of northern Australia. This research is utilizing novel approaches for understanding how P behaves following its addition to a range of soils, including synchrotron-based approaches that are allowing in situ analyses of the P within the soil. Research within my group is also investigating soil organic carbon, with the storage of carbon in soils is vital for maintaining soil fertility for food production. Indeed, soil carbon is the largest pool of terrestrial carbon (ca. 2,000 Gt). My research is combining advanced spectroscopic techniques with conventional approaches to understand the mechanisms influencing the sequestration and degradation of soil organic matter and the cycling of associated nutrients. My group is one of the first in the world to utilize high-flux synchrotron radiation to examine the speciation and distribution of carbon in soil micro-aggregates.
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Plant growth in degraded soils
Plant-ion interactions underlie many problems currently facing Australia’s environmental and agricultural systems. My research aims to improve our understanding of plant-ion interactions, including: (i) managing saline soils and acid soils, in which either salts or Al toxicity reduce agricultural yields, (ii) regulation and management of sites contaminated with trace metals at levels which are potentially toxic to plants, and (iii) improving nutrient use efficiency in order to reduce nutrient losses and water pollution. In addition, the beneficial of wastes (or potential wastes) can potentially result in improved environmental, agronomic, and social outcomes. However, the addition of these resources should not result in significant net change in the environment beyond acceptable limits. Thus, for waste-disposal systems, there is a need to identify how potentially limiting factors (such as excess salt or nutrients) impact upon the soil-plant-animal continuum and hence ecosystem functioning. My research is leading studies of the environmental sustainability of the land-disposal of a variety of wastes.
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Leadership of the global development of advanced and novel methodologies for investigation of plants and soils
My international leadership in the development of spectroscopic techniques has led to important advances in the study of various elements in soils and plants. Indeed, I have led the development of novel and technically-advanced methods to examine ion distribution and speciation within plants and soils, including synchrotron-based techniques, NanoSIMS, and analytical electron microscopy. My leadership in this area is internationally-recognised, with this being evident from the international synchrotron facilities that I have utilised, being in the USA, Canada, France, Italy, and Thailand. Collaborating with Prof Enzo Lombi (University of South Australia), we were the first in the world to obtain a tomogram showing metal distribution in fresh, hydrated plant roots. We were also the first in the world to obtain laterally-resolved speciation of metal(loid)s in situ within hydrated plant tissues. These approaches have facilitated several important discoveries, including the identification of an underlying mechanism which accounts for the toxicities of a range of trace metals. I was the first to conclusively demonstrate the primary lesion of toxic Al – this being the primary limiting factor in the 40% of worldwide arable soils that are acidic. Our data showed that Al reduces root growth within 5 min by binding to the cell wall and inhibiting loosening in the elongation zone. I was also one of the first to use NanoSIMS for the investigation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in soil systems, with this providing novel insights into how C and N are stabilized within soils.
Works
Search Professor Peter Kopittke’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
Non-target impacts of pesticides on soil N transformations, abundances of nitrifying and denitrifying genes, and nitrous oxide emissions
Das, Shilpi, Wang, Weijin, Reeves, Steven, Dalal, Ram C., Dang, Yash P., Gonzalez, Axayacatl and Kopittke, Peter M. (2022). Non-target impacts of pesticides on soil N transformations, abundances of nitrifying and denitrifying genes, and nitrous oxide emissions. Science of the Total Environment, 844 157043, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157043
2022
Journal Article
Microspectroscopic visualization of how biochar lifts the soil organic carbon ceiling
Weng, Zhe, Van Zwieten, Lukas, Tavakkoli, Ehsan, Rose, Michael T., Singh, Bhupinder Pal, Joseph, Stephen, Macdonald, Lynne M., Kimber, Stephen, Morris, Stephen, Rose, Terry J., Archanjo, Braulio S., Tang, Caixian, Franks, Ashley E., Diao, Hui, Schweizer, Steffen, Tobin, Mark J., Klein, Annaleise R., Vongsvivut, Jitraporn, Chang, Shery L. Y., Kopittke, Peter M. and Cowie, Annette (2022). Microspectroscopic visualization of how biochar lifts the soil organic carbon ceiling. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 5177, 5177. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-32819-7
2022
Journal Article
Avoiding the point of no return: maintaining infiltration to remediate saline-sodic Vertosols in high rainfall environments
Das, Bianca T., Menzies, Neal W., Dalzell, Scott A., McKenna, Brigid A. and Kopittke, Peter M. (2022). Avoiding the point of no return: maintaining infiltration to remediate saline-sodic Vertosols in high rainfall environments. Agricultural Water Management, 270 107725, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107725
2022
Other Outputs
P dynamics in Vertosols - factors influencing fertiliser P availability over time and the implications for rate, application method and residual value
Bell, Michael, Raymond, Nelly, Kopittke, Peter, Janke, Chelsea and Lester, David (2022). P dynamics in Vertosols - factors influencing fertiliser P availability over time and the implications for rate, application method and residual value. Grains Research Update Barton, ACT, Australia: Grains and Research Development Corporation.
2022
Journal Article
Online engagement during COVID-19: comparing a course previously delivered traditionally with emergency online delivery
McKenna, Brigid A., Horton, Ciara and Kopittke, Peter M. (2022). Online engagement during COVID-19: comparing a course previously delivered traditionally with emergency online delivery. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2022 6813033, 1-12. doi: 10.1155/2022/6813033
2022
Journal Article
Combined application of lime and a nitrification inhibitor (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) markedly decreased nitrous oxide emissions from an acid soil
Das, Shilpi, Wang, Weijin, Reeves, Steven, Dalal, Ram C., Dang, Yash P. and Kopittke, Peter M. (2022). Combined application of lime and a nitrification inhibitor (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) markedly decreased nitrous oxide emissions from an acid soil. Agronomy, 12 (5) 1040, 1040. doi: 10.3390/agronomy12051040
2022
Journal Article
Tandem probe analysis mode for synchrotron XFM: doubling throughput capacity
Doolette, Casey L., Howard, Daryl L., Afshar, Nader, Kewish, Cameron M., Paterson, David J., Huang, Jianyin, Wagner, Stefan, Santner, Jakob, Wenzel, Walter W., Raimondo, Tom, De Vries Van Leeuwen, Alexander T., Hou, Lei, van der Bom, Frederik, Weng, Han, Kopittke, Peter M. and Lombi, Enzo (2022). Tandem probe analysis mode for synchrotron XFM: doubling throughput capacity. Analytical Chemistry, 94 (11), 4584-4593. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04255
2022
Journal Article
Translocation of foliar absorbed Zn in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) leaves
Li, Cui, Wang, Linlin, Wu, Jingtao, Blamey, F. Pax C., Wang, Nina, Chen, Yanlong, Ye, Yin, Wang, Lei, Paterson, David J., Read, Thea L., Wang, Peng, Lombi, Enzo, Wang, Yuheng and Kopittke, Peter M. (2022). Translocation of foliar absorbed Zn in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) leaves. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13 757048, 757048. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.757048
2022
Journal Article
Improved agronomic biofortification of sweetcorn achieved using foliar rather than soil Zn applications
Cheah, Zhong Xiang, Harper, Stephen M., Hare, Tim J. O’, Kopittke, Peter M. and Bell, Michael J. (2022). Improved agronomic biofortification of sweetcorn achieved using foliar rather than soil Zn applications. Cereal Chemistry, 99 (4), 819-829. doi: 10.1002/cche.10539
2022
Journal Article
Widespread occurrence of the highly toxic dimethylated monothioarsenate (DMMTA) in rice globally
Dai, Jun, Tang, Zhu, Gao, A-Xiang, Planer-Friedrich, Britta, Kopittke, Peter M., Zhao, Fang-Jie and Wang, Peng (2022). Widespread occurrence of the highly toxic dimethylated monothioarsenate (DMMTA) in rice globally. Environmental Science & Technology, 56 (6), 3575-3586. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08394
2022
Journal Article
Effect of 50 years of no-tillage, stubble retention, and nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration, easily extractable glomalin, and nitrogen mineralization
Jha, Pramod, Hati, Kuntal M., Dalal, Ram C., Dang, Yash P., Kopittke, Peter M., McKenna, Brigid A. and Menzies, Neal W. (2022). Effect of 50 years of no-tillage, stubble retention, and nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration, easily extractable glomalin, and nitrogen mineralization. Agronomy, 12 (1) 151, 151. doi: 10.3390/agronomy12010151
2022
Journal Article
Methods for assessing laterally-resolved distribution, speciation and bioavailability of phosphorus in soils
van der Bom, Frederik J. T., Kopittke, Peter M., Raymond, Nelly S., Sekine, Ryo, Lombi, Enzo, Mueller, Carsten W. and Doolette, Casey L. (2022). Methods for assessing laterally-resolved distribution, speciation and bioavailability of phosphorus in soils. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 21 (1), 53-74. doi: 10.1007/s11157-021-09602-z
2022
Journal Article
Genetic biofortification of wheat with zinc: opportunities to fine‐tune zinc uptake, transport and grain loading
Kamaral, Chandima, Neate, Stephen M., Gunasinghe, Niroshini, Milham, Paul J., Paterson, David J., Kopittke, Peter M. and Seneweera, Saman (2022). Genetic biofortification of wheat with zinc: opportunities to fine‐tune zinc uptake, transport and grain loading. Physiologia Plantarum, 174 (1) e13612, 1-18. doi: 10.1111/ppl.13612
2022
Journal Article
Use of X-ray tomography for examining root architecture in soils
Hou, Lei (Helen), Gao, Wei, der Bom, Frederik, Weng, Zhe (Han), Doolette, Casey L., Maksimenko, Anton, Hausermann, Daniel, Zheng, Yunyun, Tang, Caixian, Lombi, Enzo and Kopittke, Peter M. (2022). Use of X-ray tomography for examining root architecture in soils. Geoderma, 405 115405, 115405. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115405
2021
Journal Article
Phosphorus speciation in the fertosphere of highly concentrated fertilizer bands
Meyer, Gregor, Bell, Michael J., Lombi, Enzo, Doolette, Casey L., Brunetti, Gianluca, Novotny, Etelvino H., Klysubun, Wantana, Zhang, Yaqi and Kopittke, Peter M. (2021). Phosphorus speciation in the fertosphere of highly concentrated fertilizer bands. Geoderma, 403 115208, 115208. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115208
2021
Journal Article
Interaction of different-sized ZnO nanoparticles with maize (Zea mays): accumulation, biotransformation and phytotoxicity
Lv, Zhiyuan, Sun, Hongda, Du, Wei, Li, Ruoyi, Mao, Hui and Kopittke, Peter M. (2021). Interaction of different-sized ZnO nanoparticles with maize (Zea mays): accumulation, biotransformation and phytotoxicity. Science of the Total Environment, 796 148927, 148927. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148927
2021
Journal Article
Does the APSIM model capture soil phosphorus dynamics? A case study with Vertisols
Raymond, Nelly, Kopittke, Peter M., Wang, Enli, Lester, David and Bell, Michael J. (2021). Does the APSIM model capture soil phosphorus dynamics? A case study with Vertisols. Field Crops Research, 273 108302, 108302. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2021.108302
2021
Journal Article
Calcium oxalate and calcium cycling in forest ecosystems
Parsons, Robert F., Attiwill, Peter M., Uren, Nicholas C. and Kopittke, Peter M. (2021). Calcium oxalate and calcium cycling in forest ecosystems. Trees, 36 (2), 531-536. doi: 10.1007/s00468-021-02226-4
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
Journal Article
High phosphorus fertilization changes the speciation and distribution of manganese in wheat grains grown in a calcareous soil
Shi, Mei, Wang, Xingshu, Wang, Haolin, Guo, Zikang, Wang, Runze, Hui, Xiaoli, Wang, Sen, Kopittke, Peter M. and Wang, Zhaohui (2021). High phosphorus fertilization changes the speciation and distribution of manganese in wheat grains grown in a calcareous soil. Science of the Total Environment, 787 147608, 147608. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147608
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Peter Kopittke is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Phosphorus in soils: Understanding changes in speciation and availability
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Brigid McKenna, Dr Chelsea Janke
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Doctor Philosophy
Building soil organic carbon to build soil fertility and mitigate climate change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM, Dr Han Weng
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding fertiliser interactions with soil
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Brigid McKenna, Dr Chelsea Janke
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Doctor Philosophy
Phosphorus in soils: Increasing agronomic efficiency and food production
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Brigid McKenna, Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM, Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the mechanisms of general disease suppressiveness in organic fields
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM
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Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying fertiliser phosphorus use efficiency in Vertosols across the Northern Region
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
A mechanistic view of how phosphorus and carbon is sequestered in soil organic matter
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Microbial diversity and function along a pH gradient
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jiarui Sun, Associate Professor Paul Dennis
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Doctor Philosophy
The chemical composition and dynamics of organic amendments to supply phosphorus for improved crop production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tim McLaren
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Doctor Philosophy
Factors controlling nutrient use efficiency across a range of capsicum germplasm
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper
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Doctor Philosophy
Impact of metal ions on acidic vegetable production soils.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper
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Doctor Philosophy
Genotypic responses of capsicum to copper toxicity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding phosphorus behaviour in soils
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the importance of the binding of toxic metals to plant cell walls
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Physiology of sensitivity and tolerance of crop plants to high manganese availability in the root environment
Principal Advisor
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2016
Master Philosophy
Revegetation of a highly saline-sodic evaporation pond soil
Principal Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Fate and behaviour of silver nanoparticles in terrestrial ecosystems
Joint Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of pesticides, nitrification inhibitors, lime, and copper on soil N transformations and nitrous oxide emissions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yash Dang, Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The amelioration of sodic soils with gypsum and organic amendments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM, Dr Bernhard Wehr
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Using within-field variability to assess the impact of soil sodicity on wheat yield in the northern grains-growing region of Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yash Dang
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The role of primary producers in surface evolution of iron-rich duricrust (canga)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gordon Southam
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of engineered nanomaterials on soil microbial diversity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Dennis
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the physiological basis for improved wheat seedling growth on dispersive sodic soils
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yash Dang
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Tailoring Hydroxyapatite (HA) Nanoparticles as a Phosphorus (P) Fertiliser in Soils
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Longbin Huang
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2013
Master Philosophy
Nitrogen use efficiency of tomato: Role of root system morphological traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Peter Kopittke directly for media enquiries about:
- Acid soils
- Agricultural food production
- Plant nutrition
- Soil chemistry
- Soil Science
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