Professor Peter Kopittke
Professor

Peter Kopittke

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 69149

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

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Biological Sciences Crop and pasture production Environmental Sciences Plant biology

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Search Professor Peter Kopittke’s works on UQ eSpace

346 works between 2004 and 2025
All (346) Book (2) Journal Article (240) Other Outputs (38) Conference Publication (57) Book Chapter (9)

181 - 200 of 346 works

2017

Journal Article

X-ray elemental mapping techniques for elucidating the ecophysiology of hyperaccumulator plants

van der Ent, Antony, Przybyłowicz, Wojciech J., de Jonge, Martin D., Harris, Hugh H. , Ryan, Chris G., Tylko, Grzegorz , Paterson, David J., Barnabas, Alban D., Kopittke, Peter M. and Mesjasz-Przybyłowicz, Jolanta (2017). X-ray elemental mapping techniques for elucidating the ecophysiology of hyperaccumulator plants. New Phytologist, 218 (2), 1-21. doi: 10.1111/nph.14810

X-ray elemental mapping techniques for elucidating the ecophysiology of hyperaccumulator plants

2017

Journal Article

Kinetics of metal toxicity in plant roots and its effects on root morphology

Kopittke, Peter M. and Wang, Peng (2017). Kinetics of metal toxicity in plant roots and its effects on root morphology. Plant and Soil, 419 (1-2), 269-279. doi: 10.1007/s11104-017-3342-6

Kinetics of metal toxicity in plant roots and its effects on root morphology

2017

Journal Article

Metal uptake and organic acid exudation of native Acacia species in mine tailings

Kabas, Sebla, Saavedra-Mella, Felipe, Huynh, Trang, Kopittke, Peter M., Carter, Steve and Huang, Longbin (2017). Metal uptake and organic acid exudation of native Acacia species in mine tailings. Australian Journal of Botany, 65 (4), 357-367. doi: 10.1071/BT16189

Metal uptake and organic acid exudation of native Acacia species in mine tailings

2017

Journal Article

Global changes in soil stocks of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur as influenced by long-term agricultural production

Kopittke, Peter M., Dalal, Ram C., Finn, Damien and Menzies, Neal W. (2017). Global changes in soil stocks of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur as influenced by long-term agricultural production. Global Change Biology, 23 (6), 2509-2519. doi: 10.1111/gcb.13513

Global changes in soil stocks of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur as influenced by long-term agricultural production

2017

Journal Article

Microbial energy and matter transformation in agricultural soils

Finn, Damien, Kopittke, Peter M., Dennis, Paul G. and Dalal, Ram C. (2017). Microbial energy and matter transformation in agricultural soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 111, 176-192. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2017.04.010

Microbial energy and matter transformation in agricultural soils

2017

Journal Article

Synchrotron-based X-ray approaches for examining toxic trace metal(loid)s in soil-plant systems

Kopittke, Peter M., Wang, Peng, Lombi, Enzo and Donner, Erica (2017). Synchrotron-based X-ray approaches for examining toxic trace metal(loid)s in soil-plant systems. Journal of Environmental Quality, 46 (6), 1175-1189. doi: 10.2134/jeq2016.09.0361

Synchrotron-based X-ray approaches for examining toxic trace metal(loid)s in soil-plant systems

2017

Journal Article

Characterizing the uptake, accumulation and toxicity of silver sulfide nanoparticles in plants

Wang, Peng, Lombi, Enzo, Sun, Shengkai, Scheckel, Kirk G. , Malysheva, Anzhela, McKenna, Brigid A. , Menzies, Neal W. , Zhao, Fang-Jie and Kopittke, Peter M. (2017). Characterizing the uptake, accumulation and toxicity of silver sulfide nanoparticles in plants. Environmental Science: Nano, 4 (2), 448-460. doi: 10.1039/c6en00489j

Characterizing the uptake, accumulation and toxicity of silver sulfide nanoparticles in plants

2017

Conference Publication

Soil sodicity – a threat to agricultural sustainability in semi-arid tropics

Niaz, Sara, Dalal, Ram C., Kopittke, Peter M., Wehr, J. B. and Menzies, Neal W. (2017). Soil sodicity – a threat to agricultural sustainability in semi-arid tropics. TropAg2017, Brisbane, Australia, 20-22 November 2017.

Soil sodicity – a threat to agricultural sustainability in semi-arid tropics

2017

Conference Publication

Differential gene expression in the model Actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) during soil organic carbon priming

Finn, Damien, Catton, Kerrilyn, Heenan, Marijke, Kopittke, Peter M., Cadillo, Hinsby, Ouwerkerk, Diane, Klieve, Athol and Dalal, Ram C. (2017). Differential gene expression in the model Actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) during soil organic carbon priming. 56th Annual American Society of Microbiology Meeting, Tucson, AZ, United States, 1 April 2017.

Differential gene expression in the model Actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) during soil organic carbon priming

2017

Book Chapter

Cadmium transfer from soil to plants and its potential risk to human health

Wang, Peng, Kopittke, Peter M., McGrath, Steve P. and Zhao, Fang-Jie (2017). Cadmium transfer from soil to plants and its potential risk to human health. The nexus of soils, plants, animals and human health. (pp. 138-147) edited by Bal Ram Singh, Michael J. McLaughlin and Eric Brevik. Stuttgart, Germany: Catena Soil Sciences.

Cadmium transfer from soil to plants and its potential risk to human health

2017

Conference Publication

Fate of engineered nanoparticles inadvertently or intentionally released to the environment

Lombi, Enzo, Donner, Erica, Kopittke, Peter M., Wang, Peng, Spielman-Sun, E., Lowry, Greg V. and Scheckel, Kirk G. (2017). Fate of engineered nanoparticles inadvertently or intentionally released to the environment. International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE), Zurich, Switzerland, 16-20 July 2017.

Fate of engineered nanoparticles inadvertently or intentionally released to the environment

2017

Conference Publication

Synchrotron X-ray approaches for examining trace metals in plants

Kopittke, Peter M., Wang, Peng, McKenna, Brigid A., Menzies, Neal W., Li, Cui and Blamey, F.P.C. (2017). Synchrotron X-ray approaches for examining trace metals in plants. International Plant Nutrition Colloquium (IPNC), Copenhagen, Denmark, 21-24 August 2017.

Synchrotron X-ray approaches for examining trace metals in plants

2017

Conference Publication

Seedling emergence force varies between wheat genotypes possibly assisting emergence from crusted soils

Anzooman, Monia, Christopher, Jack T., Dang, Y., Kopittke, Peter M. and Menzies, Neal W. (2017). Seedling emergence force varies between wheat genotypes possibly assisting emergence from crusted soils. TropAg 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 20-22 November 2017.

Seedling emergence force varies between wheat genotypes possibly assisting emergence from crusted soils

2017

Conference Publication

Synchrotron-based XRF techniques provides new methods to visualize trace elements in hydrated, fresh plant tissues

Wang, Peng, Lombi, Enzo, Paterson, David J., Zhao, F.J. and Kopittke, Peter M. (2017). Synchrotron-based XRF techniques provides new methods to visualize trace elements in hydrated, fresh plant tissues. International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE), Zurich, Switzerland, 16-20 July 2017.

Synchrotron-based XRF techniques provides new methods to visualize trace elements in hydrated, fresh plant tissues

2017

Book Chapter

Impact of climate change on soil carbon storage

Dalal, Ram C., Kopittke, Peter M. and Menzies, Neal W. (2017). Impact of climate change on soil carbon storage. The nexus of soils, plants, animals and human health. (pp. 156-163) edited by Bal Ram Singh, Michael J. McLaughlin and Eric Brevik. Stuttgart, Germany: Catena Soil Sciences.

Impact of climate change on soil carbon storage

2017

Conference Publication

Role of trichomes, stomata, and the cuticle in the absorption of foliar-applied Zn fertiliser

Li, Cui, Wang, Peng, Lombi, Enzo, Menzies, Neal W. and Kopittke, Peter M. (2017). Role of trichomes, stomata, and the cuticle in the absorption of foliar-applied Zn fertiliser. International Plant Nutrition Colloquium (IPNC), Copenhagen, Denmark, 21-24 August 2017.

Role of trichomes, stomata, and the cuticle in the absorption of foliar-applied Zn fertiliser

2017

Conference Publication

Symptom development and synchrotron‐based imaging identify mechanisms of manganese toxicity and tolerance in crop plants

Blamey, F. P. C., Menzies, Neal W. and Kopittke, Peter M. (2017). Symptom development and synchrotron‐based imaging identify mechanisms of manganese toxicity and tolerance in crop plants. International Plant Nutrition Colloquium (IPNC), Copenhagen, Denmark, 21-24 August 2017.

Symptom development and synchrotron‐based imaging identify mechanisms of manganese toxicity and tolerance in crop plants

2017

Journal Article

Changes in exchangeable cations and micronutrients in soils and grains of long-term, low input cropping systems of subtropical Australia

Kopittke, Peter M., Dalal, Ram C. and Menzies, Neal W. (2017). Changes in exchangeable cations and micronutrients in soils and grains of long-term, low input cropping systems of subtropical Australia. Geoderma, 285 (1-2), 293-300. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.10.011

Changes in exchangeable cations and micronutrients in soils and grains of long-term, low input cropping systems of subtropical Australia

2017

Book Chapter

Soil physicochemical properties impacting upon animal and human health

Kopittke, Peter M., Wang, Peng and Dalal, Ram C. (2017). Soil physicochemical properties impacting upon animal and human health. The Nexus of Soils, Plants, Animals and Human Health. (pp. 34-41) edited by Bal Ram Singh, Michael J. McLaughlin and Eric Brevik. Stuttgart, Germany: Catena Soil Sciences.

Soil physicochemical properties impacting upon animal and human health

2017

Conference Publication

Understanding why rice plants are highly tolerant to aluminium in acid soils

Kopittke, Peter M., Gianoncelli, Alessandra, Kourousias, George, Wang, Peng, Green, Kathryn and McKenna, Brigid A. (2017). Understanding why rice plants are highly tolerant to aluminium in acid soils. ANSTO User Meeting, Clayton, VIC, Australia, 22-24 November 2017.

Understanding why rice plants are highly tolerant to aluminium in acid soils

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Role of nitrogen-rich compounds for increasing carbon sequestration in soil
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Enhancing soil health and climate resilience in the Northern Territory
    Climate-Smart Agriculture Program - Capacity Building
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilisers in the grains industry: an opportunity to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions and increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency (GRDC funded project led by UoM)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Understanding crop development and yield responses to mitigate high soil strength in Australian soils
    GRDC - PROC-9176764 - Understanding crop development and yield responses to mitigate high soil strength in Australian soils.
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Managing heavy metals and soil contaminants in vegetable production to ensure food safety and environmental health in the Philippines
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Quantifying fertiliser phosphorus use efficiency in Vertosols across the Northern Region
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Phosphorus in soil used for long-term agriculture: Increasing efficiency and food production
    Soil Science Challenge
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2025
    Examining root distribution along fertiliser bands with co-application of potassium and phosphorus
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2025
    Factors controlling soil sulfur speciation in tropical Australia
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2025
    Improving Potassium Fertiliser Efficiency in Australian Soils
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2025
    The influence of land use on the role of phosphorus and sulfur in soil organic carbon stabilisation and persistence in a subtropical Ferrosol
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2025
    Interaction of P-S-C in soil organic matter
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2025
    Exploring the impacts of land use change on phosphorus speciation of soil organic matter fractions in sub-tropical Vertosols
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Identifying the sulfur species in the peat and humus soils of the Australian Alps
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Uni Queensland - preferred access MCT
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Sulphur speciation in rainforest, grassland, sugarcane, and banana soils from the Wet Tropics
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Effect of long-term land use management strategies on sulfur speciation in semi-arid, subtropical Australian soils
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Medicinal and culinary properties of sulfur compounds in garlic and other allium species
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Linking fertiliser phosphorus transformations to plastic plant root responses
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Linking plastic root responses to fertiliser phosphorus transformations
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Phosphorus speciation within subtropical soils with concentrated fertilizer bands
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Profiling garlic sulfur compounds in a range of cultivars and agricultural practices
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Proximal and remote sensing for low-cost soil carbon stock estimation
    Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Re-engineering hostile soils: legacy effect of subsoil amelioration on the persistence of soil organic carbon
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Shedding new light on chemical interactions of minerals and soil carbon from the oldest, continuous, scientific experiments in the world using synchrotron macro ATR-FTIR microspectroscopy
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Accelerated tailings remediation with plant and microbial biotechnologies (ARC Linkage Project led by University of Western Australia)
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Improving the drought resilience of Queensland cropping soils by removing barriers to the identification and management of soil constraints
    Future Drought Fund: Drought Resilient Soils and Landscapes Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Resolving the effect of land use change on soil organic matter: How microscale processes contribute to improving soil health and mitigating climate change
    Universities Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Soft X-ray probing of soil organic carbon persistence in Australia
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Carbon ID: A remote sensing decision support tool to identify the impact of agricultural land management on soil carbon stock
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Shedding light on the molecular scale mechanisms of building soil carbon from the oldest, continuous agronomic experiments in the world
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Translocation of foliar Zn fertilizer: Zn speciation from leaf to seed in soybean (Glycine max)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Discovering fundamental relationships governing soil carbon persistence on a national scale using synchrotron-based SXR-IRM
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Root distribution as influenced by soil properties and fertilisers
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Mechanism of depleted uranium migration in soils
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Shining a light on soil carbon functionality under long-term elevated CO2
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Contributing to grain profitability through developing capacity to use synchrotron analysis of crops and soils to overcome soil and nutritional constraints - Postdoc 3
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Examining root distribution in lare soil cores
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2025
    Soil - root interactions using intact field soil cores - Synchrotron Postdoc 1
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Cadmium distribution in rice grains: Understanding its bioavailability in human diets
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Combination of X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and genome-wide association (GWA) mapping: Identifying genetic loci/genees responsible for spatial distribution elementals in seeds
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Trialling Cadmium XANES at XFM
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Post-doctoral Fellowship: Understanding P dynamics and bioavailability in alkaline clay soils aligned to UQ00082
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Transformation of the phosphorus fertilizers applied as highly concentrated bands in agricultural soils
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Identifying Eastern Gangetic Plains Soil Constraints
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2018
    X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (u-XRF): A high-throughput approach to screen Arabidopsis mutant libraries
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Understanding the pathway of Zn fertilizer movement across leaf surfaces
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Understanding the speciation of Zn in sweetcorn kernels for improving human nutrition
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2018
    The immobilisation of zinc in hardpan as an environmental remediation strategy for sulphidic zinc bearing mine tailings
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Changes in cadmium solubility and speciation induced by redox dynamics and Mn oxides in paddy soils
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Understanding manganese toxicity in plants - interactions between iron and manganese in leaf tissues
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Develop a high-throughput method to screen plant mutant libraries using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (ì-XRF)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Economics of ameliorating soil constraints in the Northern Region: Spatial soil constraint diagnoses in the northern region (Project A)
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Advanced micro-X-ray Fluorescence facility for biological, medical, materials science and geochemistry
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Characterisation of lithium processing tailings
    Technological Resources Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Understanding the distribution of Zn in sweetcorn kernels for improving human nutrition
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    The stability of sliver sulfide nanoparticles in soils: long-term transformation and effects of chloride
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Analysis of the distribution and translocation of foliar-applied Zn in leaf tissues
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Fertiliser form and soil interactions when applied in high concentration bands
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Understanding the mechanisms rice roots use to tolerate toxic aluminium
    International Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Salinity reduces Cd translocation in halophyte species Carpobrotus rossi
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Changes in speciation of vanadium (V) in roots and shoots of wheat and common bean during uptake and translocation
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Understanding the development of Mn toxicity and genotypic differences in tolerance
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2016
    An in situ approach to localize the uptake zones of mineral nutrients and inorganic contaminants on plant roots
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program (ANSTO)
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Understanding the speciation of aluminium in plant roots: The key to improving crop yield in acid soils
    International Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Silicon-induced alleviation of aluminium and manganese toxicity in plants - Improving productivity in acidic soils
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Sodium chloride salinity reduces Cd uptake and translocation in halophyte species Carpobrotus rossii
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Understanding the mechanisms plants use to tolerate toxic aluminium
    International Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Effects of coal seam water irrigation on soil properties
    Santos Qld Upstream Developments Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Iron (Fe) speciation in plants: improving understanding of Fe toxicity and detoxification
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2015
    The stability of silver sulfide nanoparticles in soil: Effects of redox processes, pH, and chloride
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Distribution and speciation of silver (Ag) in plants: Understanding the uptake and toxicity of silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2S-NPs)
    International Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Alleviation of manganese toxicity in plants - Improving productivity in acidic soils (XAS)
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Transformation and stability of environmentally relevant forms of silver nanoparticles in soil over time when applied with biosolids
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Costs of edaphic stress to the Australian grains industry
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Fate and behaviour of nanomaterials in terrestial ecosystems and ecosystem health
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Alleviation of manganese toxicity in plants: Improving productivity in acidic soils
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Speciation of cadmium (Cd) in hyperaccumulators: Understanding the role of supplied nitrogen forms in Cd accumulation and transformation
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    GRDC soil constraints - Management of sodic and magnesic soils
    Queensland Government Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Assessing adsorption of fluoride from soil properties
    Santos Qld Upstream Developments Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Improved management of saline and alkaline water by determining the limits for its use in overhead irrigation systems
    Santos Qld Upstream Developments Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Carbon speciation and distribution in soil micro-aggregates -Assessing the impact of land management on carbon turnover for soil microenvironments
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014
    XANES imaging for spatially-resolved speciation of mercury in mercury-selenium contaminated soils
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Distribution of manganese in plant tissues - Elucidating tolerance mechanisms
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Rapid assessment of the potential impacts of the overhead irrigation of saline and alkaline water on plant foliage
    Santos Qld Upstream Developments Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Study of leaching irrigation in intact soil cores
    Santos Qld Upstream Developments Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Investigation of the potential use of bioindicators as proxy's for changes in climate and nutrient regimes in South East Queensland
    Queensland Government Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Distribution of aluminium in plant roots: Understanding its toxicity
    International Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Carbon speciation in soils - Effects on carbon turnover and carbon sequestration
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Spatially-resolved speciation of arsenic in contaminated soils: The role of Fe and organic matter in the transformation and fate of arsenic
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Tailoring physiologically-based nanomaterial fertilisers for the biofortification of Zn in broadacre crops (ARC Linkage Project administered by University of South Australia)
    University of South Australia
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Speciation and transformation of silver (Ag) in plants
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Transformation and fate of nanoparticle ZnO and ZnSe in plants
    Australian Synchrotron Access Program
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Understanding why aluminium and other trace metals are toxic to plants: The key to improving crop yield in degraded soils
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Soil structural stability in a saline-sodic rainfall-irrigation system
    Santos Limited
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Understanding the movement of fluoride from soils into the broader ecosystem
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Retention of foliar-applied fluoride in forage plants - A preliminary study
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Revegetation of Moonie evaporation ponds
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Adsorption of CSG-fluoride by soils in repacked columns
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Scanning electron microscope to house 3-Dimensional Sectioning Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Feasibility study into the use of intact soil cores to investigate soil-irrigation of CSG associated water
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Feasibility into the amendment of Associated Water within soil
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Influence of salinity and sodicity on reuse of waste materials
    CRC Care Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Advanced analytical methods for measuring uptake and movement of trace metals in plant roots
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Elucidating the role of auxin in the toxicity of Al (and other metals) to plant roots
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Development of a phytotoxicity guidance document
    CRC Care Pty Ltd
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Peter Kopittke is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Phosphorus in soils: Understanding changes in speciation and availability

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Brigid McKenna, Dr Chelsea Janke, Dr Leslie Huang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A mechanistic view of how phosphorus and carbon is sequestered in soil organic matter

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tim McLaren

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mechanisms driving the persistence of soil organic matter

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM, Dr Brigid McKenna, Dr Seweryn Bialasiewicz

  • 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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Brigid McKenna, Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM, Dr Tim McLaren

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding fertiliser interactions with soil

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Brigid McKenna, Dr Chelsea Janke, Dr Leslie Huang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The chemical composition and dynamics of organic amendments to supply phosphorus for improved crop production

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Tim McLaren

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding the mechanisms of general disease suppressiveness in organic fields

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Ram Dalal AM

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Impact of metal ions on acidic vegetable production soils.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Genotypic variation in Capsicum root growth to key constraints associated with acidic soils: responses to H¿ and Al³¿ and Ca2+ in solution culture

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Soil fertility constraints to vegetable production on tropical upland acidic soils

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Stephen Harper

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantifying fertiliser phosphorus use efficiency in Vertosols across the Northern Region

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, Dr Mauricio Leite, Dr Tim McLaren

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Peter Kopittke directly for media enquiries about:

  • Acid soils
  • Agricultural food production
  • Plant nutrition
  • Soil chemistry
  • Soil Science

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au