Farming Systems

The Farming Systems Research Group at the University of Adelaide is concerned with sustainable agricultural systems with a focus on crop production and agronomy. Research is conducted that addresses Australian dryland agricultural systems as well as agricultural systems overseas.

This includes research on management of tillage impacts, water use, crop nutrition and weed management. Researchers from CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, SARDI, PIRSA Rural Solutions and other schools at the University collaborate with the Farming Systems Group.

The head of the Farming Systems group is Associate Professor Chris Preston.

Staff from the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine and their research interests are:

	Prof. David Coventry Crop agronomy		A/Prof Gurjeet Gill Understanding and management of crop – weed interactions in agricultural systems.
	Dr. Glenn McDonald Plant Physiology		Dr. Ian Nuberg Agroforestry and extension systems
	A/Prof. Chris Preston Understanding and management of herbicide resistant weeds in agricultural systems.

Staff from partner organisations and their research interests:

Dr. Tony Rathjen - Durum Breeding in the Plant Breeding and Genetics cluster of the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine

Dr. Jay Cummins (PIRSA Rural Solutions) - Sustainable agriculture

Dr. Rick Llewellyn (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems) - Farming for profit and sustainability

Dr. Rob Wheeler (SARDI) - Field crop agronomy

Dr. Peter Hayman (SARDI) - Climate applications

A/Professor Victor Sadras (SARDI) - Crop ecophysiology, with emphasis on adaptations to biotic and abiotic stresses

Dr. Nigel Wilhelm (SARDI) - Crop agronomy in low rainfall environments

Dr. Anthony Whitbread (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems) - Improving farming systems

Dr. Ann McNeill (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide) - Soil and nutrient management