Scientists receive research scholarships to enhance WA grains production
Three scientists dedicated to pursuing research into key issues that will generate wide-ranging benefits to the Western Australian grains industry, have been awarded post graduate scholarships.
This is the second round of Grains Research Scholarships, an investment to encourage and support the next generation of grains scientists.
The scholarships will explore three different grains production issues:
- Marcia Correa Queiroz de Lima (Murdoch University) – aims to improve fertiliser recommendations by determining the contribution of the sub-soil potassium supply to wheat, barley and canola plant nutrition
- Maninder Kaur (Murdoch University) – plans to improve stored grain quality by examining the use of cold plasma to prevent mould and insect contamination
- Mary-Anne Lowe (University of Western Australia) – intends to gain a better understanding of soil water repellence to improve infiltration, enable better water harvesting and reduce yield losses.
The recipients will have access to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s state-of-the-art grains research facilities and work alongside experienced grains scientists.
These scholarships continue WA’s proud history of producing world-renowned grains scientists, who are passionate about supporting growers and the industry.
The scientists join the three previous scholarship recipients, who are currently working on PhD research into frost, grains storage and fungicide resistance management.