Are you a student looking for an outstanding PhD opportunity with strong industry links and career opportunities at an equivalent graduate level salary? Are you an industry professional who is open to undertaking a PhD project while retaining employment and salary benefits?
PhD project ID: 1BPhD25-03 Date advertised: 11 April 2025
PhD project title: Determining varietal water and nutrient requirements in almond trees in the Murray-Darling Basin to optimise plant functioning and subsequently mitigate stress responses such as leafing failure.
Description of the topic of PhD project:
The aim of the project will be to determine the physiological response of almond varieties to orchard management practices, and if varietial specific management can reduce the risk of the expression of leafing failure. The outcomes will be supported with plant physiological measurements, including carbohydrate levels as an indicator of plant function, to contribute to the identification of the contributing factors to leaving failure and to advise on approaches to mitigate this response for a number of varieties including Monterey.
The project will work with growers to establish best management practices in the management of individual almond varieties, which in turn will encourage sustainable farming systems and contribute to a healthy, resilient and sustainable river system and communities.
Primary university supervisor(s):
Dr Joanne Ashnest (Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga campus)
Co-supervisors:
Dr Bruno Holzapfel (Charles Sturt University), Dr Cassandra Collins (The University of Adelaide)
Requisite qualifications and experience:
Candidates with Masters or honours degrees in the following disciplines, or with equivalent research or work experience, will be favourably considered: Agricultural science, Environmental science, Plant physiology, Horticulture.
To determine your eligibility for studying at Charles Sturt University, see:
industry partner(s) involved:
Hort Innovation, Almond Board of Australia.
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