Knowledge Hub

Led by Associate Professor Mick Rose (Southern Cross University), this project (2.1.008) evaluated how different land management practices affect soil biology, how those changes link to soil function and crop health, and which soil tests are practical and cost-effective for farmers and advisers to use in monitoring soil biology. Read our research findings fact sheet to learn more.

Wheatbelt NRM’s ‘Get the dirt’ podcast digs into what really matters for soil health, resilience and farming in a tough climate. In this interview, Soil CRC researcher Professor Terry Rose (Southern Cross University) talks about how animal manures can contribute to nutrient efficiency and soil health. Listen here.

This fact sheet was developed by Soil CRC participant, Wheatbelt NRM, to demonstrate the findings from three Soil CRC projects on how farming practices and natural ecosystem processes influence soil carbon, soil health and the ability of agricultural soils to withstand and recover from stress.
It includes practical implications and a decision support framework to help land owners undertake a self assessment to adopt the trialed practices used in three projects. Read fact sheet.

Led by Dr Shane Powell, the aim of this project (2.1.005) was to develop a low-cost electronic nose (e-Nose) for detecting changes in soil biological activity. The project designed and built the QUOLL® e-Nose, a field-deployable device that can detect changes in soil biological activity. Read our research findings fact sheet.

A PhD thesis by Soil CRC and Southern Cross University student Dr Cameron Copeland. Copeland, C. (2025). Understanding the Mechanisms of Soil Microbial Function and Their Role in Cropping Systems. Southern Cross University. https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.542.

Wheatbelt NRM’s ‘Get the dirt’ podcast digs into what really matters for soil health, resilience and farming in a tough climate. In this interview, Emeritus Professor Richard Bell discusses new farming methods designed to increase soil carbon, reduce green house gas emissions, and improve soil fertility across Western Australia’s Wheatbelt. Listen here.

Wheatbelt NRM’s ‘Get the dirt’ podcast digs into what really matters for soil health, resilience and farming in a tough climate. In this eye-opening interview, soil scientist Dr Mehran Rashti, Soil CRC project leader (4.1.005 and 4.1.003) from Griffith University, reveals how understanding soil resilience, from microbial functions, organic matter, to the importance of root depth, could help improve your crop long-term. Listen here.

The Soil CRC’s QUOLL® electronic nose (e-nose) is an emerging soil sensing technology under development to support faster, cheaper and more accessible assessment of soil biological activity. Read our soiltech flyer to learn more.

Luutu, H., Rose, M.T., McIntosh, S., Van Zwieten, L. & Rose, T.J. (2024). Probing the toxicity of hydrothermal carbonised wastes on soil biota: Effect of reaction temperature and feedstock. Chemosphere, 369, 143857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143857. Read the article.

Liu, X., Rashti, M.R., Li, D., Van Zwieten, L., Esfandbod, M. and Chen. C. (2025). Wheat straw returning mitigates the impact of crop rotational history on soil respiration response to drought–rewetting cycle. Land Degradation & Development, 36(15), 5255–268. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.70003. Read the article.