INDUSTRY NEWS
Research project to optimise plant functioning and mitigate stress responses begins
THE PhD candidate investigating the water and nutrient requirements of almond trees in the Murray Darling Basin to optimise plant functioning and mitigate stress responses such as Monterey leafing failure has commenced work. Azzah Al-Nsairat gained an early appreciation for the work involved in growing perennial crops and the challenges farmers face, particularly when water is limited.“ My father has land in Jordan where he grows olives, grapevines and several other fruit trees,” she said. Originally Palestinian and raised in Jordan, Azzah studied agricultural engineering and horticulture in Jordan, ranking first in both her bachelor’ s and master’ s degree.“ My master’ s research examined how water harvesting, supplementary irrigation and mulching could support olive growth under dry conditions,” she said.“ This developed my interest in how soil and water management influence the physiological responses of perennial crops.” Water management has remained a theme in Azzah’ s work. In 2018 her project on reducing water loss in agriculture was ranked sixth at the Falling Walls Lab competition in Amman. Azzah moved to Israel to complete a second master’ s degree, investigating how salinity and different water regimes affect the physiology and chemistry of Shiraz grapevines.“ The war began during the second year of my studies, making that period personally and academically challenging,“ she said.“ Despite the disruption, I continued my research and completed the degree.” Most recently, Azzah has been working in plant science in Germany, focusing on plant stress physiology using laboratory and imaging techniques.“ My research journey has taken me from olives to grapevines and now almonds, across very different agricultural environments,” she said.“ I applied for this PhD because it connects closely with my previous experience while giving me the opportunity to investigate a real and unresolved industry problem.”
PhD candidate Azzah Al-Nsairat has started work investigating the water and nutrient requirements of almond trees in the Murray Darling Basin.
Azzah said Monterey leafing failure is interesting because several factors may be involved, including soil conditions, root function, nutrient dynamics, carbohydrate reserves and possibly pathogens.“ I was drawn to the challenge of bringing these areas together and investigating them under Australian orchard conditions,” she said. For the rest of this year Azzah will be reviewing the available research, including data shared by growers from surveys. Then she’ ll develop a method for assessing leafing failure and identifying suitable orchards and trees for monitoring.“ I am grateful to the growers who have already shared their observations and experiences through the earlier surveys,” Azzah said.“ Spring will be especially important because it gives me the opportunity to see when and how the symptoms appear.” She is also keen to meet almond growers and visit their orchards.“ Growers know the history of their trees and may recognise patterns that cannot be captured during a single visit,” Azzah said.“ I am keen to listen to their experiences and understand how leafing failure affects their orchard management and decisions.” In 2027, Azzah expects the project will move into more detailed field monitoring and experimental work.“ The exact plan is still being developed with my supervisors and industry partners, but it may include comparing affected and apparently unaffected Monterey trees and examining soil moisture, nutrient status, root function and carbohydrate reserves at key seasonal stages,” she said. When Azzah isn’ t working she enjoys reading, occasionally drawing and is currently writing a novel.“ Creative writing gives me a different space away from scientific work, although writing and research both require patience, observation and attention to detail,” she said. Azzah is temporarily based in Wagga with her PhD supervisor Joanne Ashnest, but she will relocate to the One Basin CRC in Griffith before the end of the year. For further information about the PhD project you can email Joanne Ashnest jashnest @ csu. edu. au or Azzah Al Nsairat aal-nsairat @ csu. edu. au Azzah will also be attending the Australian Almond Conference in Adelaide from October 13-15.
industry. australianalmonds. com. au
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