Two new soil research projects at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture have received $30,000 in funding to help advance sustainable farming practices across the state.
The funding comes from the JM Roberts Charitable Trust, established in 2003 by the late Tasmanian orchardist and farmer John Roberts to support environmental sustainability and agricultural innovation.
Since 2020, the trust has provided $120,000 in seed funding to TIA, backing a total of 12 research projects.
This year, $15,000 was awarded to Tamieka Pearce, a TIA senior research fellow investigating how soil microbes can improve nutrient use and $15,000 to Bianca Das, a TIA soil scientist developing nitrogen sensing technology.
Brian Faulkner, trustee of the JM Roberts Charitable Trust, said Roberts devoted most of his life to farming.
“He was a man before his time and certainly took sustainability to another level in establishing the trust during his lifetime,” Faulkner said.
“He would be excited by the new research projects that will be undertaken by TIA researchers.”
Pearce said her project would explore how soil microbes can reduce disease and build healthier, more resilient soils.
“The project will explore ways to make better use of nutrients already in the soil, helping farmers reduce their reliance on fertilisers while maintaining productive farming systems,” she said.
Das said her sensor technology would monitor how nitrogen moves through soil in real time, helping farmers apply fertiliser more efficiently.
“This approach will provide farmers with a better understanding of what is happening beneath the soil surface, helping them make more informed decisions about how much and when to use fertilisers,” Das said.
TIA director Mike Rose said the funding supports early to mid-career researchers exploring new ideas.
“Their research supports healthier soils, smarter nutrient management and the long-term sustainability of Tasmanian agriculture, aligning with the Trust’s objectives,” Rose said.
TIA is a joint venture between the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government.
