Dr
Bob French
Manager Crop Science and Grain Production
My role in the department
Bob has been Manager of the Grains Crop Science and Grain Production portfolio since 2019. This includes wheat, barley, oat, pulse, and oilseed agronomy research and industry development activities. During his various roles at DPIRD he has worked on pulse, lupin, canola, and wheat agronomy and has a special interest in crop adaptation and response to water deficit.
His research team has a reputation for delivery of excellent science and provides research-based information on variety choices and management options underpinning crop yield and quality to grain producing businesses. The portfolio vision is for enhanced farm profits through higher yield and quality of grain at the farm level.
My background
Bob’s career at the department began in 1984 as a field pea agronomist in Merredin after completing his PhD in Plant Physiology in the University of Adelaide. He is a member of the Australian Society of Agronomy, Australian Institute of Agriculture Science and Technology, American Society of Agronomy, and the Crop Science Society of America.
Projects
- Tactical break crop agronomy (GRDC)
- Tactical wheat agronomy for the West (GRDC)
- Improving Al tolerance in Canola: GM and non GM approaches (collaborative project between DPIRD and CSIRO)
Key Expertise
Field pea, lupin, pulses, canola, wheat, cropping systems, agronomy, plant physiology, soil-plant water relations, plant breeding, experimental design, statistical analysis, crop simulation modelling
Qualifications
- PhD University of Adelaide
- BAgrSc with honours University of Melbourne