our team
soil scientists
Bidhyut Kumar Banik
Research Scientist, DPIRD
+61 (0)460 039 210
My role
I am a soil research scientist within the Grains Directorate at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
I am currently engaged in a range of soil and crop nutrition research projects funded by both national initiatives and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
My work is aimed at enhancing grain quality and productivity through the adoption of best practices in soil nutrition across Western Australia.
I collaborate extensively with growers, grower groups, industry stakeholders and research partners to address complex agronomic and soil-related challenges.
My background
Since joining DPIRD in 2019, I have developed significant expertise in the design and implementation of scientific research focused on sustainable agricultural systems, particularly within the context of Western Australian grain production.
My work emphasises collaborative engagement with growers and industry bodies, maintaining essential inter- and intra-organisational networks.
My current research interests include soil nutrient dynamics, nitrogen cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, crop residue decomposition, nutrient and water use efficiency, bioavailability of soil nutrients, leadership in research settings, and the development of strategic best-practice farming methodologies.
Projects
- Soil Water and Nutrition (SWAN) Collaboration: Transforming Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in WA Grain Production (DAW2407-001SPX)
- Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Decomposition of Crop Residue (QUT2401-001RTX)
- Predicting Nitrogen Cycling and Losses in Australian Cropping Systems – Augmenting Measurements to Enhance Modelling (UOQ2204-010RTX)
- Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilisers in the Grains Industry: Opportunities to Reduce GHG Emissions and Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency (UOM2404-007RTX)
Key expertise
Communication and collaboration, agronomy of wheat, barley, canola, and lupins, pasture and legume digestibility and fermentability, soil pH and nitrogen dynamics, nutrient processing pathways in soil and plants, drone imaging and remote sensing for agronomic analysis, group dynamics and stakeholder engagement, grains research and development, best practices in sustainable farming systems
Qualifications
PhD Agriculture, The University of Western Australia
MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding, The University of Western Australia
Grad. Dip. Genetics and Breeding, The University of Western Australia
BSc Microbiology (Honours), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh