PROJECTS

Improving Crop Nutrition Through Extension of New Research

This co-investment between the GRDC and SoilsWest at Murdoch University features an online learning platform and regional workshops to build understanding of soil and plant nutrition and promote best management practices in the Western region.

The free learning platform, Soil Quality Courses, has been designed for land managers, producers, researchers, advisors, students, farm workers and anyone who’s interested in soil.

It includes three incremental courses, starting with the basics:

Course 1: Fundamental Soil and Plant Nutrition
Course 2: Understanding Soil and Plant Nutrition
Course 3: Managing Soil and Plant Nutrition

Fundamental Soil and Plant Nutrition is being launched at the 2026 GRDC Grains Research Updates in Perth.

ENROL NOW

Registering for Fundamental Soil and Plant Nutrition and Soil Quality Courses takes just a few minutes.

CLICK HERE

Understanding Soil and Plant Nutrition and Managing Soil and Plant Nutrition are scheduled for release in March and April 2026 respectively.

The regional workshops, which start in March, will focus on the practical application of the Soil Quality Courses content based on the interest of the group – and provide a series of three workshops to support growers in skills, knowledge and decision-making throughout a cropping cycle.

Use the form towards the bottom of this page to register your interest in workshops for 2027 (capacity reached for 2026).

Continued learning in soil and plant nutrition

Online content to support decision making by growers and industry

Extended education through interactive workshops

Networks to connect people, collaborate and share knowledge

activities

Incremental learning

Giving new and experienced users access to evidence-based information in a self-paced, interactive online environment. Lessons cover soil groups and properties through to processes driving nutrient supply, plant uptake of nutrients, plant and soil interactions, efficiency of use, and economics.

Nutrition focus

Empowering producers, advisors and farm workers to correctly plan and conduct soil testing, understand soil-plant-nutrient interactions based on soil tests, and identify options for best management practice and economics for nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) application.

Research connections

Delivering regional workshops to support practical application of the online course information and connect attendees with soil scientists and research outcomes.

project team

Project Manager: Frances Hoyle (SoilsWest, Murdoch University)
Project Lead: Tamara O’Keeffe (SoilsWest, Murdoch University)
Learning Design Consultant: Matthew Darch (Murdoch University)
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC): Luke Dawson
Platform support: Steve Lavell (Murdoch University)
Technical Content Advisory Group members: Mr Rob Alderman (Nutrien Ag Solutions – Australia), Mr Tim Boyes (agVivo), Dr Daniel Kidd (Grower Group Alliance), Mr Gary Lang (GRDC Western Panel member), Dr George Mercer (Soil Science Australia), Dr Yvette Oliver (CSIRO), Mr Wayne Parker (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), Mr John Young (GRDC Western Panel member)
Acknowledging content developed from published information with subject matter review, including material derived from previous investments by the GRDC, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Murdoch University, The University of Western Australia, CSIRO, and industry

FUNDING PARTNERS

Project funding (UMU2411-003SAX) is supported through a co-investment between the GRDC and Murdoch University.

Collaborating partners

This project will look to build networks and partnerships to enable new research outcomes to be captured, and strengthen industry and grower group links to develop delivery pathways. 