Research interests

• Precision agriculture in irrigated farming systems.
• Near infra-red spectroscopy (NIR) of soils and plant tissue. 
• Electromagnetic induction spatial mapping.
• Raised beds in rice-based irrigated cropping systems.
• Rice nitrogen application rate and timing. 

Background

Brian Dunn is a research agronomist based at Yanco Agriculture Institute. He joined NSW Agriculture* in 1987 as a technical officer and has been involved in research covering a large range of issues associated with rice nitrogen, irrigated crop wateruse and rice based farming systems.

His research has involved electromagnetic induction and near infra-red spectroscopy technologies. These technologies have and are being used in precision agriculture to determine spatial variability of soil and growing crops within fields.

*NSW Department of Primary Industries was formed on July 1, 2004 through an amalgamation of NSW Agriculture, NSW Fisheries, State Forests of NSW and the NSW Department of Mineral Resources.

Qualifications

• Ass. Dip. Agric. (Farming) - Riverina College of Advanced Education
• B. App. Sc. (Agriculture) - Charles Sturt University

Current projects

• Understanding, quantifying and approaches to manage spatial variability of rice growth and yield.
• Near infra-red spectroscopy of rice tissue for panicle initiation nitrogen fertiliser rate recommendations.

Recent Publications

Dunn BW and Beecher HG (2007) Using Electro-Magnetic Induction technology to determine soil spatial variability and identify sampling sites for soil acidity assessment in irrigated rice fields. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture: 47: 208-214

Dunn BW and Beecher HG (2007) Determining factors that contribute to within-field yield variability. Proceedings 4th International Temperate Rice Conference, Novara Italy 25-28th June 2007. 92-93

Beecher HG, Dunn BW, Thompson JA, Humphreys E, Mathews S and Timsina J (2007) Performance of rice on raised bed system compared to conventional field layouts in South-eastern Australia. Proceedings 4th International Temperate Rice Conference, Novara Italy 25-28th June 2007. 90-91

Whitworth RL, Bechaz KM and Dunn BW (2007) Nitrogen management in Australian rice crops – Current practices and attitudes. Proceedings 4th International Temperate Rice Conference, Novara Italy 25-28th June 2007. 90-91

Beecher HG, Dunn BW, Thompson JA, Humphreys E, Mathews SK and Timsina J (2006) Effect of raised beds, irrigation and nitrogen management on growth, yield and water use of rice in south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 46: 1363-1372

Dunn BW, Batten GD, Dunn TS, Subasinghe R and Williams RL (2006) Nitrogen fertiliser alleviates the disorder straighthead in Australian rice. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 46: 1077-1083

Russell CA, Dunn BW, Batten GD, Williams RL and Angus JF (2006) Soil tests to predict optimum fertilizer nitrogen rate for rice. Field Crops Research, 97: 286-301

Humphreys E, Lewin LG, Khan S, Beecher HG, Lacy JM, Thompson JA, Batten GD, Brown A, Russell CA, Christen EW and Dunn BW (2006) Integration of approaches to increasing water use efficiency in rice-based systems in southeast Australia. Field Crops Research: 97: 19-33

Dunn BW, Mathews SK, Beecher HG, Thompson JA and Humphreys E (2004) Growing rice on raised beds in south eastern Australia. Proceedings of the 4th International Crop Science Congress, Brisbane, September 29th – October 3rd 2004

Dunn BW, Beecher HG, Batten GD and Ciavarella S (2002) The potential of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for soil analysis – A case study from the riverine plain of South Eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 42: 607-614.

Russell CA, Angus JF, Batten GD, Dunn BW and Williams RL (2002) The potential of NIR spectroscopy to predict nitrogen mineralisation in rice soils. Plant and Soil 247: 243-252.

Beecher HG, Hume IH and Dunn BW (2002) Improved method for assessing rice soil suitability to restrict recharge. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 42: 297-307.

Fields of Research

• 070302 Agronomy
• 070306 Crop and Pasture Nutrition
• 070107 Farming Systems Research
• 079901 Agricultural Hydrology (Drainage, Flooding, Irrigation)

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Precision Agriculture
• Near infra-red spectroscopy
• Electromagnetic Induction surveying
• Rice-based farming systems