Mr Birhanu Iticha Ayanssa

Research Associate

Future Industries Institute

Future Industries Institute


I am an enthusiastic researcher and lifelong learner with a strong drive for rigorous, mechanism-based science. My PhD explored the interaction effects of lime and organic amendments on coupled soil acidity neutralisation and carbon dynamics, using state-of-the-art ¹³C isotope tracing to elucidate the underlying biogeochemical mechanisms. This research has equipped me with a comprehensive mechanistic and applied understanding of soil acidity dynamics, amendment–soil interactions, and carbon biogeochemistry, which are highly relevant to advancing climate-smart agriculture.I am currently a Research Associate at Adelaide University, where I investigate the potential of enhanced rock weathering (ERW) as a dual solution for atmospheric carbon capture and soil rejuvenation within a DAFF-funded research program. The project spans a wide range of research activities, from laboratory studies to field experimentation across multiple locations in Australia, including Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia.I am strongly motivated to contribute to problem-solving research in soil science and am enthusiastic about new ideas. I enjoy connecting with researchers, industry partners, and domain experts. I can be reached at birhanuiticha.ayanssa@adelaide.edu.au.

Date Position Institution name
2025 - ongoing Research Associate University of South Australia
2015 - 2015 Natural Resources Management/Climate Change Technical Specialist United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ethiopia branch
2008 - 2022 Academic Wollega University

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2025 Scholarship University of Adelaide Research Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia -
2023 Achievement National Soil Judging Competition, Australia Soil Science Australia Australia -
2021 Recognition Outstanding Researcher Award Wollega University Ethiopia -

Language Competency
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
2022 - 2025 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
2013 - 2015 Haramaya University Ethiopia MSc in Soil Science

Date Title Institution name Country
2023 Acid Sulfate Soils Professional Short Course Southern Cross University Australia
2015 Higher Diploma Programme Wollega University Ethiopia

Year Citation
2026 Iticha, B., Fitzpatrick, R., Marschner, P., & Mosley, L. M. (2026). Synergistic Effects of Lime–Organic Amendment Interactions in Acidic Soils. European Journal of Soil Science, 77(1), e70276-1-e70276-16.
DOI
2026 Moisa, M. B., Iticha, B., Chalchissa, F. B., Roba, Z. R., Kipkulei, H. K., Deribew, K. T., . . . Tariq, A. (2026). Mapping the Spatiotemporal Nexus of Soil Moisture and Salinity in Semi-Arid Croplands for Sustainable Agriculture. Earth Systems and Environment, 19 pages.
DOI
2025 Ali, M., Farooq, M., Shah, A. N., Abbasi, G. H., Ahmad, S., Parveen, A., . . . Nisar, F. (2025). Role of Melatonin in Leaf Gas Exchange by Redox Regulation, K⁺ Homeostasis and Gene Expression in Canola Under Salinity Stress. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 25(1), 1661-1678.
DOI Scopus3 WoS2
2025 Iticha, B., Mosley, L. M., & Marschner, P. (2025). Water-extractable alkalinity to estimate the acid-neutralising capacity of organic amendments. Geoderma, 455(117219), 117219-1-117219-11.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3
2025 Farooq, M., Riaz, M., Iticha, B., Malik, Z., Parveen, A., Rizwan, M., & Kamran, M. (2025). Integration of Clay and Cytokinin Improves Wheat Yield by Restricting Nickel Uptake and Mobility in Sandy Soil. Water Air And Soil Pollution, 236(a629), 1-25.
DOI
2024 Iticha, B., Mosley, L. M., & Marschner, P. (2024). Combining lime and organic amendments based on titratable alkalinity for efficient amelioration of acidic soils. SOIL, 10(1), 33-47.
DOI Scopus13 WoS13
2023 Iticha, B., Mosley, L. M., & Marschner, P. (2023). Supplementary material to "Combining lime and organic amendments based on titratable alkalinity for efficient amelioration of acidic soils".
DOI
2022 Iticha, B., Kamran, M., Yan, R., Siuta, D., Al-Hashimi, A., Takele, C., . . . Elshikh, M. S. (2022). The Role of Digital Soil Information in Assisting Precision Soil Management. Sustainability, 14(18), 11710-1-11710-13.
DOI Scopus6 WoS4
2022 Niguse, G., Iticha, B., Kebede, G., & Chimdi, A. (2022). Contribution of coffee plants to carbon sequestration in agroforestry systems of Southwestern Ethiopia. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 160(6), 440-447.
DOI Scopus20 WoS18
2021 Sori, G., Iticha, B., & Takele, C. (2021). Spatial prediction of soil acidity and nutrients for site-specific soil management in Bedele district, Southwestern Ethiopia. Agriculture & Food Security, 10(1), 59-1-59-15.
DOI Scopus14
2020 Takele, C., & Iticha, B. (2020). Use of infrared spectroscopy and geospatial techniques for measurement and spatial prediction of soil properties. Heliyon, 6(10), e05269-1-e05269-12.
DOI Scopus10 WoS8 Europe PMC1
2019 Iticha, B., & Takele, C. (2019). Digital soil mapping for site-specific management of soils. Geoderma, 351, 85-91.
DOI Scopus58 WoS47
2019 Iticha, B., & Husen, A. (2019). Adaptation to climate change using indigenous weather forecasting systems in Borana pastoralists of southern Ethiopia. Climate and Development, 11(7), 564-573.
DOI Scopus45 WoS37
2018 Iticha, B., & Takele, C. (2018). Soil landscape variability: mapping and building detail information for soil management. Soil use and management, 34(1), 111-123.
DOI Scopus18 WoS13
2017 Iticha, B. (2017). Ecosystem Carbon Storage and Partitioning in Chato Afromontane Forest: Its Climate Change Mitigation and Economic Potential. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2(4), 1785-1794.
DOI
2016 Iticha, B., Mohammed, M., & Kibret, K. (2016). Impact of deforestation and subsequent cultivation on soil fertility in Komto, Western Ethiopia. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management, 7(12), 212-221.
DOI

Date Role Membership Country
2022 - ongoing Member Australian Society of Soil Science Australia
2022 - ongoing Member International Union of Soil Sciences Italy

Date Engagement Type Partner Name
2025 - ongoing Collaboration Carbonaught Pty Ltd
2023 - 2025 Collaboration Departmet of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia

Date Topic Presented at Institution Country
2025 - ongoing Measuring alkalinity of alternate liming products - GRDC Australia
2024 - 2024 Water-extractable alkalinity to estimate the acid-neutralising capacity of organic amendments HDR Symposium University of ADelaide Australia
2023 - 2023 Combining lime and organic amendments based on their titratable alkalinity for efficient amelioration of acidic soils National Conference Soil Science Australia Australia
2018 - 2018 Digital soil information for precision agriculture Conference Wollega University Ethiopia

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