Dr Matthew Denton
Matt is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine. His areas of interest are crop nutrition and farming systems research with a focus on nitrogen fixation and N cycling in farming systems and agricultural systems in developing countries. He is also a Postgraduate Coordinator for the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.
Matt gained his PhD in rhizobiology and nitrogen fixation in farming systems from the University of Adelaide. He was appointed as a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Minnesota, and later at the University of Western Australia. Following that, he secured a continuing position as a Senior Research Scientist at the Department of Primary Industries in Victoria, Australia. In 2010 he was appointed a lecturing position in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at the Waite Campus, University of Adelaide.
Matt's group studies agronomic, physiological, and microbiological processes to improve farming systems both in Australia and in developing countries. A strong focus is on the supply and use of nitrogen in farming systems, nitrogen fixation in legumes, conservation agriculture and the improvement of crop / livestock integration. Current projects include:
- Improving nitrogen fixation in legumes through a better understanding of microbiological processes (ARC) - see http://www.legumehub.com/
- Improving nitrogen decision-making by Australian farmers (GRDC)
- Enhancing profits of small-holder farmers in Cambodia and Laos through crop / livestock integration (ACIAR) - see http://aciar.gov.au/project/smcn/2012/075
- Increasing productivity in legume-based farming systems in Myanmar (ACIAR) - see http://aciar.gov.au/project/smcn/2011/047
- Improved farmer knowledge of nitrogen fixation by legume crops and pastures in Australia (GRDC)
PhD Scholarships
Domestic
University scholarships for Australian students are known as Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA). These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and in designated areas of research strength within the University. If a student does not secure an APA, then the School of Physical Sciences considers the option of divisional scholarships (based on academic merit and budget limits). The University also offers a range of Scholarships for international students.
Application involves filling in the "application form for admission/scholarship".
When applying for domestic scholarships please remember to tick both the APA and Divisional box. After the closing date, the Graduate Centre will forward your application to the School to consider. If an APA is not awarded then the school will consider offering a divisional scholarship. Further details can be found at the scholarship websites http://www.adelaide.edu.au/scholarships/
International
International scholarships at the University of Adelaide are very competitive. Prospective PhD students who are highly motivated and have recognised English language skills (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/forms/admission/docs/hdr-english-language-requirements-2017-2018.pdf), previous research experience and publications in internationally recognised journals should contact me to ensure that there are overlapping interests and availability for supervision. Further information on international PhD scholarships can be found at: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/research-international/opportunities/
Postdoctoral Positions
For general postdoctoral scholarship applications see: Australian Research Council (ARC) http://www.arc.gov.au/
China - http://www.csc.edu.cn
Germany - http://www.daad.de
USA - http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5179&org=OISE&from=fund
EU residents - http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/mariecurie-actions/action/fellow_en.html
Japan - http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-pd/ab.htm
Appointments
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Senior Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2010 - 2013 | Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2006 - 2010 | Senior Research Scientist | Department of Primary Industries, Victoria |
| 2002 - 2006 | Postdoctoral Scientist | University of Western Australia |
| 2000 - 2002 | Postdoctoral Scientist | University of Minnesota |
Postgraduate Training
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | University of Adelaide | Australia | |
| Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
Journals
| Date | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Zhou,Y, Hooper,P, Coventry,D, Denton,M, 2017, Strategic nitrogen supply alters canopy development and improves nitrogen use efficiency in dryland wheat, Agronomy Journal, 109, 3, 1072-1081 10.2134/agronj2016.08.0458 |
| 2017 | Denton,MD, Phillips,LA, Peoples,MB, Pearce,DJ, Swan,AD, Mele,PM, Brockwell,J, 2017, Legume inoculant application methods: effects on nodulation patterns, nitrogen fixation, crop growth and yield in narrow-leaf lupin and faba bean, Plant and Soil, - |
| 2017 | People,MB, Swan,AD, Goward,L, Kirkegaaard,JA, Hunt,JR, Li,GD, Schwenke,GD, Herridge,DF, Moodie,M, Wilhelm,N et al, 2017, Soil mineral nitrogen benefits derived from legumes and comparisons of the apparent recovery of legume or fertiliser nitrogen by wheat, Soil Research, - |
| 2017 | Zhou,Y, Coventry,D, Denton,M, 2017, Soil surface pressure reduces post-emergent shoot growth in wheat, Plant and Soil, 413, 1-2, 127-144 10.1007/s11104-016-3087-7 |
| 2017 | Kitonyo,O, Sadras,V, Zhou,Y, Denton,M, 2017, Evaluation of historic Australian wheat varieties reveals increased grain yield and changes in senescence patterns but limited adaptation to tillage systems, Field Crops Research, 206, 65-73 10.1016/j.fcr.2017.02.017 |
| 2016 | Zhou,Y, Coventry,D, Denton,M, 2016, A quantitative analysis of root distortion from contrasting wheat cropping systems, Plant and Soil, 404, 1-2, 173-192 10.1007/s11104-016-2836-y |
| 2013 | Denton,M, Pearce,D, Peoples,M, 2013, Nitrogen contributions from faba bean (Vicia faba L.) reliant on soil rhizobia or inoculation, Plant and Soil, 365, 1, 363-374 10.1007/s11104-012-1393-2 |
| 2012 | Drew,E, Denton,M, Sadras,V, Ballard,R, 2012, Agronomic and environmental drivers of population size and symbiotic performance of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae in Mediterranean-type environments, Crop and Pasture Science, 63, 5, 467-477 10.1071/CP12032 |
| 2011 | Denton,M, Coventry,D, Bellotti,W, Howieson,J, 2011, Nitrogen fixation in annual Trifolium species in alkaline soils as assessed by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, Crop and Pasture Science, 62, 8, 712-720 10.1071/CP11039 |
| 2011 | Pang,J, Tibbett,M, Denton,M, Lambers,H, Siddique,K, Ryan,M, 2011, Soil phosphorus supply affects nodulation and N:P ratio in 11 perennial legume seedlings, Crop and Pasture Science, 62, 11, 992-1001 10.1071/CP11229 |
| 2011 | Real,D, Li,G, Clark,S, Albertson,T, Hayes,R, Denton,M, D'Antuono,M, Dear,B, 2011, Evaluation of Perennial Forage Legumes and Herbs in Six Mediterranean Environments, Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research, 71, 3, 357-369 10.4067/S0718-58392011000300003 |
| 2010 | Reeve,W, O'Hara,G, Chain,P, Ardley,J, Brau,L, Nandesena,K, Tiwari,R, Malfatti,S, Kiss,H, Lapidus,A et al, 2010, Complete genome sequence of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv trifolii strain WSM2304, an effective microsymbiont of the South American clover Trifolium polymorphum, Standards in Genomic Sciences, 2, 1, 66-76 10.4056/sigs.44642 |
| 2010 | Pang,J, Ryan,M, Tibbett,M, Cawthray,G, Siddique,K, Bolland,M, Denton,M, Lambers,H, 2010, Variation in morphological and physiological parameters in herbaceous perennial legumes in response to phosphorus supply, Plant and Soil, 331, 1-2, 241-255 10.1007/s11104-009-0249-x |
| 2010 | Pang,J, Tibbett,M, Denton,M, Lambers,H, Siddique,K, Bolland,M, Revell,C, Ryan,M, 2010, Variation in seedling growth of 11 perennial legumes in response to phosphorus supply, Plant and Soil, 328, 1, 133-143 10.1007/s11104-009-0088-9 |
| 2010 | Reeve,W, O'Hara,G, Chain,P, Ardley,J, Brau,L, Nandesena,K, Tiwari,R, Copeland,A, Nolan,M, Han,C et al, 2010, Complete genome sequence of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strain WSM1325, an effective microsymbiont of annual Mediterranean clovers, Standards in Genomic Sciences, 2, 3, 347-356 10.4056/sigs.852027 |
| 2009 | Denton,M, Pearce,D, Ballard,R, Hannah,M, Mutch,L, Norng,S, Slattery,J, 2009, A multi-site field evaluation of granular inoculants for legume nodulation, Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 41, 12, 2508-2516 10.1016/j.soilbio.2009.09.009 |
| 2008 | Tibbett,M, Ryan,M, Barker,S, Chen,Y, Denton,M, Edmonds-Tibbett,T, Walker,C, 2008, The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizas of selected Australian Fabaceae, Plant Biosystems, 142, 2, 420-427 10.1080/11263500802151124 |
| 2007 | Denton,M, Hill,C, Bellotti,W, Coventry,D, 2007, Nodulation of Medicago truncatula and Medicago polymorpha in two pastures of contrasting soil pH and rhizobial populations, Applied Soil Ecology, 35, 2, 441-448 10.1016/j.apsoil.2006.08.001 |
| 2007 | Denton,M, Veneklaas,E, Lambers,H, 2007, Does phenotypic plasticity in carboxylate exudation differ among rare and widespread Banksia species (Proteaceae)?, New Phytologist, 173, 3, 592-599 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01956.x |
| 2007 | Denton,M, Veneklaas,E, Freimoser,F, Lambers,H, 2007, Banksia species (Proteaceae) from severely phosphorus-impoverished soils exhibit extremem efficiency in the use and re-mobilization of phosphorus, Plant Cell and Environment, 30, 12, 1557-1565 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2007.01733.x |
| 2006 | Denton,M, Sasse,C, Tibbett,M, Ryan,M, 2006, Root distributions of Australian herbaceous perennial legumes in response to phosphorus placement, Functional Plant Biology, 33, 12, 1091-1102 10.1071/FP06176 |
| 2005 | Tesfaye,M, Denton,M, Samac,D, Vance,C, 2005, Transgenic alfalfa secretes a fungal endochitinase protein to the rhizosphere, Plant and Soil, 2005, 269, 233-243 10.1007/s11104-004-0520-0 |
| 2003 | Denton,M, Reeve,W, Howieson,J, Coventry,D, 2003, Competitive abilities of common field isolates and a commercial strain of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii for clover nodule occupancy, Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 35, 8, 1039-1048 10.1016/S0038-0717(03)00146-9 |
| 2002 | Denton,M, Coventry,D, Murphy,P, Howieson,J, Bellotti,W, 2002, Competition between inoculant and naturalised Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii for nodulation of annual clovers in alkaline soils, Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 53, 9, 1019-1026 10.1071/AR01138 |
| 2000 | Denton,M, Coventry,D, Bellotti,W, Howieson,J, 2000, Distribution, abundance and symbiotic effectiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii from alkaline pasture soils in South Australia, Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 40, 1, 25-35 10.1071/EA99035 |
| 1996 | Conran,J, Denton,M, 1996, Germination in the Western Australian pitcher plant Cephalotus follicularis and its unusual early seeding development, Western Australian Naturalist, 21, 1, 37-42 |
| 1994 | Denton,M, Ganf,GG, 1994, Response of juvenile Melaleuca halmaturorum to flooding: Management implications for a seasonal wetland, Bool Lagoon, South Australia, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 45, 8, 1395-1408 10.1071/MF9941395 |
Books
| Date | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Drew,E, Herridge,D, Ballard,R, O'Hara,G, Deaker,R, Denton,M, Yates,R, Gemell,G, Hartley,E, Phillips,L et al, 2012, Inoculating legumes: a practical guide, Grains Research and Development Corporation, 1-72 |
Book Chapters
| Date | Citation |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Denton,MD, ganf,G, atwell,B, 1999, Plants in Action, Macmillan Education AU |
| 1994 | Denton,MD, ganf,G, 1994, Plants and Processes in Wetlands, CSIRO Publishing |
Conference Papers
| Date | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Peoples,M, Watson,L, Swan,T, Hunt,J, Hayes,R, Li,G, Sandral,G, Armstrong,E, Harris,R, Pearce,D et al, 2014, Comparative inputs of fixed N by different crop and pasture legumes in south-eastern Australia, 17th Australian Nitrogen Fixation Conference, Adelaide |
| 2014 | Denton,MD, Ryder,M, 2014, A national survey of farmers in Australia to understand rhizobial inoculant use for pulse and pasture legumes, International Food Legume Research Conference and Interantional Conference on Legume Genomics and Genetics, Saskatoon, Canada |
| 2014 | Zhou,Y, Denton,MD, 2014, Root distortion and development of wheat under different cropping systems, 7th International Symposium on Root Development, Germany |
| 2014 | Ryder,M, Seymour,N, Ballard,N, Denton,MD, Ballard,R, 2014, A national survey of legume growers: current knowledge and Rhizobium inoculation practice, 17th Australian Nitrogen Fixation Conference, Adelaide, Australia |
| 2013 | Ballard,R, Drew,L, Denton,MD, Ryder,M, Deaker,R, Jones,S, Seymour,N, O'Hara,G, Yates,R, Ballard,N et al, 2013, Optimising legume N2-fixation: an overview of the Australian Nitrogen Fixation Program, Pulse Breeding Australia Conference, Adelaide |
| 2012 | Peoples,M, swan,T, Watson,L, Hunt,J, Kirkegaard,J, Pearce,D, Phillips,L, Denton,MD, Browne,C, Craig,S et al, 2012, Break crops – New focus leading to better crop sequences, GRDC updates, Ballarat and Narrandera |
| 2010 | Denton,M, Peoples,M, 2010, The importance of inoculant type or application rate for nitrogen fixation by grain legumes in cropping systems of south-eastern Australia, Australian Agronomy Conference (AAC), Lincoln, New Zealand |
| 2009 | Humphries,A, Ballard,R, Charman,N, Venkatanagappa,S, Denton,M, Marshall,E, Hayes,R, Auricht,G, 2009, Developing lucerne and rhizobia with improved tolerance to acidic soils: a novel approach, Australasian Plant Breeding Conference / SABRAO Conference. Cairns, Australia, Cairns, Australia |
| 2008 | Ryan,M, Bennett,R, Denton,M, Hughes,S, Mitchell,M, Carmody,B, Edmonds-Tibbett,T, Nicol,D, Snowball,R, 2008, Searching for native perennial legumes with pasture potential, Australian Agronomy Conference (AAC), Adelaide, South Australia |
Report for External Bodies
| Date | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Ryder,M, Denton,MD, Ballard,R, 2014, Maximising the nitrogen (N) benefits from rhizobial inoculation |
| 2014 | Ryder,M, Denton,MD, 2014, Maximising the nitrogen benefits from legumes through better inoculation with rhizobia |
| 2012 | Peoples,M, Swan,T, Watson,L, Pearce,D, Phillips,L, Denton,MD, 2012, Rhizobial inoculation can boost crop performance |
|
Source |
Project |
Chief Investigators |
Period |
Funding |
|
Crawford |
Rhizobiology training workshop in Yezin, Myanmar |
Denton, Gemell, Hartley |
2017 |
12,000 |
|
Crawford |
Training extension agents and researchers in evaluation of agricultural innovations in Laos and Cambodia |
Denton, Monjardino, Kuehne, Philp |
2016 |
12,000 |
|
ARC |
Kaiser, Trethowan, Mathesius, Colmer, Day, Denton, Adams, Barbour, Smith, Merchant, Bramley, Deaker, Young, Sutton, Bird, Ogbonnaya |
2016 - 2021 |
14,015,267 |
|
|
ACIAR |
Management Practices for Profitable Crop-Livestock Systems in Cambodia and Lao PDR |
Denton, Bell, Phimphachanhvongsod, Sengxua, Sihathep, Vang, Seng |
2016 - 2020 |
1,900,000 |
|
GRDC |
Managing legume and fertiliser nitrogen for the southern region |
Denton, Unkovich, Herridge, Long, Zhou, McDonald, McNeill |
2016 - 2018 |
329,366 |
|
ACIAR |
Denton, Bell |
2014 |
85,525 |
|
|
ACIAR |
Increasing productivity of legume-based farming systems in the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar |
Herridge, Denton, Gaur, Guppy, Birchall, Oo, Yi, Myint |
2011 - 2018 |
2,500,000 |
|
G08/DAAD |
Nitrogen fixation efficiency in the Medicago truncatula – Sinorhizobium symbiosis |
Denton |
2013 - 2014 |
13,500 |
|
ACIAR |
Development of conservation cropping systems in the drylands of northern Iraq |
Loss, Siddique, Denton, Saliem, Rijabo, AlTak, Jasm |
2013 - 2015 |
10,947,484 |
|
GRDC |
Extension of the Nitrogen Fixation Program |
Denton, Ballard |
2012 - 2017 |
750,000 |
|
GRDC |
Optimising Nitrogen Fixation in Pulse Systems |
Ballard, Denton |
2012 - 2017 |
350,000 |
I teach into courses within the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. I am a passionate teacher and aim to provide students with a solid basis in agricultural sciences. I hold a graduate certificate in Education (Higher Education).
Some of the courses that I teach into are:
Agricultural Systems 1A: lecturing and tutorials
Agricultural Systems 1B: coordinating and lecturing, tutorials and practicals.
Crop and Pasture Production: lecturing and practicals.
Livestock Production Science: lecturing and practicals.
Staff
Dr Maarten Ryder
Dr Judy Rathjen
Dr Thang Lai
PhD
Anteneh Argaw Alemneh: 2017 - present (principal supervisor)
Chanthy Huot: 2017 - present (principal supervisor)
Myint Zaw: 2017 - present (principal supervisor)
Joel Buyinza: 2017 - present (co-supervisor)
Onesmus Kitonyo: 2014 - present (principal supervisor)
Daniel Muleta Fana: 2013 - present (principal supervisor)
Recent graduates
Thang Lai: 2012- 2016. Dean's commendation
Honours
Ms Amelia Johnson
Memberships
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Member | Soil Science Society of America | |
| 2007 | Member | American Society of Agronomy | |
| 1996 | Chair | Australian Society for Nitrogen Fixation | |
| 1996 | Member | Australian Society of Agronomy |
Committee Memberships
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Member | Postgraduate Committee | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2012 | Member | Health, Safety and wellbeing |
Editorial Boards
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Associate Editor | Crop and Pasture Science | |
| 2017 | Consulting Editor | Plant and Soil |
Consulting/Advisories
| Date | Institution | Department | Organisation Type | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ARC Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture Advisory panel | Scientific research |