The Brian Chambers award, at the University of Cambridge, is an annual opportunity for student researchers studying at MSc or PhD level to showcase their research in agronomy and soil science in the context of providing practical benefits to agricultural productivity and crop nutrition.
SETU graduate, Thomas McCarthy (26) was chosen as runner-up based on his research, which investigated the optimisation of K fertilisation to grassland, categorising Irish soils using their inherent characteristics that influence K dynamics and to develop soil specific K fertiliser advice to promote increased sustainability on farms. The research developed a system of soil categorisation criteria that will lead to the development of more soil specific advice to optimise fertiliser K use.
Research
A native of West Cork, Thomas graduated from SETU’s Cork Road Campus in Waterford in 2020 with a BSc. (Hons) in Agricultural Science. Thomas went on to undertake a PhD postgraduate position at SETU Department of Land Sciences in Waterford where Eleanor Kent is the Head of Department.
Dr Imelda Casey explained that Thomas is currently part of a well-established sustainable grassland soils crop systems research area, which is part of the Eco-Innovation research centre at SETU. This project is part of the Department of Agriculture funded farming sustainability tools for efficient nutrient management (FaSTEN: 2019R501) led by Dr David Wall Teagasc Johnstown Castle. The leads at SETU are Dr Nabla Kennedy and Dr Imelda Casey, and Prof. Olaf Schmidt at UCD.
Achievement
Dr Casey said, “We are delighted to announce that Thomas recently was named as runner-up in the International Fertilisers Societies Brian Chambers International award for early career crop nutrition researchers. Thomas will complete his PhD this year.”
Speaking about his achievement, Thomas said, “It is great to receive this recognition for my PhD research. Efficient nutrient use is fundamental to sustainable agriculture, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to showcase such relevant work to a wide audience.”
Thomas’ supervisory team includes Dr David Wall, Dr Patrick Forrestal, Dr James Humphreys from Teagasc, and Dr Imelda Casey SETU in Waterford. To date there are a number of critical outcomes from the FaSTEN project. The findings are leading to an upgrading of the Teagasc “green book” on agronomic nutrient management recommendations for Irish agricultural systems.