Soil carbon research and teaching is getting a boost from a new AGMARDT-funded joint Massey University-AgResearch position.

As part of its focus on soil science research and education, the Agricultural Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT) has supported AgResearch and Massey to establish a Professorship in Carbon Cycling. Professor Tony Parsons has been appointed and will be seconded to the University for part of his time.

AGMARDT Chairman Dr Bill Kain says the motivation for the appointment is the need to encourage a multidisciplinary systems approach to the study of the critically important area of carbon cycling.

"The position will be a basis for building a greater understanding of our biological production systems and the influence management plays on their performance in terms of environmental sustainability as well as medium and longer-term economic viability."

"As a first step in addressing this challenge, we are delighted to have enabled a scientist of such calibre as Tony Parsons to have focused time in research and education. Students, industry personnel and farmers will undoubtedly benefit from his expertise."

In supporting this new position, AGMARDT has recognised the problems both in research and recruitment in the discipline of soil science, and also in the complexity of plant and soil carbon. Plant-animal-soil-atmosphere interactions are vital in understanding soil quality including nutrient availability and carbon sequestration. Carbon cycling has a very strong influence in climate change and land use, so there are strong prospects for the AGMARDT professor to focus on sustaining resources in the face of land use change and climate change.

The new role is consistent with the findings of the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee, which recommended significant ongoing investment be made to reduce agricultural emissions and improve efficiency of pastoral systems. The report also stated that soil carbon sequestration is considered to be an important area for research, with a specific need to determine its advantages with a thorough and impartial assessment based on relevant New Zealand science.

"Professor Parsons understands carbon and nitrogen cycling and the way the animal affects the two," says Dr Kain. "Having the AGMARDT sponsored Chair will ensure that his skills are passed on to the younger generation. We're also anticipating increased opportunities for extension, and for making a positive contribution to the understanding of carbon trading."

Professor Parsons joined AgResearch (Climate Land and Environment) in 1997 from the Institute for Grassland and Environmental Research in the United Kingdom. He worked initially at the Grassland Research Institute, Hurley, as a plant physiologist, on temperate grasses and then on grassland management, grazing and intensification with scientists studying animal intake and behaviour, and others studying nutrient cycling. In 1995/6, he worked in New Zealand at AgResearch on a senior research fellowship.

Professor Parsons says he is delighted to be taking up the AGMARDT Chair in Carbon Cycling.

"With nearly half its economy and likewise its greenhouse gas emissions biologically based, New Zealand's international commitments have to be based on a sound understanding of how plants, soils and animals interact with the environment. Seeing no boundaries between science disciplines or between agriculture and environment is an essential part of finding ways forward, for us now, and for the next generation of scientists and policy makers."

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Sciences at Massey University Professor Robert Anderson says that he is very pleased that Professor Parsons elected Massey to be the host institution for the new Chair.

"Massey is building its capability in the greenhouse gas emission arena and Professor Parsons' expertise is an invaluable addition."

Professor Anderson also said that AGMARDT is to be congratulated for taking this particular initiative, and he welcomed yet another co-appointment between Massey and AgResearch.