National conferences

Sustainable Agricultural Production

2024

Science Early Career Academic Network Research Summit (SECAN), 20 February 2024, Melbourne

Ashfaq, W., Halimi, R. A., Anderson, N., Hunt, J., Chauhan, S. S., and Gupta, D. (2024). Integrating dual-purpose wheat for forage and grain improves whole-farm profitability and environmental performance in Australia’s low rainfall zones. Science Early Career Academic Network Research Summit, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia. (Oral presentation).

Azman Halimi, R., Ashfaq, W., Hunt, J., Reeves, T., and Gupta, D. (2024). Silicon (Si) mitigates biotic and abiotic stresses in legumes under rainfed field conditions. Science Early Career Academic Network Research Summit, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia. (Oral presentation).

Biju, S., and Gupta, D., (2024). Enhancing Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Lentil Plants under Drought Stress: Beneficial Effects of Silicon Supplementation, Science Early Career Academic Network Research Summit, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia. (Oral presentation).

Drs Waseem Ashfaq and Sajitha Biju presenting at SECAN conference 2024.

Drs Waseem Ashfaq and Sajitha Biju presenting at SECAN conference 2024.

2023

Australian Society of Plant Scientist (ASPS) conference 2023, 28 November– 1 December 2023
Hobart, Tasmania

Ashfaq, W., Azman Halimi, R., Anderson, N., Hunt, J., Chauhan, S. S., and Gupta, D. (2023). Dual-purpose wheat offers increased productivity across diverse regions of Australia’s low-rainfall zone. Australian Society of Plant Scientists Conference, UTAS, Sandy Bay, Hobart TAS, Australia. (Poster presentation).

Azman Halimi, R., Ashfaq, W., Hunt, J., Reeves, T., and Gupta, D. (2023). Tales from the paddock: Role of silicon to mitigate climatic stresses for legumes. Australian Society of Plant Scientists Conference, UTAS, SandyBay, Hobart TAS, Australia.

Colombi, E., Azman Halimi, R., Ashfaq, W., Hu, H. W., Pang, A., Hunt, J., He, J., and Gupta, D. (2023). Foliar silicon application as a drought tolerance strategy for legumes has no effects on soil microbiome. Australian Society of Plant Scientists Conference, UTAS, Sandy Bay, Hobart TAS, Australia.

3 images next to each other of Drs Razlin Azman, Waseem Ashfaq and Elena Colombi standing next to poster presentations

Science Early Career Academic Network Research Summit (SECAN), 20 February 2023, Melbourne

Ashfaq, W., Brodie, G., Fuentes, S., Pang, A., and Gupta, D. (2023). Silicon Improves Root System andCanopy Physiology in Wheat under Drought Conditions. Science Early Career Academic Network ResearchSummit, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia. (Oral presentation).

Azman Halimi, R., Ashfaq, W., Khan, J., Gerardi, T., McPhee, R., Chauhan, S.S., Hunt, J., Reeves, T., Hely, S.,and Gupta, D. (2023). Can We Improve the Resilience of Broadacre Farming? Science Early CareerAcademic Network Research Summit, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia.

L to R: Drs Razlin Azman and Waseem Ashfaq presenting at SECAN conference 2023

Dr Waseem Ashfaq at lectern presenting to a roomful of people at SECAN conference 2023

2022

FVAS Research Symposium

Ashfaq, W., Brodie, G., Fuentes, S., and Gupta, D. (2022). Exogenous Silicon Application Improves thePhysiological and Biochemical Mechanisms in Contrasting Bread Wheat Cultivars Under Drought and HeatStress. Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences research conference, The University of Melbourne,Australia. (Oral presentation).

L to R: Dr Sajitha Biju sitting in the middle \; \;as co chair and Dr. Waseem Ashfaq presenting at the symposium.

Our team members Dr. Razlin Azman, Dr. Sajitha Biju and Mrs. Navya Beera at the symposium dinner.

2020

FVAS Research Symposium

Tavan, M., Fuentes, S., Pang, A. and Gupta, D., (2020). Improving water-use efficiency and nutritional value of microgreens in a soilless cultivation system. Graduate Research Symposium 2020, Melbourne, Australia. (Oral presentation, Best presentation award).

2019

Australian Pulse Conference, Horsham, Victoria
15-17 October, 2019

Biju, S., Fuentes, S. and Gupta, D., 2019. Silicon supplementation improved the nutritional potential and sensory properties of drought-stressed lentil seeds, as revealed by a novel sensory analysis using non-invasive biometrics from consumers. Australian Pulse Conference, Horsham, Victoria, 15-17 October, 2019.

Dr Sajitha Biju stands presenting to a room in front of two large projection screens showing graphs.

Dr Sajitha Biju presenting at the Australian Pulse Conference, Horsham, Victoria.

Australian Society of Plant Scientists Conference AgriBio
15-17th October 2019

Dadu RHR, Ford R, Sambasivam P, Bar I, Croser J, Kaur S, Ribalta F, and Gupta D. (2019) Identification and characterisation of potential novel sources of resistance to ascochyta blight within the exotic germ plasm of lentil. Australian Pulse Conference at Horsham, Australia, 15-17th October 2019. Abstract pp 76.

Australian Society of Plant Scientists Conference AgriBio, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Ashfaq, W., Brodie, G., Fuentes, S., and Gupta, D. (2019). Application of Infrared Thermal ImagingTechnique and Physiological Indices for Wheat Genotypes Screening Against Drought and Heat Stress. Australian Society of Plant Scientists Conference, AgriBio, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. (Posterpresentation).

19th Australian Agronomy Conference, Wagga-Wagga, New South Wales
25-29 August 2019

Biju, S., Fuentes, S. and Gupta, D., 2019. Silicon mitigates drought stress in lentils through enhancing photosynthetic activity and yield-related traits, 19th Australian Agronomy Conference, 25-29 August, Wagga-Wagga, New South Wales.

Australasian Microwave and Radio Frequency Application Symposium

Taheri S., Brodie G., Jacob M., Gupta D. (2019) Disinfection of lentil seeds from its seed borne Botrytis grey mould (BGM) using Low pressure non-thermal plasma. Australasian Microwave and Radio Frequency Application Symposium, Nov 2019

Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference at Melbourne, Australia

Dadu RHR, Ford R, Sambasivam P, Bar I, Croser J, Kaur S, Ribalta F, and Gupta D. (2019) Identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes associated with ascochyta blight resistance in the lentil inter specific RIL population. Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference at Melbourne, Australia, 25-29th November 2019. Abstract pp 255.

21st Australian Weed Conference, Sydney

Khan, M.J., Brodie, G. and Gupta, D. (2018). Microwave: A Novel Approach to Tackle  Herbicide Resistance in No-till Farming Systems. Proc. 21st Australian Weed  Conference, P:140 - 143. Sydney, Australia.

2018

FVAS Post Graduate Research symposium, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne
29-30 November 2018

Biju, S., Fuentes, S. and Gupta, D., 2018. Effect of silicon-mediated drought stress on nutritional, anti-nutritional and antioxidant properties along with the sensory acceptability in lentil seeds. FVAS Post Graduate Research Symposium, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia, 29-30 November (Best oral presentation award)

Dr Sajitha Biju accepting the award for best oral presentation.

Dr Sajitha Biju accepting the award for best oral presentation.

Ashfaq, W., Brodie, G., Fuentes, S., and Gupta, D. (2018). Unravelling the Physiological and Molecular Basis of Combined Drought and Heat Stress Tolerance in Wheat Crop Under Silicon (Si) Mediated Treatments.FVAS Postgraduate Symposium, The University of Melbourne, Australia. (Oral presentation).

Tavan, M., Fuentes, S., Pang, A. and Gupta, D., (2018), ‘Implementing sensor technology to develop a resource use efficient soilless system for growing microgreens’, Graduate Research Symposium 2018, 28-30, Nov, Melbourne, Australia. (Oral presentation)

GRDC Research Updates, Bendigo
26-27th February

Biju, S., Fuentes, S. & Gupta, D., 2018. Physiological & biochemical responses of lentil to silicon mediated drought tolerance. GRDC Research Updates, 26-27th February (Invited Talk-Student Speaker).

Dr Sajitha Biju presenting on stage with a large screen behind her.
Dr Sajitha Biju presenting at the at GRDC Research Updates, 26-27th February, Bendigo.

GRDC Research Updates, Bendigo
26-27th February

Biju, S., Fuentes, S. & Gupta, D., 2018. Physiological & biochemical responses of lentil to silicon mediated drought tolerance. GRDC Reserach Updates, 26-27th February (Invited Talk-Student Speaker).

Three Minute Thesis Competition, (2018), The University of Melbourne

Tavan, M., Fuentes, S., Pang, A. and Gupta, D., (2018). Improving water-use efficiency and nutritional value of microgreens in a soilless cultivation system. Three Minute Thesis Competition, (2018), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. (Oral (3MT format), semi-finalist)

Dr. Mahya Tawan standing presenting in front of a large projector screen
Dr. Mahya Tawan presenting at the three minute thesis competition.

ASPS 2018, International Convention Centre Sydney, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia.
23-26 September

Biju, S., Fuentes, S. and Gupta, D., 2018. Silicon supplementation as a source to elevate drought stress tolerance in lentil. ASPS 2018, International Convention Centre Sydney, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia. 23-26 September.

Dr Sajitha Biju poses with certificate next to a University of Melbourne logo sign
Dr Sajitha Biju with the best oral presentation award in the FVAS Post Graduate Research symposium.

2017

FVAS Post Graduate Research symposium, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
30 November - 2 December

Tavan, M., Fuentes, S., Pang, A. and Gupta, D., (2017), ‘Evaluation of microgreens nutrient uptake, yield and quality in soilless systems using sensor technology and the internet of things’, Graduate Research Symposium 2017, 24-25, Oct, Melbourne, Australia. p:30 (Oral presentation)

Science Protecting Plant Health, Brisbane

Dadu RHR, Ford R, Sambasivam P, Gupta D (2017), ‘Evidence of early defence to Ascochyta lentis in a novel primary Lens genepool accession’, Science Protecting Plant Health 2017, 26-28, Sept, Brisbane, Australia. p:142

International Temperate Rice Conference, Griffith

Khan, MJ, Brodie G, Gupta D, He J (2017). The Effect of Microwave Weed Management on Rice under Field Conditions. Poster: International Temperate Rice Conf, Griffith 6-9 March.

2016

FVAS Post Graduate Research symposium

Biju, S., Fuentes, S. and Gupta, D., 2016. Silicon alleviates polyethylene glycol-induced drought stress in lentils by enhancing seed germination and proline metabolism. FVAS Post Graduate Research Symposium, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia, 30 November - 2 December (Best oral presentation award).

Collage of two images: Dr Sajitha Biju standing in front of her poster (left) and on stage with 3 other winners for best presentation (right).

2015

FVAS Post Graduate Research symposium

Biju, S., Fuentes, S. and Gupta, D., 2015. Physiological and biochemical responses of lentil to silicon mediated drought tolerance. FVAS Post Graduate Research symposium, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia, 3-4 December 2015 (Special mention).