Get to know our students as they answer questions about their work and themselves.
Can you briefly describe your research project within the BARIToNE consortium?
My research project titled “Advanced Sensing Technology for Improving Nutrient Management in Barley” focuses on applying remote sensing (RS) technologies, which includes proximal sensors such as spectroradiometers and fluorometers, aerial sensors such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) mounted hyperspectral imagers and satellite-based aerial images coupled together with improved agronomic practices to improve nutrient management in barley production, especially that which is intended for use in malting and distilling. Through the combination of these technologies with agronomic practices, the project’s aim is to develop more efficient ways in the use of the most important agronomic resource in barley production, which is nitrogen (N), by developing scope for reducing inputs, waste, and losses; strategies to manage nitrogenous fertilizers more efficiently, working towards ‘just-in-time’ management of the fertilizer. These are planned to be achieved through identifying the N status and need of barley varieties at the different stages of the crop’s development through measuring the crop’s chlorophyll concentrations, its fluorescence properties, and the behavior of its spectral reflectance; identifying N application strategies (quantities, timings, and number of split applications) with the optimum nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) and the measures of nutrient-use-efficiency which includes agronomic efficiency (AE), recovery efficiency (RE) and fraction (RF), physiological efficiency (PE), and partial nitrogen balance (PNB); and finally to identify the N application strategy with the lowest carbon footprinting.
I am based in the Geography department at the University of Dundee and my project is being undertaken in partnership with Diageo.
What specific environmental challenges is your research aiming to address in the barley supply and value chain?
The reduction in pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprinting in barley value chain activities should start from the production process. This is why my research is centred around effective N management. The main environmental challenges my research is aiming to address in the barley supply and value chain are pollutions and carbon footprint associated with non-judicious use of the N fertilizer in production. This non-judicious use could result from knowingly abusing and misusing, or unknowingly overusing the nitrogenous fertilizer. The pollutions could be nitrate leaching into ground water and other water bodies, and the emission of nitrous oxide which is a potent greenhouse gas. These pollutants and gasses make groundwater and water bodies in the environment to be unsafe through contamination, biodiversity loss, and climate change, thereby posing threat to human, livestock, aquatic, and terrestrial inhabitants.
Soil sample preparation and measurement of available phosphorus from the soil samples collected from the field used in establishing the trial condected for nitrogen response experiment (NRE) in Spring of 2023.
What motivated you to pursue a PhD, particularly within the field of barley research and sustainability?
My motivation to pursue a PhD, particularly in barley research and sustainability came up because of the interest I have in making a vital contribution to reducing the problems of both the present times and the future. This, I believe, should best be approached through teaming-up with other researchers capable of using state-of-the-art, emerging and cutting-edge technologies to carry out quality research aimed at developing solutions to the present and future problems in agriculture, particularly crop related problems and even beyond. Personally, I am passionate about agriculture, have the desire to tackle environmental challenges, and recognize the vital role that crops like barley play in global food systems and industries.
The choice of working around barley results from the significance of the crop as a food, feed, and a raw material for industrial processing. Barley, at the present time, has been identified to be the 4th most widely cultivated crop in terms of output and area of coverage. It has a vast industrial use which resulted in creating numerous jobs across its value-chain and contributing immensely to the global economy. I am interested in being amongst the change makers in the global barley research and academic society working to make positive and viable changes that will ensure that its production continues to meet the taste-of-time in a sustainable way.
What has been your biggest challenge during your PhD journey, and how have you overcome it?
The biggest challenge that I have faced during my PhD journey was learning how to perform a specific spectral analysis called Continuum Removal (CR), which is required to prepare the spectral data and make it fit for a stepwise linear regression which needs to be performed and used in selecting the N application rate, timing, and number of split applications with the best model fit. This became a huge challenge because there were no literature sources or tutorial videos that explained the detailed steps necessary. I was able to overcome this difficulty by contacting colleagues both in the UK and abroad who guided me enabled me to run the CR perfectly. In simple terms, I would say I overcame the challenge through the network of friends and colleagues that I built with other PhD students and researchers both in Dundee and previous employment.
I overcame the challenge through the network of friends and colleagues that I built with other PhD students and researchers
Fluorescence measurements using PhotosynQ handheld fluorometer from the trials conducted for the NRE in Spring of 2023 (left) and nitrogen split application experiment (NSAE) in spring of 2024 (right).
How has your experience in BARIToNE been shaped by the consortium’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion?
Yes, I am sure, BARIToNE CTP’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is undoubtable. Of the 18 PhD researchers in the program so far, five are of African origin, and we come from diverse religious, ethnic, and gender backgrounds. As a Nigerian and a Muslim, I have felt supported in this diverse environment.
As a Nigerian and a Muslim, I have felt supported in this diverse environment
What advice would you give to prospective PhD students from underrepresented backgrounds who are considering a career in research?
I myself am from an underrepresented background. I am the only Nigerian amongst the students that are of African origin and the only Muslim by religious practise among the 18 PhD researchers that constitutes the 1st and 2nd cohorts in the BARIToNE CTP Programme.
I would advise prospective students to first decide on which discipline they have interest, then find the right academic, research, and professional mentor who would help them uncover the hidden talent in them and make them believe in themselves. This will help them pursue their dream with passion, full trust and confidence. They should take advantage of any opportunity to get access to resources and training that will help improve in their technical and soft skills which are likely to be useful and add value to their planned research or future career. As much as possible, they should search for and take advantage of funding opportunities that are available from the numerous fellowships and scholarships, most especially those meant for or that have high consideration for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
A PhD is a tough and rigorous journey that sometimes does not go smoothly as originally thought of and designed. As such, it is paramount for them to keep the end goal in mind and acknowledge the progress they are able make as they go through the journey. With these few sentences, I would say “You are going to achieve your goal”.
Reflectance measurements using a Spectra Vista Coporation (SVC) spectroradiometer from the trials conducted for the NRE in Spring of 2023 (left) and NSAE in spring of 2024 (right).
What are your career aspirations after completing your PhD, and how has BARIToNE helped shape those goals?
My main career aspiration is to join the team of researchers and scientists in the global research system to work as a research scientist. Alternative to this, is to work as a scientist in a crop production and or processing industries that have desire in sustainable farming practices through precision agriculture. The BARIToNE CTP offered me the great opportunity through the PhD studentship which provided the avenue in which I attended several trainings in the use of tools and software in conducting bio and geo statistics, and in the use of remote sensing devices. These gave me the chance to acquire numerous skills on spectroscopy and spectral data analysis, statistics and result interpretation. I want to transfer the knowledge gained through the PhD in solving real world problems through exploring other possible ways in which the in-depth remote sensing knowledge and analytical skills I acquire can be applied to benefit mankind.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience or insights from working within the BARIToNE consortium?
I would like to conclude by saying that the BARIToNE CTP is a well-planned programme and working within its consortium provided me with a chance of a lifetime to acquire an invaluable experience that has broadened my understanding of the linkage between barley research, sustainability, and industry needs. The key insights and experiences are too numerous to mention, but a few include collaboration with industry and academia, real world application of research output, exposure and access to emerging cutting-edge technologies.