Emeritus Professor Peter Cornish
Emeritus Professor,
Dean's Unit, School of Science
Biography
Employment
1970-1992 NSW Agriculture, Principal Research Scientist
1992-2007 (retired) UWS – Foundation Vincent Fairfax Professor (Farming Systems)
2007-2012 UWS Professor (personal Chair)
2013-Present UWS Professor Emeritus
Other positions held concurrently with the above include membership of/consultant to numerous research funding bodies, editorial advisory committees, the Eureka Prize judging panel, and the Standards Committee of the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia. Prof. Cornish has also participated in numerous institutional reviews and program and project/program reviews and program development for Australian research institutes and universities.
Significant honours
2002 Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Sector Administration
2010 Donald Medal (Australian Society of Agronomy).
General Expertise
Prof Cornish is an agronomist with a particular focus on no-till farming, the changes to farming systems needed to make no-till crop production possible and environmentally sustainable, and the processes that can be used for on-farm research to maximise the relevance and impact of the work.
Research since 2005 has drawn on this expertise to develop farming systems for improved livelihoods of smallholder farmers in India, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Special areas of expertise include:
- Soil-plant phosphorus relations
- Plant water relations and water-use efficiency in rainfed agriculture
- Farming systems research methodology.
This information has been contributed by Emeritus Professor Cornish.
Qualifications
- PhD University of New England
- MScAg University of Sydney
- BScAg University of Sydney
Organisational Unit (School / Division)
- Dean's Unit, School of Science
Contact
Email: | P.Cornish@westernsydney.edu.au |
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Phone: | n/a |
Mobile: | 0414244269 |
Location: | J18 Hawkesbury |
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Publications
Chapters in Books
- Cornish, P., Tullberg, J., Lemerle, D. and Flower, K. (2020), 'No-till farming systems in Australia', No-Till Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities, Springer 9783030464080.
Journal Articles
- Philp, J., Cornish, P., Te, K., Bell, R., Vance, W., Lim, V., Li, X., Kamphayae, S. and Denton, M. (2021), 'Insufficient potassium and sulfur supply threaten the productivity of perennial forage grasses in smallholder farms on tropical sandy soils', Plant and Soil, vol 461, no 1-2 , pp 617 - 630.
- Carnegie, M., Cornish, P., Htwe, K. and Htwe, N. (2020), 'Gender, decision-making and farm practice change : an action learning intervention in Myanmar', Journal of Rural Studies, vol 78 , pp 503 - 515.
- Cornish, P., Kumar, A. and Das, S. (2020), 'Soil fertility along toposequences of the East India Plateau and implications for productivity, fertiliser use, and sustainability', Soil, vol 6, no 2 , pp 325 - 336.
- Herridge, D., Win, M., Nwe, K., Kyu, K., Win, S., Shwe, T., Min, Y., Denton, M. and Cornish, P. (2019), 'The cropping systems of the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar : productivity constraints and possible solutions', Agricultural Systems, vol 169 , pp 31 - 40.
- Croke, B., Merritt, W., Cornish, P., Syme, G. and Roth, C. (2018), 'An integrated approach to improving rural livelihoods : examples from India and Bangladesh', IAHS Proceedings, vol 376 , pp 45 - 50.
- Cornish, P., Birchall, C., Herridge, D., Denton, M. and Guppy, C. (2018), 'Rainfall-related opportunities, risks and constraints to rainfed cropping in the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar as defined by soil water balance modelling', Agricultural Systems, vol 164 , pp 47 - 57.
- Hart, M. and Cornish, P. (2016), 'Soil phosphorus status and environmental risk of phosphorus run-off from pastures in south-eastern New South Wales', Soil Research, vol 54, no 6 , pp 685 - 691.
- Wangiyana, W., Cornish, P. and Ryan, M. (2016), 'Arbuscular mycorrhizas in various rice growing environments and their implication for low soybean yields on vertisol soil in Central Lombok, Indonesia', IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology, vol 10, no 12 , pp 51 - 57.
- Cornish, P., Karmakar, D., Kumar, A., Das, S. and Croke, B. (2015), 'Improving crop production for food security and improved livelihoods on the East India Plateau. I. Rainfall-related risks with rice and opportunities for improved cropping systems', Agricultural Systems, vol 137 , pp 166 - 179.
- Cornish, P., Choudhury, A., Kumar, A., Das, S., Kumbakhar, K., Norrish, S. and Kumar, S. (2015), 'Improving crop production for food security and improved livelihoods on the East India Plateau II. Crop options, alternative cropping systems and capacity building', Agricultural Systems, vol 137 , pp 180 - 190.
- Hart, M. and Cornish, P. (2014), 'An agronomic test to manage phosphorus environmental risk from pastures with good grazing management', Soil Research, vol 52, no 3 , pp 293 - 298.
- Hart, M. and Cornish, P. (2012), 'Available soil phosphorus, phosphorus buffering and soil cover determine most variation in phosphorus concentration in runoff from pastoral sites', Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, vol 93, no 2 , pp 227 - 244.
- Croke, B., Cornish, P., Choudhry, K., Kharmakar, D., Chakraborty, A., Islam, A. and Khan, M. (2012), 'Water harvesting and better cropping systems for the benefit of small farmers in watersheds of the East India Plateau', Water Practice and Technology, vol 7, no 1 .
- Hart, M. and Cornish, P. (2011), 'Soil sample depth in pasture soils for environmental soil phosphorus testing', Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, vol 42, no 1 , pp 100 - 110.
- Dang, Y., Dalal, R., Buck, S., Harms, B., Kelly, R., Hochman, Z., Schwenke, G., Biggs, J., Ferguson, N., Norrish, S., Routley, R., McDonald, M., Hall, C., Singh, D., Daniells, I., Farquharson, R., Manning, W., Speirs, S., Grewal, H., Cornish, P., Bodapati, N. and Orange, D. (2010), 'Diagnosis, extent, impacts, and management of subsoil constraints in the northern grains cropping region of Australia', Australian Journal of Soil Research, vol 48, no 2 , pp 105 - 119.
- Cornish, P. (2009), 'Phosphorus management on extensive organic and low-input farms', Crop & Pasture Science, vol 60, no 2 , pp 105 - 115.
- Cornish, P. (2009), 'Research directions : Improving plant uptake of soil phosphorus, and reducing dependency on input of phosphorus fertiliser', Crop & Pasture Science, vol 60, no 2 , pp 190 - 196.
- Hart, M. and Cornish, P. (2009), 'Comparison of bicarbonate-extractable soil phosphorus measured by ICP-AES and colourimetry in soils of south-eastern New South Wales', Australian Journal of Soil Research, vol 47, no 7 , pp 742 - 746.
- Devasirvatham, V. and Cornish, P. (2007), 'Precision application of water for peri-urban horticulture', International Journal of Water, vol 3, no 4 , pp 418 - 424.
- Madafiglio, G., Medd, D., Cornish, P. and Van De Ven, R. (2006), 'Seed production of Raphanus raphanistrum following herbicide application during reproduction and effects on wheat yield', Weed Research, vol 46, no 1 , pp 50 - 60.
- Pedroli, B., Pinto-Correia, T. and Cornish, P. (2006), 'Landscape - what's in it? Trends in European landscape science and priority themes for concerted research.', Landscape Ecology, vol 21 , pp 421 - 430.
- Popov, V. and Cornish, P. (2006), 'Atrazine tolerance of grass species with potential for use in vegetated filters in Australia', Plant and Soil, vol 280, no 40575 , pp 115 - 126.
- Sun, H. and Cornish, P. (2006), 'A catchment-based approach to recharge estimation in the Liverpool Plains, NSW Australia', Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, vol 57 , pp 309 - 320.
- Popov, V., Cornish, P. and Sun, H. (2006), 'Vegetated biofilters: The relative importance of infiltration and adsorption in reducing loads of water-soluble herbicides in agricultural runoff', Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, vol 114, no 40635 , pp 351 - 359.
- Wangiyana, W., Cornish, P. and Morris, C. (2006), 'Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi dynamics in contrasting cropping systems on vertisol and regisol soils of Lombok, Indonesia', Experimental Agriculture, vol 42 , pp 427 - 439.
- Freebairn, D., Cornish, P., Anderson, W., Walker, S., Robinson, J. and Beswick, A. (2006), 'Management Systems in Climate Regions of the World - Australia', Dryland Agriculture 2nd ed. Agronomy Monograph 23, , pp 837 - 878.
- Cornish, P. and Burgin, S. (2005), 'Residual Effects of Glyphosate Herbicide in Ecological Restoration', Restoration Ecology, vol 13, no 4 , pp 695 - 702.
- Johnston, W., Cornish, P., Koen, T. and Shoemark, V. (2005), 'Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. Complex pastures in southern NSW, Australia: a comparison of Eragrostis curvula cv Consol and Medicago sativa L. cv Nova under intenseive rotational grazing', Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, vol 45 , pp 1255 - 1266.
- Johnston, W. and Cornish, P. (2005), 'Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. Complex pastures in southern NSW, Australia: impact of Eragrostis curvula, Medicago sativa and Phalaris aquaticaL. Pastures on soil water', Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, vol 45 , pp 1267 - 1289.
- Popov, V., Cornish, P., Sultana, K. and Morris, C. (2005), 'Atrazine degradation in soils: the role of microbial communities, atrazine applicatione history, and soil carbon', Australian Journal of Soil Research, vol 43 , pp 861 - 871.
- Sun, H. and Cornish, P. (2005), 'Estimating shallow groundwater recharge in the headwaters of the Liverpool Plains using SWAT', Hydrological Processes, vol 19, no 3 , pp 795 - 807.
- Johnston, W., Cornish, P. and Shoemark, V. (2005), 'Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. complex pastures in southern New South Wales, Australia: Comparisons with Medicago sativa L. and Phalaris aquatica L. pastures under rotational grazing', Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, vol 45 , pp 401 - 420.
- Mcnamara, L. and Cornish, P. (2004), 'Participative decision-making to identify nutrient pollution sources and potential abatement actions.', The International Journal of River Basin Management, vol 2, no 1 , pp 71 - 80.
- Sun, H., Cornish, P. and Daniell, T. (2003), 'Digital elevation hydrological modelling in a small catchment in south australia', nordic hydrology, vol 34, no 3 , pp 161 - 178.
- Baginska, B., Milne-Home, W. and Cornish, P. (2003), 'Modelling nutrient transport in Currency Creek, NSW with AnnAGNPS and PEST', Environment Modelling & Software, vol 18 , pp 801 - 808.
- Sun, H., Cornish, P. and Daniell, T. (2002), 'Spacial variability in hydrologic modeling using rainfall-runoff model and digital elevation model', Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, vol 7, no 6 , pp 404 - 412.
- Sun, H. and Cornish, P. (2002), 'Contour-based digital elevation modeling of watershed erosion and sedimentation: eropsion and sedimentation estimation tool (EROSET)', Water Resources Research, vol 38, no 11 , pp 1 - 10.
- Cornish, P., Hallissey, R. and Hollinger, E. (2002), 'Is a rainfall simulator useful for estimating phosphorus runoff from pastures - a question of scale dependancy', Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, vol 42 , pp 953 - 959.
- Sun, H., Cornish, P. and Daniell, T. (2001), 'Turbidity-based erosion estimation in a catchment in South Australia', Journal of Hydrology, vol 253 , pp 227 - 238.
- Hollinger, E., Cornish, P., Baginska, B., Mann, R. and Kuczera, G. (2001), 'Farm-scale stormwater losses of sediment and nutrients from a market garden near Sydney, australia', Agricultural Water Management, vol 47 , pp 227 - 241.
Conference Papers
- Mcnamara, L., Cornish, P. and Jacob, B. (2009), 'Improving the relevance and impact of water quality modelling for decision-making', 18th World IMACS / MODSIM Congress, Cairns Australia.
- Adams, G., Cornish, P., Croke, B., Hart, M., Hughes, C. and Jakeman, T. (2009), 'A new look at uncertainty in end member mixing models for streamflow partitioning', 18th World IMACS / MODSIM Congress, Cairns.
- Lawrence, D., Dey, P., Karmakar, D. and Cornish, P. (2006), 'Participation - for improved adoption, research, or both: two case studies', Proceedings of the 13th Australian Agronomy Conference, Perth, Western Australia.
- Sun, H. and Cornish, P. (2003), 'Management options to minimise atrazine and metolachlor export from grain cropping areas', 11th Australian Agronomy Conference, Geelong, Victoria.
- Maccallum, R., Cornish, P. and Fettell, N. (2003), 'Model Parameterisation and Application in Farming Systems - the Condobolin Experience', Australian Farming Systems Conference 2003, Toowoomba, QLD.
- Maheshwari, B., Cornish, P. and Simmons, B. (2003), 'Water in Urban and Peri-urban Landscapes - Australian Perspectives', Proceedings of the International Conference on Water and Environment (WE2003), Bhopal, India.
- Wangiyana, W. and Cornish, P. (2002), 'VAM Populations in Rice-based Cropping Systems in Central Lombok, Indonesia', 17th Symposium of the International Farming Systems Association, Lake Buena Visata, Florida, USA..
- Kelleher, F., Rollings, N., Poulton, D. and Cornish, P. (2001), 'Temperature variation and frost risk in undulating cropland', 10th Australian Agronomy Conference, Hobart, Tasmania.
- Baginska, B., Milne-Home, W. and Cornish, P. (2001), 'Modelling Nutrient Transportin Currency Ck, with AnnAGNPS and PEST', MODSIM 2001 Congress, Canberra Aust.
Previous Projects
Title: | Improving water quality in grain farming catchments [via Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, NR&M] |
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Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish and Hua Sun |
Years: | 2003-06-13 - 2007-07-31 |
ID: | P0010374 |
Title: | Western Farming Systems Project: On-Farm Research |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2001-01-01 - 2004-10-01 |
ID: | P0010378 |
Title: | Raising smallholder productivity in high rainfall uplands of eastern India |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish and Basant Maheshwari |
Years: | 2004-07-10 - 2004-07-18 |
ID: | P0014376 |
Title: | Improved management of nutrient and soil water interactions in the northern grain zone |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish and Shane Norrish |
Years: | 2004-07-01 - 2007-06-30 |
ID: | P0014431 |
Title: | Nutrient generation from rural land and delivery to streams in the Sydney Drinking Water Catchments |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2006-03-31 - 2009-09-30 |
ID: | P0014567 |
Title: | Understanding transport processes of the herbacide 'atrazine': a foundation for improved environmental management |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish and Hua Sun |
Years: | 2001-01-01 - 2001-12-31 |
ID: | P0011444 |
Title: | Water harvesting and better cropping systems for the benefit of small farmers in watersheds of the East India Plateau |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2005-10-01 - 2012-06-30 |
ID: | P0014822 |
Title: | Tools and techniques for improving the precision of irrigation |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish and Basant Maheshwari |
Years: | 2004-07-01 - 2006-06-30 |
ID: | P0014831 |
Title: | Optimising operation of subsurface drip irrigation for intensive horticulture in variable soils |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2005-08-08 - 2010-06-30 |
ID: | P0014889 |
Title: | ACIAR Project Review: Improved fertiliser recommendations and policy for dry regions of southern Africa |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2006-02-17 - 2006-02-25 |
ID: | P0015076 |
Title: | A communication project to assist grain farmers put into action 'Environmental Best Management Practice' to maintain sustainability & improve water quality in grain farming catchments - Conservation F |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2006-03-13 - 2008-07-31 |
ID: | P0015140 |
Title: | Sustainable Terrestrial and Riverine Systems through integrated assessment and modelling [via Australian National University] |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2004-02-28 - 2006-12-31 |
ID: | P0014232 |
Title: | DNR9 - Management options to minimise pesticide and nutrient transport in runoff from grain cropping areas |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 1999-07-01 - 2002-06-30 |
ID: | P0013826 |
Title: | A practical TCM approach to integrated stormwater management in Narellan Creek Catchment |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish, Barbara Baginska and Janice Thies |
Years: | 1998-01-01 - 2001-06-30 |
ID: | P0013892 |
Title: | Review of research, Gansu, China for ACIAR |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2004-05-28 - 2004-06-30 |
ID: | P0011002 |
Title: | Guidlines for Abatement Measures |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2001-09-04 - 2001-10-31 |
ID: | P0011038 |
Title: | Establish operational procedures for mobile autosamplers and initiate monitoring of rural bushland |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 1997-03-01 - 2012-06-30 |
ID: | P0011040 |
Title: | Phosphorous fertiliser requirements of crops in low rainfall areas of declining fertility - UWS 13 |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 1996-07-01 - 2000-12-31 |
ID: | P0010392 |
Title: | Combating subsoil constraints - SIP08 [via QDNRM] |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2002-07-01 - 2007-06-30 |
ID: | P0010400 |
Title: | Reasons for Apparently low wheat yield trends: environmental versus socioeconomic constraints - UWS 9 |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish |
Years: | 1995-10-01 - 1997-09-30 |
ID: | P0010404 |
Title: | Design and management of farming systems in central-western NSW - Model applications - UWS25 |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish and Samsul Huda |
Years: | 1999-10-01 - 2003-12-31 |
ID: | P0010414 |
Title: | Managing water quality and environmental flows in the Hawkesbury-Nepean |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish, Basant Maheshwari and Barbara Baginska |
Years: | 1998-10-01 - 2002-06-30 |
ID: | P0010642 |
Title: | Nurient source tracing and modelling |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish and Basant Maheshwari |
Years: | 2003-07-01 - 2006-12-31 |
ID: | P0010024 |
Title: | Management Plan for the Braidwood Lands |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Peter Cornish, Hua Sun and Julie Wen |
Years: | 2002-02-01 - 2002-07-31 |
ID: | P0010032 |
Title: | Development of on-farm frost management strategies for northern NSW |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Frank Kelleher, Samsul Huda and Peter Cornish |
Years: | 1998-07-01 - 2004-12-31 |
ID: | P0010376 |
Title: | Optimisation of irrigation inputs for greenhouse vegetable production |
Funder: |
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Western Researchers: | Basant Maheshwari and Peter Cornish |
Years: | 2005-07-01 - 2008-06-30 |
ID: | P0014698 |