Emeritus Professor Lynette Abbott, an expert in the field of soil science and soil biology has won the General Jeffery Soil Health Award, dedicated to Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd).

Professor Abbott is recognised for her work to champion, improve and educate others in soil health. Named in his honour, the General Jeffery Soil Health Award is a prestigious new soil health initiative recognises an individual’s work to champion, improve and or educate others in soil health.

A leading academic in at UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, Professor Abbott established the innovative ‘Know your Soil Biology’ workshops for farmers, which provided hands-on activities on the benefits of soil biota for soil health/quality.

For her pioneering research on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in agriculture and disturbed natural environments, she is acknowledged as a world leader in this field. Her research has addressed AM fungi as complex soil communities, and has focused on AM fungal interactions with plants, fertilizer management and soil amendments. Professor Abbott is also currently consolidating soil health knowledge via a project in the Australian Government Smart Farms program titled ‘Engaging digital media to more effectively build confidence in use of sustainable land management practices.’

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