Abul Hashem

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Fulbright Professional Business / Industry (Coral Sea) Scholar

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“Herbicide resistance in weeds is costing the Australian grain growers more than $400 million annually. Since very few new herbicide molecules are likely to be available, discovery of synergistic herbicide mixture is a novel way to combat herbicide resistance in weeds.”

Abul Hashem has been awarded the 2008 Fulbright Professional Business/Industry Coral Sea Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 1992 by former U.S. Ambassador Mel Sembler and donations from U.S. companies to recognise the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea and address business and industry issues common to Australia and the U.S.

Abul who is currently Senior Research Officer and Research Leader (Weed Science) for the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA), will conduct research at Oregon State University (OSU) focusing on developing synergistic herbicide mixtures to combat herbicide resistant weeds. Abul will work with Professor Carol Mallory-Smith, world leader in herbicide resistance, to “gather substantial knowledge on herbicides and weed management through interaction”.

The objective of Abul’s research is to “identify compatible/synergistic novel herbicide mixtures that will delay development of herbicide resistance or minimise the risk of already developed herbicide resistance and bring new ideas that would strengthen the weed management research in WA”.

Originally from Bangladesh, Abul is a graduate from Bangladesh Agricultural University where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Honours) and Masters of Science in Agriculture. He has also completed a PhD in Weed Science at the Oregon State University.

“Exposure to the world leaders in herbicide resistance and the leading scientists in the chemical industries will enable me not only to bring new ideas but also to develop effective herbicide mixtures that should help the farmers of both Australia and U.S. in combating herbicide resistance and sustain farm productivity in the relevant areas of Australia and U.S.,” said Abul.

Abul’s work and recognition in this research area is extensive and in 2004 he was awarded the Northern District Excellence Award for contribution in research and extension activities relating to weed management. Since 2005 he has been serving on the Editorial Board of the Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research and is a reviewer of several weed related journals. He is a member of a number of weed professional groups in Australia, the U.S. and Bangladesh.