A new Professor of Irrigation is being appointed at Charles Sturt University to spearhead research and education initiatives aimed at achieving more efficient and sustainable management of Australia's most precious resource - water.

NSW Agriculture's principal research scientist Dr Graeme Batten has accepted the appointment and will take up the position, based at the Wagga Wagga Campus, in August.

CSU Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Professor Jim Pratley, said Dr Batten was a noted world authority on near-infrared spectroscopy - a technique used to help Australian rice and cereal producers determine crop nitrogen status and optimise crop fertiliser inputs.

He said Dr Batten had pioneered application of the technique to crop fertiliser management, and came to CSU from the Yanco Agricultural Institute where his research also involved numerous agricultural and horticultural crops.

Dr Batten was particularly involved with the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Rice Production, in which he is the program leader of the Sustainable Cropping Systems Program.

Sought outcomes of projects under the program he leads include: reductions in water use per rice crop; improved grain yield and quality; and reduced dependence on chemicals to control weeds and pests.

Dr Batten's current responsibilities also include researching avenues to improve the yield and quality of several crops to higher, but sustainable, levels with minimal impact on the environment. His vision is to enhance the productivity and sustainability of irrigated and dryland agricultural systems through an improved understanding of the interaction of water and plant essential minerals.

As Professor of Irrigation, Dr Batten will be responsible for developing courses for the Bachelor of Irrigation degree, which starts in 2001. He will also lead a research team of academics and postgraduate students in addressing the sustainability issues of concern to a wide range of Australian irrigators and water users and the wider community.

His position will also play a pivotal role in the recently launched National Irrigation Science Network. Under this Federal Government funded scheme, Charles Sturt University was awarded $1,011,400 to deliver science courses in water management and salinity education around Australia over the next three years. The funding was announced in March for the National Irrigation Education Initiative - a joint venture by CSU and the Irrigation Sector.

Dr Batten said he was keen to work with all parties to achieve more efficient and sustainable management of irrigation waters across Australia.