Albert Rovira

Dr Albert Rovira AO, FTSE was Chief Research scientist of the CSIRO Division of Soils. He was elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. For his work on cereal cyst nematode, he received in 1987 the Sir Ian McLennan Award.

Starting with his seminal paper in 1956, Dr Albert Rovira was in the vanguard of rhizosphere research for over 50 years and his pre-eminence in this field being widely recognized. Albert ‘s work on soil microbiology was crucial to supporting the widespread adoption of minimum tillage in South Australia. Much of Albert’s work being based on field experiments conducted with farmers near Avon, SA. He also accompanied several of us with the then Chief Scientist, Professor Ralph Slatyer, to support a proposal to Federal Cabinet to establish a program of Cooperative Research Centres, involving collaboration with universities, state and commonwealth research agencies, including CSIRO, R&D Corporations and industry. Albert subsequently became the Director of one of the first CRCs, the CRC for Soil and Land Management. After formal retirement, Albert served for many years as the Coordinator of the Crawford Fund in South Australia. In recognition of 50 years of rhizosphere research, an International Symposium was held on 15 August 2008 to celebrate Albert’s 80th birthday.

Honours and awards