Professor Nicola Cannon

Biography 

Professor in Agriculture.

Nicola Cannon is a dedicated educator and researcher.  As an agronomist she understands the challenges of arable cropping systems and the complex issues that impact on yield and quality of crops.  Nicola has a strong appreciation of the current research needs of the agricultural community and also the challenges of adoption by having a grounded agricultural background and professional understanding.

University responsibilities

  • Professor in Agriculture
  • Teaching in the UK, Uzbekistan and China
  • Curriculum development in Sharjah, UAE
  • RAU co-ordinator for LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Innovation Centre
  • Consultancy projects in the UK and globally including land use, sustainable farming techniques and soils and cropping.
  • PhD and Master by Research supervision
  • PhD internal examiner

Professional memberships

  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
  • Member of the Association of Applied Biologists
  • Fellow of Royal Agricultural Societies (FRAgS)
  • Nuffield Scholar (2007)

External activities

  • Deputy Rector (Academic) International Agricultural University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
  • Member of the Expert Group on Organic Production (EGOP) for Defra
  • External examiner for The University of Mauritius BSc Agricultural Science and Technology (Minor Biosecurity)
  • Advisor to Malaika Kids, a Tanzanian Orphanage assisting with their food self-sufficiency project.
  • PhD External Examiner
  • Central Region Farmers Trust Nuffield Scholars co-ordinator
  • Member of the Agricology steering group
  • UKRI Research reviewer
  • Irish Research Council COALESCE Research reviewer

Research

Research 

My particular research and knowledge exchange is focused within the field of organic and low-input cropping systems as evidenced by my publications and KE events organised. I have a strong interest in crop management techniques which can enhance soil health, weed control, crop yield and therefore the sustainability of cropping systems. I have conducted field trials over a number of years looking at variety or systems interactions on yield and quality as well as studies into precision farming. In 2010 I set up the Quarry Field trial which is now registered as a recognised European long term field experiment. I have developed a detailed knowledge of weed challenges, crop and weed interactions and investigated techniques for reducing reliance on chemical weed control. 

I am an enthusiastic, dedicated and realistic educator and researcher who understands the needs of the farming community.

Current projects include:

  • The impact of cultivation intensity on crop establishment, yield and soils
  • The role of legumes in cropping systems
  • Non-chemical weed control
  • Developing hemp for UK markets
  • Post war recovery in Ukraine
  • Developing the circular economy through urine

Other research interests:

  • Bicropping
  • Farm soil carbon
  • Agronomy factors influencing soil health
  • Weed detection systems
  • Drone use in cropping systems

Google Scholar:       Google scholar profile   H-index  9                      

ResearchGate:         https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicola_Cannon3                                                              

Orcid:                        https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7956-8747      

Twitter:                     Nicola Cannon @nickydcannon

Teaching

Teaching 

Module leader:

  • First year Foundation Degree – Crop Production
  • First year Honours Degree – Crop Production 1
  • Final Year Elective – Advanced Crop Production
  • Final Year Elective – Crop Health and Protection
  • Masters level – Agriculture
  • Masters level – Integrated Agricultural Systems

Other teaching responsibilities:

  • Teaching on a number of modules across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
  • Professional course teaching

Additional University commitments:

  • Undergraduate dissertation supervision
  • Masters research supervision
  • PhD supervision

Programme manager:

  • Program manager for MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

Publications

Publications 

Academic Journal Papers (refereed)

  • Kendall, H., Parkhurst, R., Black, H., Rudman, H., Chapman, P.J., Ziv, G., Cannon, N., Yeluripati, J,. Orman, M., Leeson, A., Phelps, J. and Reed, M.S. (2022).  What makes an operational Farm Soil Carbon Code? Insights from a global comparison of existing soil carbon codes using a structured analytical framework. Carbon Management 13:1, 554-580, https://doi.org/10.1080/17583004.2022.2135459

  • Kamalonga, D, and Cannon, N.D. (2020). Advantages of bi-cropping field beans (Vicia faba) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) on cereal forage yield and quality. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture (In press). https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2020.1788991

  • Cannon, N.D., Kamalonga, D, and Conway, J.S. (2019). The effect of bi-cropping wheat (Triticum aestivum) and beans (Vicia faba) on forage yield and weed competition. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture. https://doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2019.1636717
  • McKenna, P., Cannon, N.D. Conway, J. and Dooley, J.J. (2018). The use of red clover (Trifolium pratense) in soil fertility-building: A Review. Field Crops Research 221, 38-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.02.006
  • McKenna, P., Cannon, N.D. and Conway, J. (2018). Soil mineral nitrogen availability predicted by herbage yield and disease resistance in red clover (Trifolium Pratense). Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 112, 303-315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-018-9947-1
  • McKenna, P., Cannon, N.D. Conway, J., Dooley, J.J. and Davies W.P. (2018). Red clover (Trifolium pratense) in conservation agriculture: a compelling case for increased adoption. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 16, 342-366. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2018.1498442
  • Rial-Lovera K, Davies W P. Cannon N D. (2017). Implication of climate change for UK cropping and prospect for possible mitigation: A review of challenges and potential soil management responses. Invited paper to the Journal of Food Science and Agriculture 97 (1), 17-32 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.7767
  • Alo, A.O., Baines, R., Conway, J. & Cannon, N.D. (2017). The impacts of climate change on agriculture in developing countries: A case study of Oyo State, Nigeria.International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts & Responses
  • Rial-Lovera, K., Davies, W.P., Cannon, N.D. and Conway, J.S. (2016), Weed development in spring wheat after contrasting soil tillage and nitrogen management. Annals of Applied Biology 169, 236–247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aab.12294
  • Rial-Lovera K, Davies W P, Conway J S, Cannon N D. (2016). Influences of tillage systems and nitrogen management on yield, grain protein and N-use efficiency in UK spring wheat. Journal of Agricultural Science 154 (8), 1437-1452.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021859616000058
  • Moyo, H., Davies, W.P., Cannon, N. D. and Conway, J. S. (2015). Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 32 (2),1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2015.1057865
  • Moyo, H., Davies, W.P., Cannon, N. D. and Conway, J. S. (2015). Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 31 (3), 193-204. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2014.1001792
  • Mehmet Basbag, Davies W P, Cannon N D, Rial Lovera K, Basbag S, Burbi S, Vijaya Bhaskar, A.V, Moyo H, Axe M, Alo A, Minaei N. (2014). Some wild plants in the Cirencester natural flora. Anadolu Journal of Agricultural Science 29 (2), 126-135.
  • Vijaya Bhaskar A V, Davies W P, Cannon N D and Conway J S. (2014). Weed manifestation under different tillage and legume undersowing in organic wheat. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 30(4), 253-263.   http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2014.951961
  • Vijaya Bhaskar. A.V., Davies, W.P., Cannon, N. D. and Conway, J. S. (2013). Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 29(4), 236-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2013.829754
  • Azo, W.M., Lane, G.P.F., Davies, W.P.D. & Cannon, N.D. (2012).Bi-cropping white lupins (Lupinus albus L.) with cereals for wholecrop forage in UK organic farming: the effect of seed rate and harvest dates on crop yield and quality.  Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 28(2), 86-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01448765.2012.671722
  • Azo, W.M., Lane, G.P.F., Davies, W.P.D. & Cannon, N.D. (2011). Predicting dry matter and crude protein yields of lupin and cereal mono- and bicrops using a computer model. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 27(3-4), 278-293.  http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1080/01448765.2011.647795
  • Gooding, M.J., Cannon, N.D., Thompson, A.J. & Davies, W.P. (1999). Quality and value of organic grain from contrasting breadmaking wheat varieties and near isogenic lines differing in dwarfing genes. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 16, 335-350.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01448765.1999.9755237
  • Gooding, M.J., Cosser, N.D., Thompson, A.J., Davies, W.P. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1998). Sheep grazing and defoliation of contrasting varieties of organically grown winter wheat with and without undersowing. Grass and Forage Science 53, 76-87.http://dx.doi.org/110.1046/j.1365-2494.1998.00106.x
  • Cosser, N.D., Gooding, M.J., Thompson, A.J. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1997). Competitive ability and tolerance of organically grown wheat cultivars to natural weed infestations. Annals of Applied Biology 130, 523-535.

Chapters in edited books

  • Cannon, N.D. (2017). The digital classroom for exam revision.  In: D. Peberdy (Ed.), Creating the digital campus: Active learning spaces and technology (pp. 121-124). DroitwichNet: Pentrose Group.
  • Blackmore, S., Godwin, R.J., Taylor, J.C., Cosser, N.D., Wood, G.A., Earl, R. & Knight, S. (1998). Understanding the variability in four fields in the United Kingdom.In Ed. P C Robert, R H Rust and W Larson Proc. of the 4th International Conference on Precision Agriculture (pp. 3–18). ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI.

Official reports

  • Cannon, N.D. (2009). Sustainability within the conventional and organic farming sectors. Nuffield Farming Scholarship Report.

Conference contributions (refereed)

  • Rial-Lovera K., Davies W.P., Cannon N.D. (2016). Energy and economic evaluation of spring wheat production under contrasting tillage systems and nitrogen fertilisation management. International Conference on Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Land Use. Budapest, Hungary. 31 May – 2 June 2016.
  • Vijaya Bhaskar, A.V., Cannon, N.D. and Davies, W.P. (2016).
  • Kamalonga, D., Cannon, N.D. and Davies, W.P., Conway, J. (2016). Bi-cropping spring field bean (Vicia faba) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) for whole crop forage in the UK. ESA 14, Growing landscapes – Cultivating innovative agricultural systems.  Edinburgh, Scotland, UK  5-9 September 2016.
  • Vijaya Bhaskar, A.V., Cannon, N.D. and Davies, W.P. (2016).
  • McKenna, P., Cannon, N.D., Davies, W.P., Conway, J. and Dooley, J.J. (2016). Red clover (Trifolium pratense, L.) variety evaluation for soil fertility-building. ESA 14, Growing landscapes – Cultivating innovative agricultural systems.  Edinburgh, Scotland, UK 5-9 September 2016.
  • Rial Lovera, K., Vijaya Bhaskar, A.V., Cannon, N.D. and Davies, W.P. (2014).Agronomic decision making in an uncertain climate, Aspects of Applied Biology 125.
  • Vijaya Bhaskar AV, Davies W P, Cannon N D, Conway JS. (2014). Soil cultivation influences on organic spring wheat performance in contrasting weather. Agronomic decision making in an uncertain climate, Aspects of Applied Biology 125, 11-19.
  • Vijaya Bhaskar A V, Rial Lovera K, Davies W P, Cannon N D. (2014). Weed prevalence under organic and low-input cultivation systems. Agronomic decision making in an uncertain climate, Aspects of Applied Biology 125, 129-134.
  • Vijaya Bhaskar A V, Davies W P, Cannon N D, Conway J S.(2013). Characterisation of soil quality following conventional and non-inversion tillage for organic farming. Aspect of Applied Biology 121, Rethinking Agricultural Systems in the UK, 181-185.
  • Vijaya Bhaskar A V, Davies W P, Cannon N D, Conway J S. (2013). Tillage and undersowing effects on organic wheat yield components and yield. Aspect of Applied Biology 121, Rethinking Agricultural Systems in the UK, 186-192.
  • Vijaya Bhaskar A V, Cannon N D, Davies W P. (2013). Investigation of suitable legume species for undersowing in organic spring wheat. Aspect of Applied Biology 121, Rethinking Agricultural Systems in the UK, 199-202.
  • Moyo, H., Davies, W.P., Cannon, N.D. and Conway, J.S. (2013) Influences of red clover/grass management on wheat performance. Aspects of Applied Biology, 121 Rethinking agricultural systems in the UK, 143-148.
  • Moyo, H., Lane, G.P.F., Davies, W.P. & Cannon, N.D. (2011). Strategies for soil fertility – building through improved legume cropping.Aspects of Applied Biology 109, 155-160.
  • Matthews, R.B. & Cosser, N.D. (1997). Using crop simulation models to develop treatment maps in precision agriculture. Aspect of Applied Biology 50, Optimising Cereal Inputs: Its Scientific Basis, 181-190.
  • Azo, W.M., Lane, G.P.F., Davies, W.P.D. & Cannon, N.D. (2009). Conductance model evaluation for predicting yields and protein content of lupin/cereal forage crops in organic farming. Proceedings of the 7th European Conference on Precision Agriculture (7ECPA), 679-686. Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
  • Azo, W.M., Cannon, N.D., Lane, G.P.F. & Davies, W.P.D. (2009). Conductance model assessment for yield and protein content prediction in lupin-cereal forage crop mixtures in organic farming systems. BGS 9th Research Conference. 60-64
  • Azo, W.M., Lane, G.P.F., Davies, W.P.D. & Cannon, N.D. (2006). Influences of crop maturityand harvest date on the yield and forage quality of lupin and lupin/cereal bi-crops for organic livestock production.BGS 8th Research Conference. 57-58.
  • Azo, W.M., Lane, G.P.F., Cannon, N.D. & Davies, W.P.D. (2006).Dry matter yields and quality of organic lupin and lupin/cereal mixtures for wholecrop forage.Aspect of Applied Biology 79, What will organic farming deliver? COR 2006. 93-96.
  • Cannon, N.D., Gooding, M.J. & Davies, W.P. (2002). Effects of wheat dwarfing genes on grain yield and quality of wheat in competition with Alopecurus myosurides. Aspect of Applied Biology, Genotype-Phenotype: Narrowing the Gaps.
  • Cosser, N.D. & Earl, R. (1997).  Precision farming: Approaches to the management of within field variability. Aspect of Applied Biology 50, Optimising Cereal Inputs: It’s Scientific Basis, 481-486.
  • Cosser, N.D., Gooding, M.J., Davies, W.P. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1997).  The effect of weeding and sheep grazing on grain yield and quality of organic wheat.  Aspect of Applied Biology 50, Optimising Cereal Inputs: Its Scientific Basis, 415-418.
  • Gooding, M.J., Cosser, N.D., Thompson, A.J., Davies, W.P. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1997). The effect of cultivar and Rht genes on the competitive ability, yield and breadmaking quality and of organically grown winter wheat. 3rd European Network of Organic Farming workshop, Resource Use in Organic Farming, Ancona, Italy. 113-126.
  • Cosser, N.D., Gooding, M.J., Thompson, A.J., Davies, W.P. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1997). Cultivar and Rht gene influences on the competitivity, yield and the breadmaking quality of organic wheat. Aspect of Applied Biology 50, Optimising Cereal Inputs: It’s Scientific Basis, 39-51.
  • Cosser, N.D., Gooding, M.J. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1996).  The impact of wheat cultivar, sowing date and grazing on the weed seedbank of an organic farming system.  Aspects of Applied Biology 47, Rotations and Cropping Systems. 429-432.
  • Cosser, N.D., Gooding, M.J., Davies, W.P. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1996). Effect of wheat dwarfing genes on grain yield and quality of wheat in competition with Alopecurus myosuroides. Second international weed control congress, Copenhagen, Denmark. 1089-1094.
  • Cosser, N.D., Gooding, M.J. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1995). The effect of wheat dwarfing genes on competition against blackgrass.  British Crop Protection Council, The Brighton Conference, Weeds,  361-362.
  • Cosser, N.D., Thompson, A.J., Gooding, M.J., Davies, W.P. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1994). Influences of variety and establishment date on nitrogen accumulation during winter in the shoot systems of winter wheat. Aspects of Applied Biology 39, The Impact of Genetic Variation in Sustainable Agriculture, 195-200.
  • Cosser, N.D., Gooding, M.J., Davies, W.P. & Froud-Williams, R.J. (1994). Effect of sowing date and cultivar on the yield and nutritional quality of wheat for sheep grazing in the early spring. British Grasslands Society 4th Research Conference, 72-74.

Popular Journal Papers

  • Cannon, N.D. (2018). To weed or not to weed. Organic Farming Magazine. January 2018.

Review articles

  • Cannon, N.D. (2017). Book review: Precision Agriculture Technology for Crop Farming. By Q.Zhang (ed.). Published by CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2016, xiv + 360 pp. Price £82.00. Handcover (ISBN 978-1-4822-5107-4).  Soil Use and Management.
  • Cannon, N.D. (2015). Book review: Fageria, N.K. Nitrogen Management in Crop Production. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742, USA, 2014. xvi + 408 pp. £99.00, hardback. ISBN  978-1-4822-2283-8. Soil Use and Management.

Other publications

  • Cannon, N.D. (2018). Why climate extremes could wipe out specialist fruit and vegetable growers. P25-26 In: The Climate Coalition (2018). Recipe for disaster: How climate change threatens British-grown fruit and veg.

Forthcoming publications:

  • Cannon, N,  Melander,B; Ståhl, Kiefler, S,  Murdoch, A,  McCollough, M,  and Jan, D. (In press). A vision for the opportunities for precision non-chemical weed management in 2050 and beyond. EIP Agri.
  • Cannon, N, Kamalongo, D and Conway, J (2019) The effect of bi-cropping wheat (Triticum aestivum) and beans (Vicia faba) on forage yield and weed competition. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture. ISSN 0144-8765
  • McKenna, P, Cannon, N and Conway, J (2018) Soil mineral nitrogen availability predicted by herbage yield and disease resistance in red clover (Trifolium pratense) cropping. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 112 (3). pp. 303-315. ISSN 1573-0867
  • McKenna, P, Cannon, N and Conway, J (2018) The use of red clover (Trifolium pratense) in soil fertility-building: A Review. Field Crops Research, 221. pp. 38-49. ISSN 0378-4290
  • McKenna, P, Cannon, N, Conway, J, Dooley, J and Davies, WP (2018) Red clover (Trifolium pratense) in conservation agriculture: a compelling case for increased adoption. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 16 (4-5). pp. 342-366. ISSN 1747-762X
  • McKenna, P, Cannon, N, Conway, J and Dooley, J (2016) Initial red clover (Trifolium pratense, L.) variety evaluation for soil fertility-building. In: 14th European Society of Agronomy Conference, 5-9 September 2016, Edinburgh.
  • Rial-lovera, K, Cannon, N, Conway, J and Davies, WP (2016) Weed development in spring wheat after contrasting soil tillage and nitrogen management. Annals of Aplied Biology, 169 (2).