Staff Profile

Dr Paul Bilsborrow is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University. His areas of expertise are crop production and bioenergy.

Research Interests

• Sustainable production in conventional and organic cropping systems
• Genetic diversity of crop species - novel and underutilised species and genotypes
• Optimising agronomic management for enhanced crop quality and nutritional profile - organic fertilisers, biofortification
• Biomass and renewable energy from agriculture - biofuels, biomass, AD optimisation.

Esteem Indicators

• January 2008 - Editorial Board member for Journal of Agricultural Science
• July 2012- Senior Editor Journal of Agricultural Science  

Research funding

2000 Leverhulme Visiting Research Fellowship for Dr Fangsen Xu from Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China. ‘Molecular basis of boron utilisation efficiency in Brassica napus’. (£50,000)

2003-2005 ‘Sulphur requirement of malting barley: effects on yield and quality and diagnosis of sulphur deficiency’ Home Grown Cereals Authority £22,826 – 100%  (Total Project Value £185,000), project lead by Professor Steve McGrath of Rothamsted Experimental Station.

2004 £130,000 for TREES Project (Total Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability) of Earth System Laboratories funded through SRIF2 (total project for ESL of £1.5 million led by Prof Paul Younger).

2005 ‘Identification of QTL’s for nitrogen use efficiency in oilseed rape’ Swales Studentship (£35,000)

2006-2009 Potential for Lignocellulosic bioethanol in Nigeria. PTDF Nigeria funded PhD studentship (£45,000).

2010-2016 Improving the sustainability of phosphorus use in arable farming. DEFRA Arable Link  (£40,000).

2014-17 Sustainable Intensificaton Platform Theme 1 DEFRA £234,403.

2012-13 The use of a nitrification inhibitor to reduce GHG emissions from fertiliser application. Project led by ADAS (£35,743).

2013-18 Anaerobic Digestion Process optimisation. Commonwealth funded PhD Studentship (£45,000).

2013-18 PhD studentship - A GIS based approach to investigating the potential of herbaceous bioenergy crop species for cellulosic bioethanol production in Nigeria – Nigerian Government PhD Scholarship (£57,000).

2013-18 EU FP7 Project ‘HealthyMinorCereals’ An integrated approach to diversify the genetic base, improve stress resistance, agronomic management and nutritional processing quality of minor cereal crops for human nutrition in Europe (€437,199 + €221,889 with conversion £323,851 + £171,422 following the Amendment of 2016 (€660,999).

2017-20 ‘Development of efficient production protocols for new/alternative arable crops and to identify, quantify and improve nutritional and other crop quality parameters’ (£212,077)

KTP (Innovate UK).

2016-21 EU H2020 INTERFUTURE, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network ‘From microbial interactions to new-concept biopesticides and biofertilisers (€48,000)

2018-2024 EU H2020 ECOBREED – ‘Increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of organic crop breeding’ (€501,000). 

Consultancy and other funding

2006 Project Development Fund for CREEL (Centre for Renewable Energy from Land) ONE (Regional Development Agency) (£61,500)  

2009 ONE (Regional Development Agency) PI for installation of the research/demonstration Anaerobic Digestion system at Cockle Park Farm (total project cost of £1.85M). Funding of £860,000 from ONE which included a 2 year engagement programe promoting the benefits of AD to famers and industry in the region

2009 WM Morrisons/Arla £16,718 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Options for UK Dairy Farms

2009 Leaching of propyzamide and metazachlor to surface and drainage water. ADAS £15,000

2021-22 Biomass Feedstock Innovation Programme: Phase 1. PROMOBIO BEIS £21,850 – 

Undergraduate Teaching

• NES1000 Crop Pests (Module Leader)
• ACE2018 Arable Crops (Module Leader)
• ACE2024 Principles of Agronomy and Crop Improvement
• NES3000 Combinable Crops (Module Leader)
• ACE3037 Crop Pests Field Course (Module Leader)
• NES3004 Applied Crop Protection (Module Leader)
• 
  

MSc Teaching

• SPG8008 Biomass and Waste Technology (Module Leader)

External Course Evaluation:

University College Dublin (UCD) - B.Sc. Crop Science 2025-2027

Harper Adams Univerity - Fd.Sc. Crop Science 2020-24

BASIS Graduate Diploma Validation panel Harper Adams University May 2020

SRUC External Examiner MSc Agricultural Professional Practice 2016-2018

Doctor of Science application reviewer – University of Bangor 2016

SRUC External Subject Review Panel for Applied Science Courses 2014.

University College Dublin(UCD) – B.Sc. Agriculture Science 2013–2016

Fd. Sc. Sustainable Land Use Management (Course Review) Joint Award University of East Anglia/University of Essex. May 2009.

• Articles

  • Seeliger M, Hilton S, Muscatt G, Walker C, Bass D, Albornoz F, Standish RJ, Gray ND, Mercy L, Rempelos L, Schneider C, Ryan MH, Bilsborrow PE, Bending GD. New fungal primers reveal the diversity of Mucoromycotinian arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their response to nitrogen application. Environmental Microbiome 2024, 19(1), 71.
  • Daud MFB, Rempelos L, Cakmak I, Leifert C, Bilsborrow P. Increasing grain selenium concentration via genetic and agronomic innovations. Plant and Soil 2024, 494, 477-496.
  • Sufar EK, Hasanaliyeva G, Wang J, Leifert H, Shotton P, Bilsborrow P, Rempelos L, Volakakis N, Leifert C. Effect of Climate, Crop Protection, and Fertilization on Disease Severity, Growth, and Grain Yield Parameters of Faba Beans (Vicia faba L.) in Northern Britain: Results from the Long-Term NFSC Trials. Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 422.
  • Okot DK, Bilsborrow PE, Phan AN, Manning DAC. Kinetics of maize cob and bean straw pyrolysis and combustion. Heliyon 2023, 9(6), e17236.
  • Wilkinson A, Wilkinson JN, Shotton P, Sufar EK, Hasanaliyeva G, Volakakis N, Cakmak I, Ozturk L, Bilsborrow P, Iversen PO, Wilcockson S, Rempelos L, Leifert C. Improving Crop Health, Performance, and Quality in Organic Spring Wheat Production: The Need to Understand Interactions between Pedoclimatic Conditions, Variety, and Fertilization. Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2349.
  • Okot DK, Bilsborrow PE, Phan AN. Thermo-chemical behaviour of maize cob and bean straw briquettes. Energy Conversion and Management: X 2022, 16, 100313.
  • Tupits I, Tamm I, Magistrali A, Rempelos L, Cakmak I, Leifert C, Grausgruber H, Wilkinson A, Butler G, Bilsborrow P. Evaluating the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate and source on the performance of open-pollinated rye (Secale cereale L.) cultivars in contrasting European environments. Crop Science 2022, 62(2), 928-946.
  • Wilkinson A, Wilkinson JN, Shotton P, Eyre M, Hasanaliyeva G, Bilsborrow P, Leifert C, Rempelos L. Effect of Clover Sward Management on Nitrogen Fixation and Performance of Following Spring- and Winter Wheat Crops; Results of a 3-Year Pilot Study. Agronomy 2022, 12(9), 2085.
  • Wang J, Baranski M, Korkut R, Kalee HA, Wood L, Bilsborrow P, Janovska D, Leifert A, Winter S, Willson A, Barkla B, Leifert C, Rempelos L, Volakakis N. Performance of modern and traditional spelt wheat (Triticum spelta) varieties in rain-fed and irrigated, organic and conventional production systems in a semi-arid environment; results from exploratory field experiments in Crete, Greece. Agronomy 2021, 11(5), 890.
  • Ibrahim HH, Bilsborrow PE, Phan AN. Intensification of pre-treatment and fractionation of agricultural residues. Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification 2021, 159, 108231.
  • Wang J, Barański M, Hasanaliyeva G, Korkut R, Kalee HA, Leifert A, Winter S, Janovska D, Willson A, Barkla B, Iversen PO, Seal C, Bilsborrow P, Leifert C, Rempelos L, Volakakis N. Effect of irrigation, fertiliser type and variety on grain yield and nutritional quality of spelt wheat (Triticum spelta) grown under semi-arid conditions. Food Chemistry 2021, 358, 129826.
  • Rempelos L, Almuayrifi MSB, Baranski M, Tetard-Jones C, Barkla B, Cakmak I, Ozturk L, Cooper J, Volakakis N, Hall G, Zhao B, Rose T, Wang J, Kalee H, Sufar E, Hasanaliyeva G, Bilsborrow P. The effect of agronomic factors on crop health and performance of winter wheat varieties bred for the conventional and the low input farming sector. Field Crops Research 2020, 254, 107822.
  • Magistrali A, Vavera R, Janovska D, Rempelos L, Cakmak I, Leifert C, Grausgruber H, Butler G, Wilkinson A, Bilsborrow P. Evaluating the effect of agronomic management practices on the performance of differing spelt (Triticum spelta) cultivars in contrasting environments. Field Crops Research 2020, 255, 107869.
  • Magistrali A, Vavera R, Janovska D, Rempelos L, Cakmak I, Leifert C, Grausgruber H, Butler G, Wilkinson A, Bilsborrow P. Evaluating the effect of agronomic management practices on the performance of differing spelt (Triticum spelta) cultivars in contrasting environments. Field Crops Research 2020, 255, 107869.
  • Scott C, Bilsborrow PE. The impact of the EU neonicotinoid seed‐dressing ban on oilseed rape production in England. Pest Management Science 2019, 75(15), 125-133.
  • Okot DK, Bilsborrow PE, Phan AN. Briquetting characteristics of bean straw-maize cob blend. Biomass and Bioenergy 2019, 126, 150-158.
  • Okot DK, Bilsborrow PE, Phan AN. Effects of operating parameters on maize COB briquette quality. Biomass and Bioenergy 2018, 112, 61-72.
  • Rempelos L, Almuayrifi AM, Baranski M, Tetard-Jones C, Eyre M, Shotton P, Cakmak I, Ozturk L, Cooper J, Volakakis N, Schmidt C, Sufar E, Wang J, Wilkinson A, Rosa EAS, Zhao B, Rose TJ, Leifert C, Bilsborrow P. Effects of Agronomic Management and Climate on Leaf Phenolic Profiles, Disease Severity, and Grain Yield in Organic and Conventional Wheat Production Systems. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2018, 66(40), 10369-10379.
  • Palmer MW, Cooper J, Tétard-Jones C, Średnicka-Tobera D, Barański M, Eyre M, Shotton PN, Volkakis N, Cakmak I, Ozturk L, Leifert C, Wilcockson SJ, Bilsborrow PE. The influence of organic and conventional fertilisation and crop protection practices, preceding crop, harvest year and weather conditions on yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in a long-term management trial. European Journal of Agronomy 2013, 49, 83-92.
  • Bilsborrow PE, Cooper J, Tetard-Jones C, Srednicka-Tober D, Baranski M, Eyre M, Schmidt C, Shotton PN, Volakakis N, Cakmak I, Ozturk L, Leifert C, Wilcockson SJ. The effect of organic and conventional management on the yield and quality of wheat grown in a long-term field trial. European Journal of Agronomy 2013, 51, 71-80.
  • Iye EL, Bilsborrow PE. Cellulosic ethanol production from agricultural residues in Nigeria. Energy Policy 2013, 63, 207-214.
  • Iye EL, Bilsborrow PE. Assessment of the availability of agricultural residues on a zonal basis for medium- to large-scale bioenergy production in Nigeria. Biomass and Bioenergy 2013, 48, 66-74.
  • Wei W, Bilsborrow PE, Hooley P, Fincham DA, Lombi E, Forster BP. Salinity induced differences in growth, ion distribution and partitioning in barley between the cultivar Maythorpe and its derived mutant Golden Promise. Plant and Soil 2003, 250(2), 183-191.
  • Thomas SG, Hocking TJ, Bilsborrow PE. Effect of sulphur fertilisation on the growth and metabolism of sugar beet grown on soils of differing sulphur status. Field Crops Research 2003, 83(3), 223-235.
  • Wef W, Bilsborrow P, Hooley P, Fincham D, Forster B. Variation between two near isogenic barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars in expression of the B subunit of the vacuolar ATPase in response to salinity. Hereditas 2002, 135(2-3), 227-231.
  • Wei W, Bilsborrow PE, Hooley P, Bibi H. Changes in growth and gene expression induced by sulfur deficiency in garlic. Journal of Plant Nutrition 2002, 25(12), 2817-2829.
  • Thomas SG, Bilsborrow PE, Hocking TJ, Bennett J. The effect of sulphur deficiency on the growth and metabolism of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris cv Druid). Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture 2000, 80(14), 2057-2062.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

  • Kaminska A, Gillespie C, Dodmani M, Bilsborrow P, Quarrie S, Barnes J. QTLs governing ozone impacts on wheat yield. In: Acta Physiologiae Plantarum. 2004, Springer.

• Note

  • Hussain MI, Araniti F, Schulz M, Baerson S, Yedra V-A, Rempelos L, Bilsborrow P, Salcedo NC, Macias FA, Weston LA, Reigosa MJ, Sanchez-Moreiras AM. Corrigendum to “Benzoxazinoids in wheat allelopathy – From discovery to application for sustainable weed management” [Environ. Exp. Bot. 202 (2022) 104997/EEB_104997]. Environmental and Experimental Botany 2022, 204, 105096.

• Reviews

  • Rempelos L, Wang J, Sufar EK, Almuayrifi MSB, Knutt D, Leifert H, Leifert A, Wilkinson A, Shotton P, Hasanaliyeva G, Bilsborrow P, Wilcockson S, Volakakis N, Markellou E, Zhao B, Jones S, Iversen PO, Leifert C. Breeding Bread-Making Wheat Varieties for Organic Farming Systems: The Need to Target Productivity, Robustness, Resource Use Efficiency and Grain Quality Traits. Foods 2023, 12(6), 1209.
  • Hussain MI, Araniti F, Schulz M, Baerson S, Vieites-Alvarez Y, Rempelos L, Bilsborrow P, Chinchilla N, Macias FA, Weston LA, Reigosa MJ, Sanchez-Moreiras AM. Benzoxazinoids in wheat allelopathy – From discovery to application for sustainable weed management. Environmental and Experimental Botany 2022, 202, 104997.
  • Withers PJA, Hodgkinson RA, Rollett A, Dyer C, Dils R, Collins AL, Bilsborrow PE, Bailey G, Sylvester-Bradley R. Reducing soil phosphorus fertility brings potential long-term environmental gains: A UK analysis. Environmental Research Letters 2017, 12(6), 063001.