Dr David Clarke

David’s expertise lies in applied crop and soil modelling, particularly the use of process-based modelling approaches to support on-farm management decisions. He also specialises in on-farm spatial data analysis and supports Niab's long-term experiments investigating cultivation practices, cover cropping, crop rotations, and the use of manures and soil amendments.

David has a PhD in applied crop modelling for nitrogen management in wheat and an MRes from Cranfield University, as well as an MSc in Climate Change and International Development from University of East Anglia. He is BASIS FQA qualified, an Early Career Member of the British Society of Soil Science, a member of the International Fertiliser Society, and serves on the Advisory Council for The Morley Agricultural Foundation.

Research interests 

David's research focuses on crop modelling, nitrogen optimisation, and long-term soil and agronomic monitoring. His work includes projects on improving nitrogen use efficiency through modelling and monitoring approaches, alongside collaborative programmes with farms, research organisations, and industry partners. He also manages a number of long-term experiments supported by the Morley Agriculutral foundations including Morley Soil and Agronomic Monitoring Study (SAMS) and the Saxmundham Experimental Site. In addition, David supervises PhD research on spatial detection of ergot and AI-driven soil health benchmarking at University of Cambridge and Cranfield University.

Research projects

Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency on Farm (2024–2026) - a modelling and monitoring approach
Funders: IUK Farming Innovation Programme (Research Starter)
Partners: Salle Estates and Catalyst Farming

A Crop Modelling Approach to Nitrogen Optimisation (2026–2028)
Funders: IUK
Partners: Salle Estates, Raynham Estates, Holkham Estates, and N E Salmon Ltd

AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm East (2020–2026, annually renewed overall project lead and workpackage lead): Work package 3 - Quantifying and Managing the Spatial Variability of Nitrogen Use Efficiency on Farm.
Funders: AHDB: Partners: Morley Farms

Morley Soil and Agronomic Monitoring Study (SAMS) (2019–2028)
Funders: The Morley Agricultural Foundation

The Morley Long Term Trials (LOTs) Programme – Saxmundham Experimental Site (2019–2030)
Funders: The Morley Agricultural Foundation

See full publication list on ResearchGate or Orcid

Learn more about David's role