Browsing by Author "Aitken, RL"

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An integrated approach to nutgrass control : SRDC final report NFS002
(BSES, 2011) Aitken, RL; Munro, AJ; McGuire, PJ
This project aimed to formulate and promote an integrated approach to nutgrass control in sugarcane cropping systems. The project was a Grower Group Research Project undertaken from July 2007 to June 2010 by the NSW Farming Systems Group Inc. and BSES Limited extension officers in NSW. Trials were established to evaluate some best-bet options for nutgrass control. These trials aimed to assess packages of successive treatments all aimed at reducing the viability of nutgrass tubers. Results from these trials were used to extend options for long-term nutgrass control to cane producers. The trial work undertaken and associated economic analysis showed that it is highly economic to control nutgrass in cane. Total control of nutgrass resulted in large dollar benefits ($350-450/ha) and trials evaluating 'one-off' herbicide treatments for nutgrass also showed net benefits of $200-400/ha. This indicates that, even where nutgrass is patchy, growers could outlay $60-100/ha for nutgrass control and still obtain a substantial net benefit. A factsheet/decision support package titled Managing nutgrass in cane was produced and circulated throughout the Australian sugarcane industry. This factsheet emphasises that nutgrass can only be managed using a long-term integrated approach aimed at reducing the number of viable tubers. No single one off treatment will control nutgrass and repeated treatments are the only sure way of controlling nutgrass. A single one off treatment will reduce nutgrass competition in the short term but, because of its ability to rapidly propagate under suitable conditions, repeated treatments are imperative. The factsheet provides options for nutgrass control at various stages in the cane crop cycle.
An integrated approach to nutgrass control : SRDC final report NFS002
(BSES, 2010) Aitken, RL; Munro, AJ; McGuire, PJ
This project aimed to formulate and promote an integrated approach to nutgrass control in sugarcane cropping systems. The project was a Grower Group Research Project undertaken from July 2007 to June 2010 by the NSW Farming Systems Group Inc. and BSES Limited extension officers in NSW.
Final Report SRDC Project BS98S Factors Affecting the Residual Value of Lime
(1996) Kingston, G; Aitken, RL
Project was initiated to determine the relative significance of soil acidity and soil calcium status for predicting response of sugarcane to lime in southern Queensland, where recommendations developed for tropical soils had not been tested previously. Understand the influence of soil properties on the residual value of lime. Study the negative interaction between cane yield response to lime and ccs. Develop and extend improved management guidelines for the necessity and frequency of lime applications.
Sustaining un-burnt production systems in cool wet environments : SRDC Final report BSS168
(2002) Kingston, G; Davis, RJ; Parsons, D; Chapman, FL; Aitken, RL; Nielsen, PJ
This project was initiated because the Green Cane Trash Blanket (GCTB) system had been rapidly adopted within tropical districts of the Queensland sugar industry between 1984 and 1990, yet there was minimal adoption in the cool and humid districts in northern NSW. Broad adoption in the tropics was interpreted by the community as a signal that the GCTB system was suitable for the whole of the Australian sugar industry; this was particularly the case in northern NSW where there is a high reliance on the tourist industry, with an little tolerance of the ash and smoke fall-out associated with the burnt-cane system. Additionally this region has a significant non-cane affiliated population, which is also non-sympathetic to the issues associated with the pre-harvest burning of sugarcane.