Browsing by Author "Ward, A"

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Combining weed efficacy, economics and environmental considerations for improved herbicide management in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area
(Science of the Total Environment, 2020) Fillols, E; Davis, AM; Lewis, SE; Ward, A
The current Australian sugarcane industry transition toward adoption of an ‘alternative’ herbicide strategy as part of improved environmental stewardship is increasingly complicated by recent farming system, regulatory and herbicidal product changes. This study quantified and compared the efficacy, economic costs and environmental risk profiles of a range of established, emerging, and recently registered pre-emergent herbicides across field trials in the Wet Tropics region of North Queensland. Several herbicides were effective on certain weed species, but lacked broad spectrum control. Better efficacy results from products with multiple active ingredients (i.e., imazapichexazinone) demonstrated the benefits of using mixtures of active ingredients to widen the spectrum of weed control efficacy. All tested pre-emergent herbicides behaved quite similarly in terms of their propensity for off-site movement in water (surface runoff losses generally N10% of active applied), with their losses largely driven by their application rate. Herbicides with lower application rates consistently contributed less to the total herbicide loads measured in surface runoff. Results demonstrated alternative choices from the more environmentally problematic herbicides (such as diuron) are available with effective alternative formulations providing between 4 and 29 times less risk than the traditional diuron-hexazinone ‘full rate’. However, considerable challenges still face canegrowers in making cost-effective decisions on sustainable herbicide selection. Additional research and effective grower extension are required to address information gaps in issues such as specific weed control efficacy of alternative herbicides and potential blending of some herbicides for more effective broad spectrum weed control, while also minimising environmental risks.
Development of controlled release formulations of imidacloprid for canegrub control: final report 2014/006
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2016) Ward, A
Canegrub damage resulting from a variety of scarab species is a major productivity constraint for about 50% of Australian sugarcane farmers. Affected growers are spread across all cane growing districts and across all farming systems. Effective insecticides are the major tools used by growers to limit damage, with significant benefit for both growers and millers. Sugar Research Australia have had a formal collaboration with Crop Care Australia since 1992 that has sought to develop controlled release insecticides that by their nature, when applied at planting, provide protection to sugarcane crops for a number of years. This long term collaboration has resulted in the registration of a number of controlled release products based on the active ingredients chlorpyrifos and imidacloprid, the most recent of which is marketed under the trade name suSCon maxi Intel.
New approach to improve RSD diagnosis and management
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2019) Ward, A
New approach to improve RSD diagnosis and management
Soldier fly management; insecticide efficacy and varietal tolerance in field trials : ASSCT poster paper
(ASSCT, 2020) Lenancker, P; Lindsay, K; Khudhir, M; Jennings, J; Ward, A; Powell, K
Soldier flies (Inopus flavus and I. rubriceps) are an economically damaging pest of sugarcane that can periodically cause major yield losses for some growers in central and southern Queensland. Larvae alter plant growth by feeding on roots. There is currently no insecticide registered for soldier flies.
Welcome to the 2014 spring edition of CaneConnection
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ward, A
Welcome to the Spring edition of CaneConnection. With harvest now in full swing, we have entered one of our busier times of the year, with the crush progressing, fertiliser application under way and fallow planning commencing. In this edition of CaneConnection we have included articles focused on each of these critical functions.
Welcome to the 2014 summer edition of CaneConnection
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ward, A
Welcome to the summer edition of CaneConnection. We feature updates on Sugar Research Australia’s (SRA) strategy to enhance adoption; progress being made by our plant breeders; ways to maximise productivity and profitability while improving sustainability; and limiting environmental impacts related to nutrient management and Diuron. With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting continued dry weather (let’s hope they’re wrong), our irrigation scheduling story is timely.
Welcome to the 2014 winter edition of CaneConnection
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ward, A
A good crop starts with planting the right variety using high-quality plant material. So, in this edition of CaneConnection, we preview three new varieties selected by the Herbert Variety Adoption Committee for production in that region. We also provide an update on the outcomes of the other regional variety adoption meetings held throughout the industry.
Welcome to the first edition of CaneConnection
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ward, A
In this edition we cover a variety of seasonally relevant issues as well as an update on our work into understanding Yellow Canopy Syndrome.
Welcome to the second edition of CaneConnection
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2013) Ward, A
With the crush now completed we focus on the new crop and laying the foundations to maximising productivity and profitability in the coming season. For every cropping cycle, obtaining the maximum yield potential starts with the fallow. In this edition of CaneConnection we discuss some of the key considerations during this important phase. We also review what the latest research says about how much nitrogen should be applied after the fallow. Likewise in the ratoon crops, good weed and nutrient management underpins future success and as such we have some helpful stories focusing on these areas.
Welcome to the third edition of CaneConnection
(Sugar Research Australia Limited, 2014) Ward, A
In our last edition of CaneConnection, we focused on the fallow period and some of the key steps that can be taken to lay the foundations for the next crop cycle. Having navigated his important phase, we focus on some of the key considerations as we approach planting.