Soil health and nutrient management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://elibrary2.sugarresearch.com.au/handle/11079/13842

Research outcomes: Soil health is improved with a resulting positive impact on the environment and yield growth. Improved reputation and relationship between industry and environmental groups.

Browse

Filters

1998 - 199912000 - 20091

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Farming systems

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Researching soil health and economics of two farming systems in the Herbert River district : SRDC Grower Group Innovation Project final report
    (2009) Waring, M
    The New Farming Initiative Group (NFIG) consists of six members and has approximately 600ha of sugarcane farming land in the Herbert region. Comparison of soil health of the two farming systems is the primary objective. This project will increase the uptake of several best management practices which are considered to reduce the loss of sediment, chemicals and nutrients from cane lands as well as significantly improve soil fertility due to a healthier soil in terms of its physical, chemical and biological components. The primary aim of the New Farming Initiative Group includes: • Comparison of soil health of the two farming systems. These soil tests have not previously been undertaken in the Herbert and will provide a benchmark of current soil health. The test includes physical, biological and chemical components: • Demonstrate the economics of two farming systems (regional standard and 1.9m dual row/break crop fallow) • Development of group skills through shared knowledge, utilizing the expertise of consultants, building organisation skills and through first hand participation. The trial site consists of three replications, two treatments and one variety. The trial was marked out with GPS to include 9 rows of pre-formed mounds at 1.9m and 11 rows of conventional at 1.55m spacing. The key outcome of this project was the similar average gross margins for the conventional and new farming system treatments. Potentially higher future input costs will favour the new farming system economically, with greater average gross margins expected compared to a conventional farming system. The new farming system produced an average 0.5 unit CCS less sugar than conventional farming. The cause of this statistically significant difference is unclear and warrants further investigation. Essentially, no significant difference was observed in soil health parameters (biological, physical and chemical) between treatments over the 14 month testing interval. Of interest, the new farming system displayed positive trends of increasing pH, increasing organic carbon and higher cation exchange capacity. The project had a relatively short testing interval and longer term soil testing would likely create more meaningful soil health results. Continued soil heath testing and economic analysis is needed to achieve the full benefit from this project. It would be inappropriate to draw any firm conclusions on the comparison of these two farming systems from this study of only two years.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Farming systems for green cane trash blankets in cool wet conditions : SRDC final report BS63S
    (1998) Ridge, DR
    The three year project to evaluate different farming systems for green cane trash blanketing in cool wet conditions was directed at; evaluating the effect of different trash management practices on crop growth; evaluating improved drainage as a means of reducing any negative effect of trash blanketing. Trials were established at Childers and Rocky Point on relatively poorly drained soil types to compare full trash blanketing with trash raking off the cane row and bare cultivation; and, to determine any benefits from hilling-up or mole drainage in trash blanketed blocks. The trial sites were land planed at Rocky Point to improve surface drainage but this was not possible at Childers. The Rocky Point sites were dryland and the Childers sites received supplementary irrigation. The objectives of the report was to; determine the factors which affect ratooning under green cane trash blankets in cool wet conditions in south Queensland; to identify and demonstrate the cultural practices which minimise these factors; to extend the adoption of green cane harvesting in areas where this practice is considered appropriate.