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.

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Development of commercial molecular biological assays for improved sugarcane soil health and productivity : final report 2018/009
(Sugar Research Australia Limited) Magarey, R; McKay, A
Project research has shown that the DNA-based molecular assays for Pachymetra chaunorhiza, Pratylenchus zeae and Meloidogyne species quantify soil populations in field samples, confirming research undertaken in project 2016047, and has also confirmed the importance of sampling strategy and storage for obtaining representative data. Some further research is needed with P. chaunorhiza to ensure the accuracy of the molecular assay; the focus should be on sample storage conditions, amongst other things. Soil samples were processed from soil health projects, plant breeding selection trials and industry samples sent to the Tully soil assay laboratory.
Improvement of internal soil drainage and yield on heavy clay soils in the Herbert.
(2015) Russo, V
The Herbert consists of large areas of clay soils being approximately 60% of soils being sugarcane farmed within the region. These soils are usually nutritionally fertile; however yield potential is limited due to waterlogging. Surface drainage has been improved through laser levelling throughout the district, however yield potential is not fully realised due to limitations associated with internal soil drainage. The soils are prone to significant nitrogen losses associated with denitrification and anaerobic conditions which limit crop growth when waterlogging does occur. The project investigated biological, mechanical and cultural practices which may increase the productivity of these soils. The project has clearly shown that yields can be increased on heavy clay soils in the Herbert through the use of mill ash as a soil amendment. The use of mill ash has also clearly shown that the product will enhance germination, crop establishment and increase stalk density leading to increases in cane yield on heavy clay soils in the Herbert. Qureshi et.al (2000) highlighted that there was significant environmental benefits for transporting and applying mill by-products further from the mill site, to manage environmental hazards. This project has highlighted both the economic and environmental benefits of using mill by-products more effectively in a farming system. During the duration of the project SnE Plant Hire constructed a GPS zonal mill mud and ash applicator and has modified its fleet of trucks to allow for zonal application of mill by-products; this has been a very positive step in the handling and distribution of mill by-products in the Herbert.
SRDC Research Project final report Improved methods of compost generation
(2012) Walker, B
This report explores different techniques and management principles and the results of compost production specifically for sugar-cane in tropical agriculture. Our earlier research using the Lubke Methodology developed in Austria for temperate and cold climates and reported on in GGP034 provides a background of basic compost production principles using community and sugar industry organic wastes, tractor drawn turning equipment and Lubke monitoring tools and principles. The Lubke system turns compost once weekly, more often in the first month, when CO2 content of the pile reaches 16%, but many composters claim loss of carbon and nitrogen as high as 50%, with constant turning. Some major USA composters use Static Pile composting principles to reduce turning costs and conserve nutrient losses from turning. The Ecology Action Group in the USA use 40% fresh green feed stocks to improve nutrient content because plants remobilise nutrients before foliage dies and weather continues to reduce minerals in organic mater materials. Dr Fiona Robertson in a CRC research found cane trash left on the surface looses much of its nutrition to the atmosphere as it decomposes. Hawaiian research found losses, through plant nutrient remobilisation of 30 – 50% of N, P, K and B in sugar cane leaf blade before its death. GGP062 reports on our experiences with static pile composting, our first experience of composting sugar-cane bagasse, using selected green feed stocks and a change in brix levels, i.e. greater nutritional content of vegetables grown with compost and liquid calcium, also, trials with producing the nitrogen component on-farm. A brief overview of world population trends at the end of this report implies a need for a change in agricultural practices and results, if we are to feed our population by 2100 AD.
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.
SRDC Grower Group innovation project final report Profits through Recycling: Pilot processing of sugar industry and community by-products to improve on-farm sustainability
(2010) Ross, NJ
GGP034 set out to establish if cane farmers could produce on farm a percentage of their farm’s nutrient requirement from sugar industry and community wastes at a competitive cost and thus reduce off farm inputs. It was hoped that the development of an appropriate formula for a quality compost might reverse negative aspects of current agricultural practices, especially leaching of nitrates and phosphorus into underground acquifers as established by analysis in the Mackay and Burdekin districts, and assist in the reduction of compaction of soils whilst improving nutrient, oxygen and water retention. If a practical compost formula result could be developed, this practice could prove of significant benefit in protecting the natural pureness of water acquifers with possible follow-on benefits to the Great Barrier Reef and Global Climate Change. The experiment conducted within this project compared compost, compost plus granular and granular treatments as a nutrient source which determined that the plant cane yield and quality was not influenced by the type and rate of applied nutrients. If there has been a real difference in productivity between these treatments, the trial design has not been able to capture it.
Strategic tillage to reduce soil structural degradation : SRDC final project report BSS143
(2004) Braunack, M; McGarry, D; Magarey, RC; Garside, AL
The project was undertaken to assess the benefits of zonal tillage, where only the crop row is cultivated and the compacted inter-row is left as a permanent traffic zone.Focus groups of growers were convened to discuss industry attitude and reasons for non-adoption of reduced tillage planting. It was largely agreed that compared to 10-15 years ago that the industry had moved to reduced tillage practices. The question the groups focused on was ?why was it necessary to cultivate the whole block, why not just cultivate the old row?. Opinion was expressed that land preparation was undertaken the way it was, generally because that is how it had always been done. Other reasons recorded were, difficult soil types relating to soil moisture at the time of tillage, run-off and erosion, cultivation was one factor that could be controlled, risk of crop failure (poor emergence, but this could also be due to poor planting material), soil-borne diseases and insect pests and the technique had not been thought about before. Benefits that were perceived included soil structure preservation, saving of time and energy. During the discussions it was learnt that innovative growers were practising a version of strategic tillage, unknown to neighbouring growers.Interest in the concept of strategic tillage was generated through these groups, to the extent that the strategy is being trialled by several growers.
Strategic tillage to reduce soil structural degradation and improve productivity : SRDC final project report BSS143
(2002) Braunack, M; McGarry, D
Focus groups of growers were convened to discuss industry attitude and reasons for non-adoption of reduced tillage planting. It was largely agreed that compared with ten to fifteen years ago the industry had moved to reduced tillage practices. The question the groups focused on was, why was it necessary to cultivate the whole block, why not just cultivate the old row? Opinion was expressed that land preparation was undertaken the way it was, generally because that is how it had always been done. Other reasons recorded were difficult soil types relating to soil moisture at the time of tillage; run-off and erosion; cultivation was one factor that could be controlled; risk of crop failure (poor emergence, but this could also be due to poor planting material); soil-borne diseases and insect pests; and the technique had not been thought about before. Benefits that were perceived included soil structure preservation, and saving of time and energy. During the discussions it was learnt that innovative growers were practising a version of strategic tillage, unknown to neighbouring growers.Interest in the concept of strategic tillage was generated through these groups, to the extent that the strategy is being trialed by several growers.Field trials were conducted at Tully and Bundaberg to compare conventional land preparation, where the whole area was cultivated, with strategic tillage where only the row was disturbed. Results demonstrated that reducing the number of cultivations did not compromise seedbed conditions at either site. This means that fewer tillage operations can be undertaken for the same end result. The inference is that time and energy can be conserved and that soil degradation can be minimised. Yield was not affected by a reduction in tillage for land preparation. With savings in time and energy, the costs of planting can be reduced.Monitoring of the known soil-borne disease, Pachymetra chaunorhiza, showed greater levels under the susceptible variety compared with resistant variety grown at each site. The yield of the susceptible variety was lower than that of the resistant variety. Varietal rotation is suggested to limit or minimise the effect of Pachymetra under strategic tillage. The BSES plant breeding program is providing varieties of greater resistance for the northern areas. Caution in variety selection is required in the central and southern districts to minimise the effect of Pachymetra. New varieties being released have resistance to Pachymetra. Thus varietal rotation by growers (good hygienic practice) will minimise the effect of the soil-borne disease on productivity and allay concerns about planting directly back into the old row.There was a trend for the number of earthworms to recover more rapidly under less soil disturbance. This is seen as a positive benefit in that earthworms create macroporosity which enhances water movement and aeration.It is recommended that, for the sugar industry to derive the maximum benefit of strategic tillage, a system be developed using controlled traffic principles with direct drilling of cane, and a legume crop or green manure be included in the fallow period. Such a system will improve soil health over time, resulting in a more sustainable sugar industry with less dependence on chemicals for soil pest and soil-borne disease control. This will enhance the industry's environmental image.

Soil health and nutrient management

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