Completed projects and reports

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Sugar Research Australia, Sugar Research Development Corporation and BSES reports from completed research projects and papers.

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Improved sugarcane farming systems : SRDC Final report BSS286
(2010) Salter, B; Bell, MJ; Stirling, GR; Garside, AL; Moody, PJ
This project - Improved Sugarcane Farming Systems (BSS286) - was designed to build on the outcomes of phase 1 and 2 or the Sugar Yield Decline Joint Venture (STDJV). Thus its main focus was on issues that had been identified in the SYDJV that were not fully researched in the earlier programs and/or required further development.
Sugar Research and Development Corporation final report Increasing sugar cane yields by improvements in soil structure
(1998) Hughes, M; Nielsen, P; Grabski, A
A project to increase sugar cane yields by improvements in soil structure was conducted at Broadwater, NSW. It was instigated in response to the poor physical structure of many cane soils and poor root development in many sugar cane crops resulting in low cane yields. A number of alternative management practices were tested and cane and sugar yield as well as appropriate soil parameters were measured. The main findings were that ridging had the biggest effects on cane and sugar yields and on soil bulk density, soil moisture (drier in the top 30 cm and wetter at depth), and a leaching of Cl, Na and S when in excess amounts. Ridging also resulted in a stable inter-row and hence far less damage during wet harvests. Intensity of tillage had some small effect on yields and soil structure; it is not clear if these would have increased over a longer period of time. The main effect of soybean production during the fallow period was due to nitrogen input. There were some small but positive effects on subsequent cane root growth soil organic carbon and soil bulk density. Mole drains and deep ripping provided no clear advantage over laser levelling alone.
Facilitating enhanced peanut / sugarcane rotations by assessing and managing the issues related to growing peanuts : SRDC Grower Group Innovation Project final report
(2008) Halpin, D
Rotation cropping has been identified by the Sugar Yield decline Joint Venture (SYDJV) as a critical tool in addressing decline in the Australian sugar industry. Previous research demonstrates that when break crops are combined with correct row spacing, GPS guidance and minimal cultivation they can be powerful tools in addressing yield decline. Producers on sandy soil have found that the nematode controlling effects of growing peanuts as a break crop is more beneficial than other legumes. The industry standard for peanut production in cane based farming systems involves a number of cultivations. There is ample evidence demonstrating that cultivation is detrimental to soil biology and structure. This body of evidence was at the heart of the members of SSPag when they decided they wanted to try to grow peanuts in an uncultivated cane trash blanket. That was our aim. In order to achieve our goal we sought and received support from SRDC to conduct the trial work necessary. The trial included a Factorial Randomized Area as part of a 3.3ha site. The randomised area was comprised of three tillage regimes (conventional, reduced and zero) by two fertiliser treatments (nil and 100kgN/ha supplied as urea) with four replicates. Each experimental unit consisted of three 1.83m beds by 20m row length. The trial was implemented in a third ratoon paddock of Cv. Q188 that had been grown on 1.83m beds with a dual row configuration under green cane trash blanket. The whole area was treated with Lime @ 3t/ha and Dolomite @ 1t/ha applied to the trash surface. The main trial area was fertilised as dictated by soil testing but the nitrogen component was modified in the randomised trial area. A literature search made us believe that we needed to rip under the peanut row to alleviate the compaction caused by the cane harvesting equipment. This was done using a coulter and Yeoman ripper in all areas except the zero till plots. The conventionally cultivated plots were cultivated by rotary hoe in addition to the ripping. The soil was quite moist for the ripping process and not all the ripper tracks closed in even after the application of a waisted roller. The peanuts were planted using an inclined plate seed meter and “Day Break” single disc opener. The seeds were dusted with inoculant before being loaded into the planter.. The strike was slow and uneven because of a number of issues. The most critical was the failure of the disc to cut the trash cleanly resulting in the seeds being enveloped by trash causing poor soil to seed contact and therefore poor and slow germination and failure of the inoculant due to drying out Another issue was the open ripper marks saw some seeds going deep into the soil and only emerging some weeks later. The results at harvest were best in the conventional system with the zero till being the worst. Only the conventional system produced a viable result. The addition of the nitrogen had a positive effect in all cultivation regimes. The cane crop following the peanuts saw a not statistically significant effect, that the conventionally cultivated plots were most productive and the zero till the least productive. It should be noted here that no fertiliser at all was added to grow the cane crop in the rep area because we thought this would even out the resulting cane crop. This was probably true as the plots that had the N added to the peanut crop outperformed the plots that had no N added to the peanut crop. In some areas of the bulk area of the trial we fertilised the crop as is the normal practice and did not fertilise in other areas. At harvest it was determined that the unfertilised sections were less productive but more profitable when taking into account the cost of the applied fertiliser. Overall the project alerted us to the need for a purpose built planter that would be able to successfully plant peanuts through the trash blanket. We applied to SRDC for support for this and were successful in gaining funding and building the planter. The results of this project GGP040 is available through SRDC.
Developing implement coulters for volcanic red soils : SRDC Grower Group Innovation Project final report
(2008) Darveniza, M; Benn, J
This project was specifically designed to alleviate problems faced by farming enterprises growing sugarcane in undulating red volcanic soils. Traditional disc coulters used on farming implements in undulating red volcanic soils tend to merely push the green trash blanket instead of cutting through it increasing the likelihood of increased soil erosion. By trialling and developing disc coulters currently being utilized by growers in other industries and areas the grower group wanted to cut through the trash blanket lessening disturbance leading to reduced runoff (soil and chemical). Another key outcome would be to achieve BMP (Best Management Practice) goals set within the sugarcane industry such as sub-surface fertiliser application and minimal till planting of fallow crops. With these principals in mind the group researched disc coulters leading them to a company in Dalby, Queensland. Milne industries produce the “Day Break” disc coulters that the group members decided would best suit the situation and achieve their goals. Originally the plan was to employ a local engineering firm to build a frame to house the coulters. After discussion Milne industries was chosen to supply the coulters and frame to alleviate any assembling issues. Upon receiving the disc coulters the group began a rigorous trialling and refinement phase in pursuit of the project goals.
Establishing the second crop cycle into permanent beds : SRDC Final report BSS306
(2010) Hussey, B
The 'establishing the second crop cycle into permanent beds' project operated over a 3-year period from 2007 until 2010. The project aimed to assist growers who had adopted controlled traffic to re-establish a second crop cycle into the permanent beds. To do this, the project used a participatory action learning model where grower groups where formed and grower learnt from growers' experiences.
Sugar yield decline joint venture, phase 2 : SRDC Final report
(2006) Garside, AL; Bell, MJ; Pankhurst, CE; Stirling, GR; Magarey, RC; Blair, BL; Moody, PJ; Robotham, BG; Braunack, MV; Agnew, JA
Research in phase 2 has greatly increased our understanding of how farming systems operate, the key components of farming systems, and how they can be manipulated to provide better outcomes.
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.
Sugar yield decline joint venture, phase 1 : SRDC technical report
(2000) Garside, AL
This report is a technical summary of the research carried out in Phase 1 of the Sugar Yield Decline Joint Venture (SYDJV) which ran from July 1993 to June 1999. Initially, the resources/funds for Phase 1 were provided by SRDC, BSES and CSIRO Division of Soils (now Land and Water) as core contributions to the Joint Venture. Much of the research carried out in Phase 1 was funded by these core contributions.In 1995 the Queensland Government Departments of Primary Industries and Natural Resources joined the SYDJV with funding provided by the Sugar Industry Reference Panel (SIRP). Research carried out with this funding included the southern rotation experiment and southern component of the strategic tillage work at Bundaberg and all of the nematode studies. Other research, not part of SYDJV, was also funded by SIRP.

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