Completed projects and reports

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

Adapting soybean for profitable rotations in sugarcane farming systems : SRDC Final report
(2005) James, A
Cropping of soybean has been shown by the yield decline joint venture to increase the yield of the following sugar crop by 15 to 30 percent. One impediment to the increase of soybean in sugarcane production systems is that the financial benefit of inclusion of a fallow crop like soybean into a sugarcane production system is delayed until sugar crops harvested in the following years. However, by inclusion of a grain soybean option, growers are more likely to manage the crop better and can gain the financial return from harvest of grain in addition to benefits to the following cane crop delivered by improved soil health. This project sought to complete varietal evaluation of experimental varieties with improved potential for harvest of grain through to the point of commercialisation to industry. Varietal evaluation trials were conducted at sites in the Burdekin, and on the Atherton Tablelands at early, mid season and late summer planting dates and in the south at Bundaberg and Nambour also at late summer planting dates and in the Burdekin during the dry season. In addition farmer participation in varietal evaluation was encouraged via strip trials. Ultimately eleven strip trials were conducted in the second year of the project and five in the third. In addition large scale seed increase of the new variety was conducted at Nambour and at Walkamin and a second round of seed increase sown in June 2005 in northern Australia. Soybean is unique among grains in having a very high content of protein of a type which is highly digestible and finds ready acceptance in stock feed milling. Grain of light hilum varieties is also readily accepted into higher-value human consumption markets. During the last year of this project, members of the Northern Australian Soybean Industry Association (NASIA) were involved in commercial evaluation and release of the new variety named Stuart. In particular North Queensland Tropical Seeds and Bettacrop conducted pre-release evaluation and also participated in the next round of evaluations along with Mt Tyson seeds Queensland Cotton, Beangrowers Australia and Philp Brodie Grains. The new variety has been licenced to NASIA for commercial production. The new soybean variety ‘Stuart’ was named after Mt Stuart south of Townsville, following the theme of local mountains. Stuart is adapted to coastal production from Nambour to Mossman. It has a very light grey hilum and is suitable for some human consumption uses. It has high levels of nematode and rust resistance, maturity a week or more earlier than Leichhardt and is adapted to both wet and dry season planting in north Qld and has generally higher grain yields. Stuart is taller than Leichhardt and adapted to row widths from 50 to 130 cm. It has a more erect and open canopy than Leichhardt, making control of insects by insecticide application slightly easier. Lodging may however occur with plant populations over 35 plants per square metre or in early-season sowing. Good quality grain possessing light hilum and apparent suitability for food grade uses was produced from strip trials in several farmers fields. Relative to existing varieties Leichhardt and YY, Stuart offers higher grain yield and higher value grain through access to food grade uses rather than feed or oilseed crushing. Release of a new soybean variety and an ongoing varietal improvement program will help to underpin sustainability in tropical cropping systems and provide a basis for new industry development.
The management of rodents in North Queensland canefields
(BSES, 1993) Wilson, J; Whisson, D
Rodent damage to sugarcane has been of concern to the Australian sugar industry since the 1930's. In more recent times, annual surveys have indicated that damage by rodents occurs over approximately 50% (150 000 ha) of sugar producing areas resulting in annual losses of between two and four million dollars. A further $0.6 million is expended on annual baiting programs. Rodents are therefore the second most important pest of the Australian sugar industry, the most important pest being the cane grub (Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations Annual Reports 1984 - 1989).
Herbicide efficacy screen North Queensland 1986 season
(BSES, 1987) Williams, RC
In 1984 a wide range of herbicide treatments were evaluated against a number of weed species. Results demonstrated the weakness and strengths of various products, and the optimum timing of application. To further improve the knowledge of currently registered herbicides and of those which may have some potential for use in cane, another series of trials were laid down in 1986.
The effect of zinc deficiency as a factor limiting sugarcane growth (SRC Project BS14S - Final Report)
(1990) Reghenzani, JR
Results from this project confirm that substantial yield responses to zinc application can be expected in deficient soils in North Queensland. Deficiency is commonly associated with lime application. Three soil and two foliar analytical techniques have been evaluated for detecting zinc deficiency. Currently used critical levels for zinc in cane third leaves have been confirmed as the most reliable index of deficiency. The carbonic anhydrase assay on fresh leaf extracts shows promise for measuring active zinc and providing a rapid and reliable foliar index of zinc deficiency. Critical levels for soil zinc have been established for the standard DTPA extract and for two hydrochloric acid extracts. Both acid extracts are more reliable than the DTPA extract.
Pachymetra chaunorhiza as a factor involved in stool tipping in North Queensland : SRDC final report BS33S
(BSES, 1991) Magarey, RC
The objectives of this project were to determine the soil and environmental factors favouring Pachymetra root rot, and how these contributed to stool tipping in the moderately resistant and susceptible varieties Q117 and Q124.
Extent of zinc deficiency in cane growing soils of North Queensland.
(1993) Reghenzani, JR
Collation and interpretation of soil analysis data has shown a strong relationship between soil type and extractable zinc. Extractable zinc in soils followed the order: metamorphic, beach ridge and granite soils < organic and alluvial soils < basaltic soils. More than 15% (18 000 ha) of north Queensland sugarcane soils from Mossman to Ingham were estimated to be at risk from zinc deficiency and associated constrained productivity. This study has identified and mapped low zinc soils and remedial action can now be taken. While alternative zinc forms applied with planting fertiliser have a role, preliminary data from this project does not support a change in the recommended application technique of zinc sulfate heptahydrate, broadcast and incorporated before planting.
Evaluation of the effects of rare earth elements on sugarcane in North Queensland
(1989) Reghenzani, JR
During 1988 BSES submitted a proposal to the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering for partial funding of a research project to investigate the response of sugarcane in North Queensland to rare earth elements. Muswellbrook Energy and Minerals Ltd. agreed to provide the funding required and they succeeded in importing a sample of the Chinese soluble rare earth product, "Nongle". BSES received 200g of the imported product, which was sufficient to establish four field trials. An earlier 10g sample of "nongle" provided by Prof. C. Asher of the University of Queensland was used subsequently in the glasshouse studies.

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