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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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Strategic baiting protocols for rodents in sugarcane : Final report STU033
    (Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC), 2003) Ward, D
    This research was undertaken to investigate the perceived problem of secondary poisoning risk to avian predators associated with the use of rodenticides in the Australian sugar industry. Although a minor component of the rodent integrated pest management strategy and used at relatively low levels, there is widespread public concern that their use can significantly impact raptor populations. At present, only anecdotal evidence of secondary poisoning events occurring in raptor populations are available and these relate to the use of Klerat® (active constituent: brodifacoum), a now de-registered rodenticide. Currently, two rodenticides are available for use in sugarcane crop, the acute toxicant Rattoff® (active constituent: 2.5 % zinc phosphide) and the first generation anticoagulant rodenticide Racumin® (active constituent: 0.037 % coumatetralyl). While laboratory trials indicate that raptors have a high toxic threshold to these rodenticides, trials conducted under laboratory conditions cannot reflect the complex processes which lead to secondary poisoning events that occur in the field. Given this, the objective of this project is to provide an ecologically-based field assessment of the risks that the use of rodenticides pose to avian predators in Australian sugarcane producing areas.
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    Final report Improving the cation retention capacity of cane-growing soils using high activity clays
    (2009) Sacchi, A
    The Australian sugar industry largely relies on tropical soils that have low cation exchange capacities (CEC) and are prone to becoming deficient in Ca, Mg and K without appropriate management. Adding bentonite is an option for increasing the CEC, water holding capacity and fertility of these soils. This research project investigated if bentonite treatments could indeed be used to improve the fertility of low CEC sugar producing soils and enhance commercial cane yield. Two field trials conducted on old sugarcane producing soils in the Innisfail region in the Wet Tropics of far north Queensland over the 2006, 2007 and 2008 growing seasons showed that at rates of 10 - 30 t/ha banded additions of natural sodium bentonite improved soil properties and significantly raised sugarcane yields at final harvest. The best results were achieved with 20 and 30 t/ha rates of bentonite addition, in which cane yield was increased by up to 39.6 % in comparison to an untreated control. The main mechanisms responsible for the yield increase were found to be higher plant available water content (PAWC) and increased nutrient cation availability, which led to improved canopy development, greater radiation interception and overall enhanced growth and increased biomass accumulation within stalks. The results of the field trials were supported by five individual glasshouse trials that showed that various bentonite treatments could effectively be used to enhance soil CEC, nutrient cation levels and PAWC to bring about significant yield increases on a variety of low CEC soil types. Additional important information yielded by the glasshouse trials included the discovery that rates of above 80 t/ha bentonite had a detrimental impact on soil structure leading to reduced yields. Furthermore, the effect of increased PAWC as a result of bentonite treatment on yield was found to be much stronger than initially anticipated. An economic analysis assessing the feasibility of using bentonite treatments to improve soil fertility and increase cane yields has not yet been finalized. Preliminary results of this analysis suggest that bentonite treatment can indeed be an economically feasible option for increasing production and profitability in the long term in a permanent bed system under precision agriculture. Using an example from the Wangan trial where the cane yield in the 30 t/ha treatment was 97 t/ha compared to 75 t/ha in the control: assuming a sugar price of $480/t and a CCS of 12.5, the return per hectare for the 30 t/ha treatment is $772 higher than that of the control. At a bentonite cost of $336 per tonne, the cost of a banded application at a rate of 30 t/ha is $3360. Based on the increased return of $772 per hectare, the investment in the bentonite product would be paid off after five seasons. However, caution must be applied, as due to the high product cost of bentonite, the technique is economically unfeasible both in the short term and in a conventional farm system were the ground is reworked after three to four seasons.
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    Sugar Research and Development Corporation scholarship program : Final report SRD014
    (Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC), 2006) Bruce, RC
    The Sugar Research Council (fore-runner of SRDC) was established in November 1987 and in their 1989/90 Annual Report stated “For the first time the Council funded two postgraduate scholarships as part of its human resource development program.” When announcing two more scholarships the next year, their purpose was described as follows: “The regular awarding of postgraduate scholarships is aimed at not only involving universities in research associated with the sugar industry but also with the long term view of creating a pool of highly qualified persons who are acquainted with the industry and who may wish to continue their association later in their career.”
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    Pre-treatment of sugar cane : Final report JCU030
    (2011) Jacob, MV
    This project developed a customised microwave applicator for the pre-treatment of sugar cane. Three undergraduate Engineering students investigated the optimisation of microwave treatment, mechanical and chemical properties. The microwave treatment resulted steam, popping or burning of the sugar cane depending on the power and treatment time. The investigations substantiated that the microwave treatment of the sugar cane soften the strength of the sugar cane. Young’s modulus, yield strength and ultimate strength in compressive state were measured as functions of different microwave-treatment parameters. Results have demonstrated that microwave treatment has resulted in up to an 80% reduction in cane billet mechanical properties including yield strength, ultimate strength, and Young’s modulus. Microwave treatment significantly reduced the compressive strength of sugar cane making it easier to crush and as result around 60% energy can be saved during the crushing process.
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    Report on audit of selected projects at Queensland University of Technology
    (Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC), 2011) Sampson, I
    This report deals with a focussed audit of selected recent projects that are undertaken by Queensland University of Technology with funding provided by SRDC.
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    Sugar Research and Development Corporation scholarship program : Final report STU061
    (BSES, 2008) Bonaventura, P
    In 2007, Palmina received funding to complete a coursework Masters in Communication majoring in Public Relations and Professional Communication at the University of Queensland. As part of the 18 month course, she completed nine subject courses and prepared a thesis titled 'Improving communication between sugarcane industry organisations and growers by introducing new style elements to paper-based publications'. Through the coursework masters and preparation of a thesis, Palmina achieved the objectives of her project, which included building on her existing knowledge and providing skills to enable the improvement of communication within the sugarcane industry
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    Characterisation of proteinase inhibitors from canegrubs for possible application to genetically engineer pest-derived resistance into sugarcane : SRDC final report STU032
    (2005) Nutt, KA
    The primary objective of this research was to identify, isolate and clone a proteinase inhibitor from the haemolymph of a canegrub species with activity against the major midgut proteases of the source insect. The potential for using this canegrub-derived proteinase inhibitor as a novel source of insect resistance in transgenic sugarcane was also to be determined. The project has formed the basis of a PhD thesis submitted to the Queensland University of Technology.