Developing a robust soybean industry in Central and Northern Queensland : final report GGP060

Abstract

The benefits of using soybeans as a break crop during the traditional sugarcane crop fallow period has been well documented. Trials conducted under the SYDJV highlighted that legumes, such as soybeans, produced the following benefits: Improvements in soil health through better balanced biology; Fewer sugarcane root pathogens; Biologically fixed nitrogen reducing the need for inorganic nitrogen fertilizer and consequently reducing the use of fossil fuel to produce that fertilizer; Better cane growth and yield and increased profitability; The tap root on legumes compared with the adventitious root system of sugarcane can work to improve soil structure.