The effect of coulter ripping on GCTB ratoons at Hawkins Creek

Abstract

In some parts of north Queensland coulter ripping is a standard operation carried out in green cane trash blanketed ratoons. Very little ripping is carried out in the Herbert Valley, even though the soil in old ratoons appears to be highly compacted. These qqnstrip trials were set out to test whether ripping to alleviate this compaction was necessary. The results of this demonstration suggest that coulter ripping will not increase growth and that by stimulating weed competition it may have actually reduced cane growth.In some parts of north Queensland coulter ripping is a standard operation carried out in green cane trash blanketed ratoons. Very little ripping is carried out in the Herbert Valley, even though the soil in old ratoons appears to be highly compacted. These qqnstrip trials were set out to test whether ripping to alleviate this compaction was necessary. The results of this demonstration suggest that coulter ripping will not increase growth and that by stimulating weed competition it may have actually reduced cane growth.