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308 results found
  • New research to increase profitability of ironstone gravel soils
    Soil and Nutrition, 16 Feb 2022
    New research to increase profitability of ironstone gravel soils

    New research into ironstone gravel soils in the western and southern regions of Australia is working to unlock potential and increase the yields of crops planted on this challenging soil type.

  • 3D mapping profiles soil-based constraints
    Soil and Nutrition, 13 Feb 2022
    3D mapping profiles soil-based constraints

    The link between crop performance and soil-based constraints is emerging from a new 3D mapping strategy that aims to guide and prioritise on-farm soil amelioration works.

  • Mechanical soil amelioration shifts balance for crop nutrition
    Soil and Nutrition, 25 Jan 2022
    Mechanical soil amelioration shifts balance for crop nutrition

    Soil amelioration creates a more favourable environment for crop roots, which means better root systems can access previously unavailable nutrients. This balance between a greater need for nutrients and improved access to soil nutrient stocks might explain why in the short term at least, pre and post-amelioration responses to fertiliser do not differ much on soils with reasonable nutrient status.

  • How to prioritise soil constraint amelioration
    Soil and Nutrition, 22 Jan 2022
    How to prioritise soil constraint amelioration

    The choice of strategy for soil amelioration depends on each grower's budget, equipment and experience with the various processes. Some ameliorations are largely variable costs (wetters, moisture retainers) but others, especially tillage ameliorations such as deep ripping and soil mixing, can require considerable capital investment.

  • Computing the impact of soil trait variability on yields
    Soil and Nutrition, 19 Jan 2022
    Computing the impact of soil trait variability on yields

    Machine learning software has successfully translated paddock maps of soil characteristics into maps that display the importance of that variation to crop yields

  • Guidance systems a plus for on and edge-row sowing
    Soil and Nutrition, 13 Jan 2022
    Guidance systems a plus for on and edge-row sowing

    On and edge-row sowing can improve crop establishment on non-wetting soils, especially for canola. Sowing on or very near to last year’s crop row lets the crop access old root channels. Water infiltrates more easily into these ‘preferred pathways’ than the surrounding repellent soil, giving the crop a better chance of establishing.

  • Assessing the profitability of soil amelioration
    Soil and Nutrition, 20 Dec 2021
    Assessing the profitability of soil amelioration

    Calculate the likely profitability of realistic soil amelioration options before starting. Consider how much of a yield boost is needed to recover costs and how long this will take.

  • Problem solver gets to grips with soil amelioration
    Soil and Nutrition, 18 Dec 2021
    Problem solver gets to grips with soil amelioration

    Major investments by GRDC provide opportunities for capacity building of scientists for the grain industry. Dr Jian Jin’s involvement in a large soil amelioration project being managed by Professor Roger Armstrong from Agriculture Victoria at Horsham is such an example.

  • Synchrotron takes crop root studies to new levels
    Soil and Nutrition, 10 Dec 2021
    Synchrotron takes crop root studies to new levels

    Networking is a key part of capacity building for young scientists and three GRDC-supported postdoctoral fellows have developed an industrious collaborative spirit to do this and ensure access has been maintained during COVID-19 lockdowns to a key facility for their work. The three fellows are using the ANSTO synchrotron facility to probe root-soil interactions to glean new knowledge to inform soil management practices for the Australian grains industry

  • Maize trials find higher N rates don’t equal higher yields
    Soil and Nutrition, 08 Dec 2021
    Maize trials find higher N rates don’t equal higher yields

    With skyrocketing nitrogen prices and a shortage of supply, results from an irrigated maize trial series have delivered good news to growers looking to produce bumper yields while saving on fertiliser costs.

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