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303 results found
  • Weighing nitrogen fertiliser options in an uncertain future
    Soil and Nutrition, 26 Feb 2023
    Weighing nitrogen fertiliser options in an uncertain future

    Estimating in-season nitrogen demand based on estimated target yield is highly dependent on seasonal influences. A spreadsheet using simple nitrogen budgeting enables a potential rate to be evaluated against each possible seasonal outcome to better demonstrate the relative risk and reward.

  • Nitrogen price remains secondary to yield and protein targets
    Soil and Nutrition, 25 Feb 2023
    Nitrogen price remains secondary to yield and protein targets

    Recent nitrogen price hikes have focused debate on input costs. But calculations show that agronomically recommended fertiliser rates can still be profitable even when urea prices triple. Replacing depleted soil nitrogen stores is also vitally important, particularly after high-yielding seasons.

  • Advanced genetic techniques target protein and yield
    Soil and Nutrition, 24 Feb 2023
    Advanced genetic techniques target protein and yield

    Genetic material targeting the elusive combination of improved wheat yield and grain protein content has been identified using advanced analysis of plant traits. The genes, which control multiple processes within the plant, will be made available to Australian breeding companies.

  • Agronomy still top priority for nitrogen fertiliser decisions
    Soil and Nutrition, 23 Feb 2023
    Agronomy still top priority for nitrogen fertiliser decisions

    A recent survey of growers in Western Australia has shown that growers place a strong emphasis on balancing seasonal soil moisture and yield potential alongside the long game of maintaining soil fertility. The results demonstrate that growers place a strong emphasis on balancing seasonal soil moisture and yield potential alongside the long game of maintaining soil fertility.

  • Liming a risky partner for sulfate of ammonia
    Soil and Nutrition, 22 Feb 2023
    Liming a risky partner for sulfate of ammonia

    Anecdotal evidence suggests that the practice of applying sulfate of ammonia in close succession to surface lime is a risk for ammonia volatilisation. The practice is common enough in Western Australia to raise concerns and research is underway to quantify the risks.

  • Getting a firm grip on nitrogen losses
    Soil and Nutrition, 21 Feb 2023
    Getting a firm grip on nitrogen losses

    Denitrification and volatilisation are the two main gaseous loss pathways for nitrogen from cropping systems, but there are still many gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms and importance of these losses across Australian grain growing regions.

  • National study into nitrogen losses
    Soil and Nutrition, 20 Feb 2023
    National study into nitrogen losses

    Growers spend around $1.1 billion on nitrogen fertiliser each year, yet 25 to 70 per cent of applied nitrogen can be lost from the system. A national investment aims to plug the gaps in our understanding of nitrogen loss pathways in Australian cropping systems.

  • Highly productive crops can be more greenhouse gas efficient
    Soil and Nutrition, 19 Feb 2023
    Highly productive crops can be more greenhouse gas efficient

    Nitrogen fertiliser is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the grains industry. Analysis has found that by improving nitrogen use efficiency, growers stand to increase yields and generate a 10 per cent reduction in the intensity of emissions – including emissions associated with fertiliser manufacture.

  • Rewriting nitrogen fertiliser ‘rules of thumb’
    Soil and Nutrition, 18 Feb 2023
    Rewriting nitrogen fertiliser ‘rules of thumb’

    Commonly used rules of thumb, which advisers and growers use to make fertiliser decisions, are based on a nitrogen fertiliser uptake of around 50 per cent of that applied, but Victorian research undertaken in growers’ paddocks puts that figure at just 35 per cent.

  • Protecting soil fertility is paramount for continuous cropping
    Soil and Nutrition, 17 Feb 2023
    Protecting soil fertility is paramount for continuous cropping

    Soil organic matter, which is critical for healthy soils and sustainable agricultural production, is declining under continuous cropping. This means more fertiliser, especially nitrogen, and the best management practices are needed to protect soils and maintain grain production levels.

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