issue 157 march april 2022
This page shows the articles in issue 157 march april 2022 of GroundCover. As articles are developed and published online, the list below will grow until all articles are available.
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Rust ‘social diseases’ a biosecurity risk
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 03 Apr 2022The emergence and spread of variants of cereal rust pathogens, principally via airborne movement, show very strong parallels with recent experiences in the COVID-19 pandemic. Allowing rust to develop in crops of susceptible cereal cultivars allows rust pathogens to build up, spread and mutate.
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Exploring the science of mineral mulch
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 01 Apr 2022The potential of mineral mulches to reduce evaporation and increase crop yield on heavy sodic soils is being explored in a project lead by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development at Esperance. Initial field studies using gravel mulches have shown yield increases and glasshouse studies have demonstrated a reduction in evaporation when gravel mulch is applied. The work is ongoing.
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Research seeks out perfect paddock marriage
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 29 Mar 2022Observation of local trials at the Rutherglen Research Institute has prompted north-east Victorian grower Ashley Fraser to rethink the potential for intercropping in his family's farm business at Rutherglen. The district trials tested the productivity and profitability of four companion crops, each combining two crop species.
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GLNC launches new wholegrain certification logo
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 27 Mar 2022The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC) – has launched a certified trademarked wholegrain logo, ready for distribution to market.
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Paddock companions show profitable potential
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 25 Mar 2022Victorian growers Ashley Fraser from Rutherglen and Tom Briggs from Norong relate their on-farm experiences growing different types of companion crops in the state's north-east. Both growers were spectators of local intercropping trials at the Rutherglen Research Institute as part of the Victorian Grains Innovation Partnership.
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Marking 25 years of GM crop cultivation in Australia
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 23 Mar 2022A major milestone for the plant science industry and Australian farming was celebrated in 2021, with the 25th anniversary of the commercial cultivation of GM crops.
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On-time summer weed control crucial to effective fallow management
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 22 Mar 2022With a wet year and high chemical prices, experience shows the importance of getting on top of summer weeds early. West Wyalong, NSW, grower Brent Morton says that summer weed control is crucial in cost-efficient and effective fallow management.
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More aware after biosecurity scare
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 20 Mar 2022Following the submission of a single diseased head of wheat with an unusual expression of bunt disease symptoms, the University of Sydney’s Plant Breeding Institute at Narrabri had their harvest put on hold for 11 days. The site was effectively locked down following the suspected detection of the emergency plant disease.
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No-till advocate seeks next big yield advance
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 17 Mar 2022While central NSW grower Paul Adam is a dedicated minimum-tillage grower, he is willing to consider cultivating paddocks in areas that might benefit from it. Paul says his focus is now on maintaining as much soil moisture as possible, while also remaining sustainable.
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Field-based lime 'fizz test’ fine-tuned
Issue 157, March-April 2022 - 15 Mar 2022Incorporating portable technologies, not yet in use in agriculture, to provide rapid in-field lime tests has been evaluated by professional services company, GHD. Two promising technologies were identified but did not provide a rapid assessment as extensive manipulation of the data was still required. With advancements over time, the technologies are expected to become more efficient. Meanwhile, modifications to the popular lime ‘fizz test’ have been identified to make it more robust and cost-effective for growers.