issue 172, september october 2024
This page shows the articles in issue 172, september october 2024 of GroundCover. As articles are developed and published online, the list below will grow until all articles are available.
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Winter canola proves profitable at Weatherboard
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 07 Oct 2024Ben Findlay’s farm near Weatherboard, Victoria, utilises ungrazed winter canola, specifically the hybrid RGT Nizza CL because its flowering window suits his climate. He finds the winter varieties are about half a tonne per hectare higher yielding than the spring varieties for his area. He sows the variety from late March to early April. After applying a double knock for weeds, he targets 30 plants per square metre (about 1.8 kilograms of seed/ha) and plants as shallow as possible, applying 100kg/ha of monoammonium phosphate with the seed.
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Pending trials aim to test novel genetics to counter stressful environments
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 04 Oct 2024CSIRO is seeking to undertake a field trial of genetically modified (GM) canola with increased abiotic stress tolerance. These canola varieties achieve their stress tolerance through the introduction of a gene from yeast. Trigall Australia is seeking to undertake field trials of a GM wheat variety, known as HB4. HB4 wheat has demonstrated an increased tolerance to environmental stress.
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Australian soft wheat could hit Philippines’ sweet spot
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 03 Oct 2024Philippines companies are interested in diversifying the supply of soft wheat, used for cookies and cakes, with Australian options being explored. As part of an industry collaboration to revitalise the Australian soft wheat export market, AEGIC wheat experts Dr Siem Siah and Dr Ken Quail visited Manila in May to work with large flour and food companies eager to investigate using Australian soft wheat for Philippines-style sweet products. This research is supported by Grains Australia, and previous research was supported by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
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NVT data assists crop and variety decisions
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 01 Oct 2024For almost two decades, National Variety Trials have been taking place across the country, providing invaluable data to assist crop and variety choices. Growers and agronomists, Mick Brosnan, Jeff Muirhead, Chris Seimer, Andrew McLean, discuss the benefits.
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Added diversity reduces wild radish control evasion
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 30 Sep 2024Wild radish has developed resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action, prompting the need for more non-herbicidal, integrated weed management solutions. Studies by Dr Michael Ashworth’s Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative team reveal wild radish is now adapting to evade harvest weed seed control by shedding seeds early. To counter this, incorporating various weed control methods and leveraging modern machinery and weed mapping technologies are essential.
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Is human ingenuity winning the war on weeds?
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 27 Sep 2024Ray Harrington has spent more than six decades innovating and adapting sustainable farming practices. This has included minimum tillage and developing tools such as the harvest weed destructor to combat herbicide-resistant weeds and improve cropping efficiencies. His collaborative efforts with researchers and continuous adaptation to evolving agricultural challenges reflect his commitment to advancing farming techniques and supporting the farming community.
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Genebanks made to order for the 21st century
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 26 Sep 2024Upgrades to the Australian Grains Genebank have created an integrated pipeline delivering the genetic resources breeders need to put advanced crop varieties into growers’ paddocks. This upgrade is being undertaken as a $30 million, five-year co-investment by GRDC and the Victorian Government from 2022 to 2027. Recently completed was an $8.8 million infrastructure upgrade to Agriculture Victoria’s Horsham SmartFarm, also as a co-investment. The upgrade aims to transform the AGG from a traditional genebank into a bio-digital resource centre, where digital and genomic information is used to make the plant genetic resources conserved within the AGG even more accessible and useful to the grains industry.
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New pathways for nematode control explored
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 25 Sep 2024Research into root lesion nematode is investigating new options for control while identifying the prevalence of different species in Western Australia. Murdoch University PhD researcher Dr Rhys Copeland has identified that chemicals common to both tolerant and susceptible cereals had differing effects on nematodes, depending on their concentration.
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Machine learning heralds a new era of functional soil mapping
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 24 Sep 2024The mapping pf soil constraints and plant-available water capacity has benefited significantly from consecutive GRDC investments in the development and deployment of machine-learning models
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The science of cool
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 23 Sep 2024New research shows that grain type, depth and the way it settles in a silo affect the function of aeration cooling, with implications for insect control and stored grain quality.