Region: West
171 results found:-
Prize to test novel frost intervention feasibility
Region: West, 13 May 2022Mitigating frost in cropping systems is complex, but there may be a new tool available in the future through some creative thinking on behalf of two young scientists. Jaco Zandberg and Samantha Harvie from the University of Western Australia are investigating a novel way to disrupt the action of ice nucleating bacteria. The proof-of-concept study is being supported by a Federal Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 2022 Science and Innovation Award won by Mr Zandberg and provided by GRDC.
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Frost physiology knowledge base grows
Region: West, 11 May 2022GRDC takes a multi-pronged approach to supporting Australian growers in the crop production decisions they make. Training scientists for the future is key to its capacity building agenda and an example is Mr Brenton Leske, who since completing his PhD at the University of Western Australia, embedded in the GRDC’s former National Frost Initiative investment and supported through DPIRD’s postgraduate scholarship program, has now returned to DPIRD to co-lead the frost research, developing frost management knowledge and tools for growers.
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Trials assess soil nitrogen carryover after frost or heat
Region: West, 09 May 2022A new research project is underway to give Western Australian growers a better understanding of the conditions and soil types under which nitrogen is carried over from one season to the next.
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Extending high-value pulses to WA
Region: West, 05 May 2022While Western Australia produces the lion’s share of Australia’s lupins, its share of the high-value pulses – chickpeas, faba beans and lentils – is low. Demonstration trials have raised awareness and helped growers to evaluate opportunities to improve agronomy and optimise yield.
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Long, longer, longest: new trials weigh up benefits of long coleoptile wheat varieties
Region: West, 28 Apr 2022New trials in WA are weighing up the benefits of long coleoptile wheat varieties. They’re part of a two-year GRDC investment, led by SLR Agriculture, focusing on the long coleoptile trait.
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New knowledge to tap residual soil phosphorus
Region: West, 21 Apr 2022The potential for Western Australian growers to access legacy phosphorus – residual phosphorus from years of fertiliser application– is being investigated by Dr Gustavo Boitt. Through enhanced understanding of soil phosphorus dynamics and the effects of crop sequences, Dr Boitt is quantifying various chemical and microbial processes contributing to soil phosphorus availability.
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Trials look to improve Sclerotinia stem rot management
Region: West, 15 Apr 2022To improve management of Sclerotinia stem rot in canola, field studies have been undertaken by researchers from Curtin University’s Centre for Crop and Disease Management to learn more about the genotype by environment by management interactions driving infection. A systematic approach was used through the growing season to investigate the potential source of SSR infection and its subsequent impact on canola production.
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Canola primed for enhanced weed control
Region: West, 13 Apr 2022To reduce the reliance on herbicides, agronomic methods of boosting the competitiveness of canola are being investigated by researchers at the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative. Reducing row spacing, increasing canola seeding rate and using larger seed sizes have been shown to provide a competitive boost. Wider row spacing can be used with an increase in canola plant density and hybrid canola is a good option with optimum seeding rate.
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CSIRO tours address mouse control in WA’s regions
Region: West, 08 Apr 2022Growers and advisers attended a mouse management workshop with Steve Henry, CSIRO, in Binnu focusing on awareness, monitoring and practical information for on-farm management.
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New learnings on winter wheats in WA’s high rainfall zone
Region: West, 07 Apr 2022New research findings on the combination of early sowing dates and ameliorated soils for wheat crops in Western Australia’s high rainfall zone is providing growers new insights into sowing time, nutrition, grazing options and canopy management.