Frost events have been a significant concern in the Upper North region, resulting in substantial crop losses and economic impacts in previous years. The Upper North is susceptible to frost damage at various stages in the growing season, leading to decreased yields. Therefore, a holistic approach applying proven research outcomes over numerous years will be trialled in local validation trials and extended through this project. This project is a co-investment, with GRDC providing 50% of the total funding.
Latest Blogs - Current Projects
An improved and rapid test to inform sodic soil management (UAD4624)
Jul 11, 2024 | Current Projects
Large areas of South Australia are affected by sodic soils which results in lost agricultural productivity. Determination of gypsum rate requirements using conventional methods is problematic and can lead to increased costs for producers. The aim of this project is to develop an improved and rapid test for assessing gypsum requirements to improve crop production in sodic soils in South Australia.
Increasing pulse yields: focus paddocks to identify and manage soilborne constraints (UAD2624)
Jul 11, 2024 | Current Projects
This project will assist South Australian growers to increase pulse yields by managing paddock variation associated with soil biotic and abiotic constraints. Data generated will also form the foundation for a decision support model. Focus paddocks will be mapped for pathogen levels and rhizobia as well as physical characteristics including pH, salinity and soil type. These factors will be related to remote sensing imagery and yield maps to determine the drivers of variation.
Multi-scale monitoring of pests and beneficial insects in canola cropping (UAD1424)
Jul 11, 2024 | Current Projects
This PhD project will look to develop multi-scale (regional to paddock scale) monitoring methods for canola pests and beneficials, both pre-season and during season. The results will allow for improved risk analysis and decision making for integrated pest management by farmers and agronomists, avoiding over-use of insecticides.
The impact of annual ryegrass seed size on harvest weed seed control mill efficacy (TCO6424)
Jul 11, 2024 | Current Projects
This project will quantify the variability in seed weight from field samples of the weed annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and quantify how seed weight of annual ryegrass impacts the efficacy of harvest weed seed control (HWSC) impact mills.
Making the most of phosphorus(P) fertiliser inputs: Managing spatial variability and long-term strategies (TCO6024)
Jul 11, 2024 | Current Projects
The overall aim of this project is to increase the profitability from phosphorus (P) fertiliser applications and determine sustainable P fertiliser strategies. This project focuses on two key P management areas: improving applications in variable paddocks/landscapes and refining long-term P management strategies on highly P responsive soils. This project will build on the results from SAGIT projects TC219 and TC221. This project is a co-investment, with GRDC providing 50% of the total funding.
Drought preparedness using barley architecture and phenology for biomass production (SAR5124)
Jul 11, 2024 | Current Projects
The project aims to better understand the plant characteristics, including phenology and architecture, required to maximise biomass production for barley in grazed, grain and opportunistic grain and grazed scenarios across variable rainfall seasons. A diverse set of elite and novel varieties will be tested by different simulated grazing treatments across low, medium and high rainfall zones of South Australia.
Specialised research seeder to advance management of soil biological constraints (SAR3424)
Jul 11, 2024 | Current Projects
Field research projects on the management of soilborne diseases and rhizobia are severely constrained by the limitations of current research seeders. The development of a specialised research seeder will enable SA researchers to undertake world leading research to develop innovative practices to manage soil biological constraints in broadacre crops. This project is for Stage 1 of a three-stage process to 1. review, 2. design and 3. build a state-of-art research seeder.