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.
This project aims to explore if new canola technology allows it to be a more reliable and viable break crop option in the Upper North agricultural zone. The project will assess the profitability of different canola agronomy packages in local validation trials (GM vs open pollinated TT) against wheat over a three-year period.
This is a pilot project focused on seed quality improvement and enhanced grain production in wheat, barley, chickpea and canola as major diverse crops in SA. This will be achieved by generating new formulas for seed coating that enhance the delivery of Trichoderma, mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial microbes, nutrients and other effective additives.
The aim of this project is to improve the effectiveness of dry sowing focusing on wheat and canola. It will conduct experiments at three sites with different rainfalls and soils to examine the effect of sowing practices on establishment at a range of sowing times. The project will explore the ability of remote sensing to measure seedbed moisture content to aid decision making. Controlled environment studies on emergence in different soils and moisture contents will support the field studies.
The aim of this project is to better understand environmental conditions influencing the efficacy of glufosinate for annual ryegrass control and provide spraying strategies for successful and increased weed control.