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 project will be undertaken by SARDI researchers with the optimal flowering period for wheat and barley for the Murray Plains to be refined and validated from previous investment S/UA1021 through field trials and crop modelling. Drone imagery will be used to estimate both plant establishment and biomass of these field trials to help dissect key grain yield drivers independent of flowering time.
This project will be undertaken by SARDI researchers. Novel management strategies that either provide crop protection or avoidance during the critical reproductive stages, such as including mixed species cropping (intercropping) and delayed sowing, will be investigated to successfully grow pulse crops in frost prone environments.
This project will research novel ways of harvesting and sowing medic pods which have the potential to reduce medic establishment costs by 60 per cent. A cheaper method of harvesting and sowing medic pods is expected to result in increased medic dry matter production and increased benefit to subsequent grain crops.
The project aim is to characterise the environmental differences across the Mid North and South Australian Mallee regions and the subsequent effect on planting time and variety selections for cereals. This aim will be achieved by utilising the Mesonet weather network to ground truth wheat and barley flowering time.