Project Overview
This Project Will Deliver
Study Areas
Publications From This Project
Associated Reef Rescue R&D Research
Related External Research
Relevant Publications

Project Overview

Quantification of N (ammonium and nitrate) resulting from the mineralisation of organic matter derived from legume break crops has been identified as a research priority within the sugarcane industry in Queensland. Although some information exists about the availability of this N for uptake by the plant crop following a legume break crop, it is important to investigate this more thoroughly and to determine how much of this N potentially remains as carryover to the ensuing ratoon crops.

The project will enable the effect of fertiliser N treatments to be assessed in sugarcane crops subsequent to a legume break crop. The size and availability of different N pools (organic and mineral N), sugarcane productivity (cane and sugar yield) and profitability (calculated partial net returns), and the environmental implications (estimated risk of N losses) of the different treatments will be determined. This will be achieved using data from a combination of field trials, pot experiments and laboratory assessments. The combined approach will be made possible by utilising existing field trials located in the Herbert, Mackay and Bundaberg regions, undertaking a series of supporting pot experiments in the growth-tunnel / glasshouses at the BSES Southern Experiments Station in Bundaberg and appropriate laboratory investigations at the Queensland Government facilities in Brisbane.

This Project Will Deliver

• A review current information / data to establish the current understanding of the N from legume fallow crops within the sugarcane production system.
• Quantify more precisely the amounts of N (organic and mineral) in soils and fallow crop residues found in field trials conducted at different locations and in pot experiments conducted in semi-controlled conditions.
• Assessment of the productivity, profitability (economic evaluation) and environmental implications associated with the use of legume-derived N in a subsequent sugarcane crop cycle.
• A set of guidelines for managing legume residues and the associated sources of N within a sugarcane / legume cropping system for incorporation into the SIX EASY STEPS nutrient management package.

Study Areas

This information is coming soon.

Publications From This Project

In preparation.

Associated Reef Rescue R&D Research

• RRRD039 Integrated assessment of BMP cost-effectiveness and decision tool for regions and landholders
• RRRD056 Evaluating and improving A-class practices to control nutrient losses from sugarcane

Related External Research

BSES

• Appropriate nutrient management for new farming systems.
• BSS329 (SRDC): Understanding water quality in sugarcane farming systems.

Paddock to Reef Program

• APSIM modelling and load estimation

Reef Protection Research and Development Program

• Wet Tropics, Burdekin & Mackay Whitsunday sites
• Reducing nitrous oxide gas emissions from sugarcane lands

DEEDI / QAAFI

• Impact of management practices on productivity and off-site water quality

Relevant Publications

N/A.