• Response of 13 chickpea genotypes to zinc nutrition was studied in a pot experiment under glasshouse conditions.
• When grown with no added zinc, zinc deficiency symptoms appeared 3–4 weeks after planting.
• Zinc efficiency based on shoot dry weight showed marked differences among genotypes.
• Root:shoot ratio was increased and proportionally more zinc was transported to the shoot when the soil was deficient.
• Cultivars that were very sensitive to zinc deficiency tended to have their root:shoot ratio increased by zinc deficiency more than less sensitive cultivars.
• The insensitive lines transported more than 70% of the total absorbed zinc to the shoot .
• Chickpea genotypes vary in their sensitivity to zinc deficiency.

• Single foliar trace element applications may not be sufficient to correct deficiencies caused by spreading calcareous clays.
• Placement of copper, zinc and manganese below the incorporated clay layer appeared to partially address the problem.
• This was an unreplicated farmer demo so needs to be repeated with replication to improve interpretation of results.

• Clay spreading with calcareous clays can induce manganese deficiency .
• Single foliar application of trace elements may not be sufficient to overcome this deficiency.

• Treatments were a single application of 10 kg/ha of Zn as zinc sulfate monohydrate (ZSM) (35% Zn) in 1996 or 4 applications of 1.25kg/ha or 2.5 kg/ha Zn as Incitec.
• Granulock ST-Z (10 %N, 19.5 % P, 2.5% Zn) between 1996 and 1999. Soil samples were collected at the commencement of the experiment, after the first application and post-harvest from the fourth crop.
• Samples were analysed for DTPA extractable Zn.
• The percentage of soil extractable Zn available from applied Zn after 4 cereal crops was about 12 % for the single application of 10 kg/ha Zn as ZSM, 22% for multiple applications of 1.25 kg/ha Zn and 20 % for 2.5 kg/ha Zn as STZ.
• It would appear that provided there is no compromise in crop productivity, a multiple low rate strategy of Zn fertiliser addition may be more effective in building available soil Zn concentration than a single higher rate.

• Comparative tolerance of wheat and 2 species of barley grass to manganese deficiency was examined in solution culture.
• All 3 species achieve comparable biomass on full nutrients but wheat seedlings were greatly disadvantaged on low manganese.
• Both species barley grass proved far more tolerant of low manganese and maintained positive carbon balance and all treatments including nil addition of manganese.
• This contrast explains the comparative advantage barley grass wheat on low manganese soils.

• Soil and solution culture studies were conducted to examine the relative contribution of different mechanisms of zinc efficiency at the whole plant level in bread and durum wheat during early vegetative stage.
• While there are a number of mechanisms of zinc efficiency, zinc uptake appears to be the most important mechanism • Seed zinc remobilisation and root to shoot translocation do not appear to be important to zinc efficiency.
• Visual scores of zinc deficiency were significantly correlated with zinc efficiency, and they provide a useful criterion for an initial screen of zinc efficiency.
• This study was based on vegetative growth and the conclusions need to be verified under field conditions.
• The percentage deviation technique provided a straight forward means of comparing the relative effects of different components of zinc efficiency and the method could be extended to studies that use grain yield as the measure of zinc efficiency.

• Copper concentrations in tissue on sandy soils declined with the age of the plant, with indications of copper deficiency for older plants.
• Patches of crop with partially empty heads were observed while the rest of the head was still green.
• Suggested that EDTA extractable copper might give indication of likely copper deficiency in sandy soils.
• Deficiency can be overcome by applying copper fertilisers to soil (long term solution) or a foliar copper spray (short term solution).

• Main areas at risk from Inglewood and Yelbaron in the south to Tara and Condamine in the north.
• Occurs on grey or grey brown clays or sandy clays which carried belah and brigalow in their native state.
• Variance in triticale varieties in responsiveness to copper sulphate.
• When copper fertiliser was placed in dry soil it was unable to be taken up by plants and grain yield, but not straw production, was severely compromised.

• 21 field trials across Southern Wimmera.
• At 18 trials the treatments included 2 kg ha of copper spray-applied to soil and incorporated at sowing; foliar applied copper (75 g Cu/ha) at late tillering; and 150 g Cu/ha at booting; a nil treatment.
• The other 3 trials investigated correction of previously diagnosed Cu deficiency.
• One of the most responsive sites in 1984 was reinvestigated in 1985 using similar treatments on an area which had not previously received copper.
• Grain yield and micronutrient of YEBS for Cu were measured.In 1984 grain yield response to applied copper was 0146 t ha-1 for wheat grown on the Yellow Duplex soils and 1.32 t ha for the Deep Sand site.
• The Red Duplex and Non-Friable Clay soils were not Cu deficient.
• In 1985 responses on yellow duplex soils (important cropping soils in region) were much smaller: attributed to fact it was a drier year than 1984 (no waterlogging).
• In 1984, leaf Cu concentration was initially sufficient but fell below the critical minimum after the onset of waterlogging and remained low until the soil dried out.

• Trials on Yellow Duplex Soils at 3 sites in the Southern Wimmera.
• At one site commercial chelated copper was foliar applied.
• Treatments were Nil; 75 or 150 g Cu/ha at late booting; 37.5 or 75 g Cu/ha at late tillering and; split applications of 75 g Cu/ha at late tillering plus either 75 g or 150 g Cu/ha at late booting.
• At two sites formulations of copper were compared, these treatments included Nil; copper oxychloride; copper sulphate and a commercial chelated copper. All were applied at 75 g Cu/ha at late tillering plus 150 g Cu/ha at booting. All plots were sown to wheat. Dry matter cuts were used at anthesis and maturity to estimate crop growth and yield components.
• Since copper is important in wheat for production of viable pollen the late booting treatments (applied after pollen set): resulted in only an 18% increase in grains/ear and grain yield.
• Whereas copper applied at late tillering increased grain yield by 1.55 t/ha or 93% (resulting from 60% more grains/ear and 20% more ears/m2 • Split applications did not result in higher yields.
• Both copper oxychloride and the chelated product resulted in grain yield increases between 0.94 and 1.26 t/ha but the chelated product is approximately seven times as expensive.

• Copper deficiency is common in wheat in South Australia and yield increases are common after copper is applied.
• Responses are observed on a range of sandy soils, especially siliceous and calcareous sands, sand over clay and soils containing ironstone.
• Symptoms of copper deficiency include wilting during early growth, leaf dieback after wilting, withertip (sterile ear tip and yellow/white ear tips), whiteheads, curved ears and heads pointing toward the ground, and blackening (melanism) of lower parts of leaves.

• Wheat, rye and triticale were grown in three Australian soils at low and high levels of trace elements.
•  All basal nutrients were supplied in copper and zinc added at 4 mg/pot.
• Addition of copper alone greatly increased pollen viability.
• Addition of zinc alone either decreased pollen viability or had no effect.
• The results confirm the tolerance of rye to extremes of soil pH and to both copper and zinc deficiency.
• In all environments adding zinc alone aggravated copper deficiency.
• Genotypic differences in copper zinc interaction showed up most strongly in soils of pH 7 and 9.

• Zinc applied as a 0.5% zinc sulphate spray completely corrected symptoms of zinc deficiency in field trials.
• Increasing the concentration of zinc sulphate (0.5, 1 and 1.5%) or applying twice did not affect plant response.
• To be fully effective sprays had to be applied two weeks after emergence.
• Soil applications of 125 kg/ha zinc sulphate were fully effective but not lesser rates.

• Zinc applied as a 0.5% zinc sulphate spray completely corrected symptoms of zinc deficiency in field trials.
• Copper, boron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus applied as foliar sprays did not correct deficiency symptoms.
• Increasing the concentration of zinc sulphate (0.5, 1 and 1.5%) or applying twice did not affect plant response.
• Some evidence that spraying seven weeks after emergence is too late, the optimum appears to be about five weeks after emergence.
• Responses were of the order of 24-76% above the control.

• Zinc sulphate applied as a 1% spray 2-4 weeks after emergence, or drilled with the seed, alleviated the symptoms of zinc deficiency in field trials • Applications five weeks after emergence were not effective.
• The disorder can also be alleviated by double cropping.
• Although responses to residual zinc were apparent it is considered more economic to use sprays each year.

• Field experiments were conducted in SA to calibrate a plant test for diagnosing zinc deficiency in wheat under field conditions.
• The combined results of 12 experiments conducted over five seasons indicated a diagnostic critical level of 18 mg Zn/kg (DW basis) in YEBs (youngest fully emerged blades) of wheat at mid-tillering.

• Grain yields were increased 20-30% by the soil or foliar application of zinc, provided that phosphorus was also supplied.
• Critical zinc concentrations determined in the glasshouse and field were the same, being 19-24 mg/kg throughout the life of the crop and 13-15 mg/kg zinc in grain.

• Initial barley growth was increased 40-50% and final yield by 10% when using seed with greater nutrients, even on soils not associated with manganese deficiency.
• Crops can drop into manganese deficiency late in the season with symptoms being pale, floppy leaves.
• Sufficient concentraiotns are Copper 2-3 ppm in grain and 5ppm in leaf, and for zinc 15ppm in grain and 23-25 ppm in leaf.
• Zinc is so cheap thatbit is worthwhile treating than taking any risk, at Wudinna this year a headland area not receiving zinc died while the remainder of the crop which received zinc survived the water stress.
• Trace element deficiencies seem to beexacerbated in dry years.

• Investigated infertile soils over clay in SA and Victoria.
• Earlier work showed that a "shotgun" mix of N, P, zinc, copper and manganese placed at 40cm regularly doubled cereal yields.
• Have shown that such applications have onging residual benefits.
• Need at least 25cm of sand or haying off can occur in dry years.
• Deep ripping tyne type and spacing appear to be less important than depth of application at 40cm.
• Apply nutrients at a rate which would double current yields.
• Management of erosion after ripping is the primary challenge.
• Addition of deep nutrient during ripping would appear to be a good option with reliable benefits.

Soils in the Wharminda and Stokes area of Eyre Peninsula were mapped and areas of micronutrient deficiency established by applying micronutrients (copper, zinc, manganese, iron, boron and molybdenum) in 24 factorial field experiments.

Fertiliser applications were made at the 1-2 leaf , tillering and booting stages.

• Grain yields were increased by copper application at 11 of the 24 sites.
• Zinc application increased yield at one site, manganese at one, iron at two and molybdenum at two sites, no increased due to boron application were recorded.
• Copper deficiency occurred in deep siliceous sands, calcareous sands, solodized solonetz and solodic soils with light brown sand at Wharminda.
• Zinc and manganese deficiencies were mostly confined to soils with a high carbonate content near the surface.
• Copper in the grain was a better indicator of deficiency than copper in the soil.
• Grain yield responses to copper application were indicated by grain copper of <2.5 ppm.

• The first leaf should not be used to diagnose manganese deficiency in barley as it has a higher concentration than the youngest expanded blade.
• Visual symptoms of manganese deficiency begin on the youngest leaves but necrosis develops slowly.
• There was no difference in manganese concentration between the youngest expanded blade on the main stem or tillers so either could be used.
• Chlorophyll a fluorescence was strongly correlated with manganese concentration and a useful tool for identifying manganese deficiency in barley.

• Zinc deficiency caused production losses in cereals of up to 25% and in medic of up to 300% in biomass.
• Critical level for zinc deficiency in wheat was established as 18 mg/kg in YEBs at late tillering.
• Zinc deficiency in crops can be corrected with foliar sprays, zinc coated fertilisers or zinc applied to the soil and thoroughly incorporated by tillage. Fertilisers which are a mix of NP granules and zinc granules are poorly effective.
• Zinc applied to the soil will provide residual benefits for 3-10 years, the longer persistence in sandier mallee soils.
• 70% of cereal crops in the SA mallee were zinc deficient in the early 1990s.
• An application of 2 kg zinc/ha to the soil (as an incorporated soil spray or zinc coated fertiliser) will correct zinc deficiency in broadacre crops and pastures.

• Twenty replicated factorial experiments conducted 1970-1971.
• Copper, manganese, zinc, iron, boron and molybdenum applied as foliar sprays at various times.
• Vegetative growth was less affected by copper deficiency than grain yield.
• There was a response to copper at 14 of the 20 sites.
• Response to other trace elements were much less frequent.
• Copper deficiency occurred on a wide range of soils.
• Responses to zinc and manganese applications were confined to calcareous soils.
• Copper concentration in the tops was poorly correlated with yield but a critical concentration of 2.5 ppm was apparent from grain analysis.
• The relationship between grain copper and copper responsiveness was not influenced by soil type.

• Although soil measures of zinc availability indicated sufficiency, zinc deficiency was severe in the untreated plots.
• Yield responses to foliar zinc of up to 86% were observed in sensitive cultivars.
• Some cultivars were not responsive to applied zinc and did not show any symptoms of zinc deficiency.
• Appropriate early treatment with foliar sprays eliminates zinc deficiency.
• Where soils are shown to be zinc deficient soil applications may be warranted but interactions with phosphorus need to be understood.

• Zinc diffusion was assessed for three fertilizers in three soils of varying pH.
• The fertilizer (zincSO4-coated monoammonium phosphate, MAP; zincSO4-coated diammonium phosphate, DAP; or zincSO4 alone) was applied in the centre of a Petri dish filled with soil.
• The zinc diffusion zone was visualized at various incubation times (1, 7 and 18 days) by exposing a CaCO3-impregnated filter paper on the soil surface and colouring the zinc captured on the filter paper using dithizone.
• The extent of diffusion was also assessed through concentric sampling and chemical analysis of soil sections.
• The visualization results agreed with the chemical analyses and demonstrated the effects of soil properties and fertilizer formulation on zinc diffusion.
• Combining zinc with P fertilizer restricted its diffusion, particularly with DAP fertilizer or in high pH soils.
• Solubility considerations indicated that this was due to the formation of zinc phosphate minerals.

• Guardian and Mace top yielding varieties at Franklin Harbour.
• Espada and RAC 1671 top the yields at Mt Cooper.
• Hindmarsh barley stands out; yielding 4.76 t/ha at Mt Cooper.
• Estoc, Scout and Espada top yielding varieties at Elliston.

• Guardian and Mace top yielding varieties at Franklin Harbour.
• Espada and RAC 1671 top the yields at Mt Cooper.
• Hindmarsh barley stands out; yielding 4.76 t/ha at Mt Cooper.
• Estoc, Scout and Espada top yielding varieties at Elliston.

• Fluid fertilisers performed better (increased early growth and grain yield) with the addition of low rates of micronutrients.
• Foliar micronutrients were more economic than granular.

• Simulated dry sowing was not shown to have any detrimental effect on Zn fertiliser use efficiency.

• Commercial granular and liquid monoammonium phosphate fertilizers enriched with zinc were incubated under dry and wet conditions to test the effects of dry sowing on fertilizer diffusion, lability, and subsequent availability to wheat (Tritium aestivum L. ‘Axe’) plants in the growth chamber using isotopic techniques.
• Fertilizer incubated in dry soil tended to have a much greater lability than in wet soil, but diffusion was limited.
• The restricted diffusion during the incubation did not negatively impact nutrient availability to plants subsequently grown in the growth chamber, however, and simulated dry sowing was not shown to have a detrimental effect on fertilizer efficiency.

• All treatments with zinc sulphate or commercial fungicide Tilt reduced yellow leaf spot infection but only Tilt treatments had increased grain yield.
• Despite yield increase the Tilt treatment was not economic.
• Triadimefon and copper sulphate did not reduce yellow leaf spot infection.

• Plants grown in small pots containing Mn deficient calcareous (pH 8.5, 80% CaCO3) sand collected from Wangary, S.A with 0-50 ppm added Mn in growth room at 15°C.
• Plants harvested at approx. 4 weeks (early tillering). Also 30 wheat cultivars were screened at Wangary using plant breeders' plots (4 rows x 5 m) with a split plot application of foliar MnSO (1 kg/ha ).
• Effects of seed soaking were evaluated for wheat and barley by soaking for 6 h with 1.5% MnSO4 prior to sowing.
• Without Mn, all cultivars showed no differences in growth and Mn uptake at 4 weeks (pots) but significant differences at 8 weeks in the field. With Mn supplied either in soil or on seed large cultivar differences were apparent at 4 weeks.
• Conclude that use of Mn efficient varieties coupled with a suitable seed Mn content will lessen the need for Mn fertilisers.

• Despite seed boron concentrations being very high (>20 mg/kg) there was no detectable effect on seedling emergence or growth.
• The amount of boron in the shoots was similar irrespective of the amount of boron in the grain.
• It would appear that grain boron is not mobilised to the developing seedling.

• Leaves showing strongly developed symptoms of manganese deficiency or toxicity obtained from the field.
• Wherever possible parallel samples from healthy plants were also taken.
• Healthy green and chlorotic laminar tissue was dissected and manganese determined by atomic absorption spectrometry on acid digests of the wet ashed sample.
• In healthy leaves manganese is not distributed uniformly but is accumulated in the interveinal areas and the tip and margins of the blade.
• In deficient leaves this pattern is reversed and manganese concentrations are lowest in these areas.
• The distribution suggested that manganese is mobilised under severe deficiency however at luxury supply manganese behaves as an immobile element.
• The strong association between visual symptoms of manganese deficiency and toxicity and the distribution of manganese in the leaf suggest these symptoms are the product of local changes in manganese concentrations in the leaf.

• Demonstrated a strong dependence of wheat seedlings linseed manganese supply.
• Real manganese uptake can only be calculated if the initial seed manganese content is known.
• Seed soaking in manganese sulphate prior to selling greatly increase the seed manganese content although less than 20% of this manganese was recovered in the seedlings after 26 days.

• Foliar zinc decreased grain cadmium concentration at only one of three sites, when zinc was applied twice.
• The timing of zinc application had no significant effect on wheat grain cadmium concentration.
• Soil applied zinc had no effect on wheat grain cadmium concentration.
• The recommended rate of foliar zinc (0.33 kg Zn/ha) may not be sufficient to decrease cadmium uptake.

• Three field trials assessed the relative effectiveness of a range of products for correcting zinc deficiency in wheat.
• These trials were conducted during the 1996 growing season and were located in representative areas of the Lower Eyre Peninsula and Lower North regions of SA and the Wimmera of Vic.
• They were predicted to be Zn deficient but moderate responses to Zn fertilisers were recorded at only the two SA sites.
• Responses to Zn in grain yield at these two sites were too small to assess any relative differences between fertiliser sources but assessments of dry matter production and Zn uptake during the season allowed some relative comparisons to be made.
• The technique of spraying a zinc sulphate solution onto the soil surface and incorporating prior to seeding was the most effective technique at supplying Zn to the wheat crop under the conditions of these trials.
• Under the conditions of the trials reported here there was no clear evidence that DAP sources of Zn enriched fertilisers were less effective than MAP sources.
• However, the behaviour of these two different product types was not tested under severe Zn deficiency conditions.

• Several barley and wheat cultivars displaying a broad range of tolerance to boron toxicity were cultured in solution culture at boron concentrations from adequate to toxic.
• Tolerant cultivars developed fewer symptoms, grew better and absorbed less boron than sensitive varieties.
• The supply of boron had no consistent effects on the tissue concentration of macronutrients (K, S, Mg, P, Ca) and trace elements (Cu, zinc, Mn, Fe).
• There appeared to be no interaction between boron and other elements.
• It was concluded that differences between cultivars in tolerance related to the amount of boron absorbed.

• 15 acid soils from 8 soil groups were used to examine the effects of lime yields and phosphorus uptake white clover in relation to changes in exchangeable and soluble phosphorus, manganese and aluminium. There were yield responses to lime in 8 soils, 6 of which occurred only in the absence of phosphate and 2 only in the presence of phosphate.
• Clover only responded to lime when it contained more than 100 ppm manganese.
• Clover failed to respond to lime when it contains less than 80 ppm manganese, regardless of the lime effect soil phosphorus.

• Manganese fertilisaiton increased the accummulaiotn of manganes ebut reduced the accumulation of zinc and copper.
• Take-all infection redcued root growth only slightly, indicating that reduced nutrient accumulaiotn was due to changes in root physiology.
• Manganese efficient genotypes accumulated othe rnutrients at a slower rate than manganese inefficient genotypes.

• Glasshouse experiments and field experiments in South Australia and Victoria were conducted to examine wheat tolerance to heast stress as related to zinc nutrition.
• The results showed that good zinc nutrition could preserve membrane integrity and photosynthesis during heat stress.
• Supplementary zinc nutrition was shown to increase canopy cooling through evaporation.
• The field and glasshouse experiments showed that the combinaiton of heat stress and poor zinc nutrition were more damaging when they occurred together.
• Zinc sufficient plants had higher quality grain (glutenin:gladin) and better bread making qualities.

• Studies examined the interaction between Zn nutrition and heat stress on the photosynthetic activity and grain yield of wheat plants under both field and growth room conditions.
• The Zn inefficient cultivar Goldmark was found to have an improved chlorophyll fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm), a measure of injury to photosynthesis, under heat stress when supplied with elevated levels of Zn compared to plants where less Zn was applied.
• However supplementary Zn did not prevent a decline in kernel weight or grain yield under high temperature conditions.
• The results indicate that supplementary Zn nutrition, in a Zn inefficient genotype at least, can provide thermotolerance to the photosynthetic apparatus of wheat.

• We examined the interaction between zinc nutrition and heat stress on the photosynthetic activity and grain yield of wheat plants under both field and growth room conditions.
• The zinc inefficient cultivar Goldmark was found to have an improved chlorophyll fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm), a measure of injury to photosynthesis, under heat stress when supplied with elevated levels of zinc compared to plants where less zinc was applied.
• However supplementary zinc did not prevent a decline in kernel weight or grain yield under high temperature conditions.
• The results indicate that supplementary zinc nutrition, in a zinc inefficient genotype at least, can provide thermotolerance to the photosynthetic apparatus of wheat.

• Zinc oxide fertilisers had lower solubility and dissolution than zinc sulphates.
• Zinc oxide was as effective as zinc sulphate if it was mixed with the soil but not when banded near the seed.
• Zinc sulphate would be preferable to zinc oxide in no-till systems where fertiliser is banded.

• Zinc was applied at four rates as either zinc sulphate (35% Zn), zinc oxide (83% Zn), zinc oxysulphate (18% Zn) or as granulock STZ (20.4% P, 2.5% Zn).
• Dry matter yield, tissue Zn concentration and plant Zn uptake were measured. Co-granulated zinc oxide and MAP (ST-Z) produced the dry matter response similar to zinc sulphate, with zinc oxysulphate and zinc oxide producing similar but lower yields.
• It is proposed that the difference in effectiveness between STZ (zinc oxide based) and zinc oxide is as a result of a synergistic effect between the close proximity of the P and Zn in each particle rather than any change in chemical composition during manufacture.
• The mechanism for enhanced Zn uptake with STZ may be a result of root proliferation around P concentrations aiding Zn uptake.

• The zinc content of particle size fractions of 12 mainly zinc deficient soils was measuredly extraction with three contrasting extractants.
• The soils, which ranged from sands to a black earth, were from Western Australia and Queensland Particle size fractions were obtained by sieving and sedimentation after ultrasonification of soil suspended in deionized water.
• High clay soils had higher concentrations (mean 54 mg kg-I) of acid extractable –zinc than low clay soils (mean 2 mg kg-I)After fractionation.
• Lowest acid extractable - and DTPA-zinc were found in coarse sand fractions and concentrations increased with decreasing particle size.
• Clay plus silt fractions contained 60-99% of the whole soil acid extractable –zinc.
• The CaCl2-zinc concentrations were very low (<0.5 ug/kg-I) for all soils.
• In whole soils, DTPA-zinc was only a small proportion of the acid extractable-zinc.
• Acid extractable -zinc was correlated with oxalate extractable Fe and with oxalate aluminium whereas DTPA-zinc was correlated with oxalate extractable Fe.The AE- and DTPA-zinc were correlated with organic carbon only in some fractions.
• The DTPA- and CaCl2-zinc were not correlated with acid extractable -zinc content, nor was DPTA-zinc correlated with CaCl2-zinc in whole soils or fractions.

• Zinc (Zn) has been shown to be a clear limiting factor in achieving maximum fertiliser response from N and P on all soils sown in the SA Operation FerTill experiment program.
• Increased wheat grain yield of 4-6% has been achieved with Zn as a coat to DAP applied in each year over 3 years.
• This clearly questions the current practice of Zn application once every 3-4 years.
• These results suggest that Zn when used in combination with higher P and application should be considered every year.
• P and Zn placement are very effective management tools to reduce the severity of Rhizoctonia spp, in crops.
• Some P and Zn placement in the seed row of cereal crops is beneficial in reducing the severity of Rhizoctonia patch by up to 50%, increasing grain yield.

• A high rainfall growing season favoured blackspot disease build up and generally later flowering pea varieties at Minnipa in 2009.
• Kaspa was 17% higher yielding than Parafield, its highest margin over this variety at Minnipa in 11 years of testing.
• Kaspa’s grain yield was reduced by 19% when sowing date was delayed from 30 April to 20 May, however no grain yield reduction occurred in the advanced PBA field pea lines OZP0602 and OZP0601 with this delayed sowing date.
• OZP0601 and OPP0602, despite lower performance than Kaspa in the MAC variety trial in 2009, will provide better adapted “Kaspa type” options for low rainfall environments when they become available due to their earlier and longer flowering periods.

• Pea yields were high in 2011, but less than in the previous 2 years.
• Later maturing lines were favoured by the longer season, and apart from lower yields in Parafield there was generally little difference in grain yield between named varieties.
• A four week delay in sowing from early May resulted in a 32% yield loss across all varieties.
• Agronomy trials showed no significant effect of stubble management of grain yield in 2011, however standing stubble treatments showed increased standing height and reduced lodging compared to slashed stubble plots, which could aid harvest.

• New field pea varieties PBA Gunyah and PBA Twilight performed similarly to Kaspa and Parafield under extremely favourable conditions in 2010 at Minnipa, and given their yield advantages over these varieties in drier seasons, will be better adapted varieties for this region.
• Grain yield of PBA Stage 3 field peas averaged 2.9 t/ha at Minnipa in 2010 due to the wet and long growing season, which generally favoured later flowering pea varieties.
• Most advanced breeding lines showed no difference in yield to Kaspa (2.93t/ha) due to the favourable conditions.
• Though blackspot was present in 2010, it was not as extensive as in 2009 and had little impact on yield. This will have contributed to the 27% higher yield achieved in 2010 compared with 2009.
• Agronomy trials showed no significant effect of sowing date or stubble management treatments in 2010. This is likely due to the long growing season, and lack of disease. However early sowing is still recommended for low rainfall regions providing frost, weeds and blackspot risks are considered.

• X-rays of small dishes of soil to which fertiliser had been added in the centre showed that fluid forms of copper, zinc and manganese are more mobile (diffuse further) in soil compared to granular forms.

• Trace elements can be added to a farming system via a fluid delivery system.
• Economic responses to trace elements did not occur in non-responsive situations regardless of form of application.
• Addition of N and P to trace element fluid fertiliser did not appear to enhance trace element uptake.
• Lower cost foliar applied trace elements offer a cheaper approach to trace element application whilst still providing economic returns.

• Application of trace element (Mn,Cu, Zn) mix or manganese did not improve yield at the two sites.
• Application at sowing of fungicide with the separate (split) addition of 40kg/ha urea reduced Rhizoctonia seminal root infection at both sites.
• Phosphoric acid resulted in higher yields than granular P in two of the three years of the trial at the highly calcareous site (Streaky Bay) but not in the wet year; whereas at the other site (Waramboo) on the red sandy loam there was a small yield response in the wet year.

• Zn deficiency was evident at mid-tillering at one site only (Streaky Bay) in treatments where zinc had not been applied.
• Manganese deficiency was not identified via tissue testing at Streaky Bay despite treatments with added manganese having better earlier growth.

• Replicated trials at 22 sites were sown in factorial design of two rates of manganese sulphate (0 and 32 kg/ha), drilled with the superphosphate (200 kg/ha) at seeding, and two rates of manganese foliar spray (Mangasol®) at 0 and 10 1/ha) applied at flowering.
• Harvest yields were obtained, and the number of split seeds recorded in the grain sample.
• Manganese significantly (P < 0.05) increased grain yields and reduced the proportion of split seeds in the grain sample at 10 of the 22 sites (see table).
• Manganese significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the proportion of split seeds at 8 non-yield responsive sites, and produced no response at 4 sites (see table). Cultivar effects were not apparent. Concluded that a Mangasol® foliar spray applied at flowering is a more reliable means of controlling manganese deficiency in lupins than is the drilling of manganese at seeding time.
• Wide-spread aerial applications of Mangasol® have been commercially applied in the two seasons since these trials. The method is cost-effective, and in most cases coincides with insecticide application.

• Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and molybdenum (Mo) were applied as foliar sprays at 75, 150 and 30 g/ha, respectively, to tillering wheat (5-6 leaf stage) growing on a strongly acid soil (Rutherglen site, pH CaCl2 4.38) limed at three rates (0, 2.5 and 10 t/ha lime).
• The highest lime treatment (pH CaCl2 increased to 7.18) was included to determine if lime induced any micronutrient deficiency.
• Two further sites were established on farmers' properties (Devenish, pH CaCl2 4.36; Goomalibee, pH CaC12 4.72), the same three micronutrients were applied with boron (B, 200 g/ha) to adjacent limed and unlimed areas.
• At the Rutherglen site plants were sampled on three occasions (3 leaf stage, jointing and flowering). The youngest fully emerged leaf (YFEL) was separated for chemical analysis.
• There was no effect of lime or applied Cu to the concentrations in the YFEL's.
• These concentrations considerably exceed the suggested deficiency value of <2 ppm (2). Zn concentrations in YFEL's at flowering were above 20 ppm for all treatments, well in excess of the critical deficiency level (<10 ppm).
• There were no effects on YFEL Zn concentrations from applying Zn or lime.
• The levels of Mo were significantly increased (P<0.01) by lime from 0.3 ppm to 0.6 and 0.8 ppm respectively, for 2.5 and 10 t/ha lime (SED0.059). However, YFEL Mo concentrations were more than adequate for plant needs.
• There was no effect of foliar applied Cu, Zn or Mo on grain yield.
• Lime has consistently increased grain yield at this site. At the Devenish and Goomalibee sites, lime significantly (P<0.01) increased grain yields (36% and 13% respectively) but there were no improvements from the applied foliar nutrients nor any interaction with lime.

• Molybdenum is required for healthy pasture growth across most of Victoria.
• It is especially important for nitrogen fixing legumes.
• Molybdenum deficient legumes look N deficient.
• Molybdenum should be applied every 5 to 8 years.
• No more molybdenum should be applied than is necessary as excess molybdenum reduces the availability of copper to livestock.
• Stock should be excluded from fields for six weeks after molybdenum application to reduce the risk of copper deficiency in livestock.

• A very dry year and indicative problems with wheat accessing trace elements in dry soils.
• There were signifcant yield reponses to zinc and magnesium.

The main impacts of climate change by 2030 on grazing livestock enterprises is likely to be shorter  growing seasons, greater variability in pasture growth, reduced pasture quality, less available pasture, reduced wool quality and increased variability in farm gross margins. Possible adaptations to alleviate
some of these impacts are;

• Minimising the need for supplementary feed by reviewing lambing and calving times, age at first joining, stocking rates and sale times,
• Increase flexibility in systems by varying sale times/rules, confinement feeding, movement, more animal trading (core breeding), agistment, matching feed demand to pasture production, and
• Improved pasture utilisation by grazing management.

• Chickpeas will suffer far more from being too cold and to some degree too wet than they ever will from being too hot and too dry.
• Chickpeas don’t like high levels of boron, but will handle some.
• Chickpeas have some Pratylenchus tolerance but low resistance. Do a Predicta-B test for Pratylenchus. If levels are high, you will need to find an alternative paddock.
• Chickpeas don’t like competition from weeds. Use the herbicide Balance post sowing pre-emergent. If you don’t have broad leaf weeds under control before chickpea emergence there are few herbicide options. Grass weed control is quite easy as for normal pulses, such as Targa or Select.

• Group B herbicides can exacerbate trace element deficiencies in cereal crops.

• Glasshouse experiments measured plant DM response and recovery of Zn fertilisers in oxide and sulfate form using three placement treatments - banded, mixed throughout the soil volume, and applied to the soil surface.
•  Also plant recovery of Zn from pure Zn phosphates and carbonates, which are likely reaction products of banded Zn fertilisers in soil, was measured. Recovery of Zn from Zn phosphates, carbonates and oxides was lower than that of Zn sulfates when banded.
• Placement was the major factor controlling plant responsiveness to Zn.
• Zinc oxide fertilisers had very low water solubility and slow dissolution rates in water, which is related to the high pH when the oxide is dissolved in water.
• There was significantly less recovery of fertiliser Zn by plants from Zn oxides than from Zn sulfates when the fertiliser was banded near the seed, likely due to higher pH in the band as the oxide dissolved.
• However, the Zn supply to plants was the same for both sources of Zn when fertilisers were mixed through the soil, as the soil likely buffered any dissolution-induced pH increases.
• This means that Zn oxides, despite their low water solubility, can be effective fertilisers if uniformly mixed throughout the crop rooting depth but Zn sulfate is preferable for banding or surface application.

• This manual provides useful guidance on the design of experiments to explore and treat nutrient deficiencies in agricultural crops.

• This three year research project aims to increase the yield and reliability of field pea under water deficit and is a major pre-breeding target of Pulse Breeding Australia.
• Key traits being monitored include phenology, canopy and yield traits and the adaptive value of these traits will be explored.
• The trade-offs between adaptation to stress and yield in good environments will be investigated.
• Improving the reliability of yield of field pea in water limiting environments will help to provide a robust break crop option for growers in low rainfall regions.
• Preliminary results from the second season and summary of first season experiments are presented with more detailed trait data currently being analysed, with one more year to follow.
• Correlations between yield and canopy traits such as greenness and growth rate have been identified.
• We have also used APSIM to model the seasonal soil moisture stress for all environments.

• This three year reserch project aims to increase the yield and reliability of field pea under water deficit and is a major pre-breeding target of Pulse Breeding Australia.
• Key traits being monitored include phenology, canopy and yield traits and the adaptive value of these traits will be explored.
• The trade-offs between adaptation to stress and yield in good environments will be investigated.
• Improving the reliability of yield of field pea in water limiting environments will help to provide a robust break crop option for growers in low rainfall regions.
• Preliminary results only from the first season of experiments are presented with more detailed trait data currently being analysed, with two more years from different seasons to follow.
• Correlations between yield and canopy traits such as greenness have been identified.

• The effects of zinc supply in subsoil were examined in three genotypes of Brassica napus in a glasshouse experiment.
• The topsoil was supplied with zinc in all treatments whereas zinc was either supplied or omitted from the subsoil.
• Supplying zinc to subsoil significantly increased the root growth in the lower zone, markedly decreased the number of aborted and unfilled pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, individual seed weight and overall seed yield.
• Subsoil zinc also significantly increased the zinc concentration and zinc content of seed and improved the ratio of zinc uptake by seed to total zinc uptake by seed and shoots.

• Temperature did not influence extractable copper consistently.
• The effects of varied with the soil and on whether or not copper was added.
• When soils were incubated under a fluctuating temperature 20 to 40% less copper was extracted by EDTA then when incubation was constant at 20°.
• This result emphasises the need for caution in applying the results from constant temperature to field situations where the temperature fluctuates.

• Severity of root rot of barley and wheat in farmers fields caused by Rhizoctonia was inversely correlated with crop Zn status.
• Zn was the only nutrient correlated with the severity of Rhizoctonia.
• Zn deficient plants were more susceptible to Rhizoctonia.
• 2.5 kg Zn/ha halved the area suffering from bare patch.

• A factorial pot experiment involving four rates of soil-applied Mn (0, 0.75, 7.5 and 75 mg Mn/pot), four levels of CCN (0, 93, 186 and 372 second stage juveniles per pot) and 12 replicates of one Hordeum vulgare cv. 'Clipper' plant per pot was carried out.
• Four replicates were harvested 28, 73 and 192 days after sowing and each plant was assessed at harvest for growth, Mn content and level of CCN infection • Several plant growth parameters were measured non-destructively during growth.
• Resistance (ability of the pathogen to reproduce on the host) was not influenced by Mn nutrition of the host and equal numbers of nematodes invaded and developed to maturity on all plants despite Mn treatments resulting in plant Mn levels which ranged from severely deficient (0 Mn rate) and deficient (low Mn rate) to adequate (two highest Mn rates).
• However, tolerance (endurance of disease without severe losses in yield or quality) was considerably reduced by the combination of low Mn supply and higher levels of CCN.
• Plant height was reduced by increasing CCN numbers only at the two lowest Mn rates.
• These trends were typical of those observed in all plant growth parameters measured in the final two harvests including dry and fresh weight of roots and tops and total dry weight of grain produced per plant. Maturity was delayed in the severely affected plants.

• Zinc deficiency occurs on many heavy textured soils in the cereal areas of Queensland.
• Zinc deficiency is greater after long fallows and much reduced in double crop systems .
• In linseed zinc deficiency has been associated with potassium, manganese and occasionally phosphorus deficiency. But in wheat only zinc deficiency has been recognised.
• Zinc foliar sprays are thought to be the best solution.
• The positive effect of double cropping is thought to relate to root factors.

• Early zinc uptake can be increased when zinc is applied as soil spray, seed coat or granular fertiliser but this does not necessarily increase yield.
• Products differ markedly in price per kg of elemental zinc so carefully consider your choice to get best value for money.
• Make sure choice of application method fits your farming system: for example if you are no-till then soil spray inefficient as not worked into root zone, foliar spray too late if you have zinc deficient soil as yield losses will already have occurred.
• Some products have short term benefits (seed coats and foliar sprays) and some longer term benefits.

• Chelated iron applied to the soil before sowing increased active iron in leaves by 42% and dry matter by up to 46% early in the season.
• The 9% increase in grain yield following iron application to soil was not significant.
• Foliar iron had no significant on activeFe, leaf colour or photosynthesis.
• Lime induced iron chlorosis was suspected.

• Iron deficiency is common on rendzinas, peats and coastal calcareous sands in the south east of South Australia .
• Symptoms of deficiency are much greater in wetter than dry years when little deficiency is apparent.
• In field pea the symptoms show up at about the fourth or sixth node stage when the young leaves and growing tip become yellow.
• Soluble ferrous sulphate should be sprayed on to peas at the onset of symptoms.

• Three field sites were sown with grass clover pasture and limed and 11 rates.
• Soils were also collected from lime treatments incubated for 2 months and then used to grow clover in the glasshouse.
• Increasing soil pH by liming decreased availability of manganese at all sites and in the glasshouse experiment.
• In the glasshouse experiment yields decreased on all soils at the higher lime rates.
• Diagnosis of manganese deficiency in sub clover is confounded by lack of a reliable critical value.
• If 20 mg/kg is taken as a critical concentration fulfilled run clover and flowering 2 of the experimental sites are nearing manganese deficiency at moderate line rates.
• Calcium chloride extractable manganese determined in the pot soils correlated well with planned manganese in the youngest open leaf.

• A full liquid system including N, P, Trace elements and fungicides provided the greatest yield response and was significantly better than district practice granular treatments.
• Liquid N gave the most significant response of all liquid treatments in terms of mid-season biomass and yield.
• Full liquid and liquid N treatments provided similar returns to that of traditional treatments and greater returns than liquid P only.

• Incorrect identification could be costly as with Take all and Crown rot require different management.
• Check the bases of plants for symptoms, don’t rely on whiteheads (which need not even be disease related).
• Even where whiteheads are not present, significant yield losses can occur.
• Know the risk of yield loss in your paddocks before sowing. For 2012 crops, this will mean sending summer/autumn soil samples to the Predicta B testing service for analysis.
• The most effective management tool for both diseases is host-free breaks.
• Where old cereal rows have medium to high inoculum levels, sowing between those old rows can reduce yield losses from these diseases, but only if the inter-row has low levels of inoculum.
• When Take-all inoculum levels are medium to high, the best option is a 12 month break from hosts. If susceptible cereals must be sown, keep the paddock(s) weed free and sow the atrisk paddock(s) last in the cereal cropping program.
• When crown rot inoculum levels are medium to high, the best option is a break from hosts (2-3 years may be needed). If cereals must be sown then barley is least likely to show yield loss, followed by oats and bread wheat. Do not apply excessive nitrogen early in the season.

From this trial:

• Soil applications from 2015 were poorly effective at improving grain yield. Foliar applications of sulphate increased yield by about 1t/ha. Best yield increases of more than 2t/ha were achieved with a combination of soil and foliar applications. 

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• The site was severely deficient in Cu for wheat. 
• Under these severely deficient conditions, soil applications of Cu were poorly effective compared to foliar sprays but fluid applications performed better than Cu enriched granular fertilisers.  However, soil applications of Cu can persist for decades.
• There was no evidence that a chelated source of Cu as a foliar spray was more effective than a sulphate source and less Cu seemed to end up in the grain with the chelated source.
• A single foliar spray of Cu prior to flowering is often sufficient to protect a cereal crop from Cu deficiency but under the severe deficiency encountered in 2015, two foliar sprays were necessary to overcome the problem completely (one at first node, the second prior to flowering).
• Cu deficiency can make a crop more sensitive to adverse conditions.  In this trial, the hot drying conditions of the early October weekend, severely scorched all plots with no or poorly effective Cu management strategies.
• The soil and leaf tests taken during this trial support that the current guidelines for Cu deficiency are still relevant to modern farming systems and varieties.  A DTPA Cu level in soil of less than 0.3 ppm in the top 10 cm is considered deficient, and 1.3 ppm Cu in YEBS is considered very deficient for wheat.

From the whole project:

Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.

Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.

No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.

Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.

Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial: 

• No crop response to the addition of copper. Soil and plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project: 

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.
•  

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Manganese. Plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No change in crop performace with the addition of Manganese. As a foliar spray, sulphate was as effective as an EDTA chelate at increasing leaf manganese at Z30. Halving the recommended rate of sulphate decreased leaf manganese levels.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Manganese. Plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Manganese. Plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Manganese. Plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Zinc. Soil and plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Zinc. Soil and plant tests were in the deficient range. As a foliar spray, sulphate was as effective as two chelate sources for increasing leaf zinc at Z30.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of zinc. Soil and plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of zinc. Soil and plant tests not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Zinc. Soil and plant tests were not in the deficient range.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• Grain yield increased by 7% with the addition of zinc. Effectiveness of fertiliser strategies could not be assesed with such a small increase in yield. Soil and plant tests were in the deficient range. At Z14 zinc enriched fertilisers at sowing increased leaf zinc. At Z30 a sulphate as a foliar was as effective as an EDTA chelate. 

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

From this trial:

• No crop response to the addition of Zinc. Soil and plant tests were in the deficient range. Zinc applied at seeding either as a granular fertiliser or as a fluid fertiliser increased leaf zinc Z14.

From the whole project:

• Current guidelines are still relevant and effective for TE management.
• Some current interpretations of soil tests are causing issues - the suggested levels to avoid deficiencies are much higher in some lab reports than is our experience from field trials. These are creating false impressions of the extent and severity of Zn and Cu deficiencies.
• No evidence of a major increase in the incidence or severity of TE deficiencies in the cropping zones.
• Fluid delivery of TEs at seeding is a valid management strategy but rates of the target TE need to be the same as used with compounded fertilisers.
• Generally, all sources of foliar TE were equally effective.

• Yield losses caused by Pratylenchus are still being defined, in the meantime growers should focus on implementing management strategies to reduce impact of Rhizoctonia; most of these also reduce impact of Pratylenchus.
• Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is a potential risk this year, particularly in continuous cereal paddocks with high frequency of susceptible varieties e.g. Wyalkatchem.
• Take-all risk is also increasing in continuous cereal and cereal/grassy pasture rotations; this is driven by above average growing seasons on Eyre Peninsula for the past few seasons.
• Field trials are underway to assess the yield losses caused by Pratylenchus in current varieties. Results of the first trials indicate yield losses caused by Pratylenchus in 2011 were relatively small; this program is continuing to determine if losses are higher in different seasons.
• Pratylenchus multiplication varies between varieties, check the 2012 Cereal Variety Disease Guide for the latest resistance ratings. Note; some barley varieties are better hosts for P. neglectus than previously thought.

• With high grain prices, small increases in productivity can significantly improve farm profitability.
• At Goolagong, NSW, wheat yields were significantly increased by the use of a balanced fertiliser regime including N, P, K, S, Mg and Zn.
• An analysis of gross margins showed that the application of secondary and trace elements would have significantly improved farm profitability.
• Zinc-efficient (Excalibur) and inefficient (Gatcher) wheat cultivars grown in calcareous subsoil with low micronutrient levels, high pH and B. Treatments were +/- basal nutrients (exc Zn) and +/-Zn.
• Gatcher produced 47% more DM tops and double the root length density of Excalibur by maturity.
• Excalibur was far more efficient in Zn uptake and 7 times more efficient than Gatcher in partitioning zinc to grain.
• Simulated dry sowing was not shown to have any detrimental effect on Zn fertiliser use efficiency.

Result: Fertiliser incubated in dry soil tended to have greater lability but diffusion was limited, although this did not have any effect on availability to subsequent wheat.

• Current guideline of YEB values at tillering greater than 15mg Mn/kg indicative of adequate status still appear appropriate.
• No yield response recorded to application of Mn in different form or timing.

• Chlorotic and stunted wheat was found to have higher shoot manganese content than healthy plants in the same fields • High values were sometimes associated (correlated) with soil acidity and sometimes with waterlogging.
• In experiments, direct drilling resulted in lower manganese content of wheat, while what following lupin had higher manganese than wheat following wheat.
• Application of lime (0, 2.5 and 5 t/a) to an acid soil (pH 5) reduced the manganese content of wheat from 373, to 135 and 191 ppm respectively.
• On soil from a problem paddock near Rutherglen, application of ammonium sulphate nearly doubles manganese content of Olympic but not Egret wheat, while calcium nitrate reduced manganese in both cultivars.

• Manganese deficiency of wheat decreased the concentration of lignin and phenolic compounds, important precursors to a range of defence mechanisms.
• Reductions in biological defence chemicals are considered to be the primary reason for increased take all infection in zinc deficient plants.

• Manganese deficiency has been identified on light volcanic soils from Mounts Gambier and Schank, and heavy black soils from drained swamps near Penola.
• These soils are alkaline.
• Symptoms first appear as oval dead spots on the second leaf, especially along the margins (not on the first leaf).
• Availability of manganese is reduced in the alkaline soil.
• The deficiency can be cured by the application of manganese sulphate.

• Application of Mn or Mn+nitrogen increased barley yield.
• There may have been some residual value of the applied Mn.

• Applying N at GS31 increased yield but no response to manganese was measured.

• There was a dry matter response measured at anthesis to all treatments with application of manganese but due to dry season this was not translated into yield increases.