2014 trials

To assess amelioration options for water repellent sandplain soils.

To answer the quesitons:

• Does in-furrow application of fungicide using liquid banding improve control of Rhizoctonia solani compared to the untreated control or seed treatment?
• Does in-furrow application of fungicide using liquid banding improve control of Rhizoctonia solani compared to coating of granular fertiliser?
• Does an integrated approach incorporating cultivation, seed treatment and in-furrow fungicide application improve control of Rhizoctonia solani compared to the untreated control and all other individual treatments?

To further investigate rotary spading and other soil amelioration techniques on the yellow sand-plain soils west of Moora.

To evaluate the influence of perennial row spacing and grass suppression on the performance of serradella summer sown into subtropical perennial-grass pastures.

To improve understanding of the range of tillage implements and techniques available to incorporate lime into acidic soils, their respective costs and benefits.

To determine how management with foliar fungicide and an in-furrow fungicide may influence the yield response of long season wheat varieties with an early sowing opportunity.

This trial aimed to compare the production of different annual legumes in the West Midlands and the associated seed loss to native budworm particularly in regards to serradella.

This trial was designed to test whether wheat growing on soil with low K levels will benefit from K application enabling it to make full use of applied N during the crop growth cycle. High yield potential crops in the area have shown decreased rigidity in foliage and tillers, with low Cu status suspected. Uptake of Cu can be influenced by rapid growth and N uptake. Application of Cu before rapid plant expansion was also to be tested.

• To demonstrate the influence of rainfall on Sakura uptake.
• To highlight the influence of a drying top soil when weeds have already germinated prior to application of Sakura.
• To influence of rainfall to carry herbicide to soil active zone.
• To make a comparison between root (Sakura) and shoot uptake herbicides (trifluralin, Boxer Gold®, Avadex® Xtra) efficacy including residual control over time.

To determine how lime, nutrients or other amendments are distributed through the soil after applicaiton with different mixing methods.

To determine the effectiveness of urease inhibitor products.

To characterise the residual value of different P sources and changes in soil fertility (SOC, CEC, pH, nutrient supply, non-wetting, compaction) after 30 plus years, using soil measurements and bioassay cropping.

To demonstrate whether current seeder set ups within the region are capable of successfully sowing canola into heavy stubble.

To assess the chemical control options for effective control of onion weed without cultivation.

To demonstrate whether current seeder set ups within the region are capable of successfully sowing wheat into a pasture with no-till. 

• To evaluate the suitability of "spot spray" technology to control weeds on farming land in the Upper North.
• To monitor weed control success on "hard to control" summer weeds such as fleabane, onion weed, saltbush type weeds.
• To record the reduction in pesticide and water use using "spot spray" technology compared to conventional spraying.
• To raise awareness amongst the community about the potential benefits of "spot spray" technology.

To record experiences of farmers using rotational grazing on stubbles (putting high numbers of stock on paddocks for short periods of time) suggest that more surface cover remains and less tracking is evident compared to paddocks where a lower stocking density for longer periods is used.

To investigate the possible advantages of varying nitrogen rates over different soil types on a field in the Upper North region.

Main aims of the project are: • Demonstrate different methods of lime incorporation. • Assess rate responses to lime through subsoil amelioration. • Economics of lime rate by tillage method

To investigate deep ripping over several sites and seasons .

To determine how best to ameliorate subsoil acidity.

To evaluate species and pasture phase systems (including hard seeded annuals) for light sand-plain soils (with low pH and low available soil water) in crop-based rotations.

To demonstrate establishment, management and viability of legume phase options in cropping rotations with appropriate agronomic management packages.

To demonstrate establishment, management and viability of legume phase options in cropping rotations with appropriate agronomic management packages.

To demonstrate establishment, management and viability of legume phase options in cropping rotations with appropriate agronomic management packages.

To demonstrate establishment, management and viability of legume phase options in cropping rotations with appropriate agronomic management packages.

To demonstrate establishment, management and viability of legume phase options in cropping rotations with appropriate agronomic management packages.

• To evaluate Ascochyta blight (AB) response of new varieties and advanced breeding lines by comparing their susceptibility to known varieties

• To assess the use of fungicides for the control of blackspot (ascochyta blight) and effect on yield in field pea.

• To determine the effect of agronomic practices, various herbicides and a plant growth regulant canopy architecture and grain yield of faba bean.

• To determine the effect of various plant growth regulant (PGR) hormones, herbicides,  fungicides and agronomic practices on canopy architecture and grain yield of faba bean.

• To compare the growth, grain yield of potential new blue field varieties.

• To compare the growth, grain yield of potential new blue field varieties.

• To understand the required maturity timing in chickpea for successful crop-topping practice of rye grass in South Australia.

• To determine the correct maturity timing for successful crop-topping practice and to identify lines suitable for crop-topping, showing minimal yield loss in faba bean.

• To investigate the impact of crop-topping and harvest timing on the yield and quality on new green lentil lines.

• To investigate the adaptability of a range of field pea varieties to varying disease management strategies.

• To investigate the effect of chocolate spot and rust management strategies across a range of faba bean varieties in standing and slashed stubble treatments.

• To investigate optimum disease management strategies across a range of chickpea varieties, differing in ascochyta blight susceptibility.

• To assess the agronomic practice of ‘crop topping’ at multiple application timings on grain yield and grain weight of field pea varieties varying in plant maturity.

• To assess the agronomic benefits of seeding pulses into standing cereal stubble and identify optimum standing stubble retention management strategies for maximising yields.

• To investigate the impact of crop-topping and harvest timing on the yield and quality on new green lentil varieties.

• To assess the effect of various residual group B chemistries on growth and yield of tolerant and susceptible lentil varieties, and
• To confirm in-crop tolerance of some group B chemistries applied post-emergence on Group B herbicide improved XT varieties and advanced lentil breeding lines compared with conventional standards.

• To understand the genetic control in lentils relating to tolerance to the range of sulfonyl urea herbicides.

• To understand the genetic control in lentils relating to tolerance to the range of sulfonyl urea herbicides.

• To compare the growth, grain yield and gross margins of recently released field pea varieties with historical varieties.

• To assess the agronomic practice of ‘crop topping’ at multiple application timings on grain yield and grain weight of lentil varieties varying in plant maturity.

• To evaluate pulse options in the upper Eyre Peninsula region following recent increased interest in alternative pulse options to field peas from growers and agronomists.