Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Research Updates

Windrow timing and direct heading in canola - effects on yield and oil

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Windrowing timing can have a significant impact on yield and profitability of canola Yield increases up to 0.5t/ha have been seen over relatively short periods of only 8 days Windrowing...

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Agronomy for high yielding cereal environments: varieties, agronomic strategies and case studies

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

- Longreach Crusader and Kennedy were the most consistently high yielding APH varieties across irrigated experiments (in which diseases were controlled). Longreach Crusader had less lodging than...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Impact from Pratylenchus thornei

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Multi-crop and variety trials were conducted over strips of >low' and >high' Pratylenchus thornei (Pt) pressure Excellent growing conditions experienced with exceptionally high yields produced: ...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Interpreting soil tests in the light of P, K and S research

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Soil moisture is critical in determining when subsoil responses to applied P and K fertiliser are observed. Further work is necessary to confirm and refine the opinions presented in this paper! >

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Using Colwell and BSES extractable phosphorus to predict Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) response

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The Colwell-P soil test is still the best measure of plant available P for crop uptake. Colwell-P extractions in the subsoils can provide a useful indicator of plant available P, however, the effect...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

How much of the soil P is available for plant uptake?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Diagnosis of soil P status for rain-fed cropping systems requires an understanding of the crop demand pattern for P, knowledge of the zone of active root acquisition of P, and soil P tests that are...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Root-lesion nematodes: distribution, wheat yield and crop sequence impacts on mycorrhiza

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

In 2011, root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei and P. neglectus) were identified in 84% of paddocks across the northern grain region Root-lesion nematodes are likely to be in your paddocks...

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Spray adjuvants - we need to be specific

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Spray adjuvants can significantly affect performance of post-emergence herbicides. Effectiveness of adjuvants cannot be generalised as these are affected by herbicide formulation, herbicide rate,...

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Harvest weed seed control

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

High weed seed retention at crop harvest ensures the value of harvest weed seed control techniques >

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

What percent of northern weed seed might it be possible to capture and remove at harvest time? A scoping study

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

- Wild oat, fleabane, sowthistle and several other weed species all retained high proportions of total seed production above harvest cutter height at maturity of wheat and chickpea crops. - There is...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Why is my Sunvale crop full of stripe rust?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

1. Based on marker analysis, 16 of the 23 commercial Sunvale seed lots (70%) contained a level of varietal contamination of at least 5%. This result was supported by careful field observations of...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Multiple nutrient deficiencies in northern grains cropping - latest results and management responses for system profitability

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

We continue to see evidence of responses to additional P, K or S fertiliser applications in winter and summer crops, with a number of sites responding more strongly to combinations of these nutrients...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Yellow spot management results 2011

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

All fungicides reduced yellow spot severity - single applications, applied at GS31-33 or GS39, by ~40-50% on the top 3 leaves Multiple fungicide applications provided improved disease suppression...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Herbicide tolerance in new crop cultivars in the Northern Region

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

- Whilst our research has shown that herbicide tolerance differs among the barley and wheat cultivars grown in the Northern Region, many cultivars are very tolerant to a range of herbicides, with no...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Pre-breeding wheat for resistance to root-lesion nematodes

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

- Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei and P. neglectus) reduce the value of wheat production in the northern region by $47 million/year and in all of Australia by $123 million/year (based on...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Sulfoxaflor control of oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) in Eastern Australian cereals

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Wheat or oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and corn aphid (R. maidis) are the most abundant aphid species attacking cereals in the eastern grain belt of . These aphids cause damage to cereal crops by...

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The economics and risks of early sprays for yellow leaf spot- Pyrenophora tritici-repentis

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

- Stand alone early fungicide sprays at early emergence (Z13) and mid tillering (Z24) did not offer consistent and significant yield responses or positive returns on investment - Early fungicide...

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Tax Effective Debt Reduction

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:55:00 GMT

Take Home Messages: - Criteria for the claiming of a general tax deduction. - Distinction between capital and non-capital expenditure. - Different strategies for small business entities and all...

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Fungicide management of stripe rust in wheat: up-front vs in-crop options in 2011

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

In the moderately susceptible (MS) variety Ellison: 1. Flutriafol (Intake) in-furrow was the best of the up-front options when not backed up by an in-crop fungicide application. 2. Similar levels of...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Cereal pathogen survey of central and northern NSW - 2011

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

1. The root lesion nematode Pratylenchus thornei is widespread, detected in 70% of paddocks and at populations representing a risk of yield loss in intolerant varieties in 33% of the 248 paddocks...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Understanding cold-regulated genes for improved frost tolerance

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:40:00 GMT

Take home messages: - Plants are able to sense low temperature and respond by activating mechanisms to increase their freezing tolerance - Understanding the genetic changes that occur in response to...

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Soil water use monitoring and crop management – Perspectives from modelling

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:30:00 GMT

Take home messages How can models help with on-farm decisions? - Understand the jargon: Water use or water use efficiency? - Know your model - know your problem - Simple crop models keep the...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Impact of EU pesticide legislation in the UK

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:55:00 GMT

Take home messages: - Previous EU legislation has resulted in 70-75% of the active substances available in the early 1990s not being re-registered. The potential impact on water ecosystems was the...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

NVT – Everything at a site near you

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:45:00 GMT

Take Home Messages - The NVT website now provides the user with the ability to find results from trials that are conducted in their area and consequently provides easy access to local information -...

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Summer crops- Spring and summer crops in review?

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:25:00 GMT

Take home messages Summer crops - no one size fits all Selection will depend on problem, preference > opportunity Consider implications over whole of rotation on Soil...

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Managing the break of the season: risks and opportunities for innovative seeding strategies

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:45:00 GMT

KEY MESSAGES Year to year variability in the timing and nature of seeding opportunities have strong influences on the timing and risk of exposure to water deficits during crop establishment that are...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Feed mineral supplements when grazing cereals

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

High potassium (K): sodium (Na) ratios in wheat and some triticale varieties can induce Mg deficiency (tetany) in grazing stock. Oats and barley don't induce this effect. Supplementing cattle or...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Grazing wheat and barley - impacts on crop canopy management, lodging and grain yield

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

1. Sow cereals intended for grazing or dual purpose as early as practical (April-1st week May) to maximise opportunity to accumulate biomass for winter grazing. 2. Increasing plant population can be...

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Nitrogen volatilisation losses how much N is lost when applied in different formulations at different times

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Fertiliser nitrogen can be lost from the soil surface as ammonia gas via the process of volatilisation. Just how much is lost depends on a range of factors, including; soil moisture, temperature, pH,...

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Grazing effects did not drive yield loss in black Vertosol soils

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Average yields of grazed and ungrazed plots were similar in 2011, despite evidence of trampling damage in the soil post-grazing. As long as at least 2 wetting/drying cycles are completed prior to...

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Sorghum spray-out timing

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

- The yield impact of spraying-out or desiccating sorghum crops too early can be extreme - Identify the latest heads/tillers that you consider important to take to harvest - Spray as early as...

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The carbon tax - what does it mean for grain and livestock producers?

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Australian Government carbon policy to be introduced from July 2012 will impose additional costs on grain and livestock farms, which will be small initially but which will increase significantly over...

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Building soil carbon for productivity and carbon accounting

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Composition of soil organic carbon Soil organic carbon is composed of a wide range of different materials with different chemical and physical properties and different extents of...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

My client has purchased a disc seeder – what does this mean for my advice?

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:25:00 GMT

Take Home Messages - It is important to first identify what the grower aims to achieve by moving to a zero-till system with a disc seeder. - With a wide range of configurations available, disc...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Weed Seed Wizard – Helping design your clients’ weed management strategy.

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:10:00 GMT

Take home messages - The Weed Seed Wizard is a computer simulation tool that can help you design your clients' weed management strategy. - It uses farm specific information to create the outputs...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

pestIQ – Getting smart about pest management

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:45:00 GMT

Take Home Messages pestIQ - developed by cesar - is a multi-tiered service for agronomists, advisors and growers in south-eastern Australia. It equips users with highly effective tools,...

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Getting on top of fleabane and windmill grass

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:40:00 GMT

Take Home Message - Windmill grass and fleabane have been confirmed as glyphosate resistant - Both species are quickly becoming problematic weeds in zero tillage, summer fallows - Some effective...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC

Brome and barley grass – Evidence for major changes in weed behaviour

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Take-home messages - Barley grass and great brome populations from cropping paddocks show much higher levels of seed dormancy than those from non-crop habitats on the same farm. Results indicate...

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Mice – Are they here to stay?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:15:00 GMT

Take home messages - Mouse plagues have been a part of cereal production in South Australia for more than 120 years - They occur irregularly but with increasing frequency in minimum till,...

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Herbicide resistance - Pre-emergent chemistry and glyphosate

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:05:00 GMT

Take home messages - Trifluralin resistance is increasing in annual ryegrass - New pre-emergent herbicides from Groups J and K are becoming available, but need to be rotated to delay resistance -...

Latest Update papers from the GRDC