Many Australian grain paddocks have a nitrogen (N) deficit. Analysis by the IPNI of 2016 data collected from grain growers across the southern region found few growers were in N surplus. On average, at a paddock level 1.14 kg N is removed for each kilogram of N fertiliser applied. These calculations […]
Chris Dowling explains the keys to successful sampling and interpretation of plant tissue tests in winter crops.
Why use tissue tests?
Plant tissue tests ask the crop ‘what’s wrong?’. Ideally, analysis can get to the core of an issue before yield has been overly compromised.
Plant tissue results are more sensitive […]
Nutrient performance indicators (NPIs) assess how effective and efficient fertiliser applications have been. Last week we talked about using Partial Factor Productivity (PFP) and Partial Nutrient Balance (PNB) together. Those NPIs give you a good idea if your fertiliser investment was worthwhile, and if your paddock nutrient status is stable […]
Effective deep application of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertiliser relies on critical factors. Understanding how to tune important variables in deep applications is emerging from trials in the northern cropping region (central and southern Queensland, and northern NSW).
The critical factors for successful deep applications include:
placement
product choice
formulation
compatibility of compound products
soil […]
Nutrient performance indicators (NPIs) are calculations you can do to assess how effective and efficient fertiliser applications have been. Underusing fertiliser limits crop yield and can draw down soil reserves. Unless building soil reserves, overuse is a waste of money, as excess nutrients can be lost and may cause environmental […]
Biserrula is proving a beneficial pasture legume for cereal crop rotations in Western Australia. This persistent annual legume can be used to rest and rehabilitate heavily cropped country, and to manage weeds. Used in pasture phases, it can leave plenty of nitrogen available for future crops, and eventually provides good grazing […]
Some significant global premiums are emerging for high protein wheat grades. These international prices are starting to flow through to domestic wheat prices. Prime hard wheat (standard is a minimum 13% protein) was recently quoted at a premium of $85/tonne over APW wheat (10.5% protein, 5% screenings, 12.5% moisture) in […]
Not enough nitrogen is the most common limit to canola yield. The current key messages on nitrogen (N) for canola crops are:
biomass is the biggest driver of canola yield
low N limits biomass
low biomass limits water and nutrient uptake
canola crops need 80 kg of available N per tonne of grain yield
N […]
Soil spectroscopy might soon offer faster, cheaper soil testing. Soil analysis is an essential cost in strategic crop nutrition management.
Spectroscopy uses mid infrared (MIR) or near infrared (NIR) radiation. Spectrometers fire radiation at a sample and then measure what’s reflected back. Different absorption and reflectance patterns can measure soil […]
