Grower Group Innovation Project: GGP053

Improvement of internal soil drainage and yield on heavy clay soils in the Herbert.

Vince Russo inspecting min till operation	Vince Russo's Min Till 3 row ripper mounder

Objectives

The Herbert consists of large areas of clay soils with mostly sugarcane farmed in the region. These soils are usually nutritionally fertile; however yield potential is limited due to waterlogging. Surface drainage has been improved through laser levelling, however yield potential is not fully realised due to limitations associated with internal soil drainage. Mole draining has been undertaken in the region in the past with varying success because of the inability of the mole drain to be positioned away from trafficked areas (traffic can caused the mole drain to collapse when trafficked upon). With the availability of GPS systems growers can now determine the exact position of the mole drain below a cane row on controlled traffic farming system blocks.

This project will investigate 4 methods to potentially increase internal soil drainage and cane yields. If the concepts are proven in the project, it has the opportunity to be extended to other farms within the region with similar problems.

Project Activities

The project intends to establish a trial in the Trebonne area (outside of Ingham) to assess the following treatments:

1. Zonal application of mill ash below the soil surface- to improve internal soil drainage and crop establishment. The zonal strips will be applied using GPS technology to ensure that applications are undertaken within the root zone of the plant. Row spacing 1.83m.

2. GPS positioned mole drainage line located directly below the cane row on a permanent 1.83m bed system. Mole drains have worked effectively in the industry, however location of these drainage lines have never been geographically positioned in a field using GPS and used in a permanent bed system. Mole drains will be placed approximately 700cm below the soil surface. A drainage outlet consisting of a trench filled with an ag. pipe and sand will be installed along a headland.

3. A single leg deep ripping below the cane row using zonal tillage. Permanent beds on 1.83m will be established in the fallow prior to the wet season. Ripping will occur approximately 300-500cm below the soil surface.

4. Control treatment where-by traditional practices are undertaken and will allow for a comparison. This treatment would consist of conventional tillage practices (like ripping, discing and rotary hoeing across the field). This area will be planted to 1.83m row spacing.

It is proposed that the trial will consist of a minimum of 3 replicates and 4 treatments.

A nutrient balance of all treatments will be undertaken to account for nutrients applied in each treatment. Soil ameliorants will only be applied if a soil test indicates the soil requires it.

The trial will be analysed for cane yield, CCS, soil moisture, soil and leaf testing results, water quality exports from field, economic cost for each treatment and a cost benefit analysis undertaken. Yields in plant and 1st ratoon will be assessed by the project.

The project will commence in 2010.

For further information on the project contact:

Vince Russo (Grower Group Spokesman)- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lawrence Di Bella (Terrain NRM)- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Project partners

and participating local growers of the LUMPS Farming Group (in the Herbert area).