3 minute read
SRA news bites
SRA brings you the latest updates on activities that drive productivity and efficiency in sugarcane farming from guidance on soil sampling methods to help optimise nutrient management, to cuttingedge research shaping the future of sugarcane breeding.
Learn about the new ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding, where SRA researchers are training the next generation of plant breeders, and work being done in conjunction with high school students at demonstration sites across the Mackay district.
For more resources visit sugarresearch.com.au
Soil sampling made easier
Soil sampling is a critical activity for nutrient management and will save growers money on unnecessary inputs and boost crop production.
To set yourself up for success this season, SRA in collaboration with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) has produced guidance on soil sampling in a new fact sheet.
Training the next generation of sugarcane breeders
SRA’s Variety Development team staff are progressing important sugarcane research work as part of the new ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding for Agricultural Futures, set up in August to train new plant and animal breeders in agriculture.
Northern Variety Officer Andrew Rigby will be working on a PhD project using genomics to predict the performance of sugarcane parents and cross combinations. Central Variety Officer Chris Tom (above) will be focusing in his PhD research on expanding existing initiatives on developing nematode- resistant sugarcane. They will both be supported by new Industry Research Fellow, Dr Sijesh Natarajan, who was recently appointed SRA's Breeding Technology Lead.
The Centre will also develop and deliver plant breeding training modules to support the professional development of SRA technical staff.
Read more about ARC in Cane Matters (pages 30-31)
Student collaboration at demo sites
SRA Central Station staff were grateful for the assistance of about 20 high school students who are undertaking a Certificate 1 in Rural Operations (horticultural major) at Sarina State High School. The students helped pot out oneeyed setts (above) as step one in setting up demonstration sites on challenging soils – heavy cracking clays and sodic soils – in the Central District.
The sites will compare the performance of two promising varieties with a released standard.
Read the Central District Productivity Plan
New small milling projects focus on efficiency
Four new small milling projects have been announced for 2024/25, funded under SRA’s Small Milling Research Projects investment scheme.
Projects this year focus on reducing sucrose losses and controlling corrosion in evaporators; investigating a method to increase automation in the factory; investigating ways to best manage greenhouse gas emissions from sugar factory boilers; and researching ways to lessen the time taken to turn mill mud into green garden fertiliser as an alternative income stream.
Planting for disease screening
Planting season is underway at Woodford, SRA's Pathology Station. The cane seedlings that have been growing in Woodford’s glasshouses and on outside benches are now ready to be planted in the field.
The seedlings are being planted to be screened for resistance to diseases, an important step in the development of new varieties.
