Investment
Investment
GRDC Code: CSP2311-012RTX
WAARC: Innovative management approaches to maximise the use of legume crops in reducing the reliance on fertiliser N in WA cropping systems
Supplying sufficient and timely N to cereal crops is central to maintaining high yield and grain protein concentration of cereals. Historically, much of the required N has come from biological N fixation (BNF) from pulses and pasture legumes in rotations. The amount of BNF in WA has declined due to several factors:
1. Canola has become the key broadleaf break crop in rotations. Canola is not a legume, does not contribute N to the system, and requires high N supply.
2. A large proportion of growers have moved to all crop systems. Therefore, the provision of BNF from pasture legumes has declined in these systems.
3. Until recently, synthetic fertiliser N has been relatively cheap.
Recent reviews have highlighted the urgent requirement for improved legumes to be developed and adopted in WA farming systems to counter the insidious lowering of cereal grain proteins, within the contemporary climatic and marketing constraints facing growers. The innovative incorporation of legumes (defined both as grain and pasture legumes) into the production system can contribute to a sustainable supply of adequate N to cereal and canola-based systems for increasing productivity and improving grain quality. The utilisation of legume biomass to facilitate BNF in WA farming systems can be increased through the implementation of innovative management approaches. These management approaches are the use of companion cropping in medium and high rainfall zones and the use of summer active legumes in high rainfall zones. For the purpose of this investment, companion cropping is defined as "Where two or more species are sown together with the objective to harvest grain of a single species. The other species are either grazed out or terminated using herbicides".
1. Canola has become the key broadleaf break crop in rotations. Canola is not a legume, does not contribute N to the system, and requires high N supply.
2. A large proportion of growers have moved to all crop systems. Therefore, the provision of BNF from pasture legumes has declined in these systems.
3. Until recently, synthetic fertiliser N has been relatively cheap.
Recent reviews have highlighted the urgent requirement for improved legumes to be developed and adopted in WA farming systems to counter the insidious lowering of cereal grain proteins, within the contemporary climatic and marketing constraints facing growers. The innovative incorporation of legumes (defined both as grain and pasture legumes) into the production system can contribute to a sustainable supply of adequate N to cereal and canola-based systems for increasing productivity and improving grain quality. The utilisation of legume biomass to facilitate BNF in WA farming systems can be increased through the implementation of innovative management approaches. These management approaches are the use of companion cropping in medium and high rainfall zones and the use of summer active legumes in high rainfall zones. For the purpose of this investment, companion cropping is defined as "Where two or more species are sown together with the objective to harvest grain of a single species. The other species are either grazed out or terminated using herbicides".
- Project start date:
- 20/11/2023
- Project end date:
- 30/06/2027
- Crop type:
-
- Wheat, (Cereal)
- Lupins, (Legume)
- Vetch, (Legume)
- Chickpeas, (Legume)
- Faba/Broad Beans, (Legume)
- Field Peas, (Legume)
- Canola/Rapeseed, (Oilseed)
- Organisation
- CSIRO
- Region:
- West
- Project status
-
Active
GRDC News
Media Releases
GRDC invests $11M in collaborative projects for...
1724335200000
Four new research, development and extension projects underway in 2024 are set to deliver sustainability...