Investment

This investment aims to address the limited adoption of early sowing strategies in sorghum agronomy by providing growers with valuable information and tools to support on-farm decision-making in sub-regions of North West NSW and South West Qld.

The current GRDC funded research (UOQ 1808-001RTX) has demonstrated the benefits of early sowing of sorghum into cool soils, including increased yield potential, improved grain quality, and additional sowing opportunities for summer crops. However, farmer adoption remains limited due to a lack of confidence and readily available tools. This project aims to address these gaps by further investigating crop architecture management through row spacing and utilising sensors for plant establishment under sub-optimal conditions. It also aims to improve nutrient management, particularly for phosphorus deficiency symptoms in early-sown sorghum. Additionally, the project will explore strategies to maximise ground cover and rainfall capture in marginal environments.

Outcomes:
1. Increased grower confidence: Provide growers with valuable information and tools to enhance their confidence in adopting early sowing strategies for sorghum in marginal environments.
2. Improved agronomic management: Develop best-fit combinations of agronomic management practices and cultivars tailored to specific regions, soils, and seasonal conditions.
3. Enhanced crop architecture management: Investigate the impact of row spacing on ground cover, rainfall infiltration, and plant establishment under sub-optimal conditions.
4. Optimised nutrient management: Identify effective 'starter' fertiliser rates, products, and placements to alleviate phosphorus deficiency symptoms and improve early growth rates in early-sown sorghum.
5. Maximised ground cover and rainfall capture: Determine the most suitable system to maximise ground cover while allowing for increased rainfall capture and maintaining optimum yield in sorghum crops grown in marginal environments.