More Profit from Crop Nutrition
Fertiliser applications are the largest single variable expense for grain growers producing a crop (13% of total costs in 2010-11; ABARES 2011), but nutrition (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and micronutrients) is a major determinant of profit. More Profit from Crop Nutrition phase II (MPCN II) builds on previous Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) by the grains industry (i.e. GRDC, state and federal agencies, fertiliser companies and agribusiness).
The program aims to improve the return on investment from fertiliser inputs by improving the nutrient use efficiency of crops, improving the capacity of soils to supply nutrients, reducing the soils propensity to lose or lock-up nutrients and develop improved fertiliser product formulation and design including the use of potentially valuable low cost and waste inputs.
MPCN program goals
- Increased adoption of nutrition knowledge across Australia.
- Improved coordination of communication and extension across the grains and fertiliser industries.
- Improved tools that are used by grain growers and advisers to improve nutrient use efficiency.
- Documentation of emerging ideas and capacity challenges.
Program outcomes
- Make nutrient use efficiency traits available to plant breeders in adapted backgrounds.
- Better match N, P, K and S inputs to meet crop demand and minimise losses and tie-up.
- Make better use of micro-nutrients to correct deficiencies and enhance crop yield .
- Develop and test new fertiliser products and adjuvants.
- Provide information to growers to make effective fertiliser decisions.
- Coordination of a program with a lasting legacy of analysed, reported and published information.
Current Projects
| Project_ID | Project | Contract Start | Contract Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| BWD00021 | Extension and training (southern region) | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2017 |
| CSA00032 | Improving nutrient use efficiency in wheat - CSIRO engagement of Postdoctoral Fellow, GRDC Western Region | 1/03/2013 | 29/02/2016 |
| CSA00036 | Analysis frameworks to support profitable fertiliser use | 1/09/2012 | 31/08/2016 |
| CSA00037 | Reassessing the value and use of fixed nitrogen | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2015 |
| CSP00165 | Phosphorus use efficiency: Rhizosheath project | 1/09/2012 | 1/09/2015 |
| DAN00165 | Program Coordination & Communication | 25/06/2012 | 30/06/2017 |
| DAN00166 | Making Better Fertiliser Decisions for Cropping Systems in Australia phase 2 | 25/06/2012 | 30/06/2017 |
| DAN00168 | Regional soil testing guidelines for the Southern region | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2017 |
| DAQ00183 | Extension and training - North | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2017 |
| DAS00146 | Managing micronutrient deficiencies in cropping systems of eastern Australia | 1/04/2014 | 30/06/2017 |
| DAS00147 | Benchmarking wheat yield against nitrogen use | 1/07/2014 | 30/06/2017 |
| DAV00125 | Improving nitrous oxide abatement in higher rainfall cropping systems and developing N response curves | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2015 |
| DAW00222 | Regional soil testing and nutrient guidelines: West | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2017 |
| DAW00223 | Extension and Training: West | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2017 |
| DAW00239 | Managing micronutrient deficiencies in cropping systems of Western Australia. | 1/06/2014 | 30/06/2017 |
| UA00139 | Tactical Foliar P Fertilisation of Dryland Crops | 1/03/2013 | 1/03/2016 |
| UA00140 | An accurate soil test for available soil sulfur and potassium | 1/07/2012 | 30/09/2014 |
| UMU00041 | Assessing the nutritional benefits of clay amendment and cultivation of sands | 1/07/2012 | 31/01/2016 |
| UMU00042 | Managing Potassium Nutrition to Alleviate Crop Stress | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2015 |
| UNE00020 | Quantifying and understanding root variation in winter cereals | 30/06/2013 | 30/06/2016 |
| UQ00061 | Fertilizer from Wastes Phase II | 1/07/2011 | 30/06/2015 |
| UQ00063 | Regional soil testing guidelines for the northern grains region | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2017 |
| UQ00066 | Defining Nitrogen response surfaces for sorghum and canola in the northern grains region | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2015 |
| UQ00078 | Deep placement of nutrients | 1/05/2015 | 31/08/2019 |
| UWA00156 | Nitrogen fertiliser response curves: Filling the gap for Western Australia | 1/07/2012 | 30/06/2015 |
Publications
Links
- The International Potash Institute
- International Plant Nutrition Institute
- Fertilizer Australia
- Making Better Fertiliser Decisions for Cropping Systems in Australia
Key contacts
Jan Edwards
Manager Farm Practices
GRDC
02 6166 4500
[email protected]
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