Soil-Specific Nutrient Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Production in the Wet Tropics

Soil-Specific Nutrient Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Production in the Wet Tropics

In 2003 a soil reference booklet for the Herbert District entitled Soil Specific Management Guidelines for Sugarcane
Production was produced for cane growers. This was followed by the publication of similar booklets for various other districts including Proserpine (2006), Johnstone (2007), Bundaberg (2007), Plane Creek (2011), New South Wales (2013), Isis (2014), Mackay (2015) and Rocky Point (2020). These booklets describe the basic principles of soil management and present nutrient guidelines for soils in each of the districts. We are now able to present a similar booklet aimed at soil-specific nutrient management in the greater Wet Tropics region inclusive of the Tully, South Johnstone, Mulgrave and Mossman districts. This is based on a methodology originally developed within a project (Improved nutrient management in the Australian sugar industry) funded by the former Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC). Our philosophy is that knowledge of soils should form the basis for making management decisions on-farm. Not only does soil type influence decisions on which sugarcane variety to plant and how much fertiliser to apply, but it also has an impact on the choice of tillage practices, planting techniques, drainage and irrigation requirements, and harvest scheduling. A major objective of this publication is to help growers enhance their knowledge of different soils. This includes the appearance of soils, their occurrence in the landscape, their properties and how they should be managed. Soil-specific guidelines as presented in this booklet represent a much more precise way of managing fertiliser inputs than ‘one size fits all’ approach. It provides a benchmark against which soils and soil analyses can be compared. However, it is not intended as a substitute for on-farm soil and leaf testing. Ideally each block on the farm should be sampled every crop cycle for both soil and leaf analyses. A system of record keeping should also be implemented which records nutrient inputs, changes in soil fertility, and crop productivity and profitability. This philosophy is particularly appropriate for the current circumstances in the Australian sugar industry. Escalating costs of production, a need for improved productivity and mounting environmental pressures demand responsible soil and nutrient management. The guidelines in this booklet are aimed at providing best practice soil and nutrient management for cane growers throughout the Wet Tropics. Use of these, will not only maintain or improve crop yields and soil fertility, but will also provide opportunities for cost reductions whilst enhancing sustainability and delivering positive environmental outcomes.

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.