FARMERS are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of healthy soils, and practices such as no-till farming are improving soil structure and health across the country. <\/p>\n
But there is still much to be discovered about how the subsoil eco-system operates, and researchers are confident big gains could be made in cropping productivity from a better understanding of soil biology. <\/p>\n
In particular, some soil-dwelling bacteria can have positive impacts in terms of freeing up nitrogen to become available to plants. <\/p>\n
With this in mind, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is investing in its second soil biology initiative, which will aim to provide information on a region- by-region basis. <\/p>\n
Project leader Pauline Mele said she thought there would be real productivity gains to come out of the initiative, especially in high rainfall zones. <\/p>\n
\"We hope to improve understanding of the role of soil biological communities in crop nutrient availability, suppressive soils, and general soil health,\" Prof Mele said. <\/p>\n
\"For example, we have a range of projects that will give us greater insight into the role of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria in crop nutrition. <\/p>\n
\"We already know that the amount produced will vary from between 10 and 30 kilograms per hectare of nitrogen per year. <\/p>\n
However, she said research needed to be done on what caused the effect and why it varied. <\/p>\n
We don't have in-crop measures and have yet to link how stubble from previous years influences this rate.\" <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Go here to see the original: FARMERS are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of healthy soils, and practices such as no-till farming are improving soil structure and health across the country. But there is still much to be discovered about how the subsoil eco-system operates, and researchers are confident big gains could be made in cropping productivity from a better understanding of soil biology Continue reading
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