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Growing Together: A Regional Approach to Avocado Extension
No full textAbstract only - Oral presentation
Theme:
Driving Practice Change Through Collaborative, Targeted Extension
Abstract:
The five-year Avocado Industry Development and Extension Project (AV23010) was developed through extensive consultation with growers and stakeholders across the Australian avocado industry.
Taking a targeted and collaborative approach, the project is guided by the Australian Avocado Industry Extension Strategy and builds on insights from the previous project (AV17005). A comprehensive co-design process with industry was central to shaping the project’s scope, objectives, and regionally relevant activities. This process ensured strong grower engagement from the outset, led to formal industry endorsement, and identified six of the twenty priority practice change areas from the strategy the project will focus on.
To reflect regional differences and drive locally relevant impact, the project follows a regionally tailored delivery model. Each of the six major growing regions is supported by a dedicated regional lead, who is responsible for ongoing grower consultation and engagement. These leads are supported by informal advisory groups comprising local growers and stakeholders, who help identify regional priorities, guide technical direction, and endorse local activities. At the national level, a project reference group provides overarching guidance and ensures alignment with broader industry objectives.
Extension activities are delivered through multiple channels, including regional forums, best practice workshops, irrigation and sprayer training, webinars, and targeted communications such as forum summaries, Avo Alerts and case study videos.
The project’s goal is to deliver on the industry endorsed practice change strategies aligned with each of the six priority areas, all contributing to the broader industry objectives of improved profitability, preparedness, and global competitiveness
Improving personal cropping decisions with ARMonline and adult learning principles
No full textAbstract only
Decision support tools can help growers improve their farming decisions, but growers and agronomists often find these tools arduous to implement. Dryland grain-cropping is risky due to highly variable climatic conditions, including droughts, and growers need to consider the effects of their decisions on the current crop and following crops coupled with seasonal effects. The Agricultural Risk Management Online tools (ARMonline.com.au) are specifically designed to help rainfed grain-growers in their decision-making. It is a large database of APSIM runs, which includes 40+ locations across Australia, using 115 years of local BOM data, with an array of different crops, soil types, starting soil moisture, fertiliser rates, sowing dates, cultivars, and plant densities. The easy-to-use point and select graphical user interface allow the user to test different inputs (levers) to improve profits, sustainability, and quantify associated risks under different seasonal conditions.
We also developed workshops and online tutorial modules with an aim to improve growers’ knowledge, attitudes, skills, and/or aspirations for practice change through personal learnings. The CropARM tool helps users in identifying personal short-term (tactical) decisions for individual crops. These are then tested at the system level with RotationARM which investigates the temporal effects between crops to identify personal long-term (strategic) decisions. This process helps users understand how to capitalise on favourable conditions, reduce the likelihood of failed crops, thereby improve drought resilience.
There are many decision-support tools that have been developed but uptake is often low and hence have little effect on practice change. The structured workshops based on adult learning principles enabled peer-to-peer discussions around results. This process resulted in personal learnings around on-farm decisions from using the tools in the workshops. Decision support tools should be codeveloped with supporting learning material and extension to increase the likelihood of the desired outcome. This requires a multidisciplinary approach between researchers, tool developers and extension experts
More than a pretty picture – Ag-tech innovating on-farm research
No full textAbstract only
Previous research has shown the importance and power of participatory approaches in agricultural research. Participatory learning action research (PLAR) is a combination of action learning and action research processes (Hamilton & National Landcare, 1996). Fundamental to the concepts of PLAR is that information is not knowledge and that knowledge cannot be transferred; rather it is created by individuals organising information they perceive in relation to their existing cognitive structures (Anderson, 2000; Matlin, 2002; Valsiner & Veer, 2000). On-farm research (OFR) where growers have input into research topics and questions and implement the trial is complementary to PLAR especially in its efforts to engage growers as part of the research team.
With the development of ‘Ag-tech’ has come mass generation of data and information. Yield monitors, satellite imagery, electromagnetic (EM) surveys and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) are not new technologies; all have been in commercial use for at least 30 years. More recently, these technologies have been developed for agricultural applications. Today, high spatial resolution observations from these technologies are readily available to growers. However, the masses of data that can be collected from Ag-tech has no value to growers unless they can utilise it to build conceptual and procedural knowledge. Hence, the value of Ag-tech to growers is realised only by how it is used.
Ag-tech presents a unique opportunity to enrich OFR datasets with masses of data. In efforts to improve learnings and knowledge generated from PLAR activities as part of the national Grains Research and Development Corporation initiative, RiskWi$e, we have designed and implemented OFR trials across Queensland specifically to deploy Ag-tech as learning tool. Growers are now interpreting their own trial data with the assistance of Ag-tech which is improving the accuracy of conclusions and translatability of outcomes to growers beyond their own farm gate.
References
Anderson, J. R. (2000). Cognitive psychology and its implications, 5th ed. Worth Publishers.
Hamilton, N. A., & National Landcare, P. (1996). Learning to learn with farmers : a case study of an adult learning extension project conducted in Queensland, Australia, 1990-1995 / N.A. (Gus) Hamilton s.n.]. <S.l.
Matlin, M. W. (2002). Cognition (5th ed.). Harcourt College Publishers.
Valsiner, J., & Veer, R. v. d. (2000). The social mind : construction of the idea. Cambridge University Press
Relative to rainforests and grasslands, banana and sugarcane soils have half the microbial biomass and highly distinct bacterial and fungal communities
No full textSoil microbial communities mediate a range of ecosystem services and are impacted by land use. The Wet Tropics region of north Queensland, Australia, is a biodiversity hotspot with some of the world's oldest rainforests, but also has large areas converted for agriculture. We explored soil abiotic and biotic characteristics in 86 sites across four of the key land uses in this area: banana production, sugarcane production, grassland, and rainforest. Furthermore, we characterised sites where wild bananas were found in rainforests to bridge the associations found in natural and agricultural areas. Soil abiotic and biotic characteristics were found to differ between landuses, with commercial banana soils being the most distinct. Commercial banana and sugarcane soils had less soil carbon, and banana soils were also less acidic and had higher zinc and nitrate levels than other landuses. Interestingly, banana and sugarcane soils had half the microbial biomass of other landuses, including wild banana. The diversity of soil bacterial and fungal communities was also highly distinct in commercial banana soils, with significantly larger relative abundances of Fusarium oxysporum, a fungal species complex that includes important plant pathogens. Differences in soil biotic characteristics between landuses were significantly correlated with soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and pH. Our results demonstrate that land management can profoundly impact soil microbial communities, with potential consequences for ecosystem functioning
Herbicide resistance levels across Australia in wild oats and sowthistle - 2020 national survey results
No full textUp to date knowledge of the extent of herbicide resistance in cropping weeds is of vital importance to Australian growers and advisors. For this reason, a national random survey was undertaken in 2020 collecting numerous weed species from both winter and summer crops. From 2861 paddocks visited (2395 winter and 466 summer) 707 wild oats and 591 sowthistle samples were collected for resistance screening.
The wild oats were screened to clodinafop, clethodim and pinoxaden (Group 1 herbicides), mesosulfuron (Group 2), flamprop-methyl (Group 0), glyphosate (Group 9) and the pre-emergent herbicide triallate (Group 15). Resistance was highest to clodinafop with 16% of samples resistant followed by flamprop-methyl (7%) and pinoxaden (5%). Three samples were resistant to mesosulfuron and two to clethodim while none were resistant to triallate. Resistance levels varied between states, for example 25% of samples from NSW were resistant to clodinafop, compared with 21% from Queensland, 12% from Victoria, 8% from South Australia, 4% from Western Australia and none from Tasmania.
Sowthistle were screened to chlorsulfuron (Group 2), 2,4-D amine (Group 4) and glyphosate. The majority of samples (73%) were resistant to chlorsulfuron with resistance to 2,4-D amine significantly lower at 3% of samples while no samples were resistant to glyphosate. For all states except Western Australia and Tasmania more than 66% of samples were resistant to chlorsulfuron while resistance to 2,4-D amine was only recorded in samples from Queensland (8%) and New South Wales (3%).
Coupled with the significant levels of resistance in both species a large number of samples had surviving plants but at less than the requisite 20% survival required for classification as resistant.
These findings confirm herbicide resistance is becoming common in these species and the need for on-going surveys to obtain data to allow the grain industry to make informed weed management decisions
The efficacy of simulated and aerial foliar herbicides on Chromolaena odorata
No full textTwo ground-based pot trials were conducted in northern Queensland. Across both trials double passes and double concentrations of herbicides containing fluroxypyr, triclopyr and triclopyr + picloram + aminopyralid were more effective. Single passes and herbicides containing metsulfuron-methyl, aminopyralid and metsulfuron + aminopyralid were less effective. Observations of the field efficacy of an aerially applied double pass of a fluroxypyr herbicide were collected from infestations on two Northern Territory field sites in three different months, with greater efficacy observed from earlier and double pass treatments
Managing Cabomba caroliniana: prospects for integrating biological control and chemical control
No full textCabomba caroliniana Gray, a submerged macrophyte, has become invasive in Australian waterways and is recognized as an invasive alien species globally. Despite the availability of various control methods such as herbicides, mechanical removal and biological control, their application can be significantly constrained by management objectives and site-specific conditions. For instance, in waterbodies used for recreational purposes where immediate removal of C. caroliniana is essential, biological control may not be suitable. Similarly, the use of herbicides in reservoirs that serve as drinking water sources is restricted due to contamination concerns. Recently, two novel approaches have been developed for managing C. caroliniana in Australia. The aquatic weevil, Hydrotimetes natans Kolbe, has been identified as a potential biological control agent. There is ongoing research to mass rear this weevil, in addition to ongoing releases of them in cabomba-infested ecosystems. Additionally, the contact herbicide flumioxazin, which inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO), has been evaluated for its efficacy and subsequently approved for treatment of C. caroliniana in Australia. To explore integrated control strategies, we conducted laboratory trials investigating the direct interaction between flumioxazin and H. natans. Our studies focused on assessing the herbicide's impact on the biology and behaviour of H. natans, including any changes in the expression of functional genes. The results indicate minimal to negligible detrimental effects of the herbicide on H. natans. In this talk, we highlight our results and discuss prospects for integrating biological control and chemical control to contribute to the catchment-level management of C. caroliniana
Mobilisation and replenishment of phosphorus reserves in Bos indicus cows. 1. Mid-pregnant mature cows post-weaning
No full textContext. Lactating beef cows grazing phosphorus (P)-deficient pastures often mobilise body P to alleviate a P deficiency. Knowledge of the circumstances when body P is mobilised, and later replenished, is necessary for optimal management of the P nutrition of breeder herds. Aims. To investigate mobilisation and replenishment of body P in mature Bos indicus-cross beef cows post-weaning. Methods. Cows (n = 40) in their second trimester of pregnancy were individually fed ad libitum low-P (LP) or high-P (HP) diets containing moderate or high metabolisable energy (ModE-LP, HighE-LP, ModE-HP and HighE-HP) for 14 weeks. Key results. Plasma inorganic P concentrations (Pi) in LP- or HP-diet cows (0.58 and 2.15 mmol/L respectively) indicated that diet P was deficient or adequate. Intakes of DM and metabolisable energy, liveweight gain, and P retention were higher (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) in cows fed the HP diets, and were also increased in the high metabolisable-energy diets. Efficiency in use of metabolisable energy for slow growth was lower in the HighE-LP than the ModE-HP cows. The cows fed the LP diets mobilised 4–5 g body P/day. Cows fed the Mod-HP and HighE-HP diets retained 1.1 and 8.8 g body P/day, and those ModE-HP cows with low bone P reserves retained ~2.3 g P/day. Rib cortical bone P did not change in HP cows but decreased (P < 0.05) in LP cows. The HP diets increased the bone volume, mineralised bone, and the thickness of the struts in trabecular bone in the tuber coxae. Osteoid tissue decreased (P < 0.05) in HighE-HP cows. Changes in plasma concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, carboxy-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX-1) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were in accord with substantial bone mobilisation in cows fed LP diets, and bone replenishment with HP diets. Conclusions. Cows that had ingested P-deficient diets during lactation were able to further mobilise body P when fed LP diets post-weaning, but cows replenished body P when fed HP diets. Implications. Mature cows with low body P reserves can replenish these reserves more rapidly when consuming diets high in both P and metabolisable energy
Genome sequencing of phages infecting plant associated Enterobacter species
No full textManagement of plant pathogenic bacteria has been complicated in recent years by a lack of options and chemical resistance in pathogen populations. Viruses that infect bacteria (Bacteriophages) are an emerging target for future biocontrol efforts of plant pathogenic bacteria. The use of bacteriophages in this capacity is still in its infancy, and many challenges exist at each stage of developing a viable biocontrol tool. After isolating phage particles, the next step is identifying and characterising a pure phage lysate. Recent work on bacteriophages of soft rot bacteria resulted in a collection of phage isolates with characterised activity and genome structure. A number of phages are described with complete genomes, generally within the Caudoviricetes. The challenges in effectively sequencing and describing phage genomes require specific strategies to overcome; sufficient phage particle concentration, purity and DNA quality are achieved through large propagations with precipitation and phenol/ chloroform extractions. A workflow using the Oxford Nanopore sequencing platform is presented here as a protocol for identifying and describing bacteriophages that have potential as biocontrol for plant pathogenic bacteria
Reflectance values extracted from hyperspectral images captured from wheat grain samples along with reference DON concentrations
No full textThe spreadsheet contains data extracted from hyperspectral images of wheat grains samples. The spectral range is 390-2515 nm taken using two hyperspectral imaging cameras measuring 390-951 nm and 951-2515 nm