To compare yield results when Nitrogen rates are reduced in plant cane, following mungbean crops
Legumes are a regularly used break crop in the Burdekin. They can be planted in both summer and winter and contribute a significant amount of nitrogen to the soil.
Knowing how legume trash management can effect the nitrogen release pattern and the productivity of the cane crop may encourage growers to reduce their tillage operations post-legumes and reduce their fertiliser rates at planting.
The 6 Easy Steps does not currently require growers to reduce their nitrogen-fertiliser rates post mungbeans; this project would like to assess the effect of estimating the nitrogen amount provided by the legume and using this amount to reduce fertiliser rates.
Mungbeans have been chosen for this trial as they are becoming an increasingly popular break crop in the Burdekin (up to 2500 ha in 2016).