By Braunack, MV; McGarry, D; Crees, LR; Halpin, NV
Field trials are being conducted at Tully and Bundaberg comparing different land preparation strategies for planting sugarcane. Conventional cultivation for each area is being compared with minimum tillage where only the row is cultivated (strategic tillage) and the inter-row is not disturbed. The resultant seedbed conditions are assessed to determine the effectiveness of tillage. Soil cone resistance measurements show that differences between rows and inter-rows can be maintained using strategic tillage and that a plough-pan may be developing under conventional cultivation. Seedbed conditions did not differ between tillage strategies. Reducing the number of tillage operations did not compromise final yield. Tillage costs were reduced through fewer passes and less tractor time taken to prepare land for planting sugarcane.