APSRU PROJECT SUMMARY NO. 57

Project Title:                Development of an integrating framework to evaluate alternate farming systems for sustainable cropping

Project Supervisor:      Dr M J Bell

Funding Body:            DPI

Admin Contact:                        Mr Peter Cronin

Commencement Date: 7/97                              Completion Date:         6/2000

Aims:

1.       Improve current understanding of soil, crop rotation and ley pasture effects on crop responses by broadening the APSIM cropping systems model to study issues affecting sustainable resource use;

2.       Strengthen the linkages between farming systems research in differing cropping system, and between systems researchers and local Landcare and farmer discussion groups and;

3.       Utilise existing information on farming systems, resource maintenance and whole-farm business management to provide a basis for evaluation of a range of management scenarios.

Research Proposal Summary:

The use of crop and soil simulation methodology will form the basis for development of this farming systems framework. Initially, information form past research that assessed the decline in key components of soil physical, chemical and biological fertility with continual cropping in legume-based systems will be developed into an integrated framework using the APSIM simulation system. Current research involving the effect of continuous cropping on these key soil parameters will be incorporated as it becomes available, as will the effect of rotations and tillage systems, with these algorithms subsequently incorporated into the APSIM simulation framework. The developed framework will contain the major factors controlling production, and the impact of management on soil and crop performance. Components of the framework can be modified to allow for changes in soil or crop parameters due to location, cropping history or tillage management whilst the analysis can be extended to other soil types as data becomes available. Subsequent economic analyses of various scenarios can also be undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of biologically desirable practices.

Potential Outcomes:

This project represents a unique opportunity to study crop yield limitations against a backdrop of complex crop-soil-management interactions that vary from season to season. It capitalises on intensive work undertaken on declining productivity in Broadacre cropping systems on a soil important for production of a number of crops (grains, sugar and horticultural) in differing environments, and as such can utilise already existing data. It will provide a means of integrating research into the effects of a number of yield-limiting factors in the context of local production environments, as well as providing a framework to extend this information to other soils/environments and to evaluate alternate crop management scenarios.

Project Publications: