Opportunities for improving sugarcane yields in high input farming systems.

Abstract

Long term economic viability of high input.farming systems will increasingly rely on increased eflciencies and vertical productivity improvements incorporating the eficient use of sustainable resources. Three types of resource are considered in this paper; soil, climate andplant. Research from around the world has shown that soil resources are not utilised to the full because qf a condition known as yield decline. A large research program, involving researchersfiom a range of institutions, is in progress in Australia investigating the nature of the condition and ways to overcome the constraints. Comparisons are being made between 6 monoculfured caneland and lands under crop rotation with land that has never grown sugarcane, as well as the decline in soilproperties ensuing with the cultivation of non-caneland, to determine soilproperties that may be restricting yield. The concept of high density planting of sugarcane is also being investigated as a means of exploiting plant and climatic resources to the full. Responses from this management technique have been excellent, optimising the use of available light and moisture. There remains considerable scope to lgl productivity in high input farming systems; this will necessitate lateral thinking and altered farm management practices. I f Kqwords: high density, yield decline, productivity, resources, close rows 4 i

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