Optimising profitability with fertiliser predictionFriday 26 May 2023
By combining empirical results from fertiliser experiments across Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia with growth models used by individual growers, the ProFert for Pine tool is used by softwood growers to predict response to fertiliser and, in turn, increase timber production and profitability by enabling selection of the most effective fertiliser options across these three states. “The wider adoption and use of ProFert beyond those three initial states has been restricted due to uncertainty around its applicability in different parts of Australia, based on the results of various experiments,” according to Dr Barry May of TreeMod, who was part of the research team. “Its applicability has, however, now been proven in southern Western Australia, thanks to this latest round of research.” Analysing local historical datasets focused on West Australian softwood nutrition and silviculture trials revealed strong trends in the factors that determine both plantation productivity and responsiveness to fertiliser. The limit to productivity of plantations in the relatively dry and seasonally variable environment of southern Western Australia was found to be determined largely by water availability. Water management is the key to optimising productivity in a seasonal environment, particularly in areas where water can be in short supply. Opportunities for increased production through fertilisation rose wherever water was either in greater supply or being most efficiently used. In order of influence, water availability, phosphorus supply and nitrogen supply had the biggest impacts on productivity and responsiveness to fertiliser. Plantation density also had a strong influence on responsiveness to fertiliser, due to its impact on the availability of water. Advice from the research team is that wetter sites should not be over-thinned. Another key takeaway from the research is that multiple fertiliser applications are required for optimal productivity. Dr McGrath and Dr May presented a recent webinar during which the outcomes of this work were presented in detail – view in full by clicking here. More >> Source: Forest & Wood Products Australia  | ||
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