Agricultural Machinery Research and Design Centre

1
Sowing System Research in No-Till CroppingDr
Jack Desbiolles
Agricultural Machinery Research and Design
Centre
2
Sowing Systems
3
Funding Sources

• Grains Research and Development Corporation
• S.A. Grains Industry Trust
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  (National Landcare Programme)
• Agricultural Bureau and Landcare Groups
• Machinery Manufacturers

• AMRDC funding levels (1999-current) 70,000 -
  180,000 per year

Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
4
Research Partners

• CSIRO Land and Water
• University of Adelaide
• S.A. Research and Development Institute
• Agronomy Consultants
• S.A. No-Till Farmers Association (Conservation
  Agriculture Alliance of Australia and New
  Zealand)
• Farmer Groups

Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
5
Research Programme Overview

• Applied Field Research
• Farming System Approach
• Strong Adoption Focus
• Participatory Research (On-Farm)
• Regional Projects

Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
6
Environmental Sustainability Issues in No-Till
Cropping
Sustainable No-Till Cropping Vision

• Soil erosion (wind/water)
• Integrated weed/pest management
• Soil quality improvement (Organic matter,
  biological activity)
• Carbon sequestration
• Water use efficiency
• Ground water recharge

Soil tillage degrades soil quality, and is not
necessary for crop production
Instead permanent crop residue mulch, green
manure cover crops, optimised crop rotations,
enhanced soil biological processes are promoted
Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
7
Environmental Sustainability Interactions with
Sowing System Research
Sowing system ability to

• Optimise competitive crop environments
• Selectively feed the crop, not weeds
• Minimise soil disturbance
• Minimise soil throw and layer mixing
• Maintain integrity of surface residue mulch

Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
8
No-Till Seeding Challenges
Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
9
Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
10
Eg. Research Highlights

• Importance of seed placement accuracy

Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
11
Eg. Research Highlights

• Importance of sowing system technology

Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
12
Future Trends Precision Agriculture

• DGPS satellite tractor guidance
• 2cm auto-steering accuracy
• Inter-row sowing agronomic practical benefits

Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
13
Future trends Sustainable No-Till

• Cover crops for improved soil health

• Inter-row weed management low/no-chemical options

Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre
14
Research extension activities
Agricultural Machinery Research and DesignCentre