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BREAK CROPS IN SUGARCANE FALLOW

Why Grow Break Crops?

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  • To break the sugarcane monoculture

  • Increase the organic matter present in the soil

  • Improve soil structure and water infiltration

  • Reduce populations of cane root pathogens 

  • Increase the populations of beneficial organisms

  • Supply of nitrogen for following sugarcane crop

  • Weed control option that will benefit following plant cane crop

  • Good groundcover for erosion control over heavy summer rainfall period

Soybean Varieties Suitable for our Region

(Click on the underlined variety name for links to fact sheets)

Leichhardt

  • Slow maturing, determinate variety (140-145 days)

  • Popular for green manure because of its dry matter production levels

  • Resistant to Root Lesion Nematode (RLN), but highly susceptible to Root Knot Nematode (RKN)

Stuart

  • Slow maturing, indeterminate variety (135-140 days)

  • If sown at the correct time, it is slightly less vegetative than Leichhardt

  • Resistant to RLN and RKN

A6785

  • Medium maturing, determinate variety (125-130 days)

  • Shorter in statue and less likely to lodge, but still produces adequate biomass

  • Resistant to RLN and RKN

New Bunya

  • Similar to parent variety Bunya

Mossman

  • Similar to parent variety Leichhardt 

  • Suited to growing as a green manure crop

Kuranda

  • Medium to slow maturing 

  • Round, medium seed, clear hilum, light bright colour

Haymann

  • Medium maturing (125-130 days)

  • Large seed, clear hilum and high protein

  • Mid to very late planting window (mid Dec - mid Jan)

Charlie McLennan lablab crop 13-2-13 001

Cowpeas and Lablab

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Pros

  • Easier to plant (broadcast)

  • Hardy seed

  • Good forage crops

Cons

  • More susceptible to water logging

  • Less biomass 

  • Less nitrogen

  • Seed availability can be a problem

  • Highly susceptible to RKN

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