Department of Industries and Development
1988
Thiagalingam, K. (Northern Territory Dept. of Industries and Development, Darwin (Australia). Horticulture Div.)
Mineral nutrient stress is a major limitation to crop production on the sandy and loamy red earths of the Douglas Daly area. Major factors that influence crop nutrition are: (1) climate - rainfall intensity and distribution; (2) soil - physical, chemical and biological properties; and (3) management. The main problem facing farmers and researchers at Douglas Daly is how to maintain high yields on soils with low cation exchange capacity (CEC), poor buffering, low nutrient retention, unreliable rainfall distribution, high erosion and in some cases, inefficient management. Economic crop production will be enhanced by increasing fertilizer efficiency by selecting genotypes that make better use of nutrients or by suitable management practices (conservation tillage) that optimise moisture and nutrient uptake. For the Douglas Daly area nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and zinc are the major nutrients limiting crop production. However, potassium and magnesium are emerging as potential problems. There is no data available on the manganese and boron levels and their influence on crop production.
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