Details of more than 250 research experiments can be easily found with the click of an icon on a satellite map.
DPIRD grains director Kerry Regan said the map, which is produced annually, showed the department’s grains research trials from Kununurra to Esperance.
“The department’s research covers many facets of grains production from soil science and crop nutrition, crop protection, crop science, genetic improvement and farming systems innovation,” Ms Regan said.
“This research supports the State’s $6 billion grains industry, helping to address local production issues and improve the sustainability and profitability of Western Australian grains businesses.
“We have seen growing interest in soil amelioration to help overcome soil constraints and test the yield potential of our soils.
“We are also seeing agronomic gains as a result of advances in crop genetics and improvements in agronomy and management of weeds, pests and diseases.”
Ms Regan said the map was a helpful resource to discover what was happening on the ground to improve productivity and profitability in the industry.
The trials shown include DPIRD’s collaborative research with external parties, including the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, universities and grower groups.
The map includes trials at the department’s Northam, Merredin, Wongan Hills, Katanning, Manjimup, Carnarvon, Geraldton and Kununurra research facilities, along with glasshouse work at South Perth, as well as many on growers’ properties and other locations.
“Trials range from soil amelioration strategies for sodic soils at Moorine Rock, to improving yield potential of lentils on acid soils at Shackleton, managing sclerotinia in narrow leaf lupins at Kojonup to electric weed control near Margaret River,” Ms Regan said.
Each trial has a number and contact details so interested stakeholders can communicate with the research scientists to find out more about the work being undertaken.
To view the map, go to www.agric.wa.gov.au and search ‘2023 research trials map’.
National Science Week is on 12 – 20 August 2023. Find out more about how the department is driving agriculture and fisheries research and development by visiting the DPIRD website or Facebook page.
Photo caption: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development grains director Kerry Regan looks over the 2023 grains trial map.
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