Pachymetra Root Rot is a root disease caused by a fungus which can impact all areas of the sugar industry value chain.

Fallow crops are an essential part of the cane cropping system, apart from giving the soil a break they also help reduce weed pressure for the next cane crop as well as provide organic matter for the soil.

It is coming up to that time of year when soil sampling can commence in preparation for the next sugarcane crop cycle and successful legume fallow rotation crops.

With planting in full swing it is coming up to the time when new seed cane is planted.

We are now starting to see real improvement in the 2020 crop with a steady increase in CCS and t/ha on a daily basis.

A major risk to good plant cane crop establishment this time of year is a soil borne disease known as “Pineapple sett rot” caused by the fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa.

It is planting time in Tully and despite the recent wet weather some planting has occurred.

One of the other big events that has commenced over the past fortnight is the local trial work with new varieties.

One of the key strategies the Tully sugar industry is working on, through the Tully Variety Management group with SRA is to find out as quickly as possible which of the new varieties will work best in the various sub districts of the Tully sugar industry by use of a mobile mill and sampling CCS obtained.