No abstract

Land preparation for planting sugarcane (Saccharum inter-specific hybrid) generally consists of multiple tillage passes to remove the old stool and the compacted inter-rows. The next crop is usually planted in the old inter-row area to minimise the effect of Pachymetra chaunorhiza, a soil borne disease which builds-up under the old crop row. However, in order to adopt reduced tillage and not be adversely affected by soil compaction in the old inter-row it is necessary to replant into the old crop row. The hypothesis tested was: would reduced tillage and planting back in the old crop row in conjunction with rotation of resistant and susceptible cultivars minimise the effect of this soil borne disease on crop yield ? Field experiments were undertaken on Alfisol soils, near Tully in north Queensland and Bundaberg, south Queensland, Australia to compare