Three recently completed, FWPA-funded projects using data spanning 30 years in Australian forestry plantations have resulted in actionable recommendations and guidance for improving productivity, profitability and health of plantation forests. Sources: Timberbiz, FWPA
The three projects were:
- A tool to predict fertiliser response & profitability in softwood plantations across Australia
- Optimising Nutrition Management of Hardwood Plantations for Sustainable Productivity & Profitability
- Optimising productivity of hardwood plantations: yield gap analysis for Eucalyptus globulus plantations in southern Australia
Findings have provided insight into nutrition and environmental factors that limit plantation productivity.
The three projects were developed to support increasing productivity from Australia’s plantation estate, which has remained static or in decline, in terms of area, for the past decade.
“There is a strong desire within the industry for increased output to keep in-line with increased demand,” said lead researcher and McGrath Forestry Services Principal, John McGrath.
“Land in Australia, especially high-quality land, is very expensive. That means the best option for foresters is to make sure they get the best out of the land they currently have.”
The three projects each investigated aspects of enhancing productivity.
The Softwood Nutrition Project looked to increase confidence in the use of fertiliser by providing reliable predictions of plantation response.
The Hardwood Nutrition Project encompassed a network of trials across southern Australia, similarly, looking to provide predictability and guidance around fertiliser response and usage to increase productivity. It also observed interactions with climate, such as temperature and water, and soil nutrition.
The Optimising Productivity – Hardwood Yield Gap Project looked at the historic gaps between potential hardwood plantation yield and productivity in southern Australia, compared with actual yields. In assessing why there may be a gap, the project aimed to identify management actions to reduce it.
More information about the research is available here.
