This project focuses on agronomic research and industry development in key Great Barrier Reef catchments.
About the project
In this project, we address knowledge gaps in sustainability and Reef water quality risks. We assess agronomic practices in major horticultural crops such as:
- macadamia
- avocado
- pineapple
- irrigated row crops
- plastic-covered bed crops.
Our findings inform sustainable horticultural practices in Reef catchments, in collaboration with industry bodies, grower groups and businesses.
Project goals
- Improve understanding of potential losses of nutrients, sediment and agricultural chemicals that may adversely impact Reef water quality.
- Support horticultural best management practices and provide information on these.
- Improve understanding and quantification of simple agronomic metrics to support business decision-making and on-farm operations.
What we do
To understand their impact on water quality in Reef catchments, we investigate:
- nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency
- sediment loss
- pesticide transfer in farm run-off and deep drainage.
The aim is to retain critical inputs on-farm where they contribute to productivity and profitability.
We also support the adoption of leading horticultural agronomy practices to:
- reduce input costs
- demonstrate sustainability and environmental performance.
This includes identifying fit-for-purpose treatment systems to improve water quality in agricultural areas.
Additional research focuses on:
- nutrient budgeting of crops such as sweet corn
- the ability of off-season cover crops to return nutrients lost to deep drainage back into the cropped upper soil profile.
Strip tillage machine
The project has a purpose-built strip tillage machine used to conserve soil resources and reduce the environmental impacts of horticultural production. It is available for on-farm trials in intensive vegetable farming systems in the Dry Tropics. The machine has the potential to:
- reduce tillage
- reduce fuel consumption and labour
- enhance water infiltration
- improve soil health.
If you are a grower in the Bowen area and would like to trial strip tillage on your farm, contact us online, by phone or in person.
Get involved
To ensure this project’s research remains relevant and practical, we invite commercial collaboration. For more information, contact us online, by phone or in-person.
Last updated: 24 Sep 2025