Measuring nitrous oxide emissions from conventional and controlled release fertilisers in south-east Queensland pineapple production

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 298 times higher than carbon dioxide. Soils are a natural source of N2O, contributing 65% of global emissions. This paper is the first in Australia to measure and compare N2O emissions from pre-plant controlled release (CR) and conventional granular (CV) fertilisers in pineapple production using static PVC chambers to capture N2O emissions. Farm 1 cumulative emissions from the CR fertiliser were 3.22 kg ha-1 compared to 6.09 kg ha-1 produced by the CV. At farm 2 the CV blend emitted 2.36 kg ha-1 in comparison to the CR blend of 2.92 kg ha-1. Daily N2O flux rates showed a relationship of direct response to rainfall and soil moisture availability. High emissions were observed for wheel tracks where increased N2O emissions may be linked to soil compaction and waterlogging that creates anaerobic conditions after rain events. Emission measurements over three months highlighted the inconsistencies found in other studies relative to reducing emissions through controlled release nitrogen. More investigations are required to verify the benefits associated with controlled release fertiliser use in pineapples, placement and seasonal timing to address N2O emissions in pineapples.

Rootstock selection, nitrogen and calcium influence postharvest disease in avocado

Field trials evaluating several parameters of growth, fruit yield and quality of 'Hass' avocado grafted to different rootstocks were established in 2004-2005 in four different growing regions of Australia. Fruit were harvested in three seasons from 2008, ripened and assessed for severity and incidence of anthracnose and stem end rot diseases. Peel samples were collected at harvest and analysed for concentrations of the cations (N, K, Ca, Mg). Rootstock significantly affected marketability of fruit (no stem end rot and less than 5% anthracnose) in 58% of the total number of trials evaluated, with better quality fruit harvested from 'Hass' grafted to Guatemalan or West Indian rootstocks such as 'A10' or 'Velvick'. Fruit quality was frequently poor from trees grafted to Mexican race rootstocks, regardless of growing location. Correlation analyses showed that fruit from rootstocks with superior fruit quality was often associated with lower skin N and higher Ca concentrations. There were significant positive correlations between anthracnose and skin N or N:Ca ratio in 75% of trials evaluated. There was a significant negative correlation between anthracnose and Ca in 42% of trials. The correlations between stem end rot and skin N (positive) or Ca (negative) were each significant in 42% of trials. Based on the results in this project, N:Ca ratios in the skin of unripe avocado fruit at harvest may provide one of the best indicators of potential postharvest disease in ripe fruit, and may have implications for fertiliser regimes.