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Reduced productivity in long term monoculture: where are we placed?

  • ASDS Keynote Address Session 2
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Abstract

Long term monoculture of ten leads to poor root health, a build up in deleterious micro-organisms, and reduced productivity. The study of such problems is difficult due to the numerous interactions occurring in the soil environment and the large population of potential contributing biological agents. There are many similarities between monoculture-based problems in a range of crops from various climatic regions. Much research has centred on major pathogens of ten with neglect of minor pathogens and their interaction with chemical, physical and other biological properties. Studies with apple replant disease (ARD) and sugarcane yield decline (SYD) highlight our current state of knowledge of these systems. The development of techniques for assessing the biological composition of soils using assays which speed the process may facilitate the identification of management practices leading to improved soil and root health and an increase in productivity. There remains a great need to increase our understanding of these systems. In a number of cases, the importance of soil-based biological constraints is still not recognised, but their identification and amelioration will be essential for sustained production and improved profitability.

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  1. Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, P.O. Box 566, 4854, Tully, Queensland, Australia

    R. C. Magarey

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Magarey, R.C. Reduced productivity in long term monoculture: where are we placed?. Australasian Plant Pathology 28, 11–20 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1071/AP99002

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