Research and Development (R&D)
NyPa Australia Ltd. is committed to the continual research and development of the NyPa range of products. We believe that continual development of our products is essential to ensure that the community is receiving the most up to date technology for saline situations.
NyPa Australia Ltd. currently has a number of R&D projects running in a variety of areas including projects with NyPa Forage, NyPa Wild Wheat, NyPa Turf, and a salt tolerant root stock for vines. More information is available about these projects below.
PhD Project with La Trobe University, Bundoora A PhD project with La Trobe University has been completed and has investigated a number of areas including:
1) Best management practices for NyPa Forage
A number of experiments including both field and glasshouse were conducted to investigate what the best management practices are for a NyPa Forage sward. This looked at grazing frequency and nutrient inputs on the survival, establishment and production of NyPa Forage. This work is currently being prepared for publication.
Survival. It was found that survival of NyPa Forage was enhanced at the end of two growing seasons with the application of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer. Both nutrients were applied together, so the direct effect of each one can not be determined. Survival was best when grazed twice per season, however a third grazing mid summer was possible if additional nitrogen was applied throughout the growing season.
Production. The dry matter production of NyPa Forage was maximized when grazed twice per season, however a third grazing in possible if additional nitrogen is applied throughout the growing season. The rate at which plants spread was also increased with two grazings per season, but additional nitrogen throughout the season again allowed three grazing to occur without a penalty in rate of plant spread.
Feed Quality. Feed quality was maximized by three grazings per season. This ensured that the NyPa Forage remained relatively leafy, and increased the leaf to stem ratio. Crude protein was also increased with additional nitrogen throughout the growing season. Feed quality (as measured by acid detergent fibre - ADF) was improved with both phosphorus and nitrogen applications. The average size of the leaves was also increased with the addition of nitrogen or phosphorus. To maximise feed quality, it is recommended that NyPa Forage be grazed three times per season, and that nitrogen be applied throughout the growing season to maintain the level of production and maximise crude protein concentration.
2. NyPa Forage impact on the soil
A field survey was conducted at Wickepin, Western Australia where NyPa Forage had been growing for 8 years to determine what changes in soil chemical and physical properties had occurred, if any, over that time. The results indicated that there had been significant improvements in a number of soil properties, including:
The details of this paper are as follows, and a link to the article is provided on the download page:
Sargeant M.R., Tang C. & Sale, P.W.G. (2008) The ability of Distichlis spicata to grow sustainably within a saline discharge zone while improving the soil chemical and physical properties 46(1), 37-44.
3. Establishment
There have been a number of area relating to establishment that have been conducted, including investigation in the feasibility of establishment by rhizomes as a cheaper establishment methods, salt priming plants prior to being planted into the field and identifying the factors responsible for variable field establishment. The results of this work have concluded that high soil salinity and variability has been a major factor in failed field establishment. To assist with this, salt priming has been shown to increase the ability of NyPa Forage plants to establish into saline conditions. Salt priming involves exposing the plants to high levels of salt gradually prior to being planted into the field. This is particularly important for tube stock that is raised in nurseries. Rhizomes have also shown a lot of promise, with upto 40% of rhizomes in ideal conditions being able to produce tillers.
NyPa Grapevine Root Stock. NyPa Australia Ltd. also has a salt tolerant root stock in its package of plants for saline areas. The root stock is currently being evaluated by Orlando Wyndham Pty. Ltd. An evaluation is also being undertaken by the South Australian Vine Improvement group. Orlando Wyndham Pty. Ltd. are currently evaluating the root stock under a variety of conditions throughout its vineyards in Southern Australia. The first batch of wine has been produced from this rootstock and so far looks very promising. Trials are underway at Rutherglen, Coonawarra, Langhorne creek and in the riverland.
NyPa Australia Ltd. currently has a number of R&D projects running in a variety of areas including projects with NyPa Forage, NyPa Wild Wheat, NyPa Turf, and a salt tolerant root stock for vines. More information is available about these projects below.
PhD Project with La Trobe University, Bundoora A PhD project with La Trobe University has been completed and has investigated a number of areas including:
1) Best management practices for NyPa Forage
A number of experiments including both field and glasshouse were conducted to investigate what the best management practices are for a NyPa Forage sward. This looked at grazing frequency and nutrient inputs on the survival, establishment and production of NyPa Forage. This work is currently being prepared for publication.
Survival. It was found that survival of NyPa Forage was enhanced at the end of two growing seasons with the application of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer. Both nutrients were applied together, so the direct effect of each one can not be determined. Survival was best when grazed twice per season, however a third grazing mid summer was possible if additional nitrogen was applied throughout the growing season.
Production. The dry matter production of NyPa Forage was maximized when grazed twice per season, however a third grazing in possible if additional nitrogen is applied throughout the growing season. The rate at which plants spread was also increased with two grazings per season, but additional nitrogen throughout the season again allowed three grazing to occur without a penalty in rate of plant spread.
Feed Quality. Feed quality was maximized by three grazings per season. This ensured that the NyPa Forage remained relatively leafy, and increased the leaf to stem ratio. Crude protein was also increased with additional nitrogen throughout the growing season. Feed quality (as measured by acid detergent fibre - ADF) was improved with both phosphorus and nitrogen applications. The average size of the leaves was also increased with the addition of nitrogen or phosphorus. To maximise feed quality, it is recommended that NyPa Forage be grazed three times per season, and that nitrogen be applied throughout the growing season to maintain the level of production and maximise crude protein concentration.
2. NyPa Forage impact on the soil
A field survey was conducted at Wickepin, Western Australia where NyPa Forage had been growing for 8 years to determine what changes in soil chemical and physical properties had occurred, if any, over that time. The results indicated that there had been significant improvements in a number of soil properties, including:
- Increase in the saturated hydraulic conductivity
- Aggregate stability had been increased
- Soil carbon (organic matter) had increased
- No evidence of salt accumulation within the root zone of NyPa Forage
The details of this paper are as follows, and a link to the article is provided on the download page:
Sargeant M.R., Tang C. & Sale, P.W.G. (2008) The ability of Distichlis spicata to grow sustainably within a saline discharge zone while improving the soil chemical and physical properties 46(1), 37-44.
3. Establishment
There have been a number of area relating to establishment that have been conducted, including investigation in the feasibility of establishment by rhizomes as a cheaper establishment methods, salt priming plants prior to being planted into the field and identifying the factors responsible for variable field establishment. The results of this work have concluded that high soil salinity and variability has been a major factor in failed field establishment. To assist with this, salt priming has been shown to increase the ability of NyPa Forage plants to establish into saline conditions. Salt priming involves exposing the plants to high levels of salt gradually prior to being planted into the field. This is particularly important for tube stock that is raised in nurseries. Rhizomes have also shown a lot of promise, with upto 40% of rhizomes in ideal conditions being able to produce tillers.
NyPa Grapevine Root Stock. NyPa Australia Ltd. also has a salt tolerant root stock in its package of plants for saline areas. The root stock is currently being evaluated by Orlando Wyndham Pty. Ltd. An evaluation is also being undertaken by the South Australian Vine Improvement group. Orlando Wyndham Pty. Ltd. are currently evaluating the root stock under a variety of conditions throughout its vineyards in Southern Australia. The first batch of wine has been produced from this rootstock and so far looks very promising. Trials are underway at Rutherglen, Coonawarra, Langhorne creek and in the riverland.