Nutrient management research and development over the last 20 years has focussed on nitrogen due to its impact on reef water quality. Other macro and micronutrients have received little attention. While there hasn’t been significant reporting of the expression of nutrient deficiency symptoms, the industry is blind to the development of hidden and potential emerging issues that are currently having a low impact on productivity.

Detection of developing issues at an early stage has a much lower impact on industry productivity and reduces the cost of ameliorating a constraint. A well-designed leaf and soil survey will be conducted to assess nutrient availability and nutrient uptake by the crop across a range of factors (region, soil texture, crop class). This will be used to identify issues and guide further investment to ensure that nutrient management within the industry sustains the soil resource for productive cropping over the long term.