Please find below detailed write ups of the trials Large plot demonstration trial at Merah North, NSW Aim To evaluate various liquid fertiliser regimes as a partial or full replacement to traditional Nitrogen forms in cotton production. Methods The trial compared four fertilizer treatments in large plots during the 2006-07 cotton season. Detailed methods: Location: Field 23 at Kerribee, Merah North, NSW Plot size: 84 rows by 500m for each treatment Treatments: B&B only (nil urea) B&B plus half rate Urea Combo of various Growth Agriculture liquid fertilisers only (nil urea) Standard Treatment (Urea plus foliar applied liquid fertilisers) Treatment details: B&B only: Pre-plant: 20 L/ha B&B Prior to row closure: 10 L/ha B&B Foliar applications: 2 x 3 L/ha, 1 x 5 L/ha, 4 x 10 L/ha B&B Total N applied: Not specified B&B plus half rate Urea: Urea: 250 kg/ha (115 units N) B&B applications similar to Treatment 1 but at lower rates Total N applied: Not specified Combo of various Growth Agriculture liquid fertilisers only (nil urea) Various liquid fertilizers including B&B, Total N, Total K, Charge, Boron X-TRA, and Zinc X-TRA Total N applied: Not specified Standard Treatment: Urea: 500 kg/ha (230 units N) Various foliar liquid fertilizers Total N applied: Not specified Assessments: Root development, leaf/petiole analysis, N uptake, dry matter production, yield, and gross margins Total N per Treatment kg/ Ha Results Summary Yield Per treatment Bales per Ha B&B + 250kgs of Urea yielded 12.51 bales per ha, nearly half a bale per ha more than 500kgs of Urea Alone Yield Kerribee The Gross Profit from this trial are presented in the graph below. These figures have been calculated based cotton yield (cotton at $400/bale), and all inputs for the season. Gross Profit on Fertiliser Detailed Results Root development: Treatments with B&B showed improved root health and development Leaf nitrogen levels: T1 and T3 showed below optimum levels, but all treatments had sufficient nitrogen uptake for full yield potential Dry matter production: All treatments produced similar dry matter, ranging from 9.5 to 10.5 tonnes/ha Final yield (bales/ha): T1 (B&B only): 11.18 T2 (B&B + half urea): 12.07 T3 (Liquid fertilisers): 11.24 T4 (Standard): 12.51 Field Average: 11.22 Gross margins ($/ha): T1: $3,981 T2: $4,337 T3: $3,951 T4: $4,525 Field Average: $3,990All treatments produced comparable yields, with the standard treatment (T4) yielding highest at 12.51 bales/ha, followed closely by T2 (B&B + half-rate urea) at 12.07 bales/ha. The B&B only treatment (T1) yielded 11.18 bales/ha, which was slightly below the field average of 11.22 bales/ha. Key Findings The trial demonstrated that B&B, either alone or in combination with reduced urea, can produce comparable yields and gross margins to standard fertiliser practices in cotton production. The B&B treatments showed improved root development and similar nitrogen uptake to standard treatments, despite lower leaf nitrogen levels in some cases. Conclusions B&B can be used as a partial replacement for traditional nitrogen fertilisers without negatively impacting yield or gross margins There is potential for B&B to be used as a standalone fertiliser regime, though further research is needed B&B treatments showed improved root development, which may contribute to overall plant health The flexibility of B&B application may provide advantages in water-limited seasons or poor soil areas Economic analysis suggests B&B treatments can be cost-competitive with standard practices Long-term replicated Urea Fertiliser replacement trial at Lammermoor, Merah North, NSW (2012-13, 2014-15, 2018-19) Aim To establish whether a nutrition strategy using significantly lower amounts of synthetic nitrogen can maintain yield and quality of cotton over multiple years and seasons. Compare the use of B&B: Liquid Blood and Bone as a partial replacement for synthetic Nitrogen products to a conventional fertiliser programme Assess the long-term viability of this approach to sustainable cotton production Evaluate the economic impact of reduced synthetic nitrogen inputs Methods A multi-year, replicated trial comparing a reduced Nitrogen program using B&B: Liquid Blood and Bone (B&B) to a standard Nutrition programme with pre-plant Urea (STD). Detailed Method Location Field 9 at Lammermoor, Merah North NSW Field Size 12 ha (approx), deep cracking clay soil Trial Design 12 plots (24 meters wide, 16 rows each), divided into B&B and STD treatments Assessments Soil tests, leaf blade analysis, plant mapping, yield, and gross margin analysis Detailed methods: 6 replications of each treatment, each covering 0.54 hectares Treatment details (Kg N applied per ha): 2012-13: B&B: 8.712 (0.297 starter, 8.415 foliar) - Kg N applied per ha STD: 144.732 (138 pre-plant urea, 0.297 starter, 6.435 foliar) - Kg N applied per ha 2014-15: B&B: 81.322 (0.396 starter, 7.326 foliar, 73.6 water run urea) - Kg N applied per ha STD: 309.342 (230 pre-plant urea, 0.396 starter, 5.346 foliar, 73.6 water run urea) - Kg N applied per ha 2018-19: B&B: 74.94 (0.495 starter, 5.445 foliar, 69 water run urea) - Kg N applied per ha STD: 300.98 (230 pre-plant urea, 0.495 starter, 1.485 foliar, 69 water run urea) - Kg N applied per ha Results The B&B treatment maintained similar yields with significantly reduced nitrogen inputs and showed improved economic outcomes due to lower input costs across all three seasons. Gross Profit on fertiliser The gross profit is calculated by considering the yield achieved by each treatment and all fertilisers/nutrition inputs in the season. The only difference between the below information was the fertiliser used. Gross profit increased by B&B: 2012 - 13: 13% 2014-15: 10% 2018-19: 15% Average: 12.6% Trials yield comparison (bales/ha): Yields 2012-13 (60" row spacing): B&B: 9.16 STD: 8.96 Yields 2014-15 (30"/1m row spacing): B&B: 14.63 STD: 14.85 Yields 2018-19 (60" row spacing): B&B: 9.00 STD: 9.17 Gross profit on fertiliser input per ha: 2012-13: B&B: $869, STD: $7552014-15: B&B: $1,674, STD: $1,4972018-19: B&B: $938, STD: $798 Comparative analysis: Soil tests, leaf analysis, and plant mapping showed no significant differences between treatments. Key Findings The trial demonstrated that B&B: Liquid Blood and Bone can maintain yield and quality while significantly reducing nitrogen inputs and improving economic outcomes. Detailed conclusions No significant reductions in yield or quality over 3 seasons with significantly reduced nitrogen inputs Increased gross margins with the reduction of synthetic Nitrogen B&B treatment allowed for more flexible and cost-effective nitrogen management Potential for improved soil health with reduced synthetic N inputs Comparable plant development and fruit retention between treatments Significant reduction in total applied nitrogen (e.g., 226 kg/ha less in 2018-19) The trial supports the viability of using alternative, largely non-chemical fertilisers with lower nutrient units compared to traditional systems Further research recommended to optimize rates and application timing, and to explore potential benefits for soil health and disease management Waterlogging - Carrigan Trial Aim Evaluate foliar-applied nitrogen for increasing cotton yields under nitrogen-deficient and nitrogen-adequate conditions. Detailed Aim Assess the efficacy of foliar-applied nitrogen in cotton production. Compare the performance of two Growth Agriculture products (Total N and B&B Liquid Blood and Bone) on nitrogen-deficient and nitrogen-adequate cotton. Investigate yield differences and petiole nitrate levels in treated vs. non-treated areas.s. Method A replicated field trial applying different foliar fertilisations was conducted on nitrogen-deficient and nitrogen-adequate cotton to measure yield and petiole nitrate levels. Detailed Method Trial Design and Layout: The field was planted with 189I pure seed, striped into four green (adequate nitrogen) and two yellow (deficient nitrogen) rows. Number of Replications: The trial was replicated twice, with each replication covering 5.04 ha, divided evenly between green and yellow strips. Treatment: Total N - A controlled-release foliar nitrogen fertiliser (35% N with 70% as urea-formaldehyde). B&B Liquid Blood and Bone (B&B) - An N.P.K (10:3:6) fertiliser with trace elements, Gibberellic Acid, and Triacontanol. Application Timing and Conditions: Foliar applications commenced after cutout and were applied by air every seven to ten days. Results Summary Foliar applications of Total N and B&B improved petiole nitrate levels and increased cotton yield, with notable differences between green and yellow strips. Detailed Results Statistical Analysis: Yield increase observed across treatments with significant differences noted. Green strips yielded higher than yellow strips, indicating better nitrogen uptake. Total N and Total N + B&B treatments increased petiole nitrate levels and hence the yield. Significant yield increase was noted between treated and untreated areas. Key Findings: Foliar applications of Total N and B&B notably increased cotton yield and petiole nitrate levels, proving effective for nitrogen supplementation in cotton farming. Detailed Key Findings Total N and B&B Effectiveness: Total N alone increased yield by 0.27 bales per ha over the control in nitrogen-sufficient conditions. The addition of B&B to Total N further increased the yield by 0.82 bales per ha. Total N applications on nitrogen-deficient cotton increased yield by 0.78 bales per ha; however, adding B&B showed no additional yield improvement in these conditions. Yield improvement translates to increased profit of $73.50 per ha for Total N and $303 per ha for the mixture of Total N and B&B. Implications for Future Research: The data suggests potential for widespread adoption of these foliar applications for nitrogen management in cotton. Encourages further research into optimizing application rates and conditions for maximum benefit. 2018-19 Long term - Lammermoor FIeld 9 Final with Appendices (small).pdf