Effect of Breaks from Sugarcane Monoculture on Growth and Yield of Subsequent Sugarcane Crops

Long-term rotation experiments were established at five sites (Tully, Ingham, Ayr, Mackay and Bundaberg) in sugar growing areas of coastal Queensland, Australia in 1993 and 1994. The rotations or breaks consisted of either pasture, crop other than sugarcane, or bare fallow for various periods of time ranging from 6 to 42 months. The type of break established three basic soil management strategies. Under the pasture break the soil experienced no disturbance and plant growth; under the other crop break annual disturbance and plant growth; while under the bare fallow no disturbance and no plant growth.