General Information
· Main climates: Subtropical Steppe and Semiarid, Subtropical Desert and Arid, Tropical Steppe and Semiarid, Tropical Desert and Arid, Tropical Wet and Dry, Subtropical Dry summer, Subtropical humid, Temperate Oceanic
· Total land area: 771 336 000 ha
· Internal renewable water resources: 343 km3
· Incoming water flow: km3
· GNP per capita, 1998: PPP$ 21 795
· Main food consumed: Meat, Wheat, Sugar & honey, Oil & fat, Milk
· Rice supply, 1999: 11.8 kg paddy/capita/year
Basic Statistics
|
1985 |
1990 |
1995 |
2000 |
RICE |
|
|
|
|
Harvested area (T ha) |
122 |
104 |
118 |
145 |
Yield (kg/ha) |
7079 |
8838 |
8544 |
9655 |
Production (T t) |
864 |
924 |
1015 |
1400 |
Imports (T t) |
9.56 |
27.16 |
31.0 |
NA |
Exports (T t) |
341.4 |
424.2 |
541.8 |
NA |
OTHERS |
|
|
|
|
Population (M) |
15.63 |
16.88 |
17.94 |
NA |
Agr population (M) |
0.93 |
0.93 |
0.89 |
NA |
Irrigated agr area (T ha) |
1700 |
1832 |
2400 |
NA |
Fertilizer cons (T t) |
1155 |
1163 |
1867 |
NA |
Agr tractors in use (T units) |
322.0 |
317.0 |
315.0 |
NA |
Producing Zones and Cropping Seasons
Rice is planted once a year and mostly in New South Wales.
Cropping season |
Planting |
Harvesting |
New South Wales |
10 |
3-4 |
Production Practices
Rice is planted only under irrigated conditions, in large and highly mechanised farms. Direct seeding by drilling and broadcasting is the popular method of crop establishment. Rice crops are applied with adequate rate of fertilizers and other agro-chemicals for crop protection. Rice is grown in rotation with other crops and/or pasture over years. Rice varieties belong to japonica subspecies.
Variety Name |
Released period |
Other information |
AMAROO |
1987 |
Medium grain, very popular |
BAHIA |
1990-91 |
Medium arborio |
BARU |
1973 |
Medium long grain |
BOGAN |
1987 |
Medium grain |
DOONGARA |
1989 |
Hard long grain |
CALORO |
1950 |
|
CALROSE |
1952 |
|
ECHUCA |
1989 |
Medium grain |
GOOLARAH |
1991 |
Fragrant long grain |
HARRA |
1992 |
Medium arborio |
ILLABONG |
1993 |
Medium arborio |
INGA |
1973 |
Long grain |
JARRAH |
1993 |
Medium grain, Popular |
KULU |
1967 |
Long grain |
M7 |
1983 |
Long grain |
PELDE |
1982 |
Long grain, Popular |
TARRA 140 |
1976 |
Waxy |
YR 73 |
1977-80 |
Long grain |
YRF9 |
|
|
YRL34 |
|
|
The development and transfer of the Rice Integrated Crop Management system, which was named RICECHECK, has contributed to the steady yield increase since 1986. The following table shows the rice responses to fertilizer application.
Other information |
Test range (kg/ha) |
Control rate (kg/ha) |
Control yield (t/ha) |
Rate at Maximum yield (kg/ha) |
Maximum yield (t/ha) |
Nitrogen (N) |
|||||
Reported in 94, Yanco, Birganbigil clay, variety Amaroo, 100% at PI |
0-200 |
0 |
5.9 |
200 |
9.9 |
Reported in 94, Yanco, Birganbigil clay, variety Amaroo, 50% pre plant + 50% PI |
0-200 |
0 |
5.9 |
200 |
13 |
Reported in 94, Yanco, Birganbigil clay, variety Amaroo, Preplant application 100% |
0-200 |
0 |
5.9 |
200 |
13 |
Reported in?, Riverina, Now South Wales, Morang clay soils |
0-44.8 |
0 |
10.3 |
22.4 |
11.25 |
Reported in?, New South Wales, Wellbriggie clay loam, with 90 P kg/ha |
0-44.8 |
0 |
8.6 |
44.8 |
9.35 |
Reported in 87, New South Wales, variety Inga, N applied at PI |
0-150 |
0 |
5.9 |
150 |
8.5 |
Reported in 87, New South Wales, variety Inga, N applied at preplanting |
0-150 |
0 |
5.9 |
100 |
7.6 |
Reported in 86, Millaroo Research Station, BRIA, Queensland, Dry season, variety Newbonnet |
0-280 |
0 |
5.3 |
140 |
11.1 |
Reported in 86, Millaroo Research Station, BRIA, Queensland, Dry season, variety Starbonnet |
0-280 |
0 |
4.3 |
140 |
8.5 |
Reported in 87, Millaroo Research Station, BRIA, Queensland, Dry season, variety Newbonnet |
0-280 |
0 |
5 |
210 |
9.9 |
Reported in 87, Millaroo Research Station, BRIA, Queensland, Dry season variety Starbonnet |
0-280 |
0 |
3.8 |
210 |
7.2 |
Reported in 1992, Wunnamurra clay (Grey soils) average of 1982/83 and 19834/85 seasons |
0-94 |
0 |
6.3 |
94 |
10.6 |
Reported in 1992, Mundiwa clay (Red-brown Earth) average of 1982/83 and 19834/85 seasons |
0-94 |
0 |
7.4 |
75 |
10 |
Phosphorus (P2O5) |
|||||
1960(?) New South Wales, Wellbriggie clay loam, with 90 N kg/ha |
22.4-90 |
22.4 |
9.2 |
90 |
9.55 |
Constraints and Issues of Sustainable Production
There are several constraints to sustainable rice production in Australia. Followings are the major:
Stagnation of the yield potential of rice varieties.
Limited water irrigation supply.
Increased salinity of rice soils.
Low temperature.
High production costs.
Increasing concern about environmental degradation by the population.
Changes in the international price of rice would have important effect on production. Also, rice production will be affected by the population's concern on environmental degradation.
Research and Development Institutes
Yanco Agricultural Institute, Private Mail Bag, NSW 2703 Yanco, New South Wales, Phone: (069) 530211, Fax: (61-69) 530268
Centre for the Application of Molecular Biology in International Agriculture, GPO Box 3200 Canberra, ACT 2601, Fax: 616-246-5303
CSIRO Division of Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra ACT 2601, Fax: 616-246-5000
Australian Tropical Field Crops Genetic Resource, Centre, Department of Primary Industries, P.O. Box 201, QD 4715 Biloela, Queensland, Phone: (079) 921044, Fax: (079) 923468
Department of Primary Industries, G.P.O. Box 46, Primary Industries Building, 80 Ann Street, QD 4001 Brisbane, Queensland, Phone: (07) 3227-4111, Telex: AA 144501, Fax: (07) 3221-4302
Department of Primary Industries, P.O. Box 591, QD 4807, Queensland
Rice Marketing Board for New South Wales, P.O. Box 151, NSW 2300 Leeton, New South Wales, Phone: (069) 533200