SBI-II Project Logic MERI Framework

SBI-II update: Evaluation (theme 1 hierarchy) GRDC GOAL VISION SBI 2 10 YRS Program Goals 5 YRS PROFITABLE GRAIN BUSINESSES VALUED FOR THEIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Increased profitability & sustainability of grain cropping as a result of harnessing the biological potential of soil Intermediate outcomes Biophysical/attitude /practice 2-3 Years Immediate outputs results Biophysical/ attitude/ practice 1-2 years Foundational Activities/ Outcomes Year 1 Soil quality incorporating biology measured and managed across agro-ecological zones Validated models of the physical and chemical properties of soil related to soil biology Uses of molecular data as indicators of soil quality determined Knowledge about soil quality has been generated, broadly communicated to targeted audiences and adopted. Decision support mechanism informs practice change DNA repository/baseline & target organisms for improving soil quality Soil biology monitored across relevant regions Increased research capacity in soil biologyNew knowledge of nematode groups in soil National soil biology network responds efficiently to national needs A national platform for soil quality monitoring and managementMore detailed data on soil biology Soil quality measurements for agroecological zones populated into national website Project action plansSoil biology champions established from each farmer region Program/theme Communication strategies and budgets developed Theme 1. Soil Quality Monitoring for Better Decision Support

GRDC GOAL VISION SBI 2 10 YRS Program Goals 5 YRS PROFITABLE GRAIN BUSINESSES VALUED FOR THEIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Increased profitability & sustainability of grain cropping as a result of harnessing the biological potential of soil Critical nutrient transfer processes are linked to more effective/economical management strategies New techniques to manage the cycling of nitrogen between land, water and atmosphere Enhanced soil phosphorus available Improved nitrogen supply to cereal crops Farmers managing more efficiently Intermediate outcomes Biophysical/attitude /practice 2-3 Years Increased knowledge of critical nutrient transfer processes Increased awareness of economically viable rotation strategies to maximise phosphorus release Increased research capacity in soil biology New knowledge of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria & their contribution to crop N-supply New techniques to manage cycling of nitrogen between land, water & atmosphere Increased understanding of plant-microbe-N/P interactions Relationship between management regime & N 2 -fixing capacity established Immediate outputs results Biophysical/ attitude/ practice 1-2 years Foundational Activities/ Outcomes Year 1 New understanding of the relationship between microbial functions and soil N mineralisation/ immobilisation process Increased understanding of how rotations can be used to manage phosphorus availability Applying new techniques for assessing diversity & contribution of free-living N- fixers Project action plansProgram/theme Communication strategies and budgets developed Soil biology champions established from each farmer region Theme 2. Nutrient Management

SBI-II update: Evaluation (theme 3 hierarchy) Foundational Activities/ Outcomes Year 1 GRDC GOAL VISION SBI 2 10 YRS Program Goals 5 YRS PROFITABLE GRAIN BUSINESSES VALUED FOR THEIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Increased profitability & sustainability of grain cropping as a result of harnessing the biological potential of soil Intermediate outcomes Biophysical/attit ude/practice 2-3 Years New agronomic management solutions for identifying and building disease suppressive soils New strategies to suppress soil diseases communicated to target audiences Prevalence & impact of ‘organic matter mediated non-specific suppression’ The microbial genetic mechanisms & metabolic pathways involved in disease suppression are identified in soils where disease suppression has been established Key crop management practices & environment influence the development of suppressiveness identified and communicated to target audiences Increased knowledge about the biological traits of suppressive soils Increased knowledge of suppressive soils in the Western grain production region Identification of key microbial groups & functions associated with suppression of soil borne diseases Suppressive sites identified Immediate outputs results Biophysical/ attitude/ practice 1-2 years MERI Plan Increased research capacity in soil biology At least 3 groups interact to suppress Rhizoctonia solani disease: Pantoea, Exiguobacterium & Microbacterium; the former suppresses root infection by the pathogen and the latter two, promote root growth. Foundational outcomes SBI-I What we said we would do Theme 3. Suppressive Soils: Traits & Transferability