Value of historical climate knowledge, SOI-based seasonal climate forecasting and stored soil moisture at sowing in crop nitrogen management in south eastern Australia

This paper explores the value of using historical climate knowledge, Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and stored soil moisture at sowing time of wheat and canola crops to manage nitrogen application for increasing economic benefits from crop production and reducing drainage of farming systems at Walbundrie in Southeast Australia. The Agricultural Production System Simulator (APSIM) was used to simulate crop production and drainage passing the crop root zone in response to nitrogen application rates from 0 to 300 kgN ha−1 year−1 using historical climate records from 1889 to 2002. The skills of SOI phases to forecast growing season rainfall and crop yield were analysed. The impact of nitrogen management based on historical climate knowledge, SOI phases and stored soil moisture was assessed.