Soybeans as a cash crop on virgin land in the Wallum of south-eastern Queensland

Soybeans were tested as a pioneer crop on virgin soils at Beerwah in the Wallum country in southeast Queensland. Seven varieties were tested in four trials, from 1960-61 to 1963-64. Sowing dates ranged from mid-October to mid-January. Avoyelles had the highest individual yield (1384 lb an acre) and average yield (894 lb an acre) of seed. Hernon was slightly more consistent in yield (850 lb or more an acre in three of the four years ; c.f. Avoyelles, two of four years). Mamloxi was the only other variety with satisfactory yields. Sowings in October or November yielded from 20 to 80 per cent more than those later in the season. Poorly drained soils or high seasonal rainfall seemed to depress yields. The results suggest that soybeans could be used as a cash crop in the development of the Wallum, but that their use would be restricted to the better drained soils. The area of such soils would not exceed 250,000 acres (or 15 per cent of the region).