trials

The aim of this investigation was to use the cropping systems simulator APSIM to assess the impact of high levels of sodicity chlorine, electrical conductivity and boron on the growth and yield of a wheat crop (cv. Yitpi) grown in the BCG Systems Trial.

To deal with the issue of sustainable agriculture.

The objective of the project was to work with landholders in the region to increase their capacity and knowledge to productively and sustainably manage their soil by developing a snapshot of the extent of acidity on their properties.

• To investigate an agronomic solution to waterlogging through the use of Agpipe.

• To investigate the use of slotted drainpipe (Agpipe) for removal of water from waterlogged crops.

To discuss agronomic practices – frost risk rankings table.

Compare changes in soil characteristics, including non-wetting and crop growth and performance in a mouldboard ploughed area versus untreated (control) area using an on-farm large scale demonstration site.

To provide a demonstration site to observe the effects of mouldboard ploughing vs. no cultivation on non-wetting soils and crop growth and yield.

• To determine if the addition of lime and its method of incorporation (none/control, MBP or deep rip) has an effect on the soil pH profile and crop productivity.
• To compare the impact of mouldboard ploughing and deep ripping on topsoil water repellence compared to an untreated control.

To investigate amelioration options for sands that have low water holding capacity, low organic matter, low nutrient availability, compaction, non wetting and high risk for wind erosion.

To assess amelioration options for water repellent sandplain soils.

• To test the performance of a range of subsoil amendments.

To investigate the distribution of molybdenum in molybdenum superphosphate and implications for fertiliser use.

To assess the impact of deep ripping and spading on crop yield across three different soil types near Quairading, WA.

In this project we aim to compare the water use efficiency (WUE) and profitability of high versus low input cropping systems

To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield over a two year period in the To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield over a two year period in the eastern wheatbelt

To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield in a gravelly loam soil type near Muradup, WA.

To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield across varying sites on a farm near Nyabing, WA.

To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield in different soil types and production zones near Beverley, WA.

To investigate the effect controlled traffic and shallow raised beds has on soil structure and grain yields/quality on a Balliang sandy loam overlying a clay loam. 
 

To investigate:

• the efficacy of the pre-emergent herbicide treatments on brome grass,
• the weed competitiveness of different varieties at different row spacing configurations, and
• the relative yields of the different varieties with the different herbicide applications and row spacing configurations.

To test the accuracy of alkaline and acid tests on soil labs.

This research aims to determine in which situations extra fertilisation can bring benefits to growers in 14 different Eyre Peninsula (EP) environments.

Every season, growers need to make choices over limited resources in order to optimise their profitability. Soil type and water represent two of the key limiting resources which define the grain yield potential of a paddock. The unpredictability of growing season rainfall patterns restricts in-season fertiliser applications for EP growers, due to the associated high economic risks. As a risk management strategy, growers often apply lower rates of nutrients than required to achieve the water limiting yield potential (Sadras and Roget 2004, Monjardino et al. 2013). Therefore, less than optimum nutrient rates are applied in many instances, and maximum grain yield gains are not reached on occasions where opportunities have existed. Understanding soil water and nutrient dynamics can be useful to determine when in-season extra fertiliser applications are worth the investment in EP dryland farming systems.

This study used a subset of the Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation (EPARF) soil moisture probe network locations to benchmark the water limited yield potential and determine the achievable grain yield of cereals crops across major soil types of EP.

To determine if inclusion of Bentonite clay improves crop yields on sandy soils.

To determine if the inclusion of Bentonite clay improves crop yields on non-wetting sandy soils and their ability to store more carbon.

The experience from trial work with TM21 in Canada and Vietnam has been that farmers have been able to reduce some of their inputs as well as maintain or increase their yield. BEST Australia set up a long-term trial at the Liebe Group Long Term Trial Site (LTRS) comparing fertiliser rates at three different input levels. This trial will continue over the next few years. During that time, BEST will be evaluating the trial at LTRS to show that fertiliser efficiency increases by using TM21 in Austr

To improve the long term control of Rhizoctonia by increasing the understanding of the interactions between disease inoculum and natural soil suppressive activity and to improve the prediction and management of disease.

• To demonstrate effectiveness of controlled traffic in the more traditional high rainfall cropping ares of Western Victoria.
• To compare controlled traffic, raised beds and conventional flat cropping methods.

To develop an assay for bioavailability of micronutrients in soils.

To demonstrate if there are any benefits of applying biochar to increase crop and pasture production in the West Midlands

To investigate the possibility of reducing the inoculum of Fusarium graminearum in wheat stubble by spraying the stubble with spores of a harmless fungus, Trichoderma species, in order to control the disease.

Trials from over four years are examining different rates and timing of application of Bioprime, a liquid soil amendment which changes soil microbiology. The aim is to relate measured plant growth and yield improvement to changes in microbial populations in the soil around roots, and to show how these changes and different ways of applying nitrogen (N) impact on soil carbon accumulation.

To examine boosting pulse crop performance on acidic soils.

To investigate the bio-fumigation effects of canola dn mustard varieties on root disease and a number of crop varieties.

This was the second year in a three-year project that is focusing on building resilient farm businesses and strengthening farm decision making.

to explore how biological approaches to restoring soil health and holistic grazing practices lead to improved soil health, increased soil carbon, increased soil water holding capacity, improved plant health, improved production, increased on farm diversity and a reduced need for synthetic inputs.

The aim is to improve water use efficiencies of crops and pasture by reducing the soil constraints that impede root growth.

To answer the question: Can incorporation of lime speed up yield response?

To investigate whether kikuyu improve soil organic carbon levels on Kangaroo Island.

To test mid infrared analysis to estimate micronutrient concentrations in soils.

To determine which ameliorant practice is the most effective and economic in remediating subsoil acidity at depth.

To present actual farming results from a large cropping program in the Condobolin area in central NSW.

To demonstrate whether current seeder set ups within the region are capable of successfully sowing canola into heavy stubble.

The Upper North Farming systems group is involved in several Carbon Farming projects, which are trying to identify areas which have the greatest potential for soil carbon sequestration or reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

To offer unique insight into how mixed farms comprising broadacre cropping, irrigation and livestock might continue to evolve in the years and decades to come.

An objective of this research was to create a water balance model for white clover seed production. In conjunction with the water balance investigation, determination of $return/ML applied to assess water use efficiency would be studied. Overlaying this research was the aim of assessing current, as well as historical, impacts of irrigation management on soil chemistry and structure. The objective
was to gain more understanding of how irrigation practices affect the soil and how this in turn impacts on white clover production both presently and into the future

To examine the effect of increasing inputs to three commonly grown cereal varieties representing APW, noodle and malt segregations, and a new wheat investigating the prospects for ethanol production from wheat, on profitability for growers in the Liebe Group area.

To examine the effect of increasing inputs for crop varieties representing APW wheat, oats, triticale and a new wheat investigating the prospects for ethanol production from wheat, on profitability for growers on a sandy soil with a highly acidic subsoil in the Liebe Group area.

To explore chaff cart benefits in a mixed system

On the upper Eyre Peninsula (UEP), highly calcareous soils constitute a high proportion (more than 1 million hectares) of soils used for agricultural production (Bertrand et al. 2000, Bertrand et al. 2003). The website ‘Yield Gap Australia’ (http://yieldgapaustralia.com.au/maps/) identifies that the average grain yield on Western Eyre Peninsula (WEP) and UEP is between 41 and 45% of the water limited yield potential (1.5 t/ha for WEP and 1.8 t/ha for UEP). Closing the grain yield gap for wheat on UEP presents a challenge to growers, particularly on highly calcareous soils where nutrient deficiencies are common (Holloway et al. 2001). The production of insoluble minerals through the interaction of soil calcium carbonate with soluble nutrients such as phosphorous and trace elements (Holloway et al. 2001), combined with low soil moisture conditions prevents these nutrients from being readily available to the plant (Lombi et al. 2004). Holloway et al. (1999-2003) demonstrated the possibility of providing phosphorus (P) to the plant in an available form by applying fluid P fertilisers instead of granular fertilisers at seeding.

The majority of landholders in Australia, including the western and upper Eyre Peninsula currently use granular fertilisers which require good soil moisture conditions to enable uptake of nutrients by crops. Growers and advisors have noted that highly calcareous top soils dry out quickly after rainfall events, which may contribute to poor water use and nutrient extraction efficiency, and may also be a reason why diseases such as Rhizoctonia solani have greater impact in these soils. In addition, as a risk management strategy, growers often apply lower rates of nutrients than required to achieve the water limiting yield potential (Sadras and Roget 2004, Monjardino et al. 2013). A better understanding of soil moisture, root disease and factors which influence nutrient availability and the efficacy of fertilisers are needed to increase the water limited yield potential of the highly calcareous soils (McLaughlin et al. 2013).

Field trials were conducted in 2019 to investigate these factors on the nutrition of wheat on highly calcareous soils.