Moisture for germination and growth is critical to crop performance. Many different strategies exist to conserve soil moisture pre and post sowing, including spraying and tillage.
Online Farm Trials contains 150 trials covering issues that include: managing moisture variability within paddock; crop rotations that optimise moisture availability in the sequence; impacts of break crops and summer crops for production; and, future crop gains and interactions between soil moisture and nitrogen conservation, including timing of fertiliser application. There are 65 published trials for wheat, 16 for canola and 16 for barley linked to soil moisture conservation and use. There are also trials for lupins (6) and vetch (4).
For further information on soil moisture strategies, refer to the following case studies on low rainfall environments that consider summer weed control options to managing soil moisture:
Aims:
To evaluate the response of wheat (yield and protein) in different paddock management zones to in-season application of nitrogen fertiliser, using the Yield Prophet system as a guide.
Aims:
To improve the adoption of liming practices in the medium to high rainfall zone of Western Australia by demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of lime application and incorporation.
Aims:
To improve the adoption of liming practices in the medium to high rainfall zone of Western Australia by demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of lime application and incorporation.
Aims:
The aim of this trial was to determine potential grain yield loss from a late grazing (cutting) relative to the increased grazing production.
Aims:
To determine which soil tests and tissue tests could be used to increase the likelihood of profitable responses from the application of nitrogen to wheat.
Aims:
Aims:
To comment on increasing economic returns of agronomic management using precision agriculture.
Aims:
To investigate the use of Gamma Radiometrics in SA.
Aims:
To report on investigations on increasing economic returns of agronomic management using
precision agriculture.
Aims:
This project assists farmers in adopting improved stubble management practices by comparing the performance of two stubble
systems – full incorporation and a no-till approach – to demonstrate the impacts of each system on soil health, water penetration and crop performance.
Aims:
To test the hypothesis that incorporation of the carbon rich stubble into the soil will not necessarily increase the humus content of the soil and compare it with other stubble management systems and in particular examining the impact these systems have on the soils organic matter levels over a period of time.
Aims:
The aim of the project was to increase the understanding and awareness of how spatial measurement tools (EM38 mapping, Imagery data, RTK Elevation Data & Yield Mapping) can be utilised to identify variations in soil capabilities & to then demonstrate how management can potentially be changed over these areas & the economics of implementing these… read more
Aims:
To (i) ground truth through statistical analysis of small plot trials current practices of leading farmers in regards to the use of Variable Rate Technology (VRT), predictive yield modelling and nutrition modelling in improving water use efficiency and hence profitability; (ii) address the hypothesis that greater return on investment can be achi… read more
Aims:
The purpose of this laboratory-based incubation experiment was to determine if an upper limit to Organic Carbon accumulation in soil was approached with increasing C input in basalt- and granite-derived soils.
Aims:
To assess the influence of additional Potassium fertiliser (Potassium Sulphate) used in crop on grain yield, tissue and grain concentration on soil with adequate K indices.
Aims:
To assess the influence of additional Potassium fertiliser (Potassium Sulphate) used in crop on grain yield, tissue and grain concentration on soil with adequate K indices.
Aims:
The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of two commonly used PGRs on root growth. It was hypothesised that if root growth modification occurred due to PGR application it would be a result of either the PGR altering the allometric balance between roots and shoots; a modification of the allocation of photoassimilates between th… read more
Aims:
To establish the interaction between nitrogen and timing and the need for fungicide management.
Aims:
This trial is part of larger GRDC funded project, which examines whether lower plant populations and later timed nitrogen approaches are suited to the HRZ in Australia, it also examines whether these techniques which were principally established for wheat can be used in malting barley, where high protein can be undesirable.
Aims:
To evaluate the effect of crop stubble management and seeding system on pre-emergent herbicide behaviour and crop safety.
Aims:
Research on the mainland has shown that sowing lentils in the inter-row in wheat stubble encourages the plant to grow taller in pursuit of sunlight, enabling easier harvest for what is normally a short crop. Although broad beans can be a tall crop, the bottom pods contain the largest beans as these set the earliest and thus have the longest time… read more
Aims:
To examine the influence of temperature on readily extractable copper in soils.
Aims:
A new project being conducted by the Irrigated Cropping Council, NSW DPI, Deakin University, Murray Local Land Service and Precision Agriculture, with financial support from GRDC, started in July 2014. The long-term objective is to ‘increase grain
production and profitability from surface irrigated soils in the GRDC Southern Region by… read more
Aims:
Aims:
The expected outcome of the project is that by 2021, growers in the MRZ of the South East and their advisors will have access to new relevant information on diverse crop rotations and integrated farming systems, particularity the incorporation of a pasture phase.
Aims:
To examine whether integrating row placement, stubble management, chickpea row spacing and a ground engaging tool would affect Fp incidence and grain yield in wheat in a chickpea–wheat sequence grown under a zero-tillage system.
Aims:
To test the viability of establishing lucerne pastures in areas where they have not been traditionally grown.
Aims:
To determine how soil inversion and banded surfactants change the availability of soil nutrients.
Aims:
To test the hypothesis that altered Mn nutrition of barley affects the development of cereal cyst nematode and damage to the host.
Aims:
To report on interactions between management practices and soil biota in northern farming systems.
Aims:
This experiment has attempted to use rainfall timing (imitated by overhead irrigation) to mitigate the negative weather impacts on
dry matter production both before and after flowering in an early and late summer TOS. A wide gap between TOS was deliberately
used to create the largest contrast in weather conditions that the cro… read more
Aims:
In Western Australia, break crop options are currently limited and there is a high proportion of wheat and barley grown in rotation. Cereal crops account for 60-70% of paddocks sown in any one year, with the remaining area sown to a range of crop and pasture types including canola, lupin, clover, volunteer pasture, or left as fallow. In addition… read more
Aims:
To improve knowledge around the ability of sorghum to efficiently use applied irrigation water.
Aims:
The key aims of this project have been to develop agronomic guidelines and seeding technology solutions which can allow for increased stubble retention practices, thereby reducing the dependence on burning.
Aims:
To understand the impact of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling on disease suppression.
Aims:
To understand the impact of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling on disease suppression.
Aims:
To see if there is a relationship between the surface texture of 60 known soil pits in the South-East and the Gamma Emmisions from a Gamma Ray Spectrometer.
Aims:
To determine the canola establishment success of four different seeding bars at three different seeding depths in the Northern WA wheatbelt using farmer scale machinery.
Aims:
To test the concept of variations in crop nitrogen dynamics in relation to soil compaction during the 2014 season.
Aims:
To test the concept of variations in crop nitrogen dynamics in relation to soil compaction during the 2014 season.
Aims:
To test the concept of variations in crop nitrogen dynamics in relation to soil compaction during the 2014 season.
Aims:
To investigate the benefits of speciality phosphorus products and liquid phosphorus options in cereals.
Aims:
Aims:
To assess a range of application methods for zinc including seed dressing, soil and foliar sprays and zinc with super fertiliser.
Aims:
To investigate the benefits of specialty phosphorus products and liquid phosphorus
options in cereals
Aims:
The objective of the project is to support the introduction and scale up of commercial cultivation of Linseed in the Great Southern region of Western Australia and will support a larger initiative developed by Southern Dirt to develop a localised Linseed supply chain to take the crop from paddock to consumer on the back of renewed demand for Lin… read more
Aims:
Examine effect of applying chelated iron to leaves, and chalted iron, zinc, N and P to soils growing irrigated soybean and pigeon pea.
Aims:
To test the target population for irrigated Durack Oats
Aims:
To evaluate the yields anf profitability of irrigated chickpeas and lentils grown on subsurface irrigation
Aims:
To evaluate specially formulated biodegradable soil wetters ability to improve crop establishment and yields in hydrophobic (non-wetting) soils.
Aims:
Determine if there are economic and agronomic advantages with using soil ‘wetters’ at seeding to improve crop emergence of wheat (Arrino) in hydrophobic soils (non-wetting).
Aims:
To investigate whether continuous wheat is viable.
Aims:
To test the hypothesis that over time in controlled traffic farming systems the repeated uneven spreading of header residue back over the tram track width would result in changed soil conditions that would ultimately lead to different “management zones” along the tram track.
Aims:
To use field and glasshouse experiments to explore the relationship between soil pH and manganese availability.
Aims:
To determine whether maintaining stubble cover in low rainfall environments increases summer moisture conservation, and, to establish the minimum stubble quantity or threshold necessary to ensure maximum moisture conservation over the summer.
Aims:
To discuss the common questions of are: ‘Is this dry spell a permanent feature? Is it just due to chance? Is it a periodic event?’
Aims:
To investigate responses to phosphorus (P) fertiliser of common wheat and barley varieties on a P deficient soil
Aims:
This trial was used to determine the efficacy and yield response of JumpStart as a seed coat on spring sown barley and to measure any residual plant available phosphorus for the following crop.
Aims:
From 2019 to 2021 Agriculture Kangaroo Island (AgKI) received funding and support from the Australian Government National Landcare Program, ‘Smart Farms Small Grants’ (through the KI Landscape Board) and PIRSA, to assist landholders to undertake soil testing on their properties and provide interpretation of soil test results.
Aims:
To report on the 2016/17 Agriculture Kangaroo Island (AgKI) funding supported through Natural Resources Kangaroo Island and PIRSA to assist landholders to undertake soil testing on their properties and provide interpretation of soil test results.
Aims:
To investigate the effect of various fallow management treatments on crop establishment and yield, weed and pest management and nitrogen management in retained stubble systems in a medium rainfall zone in the South-East of South Australia.
Aims:
To report on what has been learnt about growing kikuyu on Kangaroo Island.
Aims:
To investigate the usefulness of kikuyu for farmers on Kangaroo Island.
Aims:
To showcase to growers different methods for deep incorporation of lime to ameliorate sub surface, below 10cm, acidity and improve soil health.
Aims:
To assess the impact of mouldboard ploughing and clay spreading on soil water repellence and grain yield.
Aims:
To measure increases in grain protein in various barley varieties at flowering with different amounts of applied nitrogen.
Aims:
To compare the tolerance of legume and canola varieties to a range of herbicides and timings.
Aims:
To compare the tolerance of legumes and canola varieties to a range of herbicides and timings.
Aims:
To determine the effect of various legume treatments on the grain yield and quality of subsequent wheat production
Aims:
To assess the impact of rhizobial inoculation on the performance of four different legumes: chickpeas, lentils, faba beans and peas in the Victorian Wimmera.
Aims:
To demonstrate the need for innoculation with rhizobia in a range of crop legumes.
Aims:
This project set out to contribute to an understanding of legume agronomic and financial management in the Esperance Port Zone in an effort to support the decision-making process undertaken by growers in deciding the best crop sequence for their farms, including which break crop best suits their needs.
This project aims to:
<… read moreAims:
To assess the advantages of new lentil varieties with current standards and a field pea at different sowing times and on varying soil types.
Aims:
To assess the advantages of new lentil varieties with current standards and a field pea at different sowing times and on varying soil types.
Aims:
To determine the optimum disease management strategy for CIPAL 203.
Aims:
To identify crop safety levels and economic risk of pre- and post-emergent herbicide use on lentil across different soil types and environments in the southern low rainfall zone. This project builds on previous GRDC-funded projects, including DAV00113 (southern region pulse agronomy).
Aims:
To observe effect on lentil growth and vigour of various herbicides
Aims:
To evaluate various seed dressing and foliar nutrition products on lentils for growth and resulting yield
Aims:
To compare growth, development and yield of current commercial lentil varieties and advanced breeding lines sown on two dates on a red, sandy loam soil at Rankins Springs in south-western NSW
Aims:
CIPAL aims to improve lentil profitability in Australia by developing red and green varieties that are resistant to major diseases (ascochyta blight and botrytis grey mould) and soil constraints (boron, salt and waterlogging), and have improved havestability. CIPAL also aims to develop varieties that have new sources of resistance to current dis… read more
Aims:
To investigate the effects of soil type and climate on the yield of commercial varieties and advanced breeding lines in Victoria and thereby assist in the selection of superior varieties fro farmers in this state.
Aims:
To conduct a lentil variety evaluation.
Aims:
To evaluate effects of soil amendments on yields of pulses grown in nutrient deficient soils
Aims:
To identify the best adapted lentil varieties to the variable soil types encountered in Mallee paddocks.
Aims:
To identify the best adapted lentil varieties to the variable soil types encountered in Mallee paddocks.
Aims:
To identify the best adapted lentil varieties to the variable soil types encountered in Mallee paddocks.
Aims:
Aims:
Aims:
To confirm crop safety of different group B and group C herbicides in PBA Hurricane XT and PBA Jumbo 2 lentils on an acid soil.
Aims:
To evaluate enhanced tolerance of PBA Hallmark XT compared to PBA Jumbo2 to Group B herbicides applied post sowing pre emergence (PSPE) or at different in-crop application timings.
Aims:
To evaluate the impact of rate and application timing on tolerance of PBA Hurricane XT to a range of Group C herbicide on deep sandy soils in the Mallee.
Aims:
To compare the level of herbicide tolerance in SP1333 (a new genotype with improved tolerance to Group C herbicides) against PBA Hallmark XT to pre- and post-emergent applications of ‘Gp C’ at various rates.
Aims:
To investigate the response of lentil to application of macro and micro-nutrients on a sandhill and swale soil.
Aims:
To identify nutrient inputs that will improve growth and yield of lentil on the variable soil types encountered in Mallee paddocks.
Aims:
To investigate the response of lentil to application of microbial inoculants and micro and macro nutrients across a sandhill and swale soil at Ouyen and a sandy loam at Curyo.
Aims:
To investigate the potential of biological and organic matter inputs to increase soil water storage, target long-term yield increases and soil improvement
Aims:
To investigate the potential of organic matter inputs to increase yield and improve soil health.
Aims:
To investigate the potential of organic matter inputs to increase yield and improve soil health.
Aims:
To investigate the potential of organic matter inputs to increase soil water storage, increase yield and improve soil health.
Aims:
To investigate the potential of organic matter inputs to increase soil water storage, increase yield and improve soil health.