Varying inputs to improve profitability of cropping on shallow gravel soils

2008
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Stephen Davies (DAFWA)
Roger Lawes (CSIRO)
Lara Swift (Liebe Group)
Year(s) 2008
Contributor Liebe Group
Trial location(s) Miling, WA
Varying inputs to improve profitability of cropping on shallow gravel soils locations
Aims

To assess and demonstrate the benefits of varying fertiliser inputs across a range of productivity zones from a poor performing shallow gravel to a good performing loamy earth.

Key messages
  • Further analysis using yield monitor data will allow for a comparison of fertiliser rates on the different productivity zones in the paddock which should enable us to determine the benefit from applying lower fertiliser rates to the poorer productivity areas.
  • Overall the lower, more conservative, upfront fertiliser applications were the best strategy and there is still an opportunity to add more nitrogen later, depending on the season.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC CSA00016,LIE00005
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

We thank Lance and Robyn Kennedy for hosting and helping implement the trial and Adriaan De Waal for advice and assistance.

Thanks to Emma Wilson (formerly Liebe Group) for initial trial setup of the trial and Chis O'Callaghan (Liebe Group) for assistance with harvest and soil sampling.

We ackowledge financial suppor of GRDC.

  • Paper reviewed by Michael Robertson.

Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Fertiliser: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Miling 2008

Sow date 27 May 2008
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 1040m x 12m
Plot replication 2
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Fertiliser

K-Plant: Low rate = 40kg/ha; High rate = 80 kg/ha, Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN): Low = 25 L/ha upfront + 50 L/ha on 23/7/08, Medium = 50 L/ha upfront + 50 L/ha on 23/7/08, High = 65 L/ha upfront + 100 L/ha on 23/7/08, (An additional 25 L/ha UAN was mistakenly applied to second replicate)

Herbicide

Knockdown:1.1 L/ha Raze (510 g/L glyphosate), 400 mL/ha Ester 600, 350 mL/ha Metalachlor, 1.5 L/ha Triflur Postemergent: 750 mL/ha Jaguar, 50 mL/ha Brodal, 65 mL/ha Topic, 7 g/ha Rovral, 800 mL/ha Ester 600

Insecticide

500 mL/ha Dimethoate

Fungicide

145 mL/ha Stingray

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Treatment 3
Screenings (%) Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha)
1 UAN L/ha: 25+50 K Plant kg/ha: 40 Rep 1 2.1 10.5 1.9
2 UAN L/ha: 25+50 K Plant kg/ha: 40 Rep 2 1.7 10.7 2.1
3 UAN L/ha: 50+50 K Plant kg/ha: 40 Rep 1 1.3 10.9 1.8
4 UAN L/ha: 50+50 K Plant kg/ha: 40 Rep 2 1.6 10.7 2.1
5 UAN L/ha: 65+100 K Plant kg/ha: 40 Rep 1 1.6 11.2 2
6 UAN L/ha: 65+100 K Plant kg/ha: 40 Rep 2 2.6 11.1 2
7 UAN L/ha: 25+50 K Plant kg/ha: 80 Rep 1 1.9 11 1.8
8 UAN L/ha: 25+50 K Plant kg/ha: 80 Rep 2 1.2 10.5 2.1
9 UAN L/ha: 50+50 K Plant kg/ha: 80 Rep 1 1.8 10.6 2
10 UAN L/ha: 50+50 K Plant kg/ha: 80 Rep 2 2.2 10.7 2.2
11 UAN L/ha: 65+100 K Plant kg/ha: 80 Rep 1 3.3 11.3 2.1
12 UAN L/ha: 65+100 K Plant kg/ha: 80 Rep 2 2.4 11.4 2.1

Grain yield t/ha


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Miling, WA 0 - 10cm Sand over Gravel
Miling, WA 10 - 30cm Sand over Gravel
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Miling, WA Sand over gravel
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Miling, WA Kandosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Miling WA
2008 242.3mm
2007 228.4mm
2006 236.7mm
2005 184.9mm
2004 197.6mm
2003 180.7mm
2002 147.2mm
2001 177.1mm
2000 274.6mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Miling WA 2008


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 216mm

Derived climate information

Miling WA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2008 trial report