Soil biology trial 2008

2008
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Lara Swift (Liebe Group)
Year(s) 2008
Contributor Liebe Group
Trial location(s) Buntine, WA
Soil biology trial 2008 locations
Aims

To investigate the potential of biological and organic matter inputs to increase soil water storage, target long-term yield increases and soil health and structure improvements.

Key messages
  • This trial was implemented in an effort to increase grain yield through improved soil water storage and biological functioning. Organic matter, whether as retained stubble or additional inputs, is a significatn source of crop nutrition, and improved moisture conditions allow for optimal breakdown by soil microbes.
  • Further investigation and trial work into the effect of chaff and straw from different crop species would have on yield and soil health properties would be beneficial to evaluate.
Lead research organisation Liebe Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC LIE00003,LIE00005
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Liebe Group would like to express their appreciation to GRDC for assisting in the funding of this project and the assistance from Dan Murphy and Yoshi Swada, The University of Western Australia and Fran Hoyle, DAFWA and Water Australia.

Thank you to Scholz Rural Supplies, Syngenta, Summit Fertilizers, Wesfarmers Insurance and all other supporters of the long term research site for hte generous sponsorship of products, advice and support throughout the year.

Thanks also to Stuart McAlpine and staff, Mike Dodd and Rod Birch for conducting many of the paddock operations and Emma Wilson (formerly Liebe Group) for past imput into the trial.

  • Paper reviewed by Andrew Wherrett.

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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Properties: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated

Buntine 2008

Sow rate or Target density 70kg / ha Wyalkatchem wheat
Sow date 28 May 2008
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 80m x 10.5m
Plot replication 3
Paddock history 2002 = Wheat, 2003 = Lupins, 2004 = Wheat, 2005 = Wheat, 2006 = Lupins, 2007 = Wheat
Fertiliser

28/5/08: 95 kg/ha Gusto, 125 L/ha UAN

Herbicide

27/5/08: 1.25 L/ha Sprayseed, 2.5 L/ha Boxer Gold, 22/7/08: 330 mL/ha Atlantis, 15/8/08: 60 g/ha Lontrel, 300 mL/ha LVE MCPA

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

@T1: Athesis
# Treatment 1
Grain yield (t/ha) Harvest index (value) pH CaCl2 (pH) Hectolitre weight (kg/hL) Plant density (plants/m2) Screenings (%) Soil ammonium (mg/kg) Soil phosphorous (mg/kg) Soil potassium (mg/kg) Grain density (no./head) Head abundance (heads/m2) Organic carbon (%) Protein (%) Shoot biomass (t/ha) Soil nitrate (mg/kg) Biomass (t/ha)
1 1. Control 2.64 56.4 5.45 80.6 24 1.12 1 33 82 38 107 7.8 10 0.72 7 3.2
1 10. BM + CC + Humate + Microbes 2.94 59.9 5.37 80.8 18 1.13 1 34 68 44.7 94 8.8 10.2 0.87 6 3
2 11. Burnt stubble 2.89 58.9 5.17 80.8 19 0.96 1 31 69 37 92 6.7 10.2 0.63 7 3.6
2 12. Tilled soil 2.66 54.2 5.28 80.6 18 1.22 1 30 66 38 99 8.6 10.3 0.73 6 3.9
3 13. Tilled soil + DA 2.9 57.2 5.23 80.4 18 1.36 2 30 79 40.7 106 8.5 10.1 0.8 8 4.1
3 14. Tilled soil + OM 3.44 56 6.1 78.5 19 1.42 2 53 301 38.5 103 24.6 11.5 0.95 16 4.7
4 15. Tilled soil + OM + DA 3.2 59.1 6.4 77.6 10 1.65 2 53 299 35.3 135 20.9 12.4 1 19 4.6
4 2. Control + CC 2.43 57.1 5.47 81.4 18 1.37 1 35 95 39 101 5.6 10.6 0.85 7 2.7
5 3. Control + Humate 2.74 54.1 5.57 80.1 16 1.2 1 28 91 43 99 8.1 10.1 0.83 6 3.6
5 4. Control + Microbes 2.44 56.2 5.33 80.1 17 1.22 1 36 74 36.3 98 9.5 10.6 0.8 5 2.9
6 5. Control + CC + Humate + Microbes 2.59 56.8 5.57 80.7 18 1.25 1 31 99 38 88 8.2 10.5 0.78 7 2.3
6 6. BM control 2.73 61.6 5.42 80.7 17 1.2 2 29 99 39.5 106 7.7 10.7 0.77 9 3.3
7 7. BM + CC 2.49 55.4 5.63 80.7 21 1.25 1 30 80 39.7 107 7.4 10.5 0.75 11 2.3
7 8. BM + Humate 2.58 61.3 5.3 81.1 20 1.14 1 33 64 40 97 9.4 10.7 0.74 9 2.5
8 9. BM + Microbes 2.63 55.2 5.4 81.2 21 1.31 1 32 63 40.7 99 8.2 10.6 0.76 9 2.7
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Grain yield t/ha


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Biomass t/ha


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Grain density no./head


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Harvest index value


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Head abundance heads/m2


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Hectolitre weight kg/hL


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Organic carbon %


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pH CaCl2 pH


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Plant density plants/m2


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Shoot biomass t/ha


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Soil ammonium mg/kg


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Soil nitrate mg/kg


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Soil phosphorous mg/kg


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Soil potassium mg/kg


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Buntine, WA 0 - 10cm Sandy loam
Buntine, WA 10 - 30cm Sandy loam
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Buntine, WA Sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Buntine, 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 Buntine WA
2008 187.8mm
2007 156.0mm
2006 163.2mm
2005 150.1mm
2004 141.2mm
2003 146.6mm
2002 102.7mm
2001 97.9mm
2000 171.9mm
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

Buntine WA 2008


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 330mm

Derived climate information

Buntine WA

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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