Non-wetting management options (West River - Burrell)

2012

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Derk Bakker (DAFWA)
Year(s) 2012
Contributor Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Trial location(s) West River, WA
West River, WA
Non-wetting management options (West River - Burrell) locations
Aims

Claying has been undertaken in many areas throughout the zone, and there is quite a bit of expertise on the risks and benefits associated with it within the zone. Cash flow of most farmers in general doesn’t allow the expense of the high rates of clay to occur. However, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that low rates of clay (lower than rates used currently to improve soil structure) will improve the wettability of the soil. By including clay in the trial it is anticipated that the benefits of low rates of clay will show improved wettability. Other opportunities for the zone appear to be mitigation of non-wetting – including on-row seeding. This would include associated practical risks around seeding such as stubble handling issues and accurate seeding systems.

Key messages

The addition of clay even at low rates of 75 and 150 t/ha have been very effective in increasing the yield from an average 2.45 t/ha of the Control to about 2.95 t/ha. It is expected that the claying will have a long lasting effect and that the yield increases compared to the control will remain.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC SDI00008
Related program Regional Cropping Solutions Network
Acknowledgments

The assistance of Grey Poulish (DAFWA Albany) in the data collection is greatly appreciated as well as the assistance on neighbouring growers in making machinery available.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Unknown

West River 2012

Sow date 30 April 2012
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 200m x 12m
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

80kg/ha Agflow and 40l/ha FlexiN at seeding

West River 2012

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Burrell results

# Treatment 1
Mean yield (t/ha) Gross margin ($/ha) Adjusted yield (t/ha)
1 Wetter 2L/ha @ 100/L ha water 2.71 787 2.81
2 InterRow seeding 2.87 763 2.72
3 Wetter 4L/ha @ 200L/ha water 2.85 791 2.83
4 Millet 2.65 795 2.84
5 Clay 150t/ha + Spading 100mm 2.97 848 3.03
6 MouldBoard Plough 3.01 757 2.7
7 Spading 300mm 2.87 751 2.68
8 Clay 75t/ha + Spading 100mm 2.9 795 2.84
9 Cross seeding (slight angle) 2.22 708 2.53
10 Control 2.43 686 2.45
11 Cultivation 2.03 666 2.38
12 Bentonite clay @ 8t/ha 2.48 758 2.71
13 On the Row Seeding 2.59 651 2.33
14 MouldBoard + Spading 100mm 2.51 594 2.12

Adjusted yield t/ha


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Gross margin $/ha


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Mean yield t/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
West River, WA Not specified
West River, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
West River, WA Sodosol
West River, WA Sodosol
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 West River WA West River WA
2012 428.7mm452.3mm
2011 362.2mm402.0mm
2010 370.5mm419.5mm
2009 433.2mm457.5mm
2008 379.9mm392.3mm
2007 339.9mm400.1mm
2006 373.2mm433.0mm
2005 332.0mm389.8mm
2004 348.8mm392.5mm
2003 384.1mm400.7mm
2002 389.5mm367.0mm
2001 427.8mm388.6mm
2000 488.1mm462.1mm
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

West River WA 2012


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 325mm

Derived climate information

West River WA

West River WA

West River WA

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West River 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

2012 trial report



Trial last modified: 05-12-2019 15:16pm AEST