Rhizobial inoculation can boost crop performance

2010 - 2011

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Matthew Denton (UoA)
David Pearce (CSIRO)
Mark Peoples (CSIRO)
Lori Phillips (DPI Vic)
Antony Swan (CSIRO)
Laura Watson (CSIRO)
Year(s) 2010 - 2011
Contributor Riverine Plains
Trial location(s) Culcairn, NSW
Rhizobial inoculation can boost crop performance locations
Aims
  • To assess the impact of rhizobial inoculation on the growth, nitrogen fixation and grain yield of faba beans and lupins in a paddoci with no recent history of growing legumes.
  • To determine whether there was any subsequent effect of the inoculation treatment on soil mineral nitrogen and grain yield by the following wheat crop.
Key messages

Inoculation on a paddock that had not grown pulese for at least 10 years increased Faba bean yield by 1t/ha and shoot nitrogen fixed by 130-180kg N/ha). The numbers of rhizobia deline ini the soil over time. The improvements in wheat yield after faba beans and lupins were not associated with enhanced nitrogen supply.

Lead research organisation Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Host research organisation Riverine Plains
Trial funding source GRDC CSP000146
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Mr Andrew Goode


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

Method

Crop types Grain Legume: Faba beans Grain Legume: Lupins
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Rotation
  • Seed treatment: Inoculant
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Culcairn 2010 Faba beans

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 6
Fertiliser

Fertiliser as per treatments

Culcairn 2010 Lupins

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Culcairn 2011 Faba beans

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 6
Fertiliser

Fertiliser as per treatments

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results 2010 results

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Grain yield (t/ha) Shoot N fixed (kg N/ha)
1 Faba beans Inoculated 1.75 23
2 Faba beans Not inoculated 2.7 202
3 Lupins Inoculated 3.5 37
4 Lupins Not inoculated 3.7 169

Grain yield t/ha


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Shoot N fixed kg N/ha


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Trial results 2010 Faba beans, canola, wheat and lupins

# Grain yield (t/ha)
1 2010 Faba beans Block 1 5.37
2 2010 Canola Block 1 4.56
3 2010 Wheat Block 1 4.61
4 2010 Lupins Block 2 5.39
5 2010 Canola Block 2 4.92
6 2010 Wheat Block2 4.5

Grain yield t/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Culcairn, NSW Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Culcairn, NSW 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 Culcairn NSW
2011 637.4mm
2010 653.5mm
2009 571.8mm
2008 588.9mm
2007 523.6mm
2006 517.7mm
2005 514.4mm
2004 424.2mm
2003 399.0mm
2002 399.4mm
2001 511.3mm
2000 520.3mm
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

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Culcairn NSW

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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 last modified: 28-11-2019 12:58pm AEST