Nitrogen: use it or lose it

2012

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) De-Anne Ferrier (BCG)
Ashley Wallace (DPI)
Year(s) 2012
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Birchip, VIC
Rupanyup, VIC
Nitrogen: use it or lose it locations
Aims

To measure: nitrous oxide fluxes in a wheat crop when different rates of nitrogenous urea fertiliser were applied. The effect on wheat yield and quality of applying fertiliser at zero, medium and high urea rates.

Key messages

To manage N2O emissions in low to medium rainfall environments, growers need to match nitrogen supply to crop demand. Lowest emissions were measured where nitrogen levels were least, while highest emissions occurred where nitrogen levels were greatest. Applying late nitrogen to increase wheat protein is not economic when segregation price differentials are small.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source DAWR AOTGR1-956996-222
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

DAFF project AOTGR1-956996-222 ‘Efficient grain production compared with N2O emission.’


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
Trial type
Trial design

Birchip 2012

Sow date 19 June 2012
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 4
Fertiliser

19 June - 50kg/ha MAP

Herbicide

2 September - Axial® (300mL/ha) + Velocity® (670mL/ha)

Rupanyup 2012

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

Download results

Trial results Birchip results

# Treatment 1
Grain yield (t/ha) Net margin ($/ha) Protein (%) Fertiliser cost ($/ha) Income ($/ha)
1 Zero N 1.7 425 10.1 0 425
2 Medium N (138kg/ha) 1.8 405 11 86 491
3 High N (258kg/ha) 1.9 392 11.9 155 547

Grain yield t/ha


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Fertiliser cost $/ha


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Income $/ha


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Net margin $/ha


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Protein %


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Trial results Rupanyup results

# Treatment 1
Grain yield (t/ha) Net margin ($/ha) Protein (%) Fertiliser cost ($/ha) Income ($/ha)
1 Zero N 1.7 425 10.1 0 425
2 Medium N (138kg/ha) 1.8 405 11 86 491
3 High N (258kg/ha) 1.9 392 11.9 155 547

Grain yield t/ha


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Fertiliser cost $/ha


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Income $/ha


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Net margin $/ha


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Protein %


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Birchip, VIC Clay loam
Rupanyup, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Birchip, VIC Vertosol
Rupanyup, VIC Vertosol
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 Birchip VIC Rupanyup VIC
2012 365.4mm365.4mm
2011 431.2mm431.2mm
2010 344.5mm344.5mm
2009 292.7mm292.7mm
2008 275.5mm275.5mm
2007 274.8mm274.8mm
2006 283.6mm283.6mm
2005 316.0mm316.0mm
2004 281.0mm281.0mm
2003 275.8mm275.8mm
2002 240.1mm240.1mm
2001 285.1mm285.1mm
2000 290.6mm290.6mm
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

Birchip VIC 2012


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 146mm

Derived climate information

Birchip VIC

Rupanyup VIC

Birchip VIC

CAUTION: Trial site locality unknown; Climate data sourced from Birchip Cropping Group office location
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Rupanyup VIC

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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: 04-12-2019 15:04pm AEST