The challenges of increasing soil organic matter

2012

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Harm van Rees (BCG)
Year(s) 2012
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Birchip, VIC
The challenges of increasing soil organic matter locations
Aims

To identify nutrient and stubble management practices which result in increased soil organic matter.

Key messages

Soil organic matter consists of a labile (non-permanent) and stable (humus) fraction. No-till increases the labile fraction of soil organic matter, but not the stable fraction. Additional nutrients will be required to ‘fix’ the labile fraction to humus.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source DAWR
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Each of the farm groups is undertaking a three-year trial supported by the Commonwealth (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and the GRDC (Grains Research Development Corporation).


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

Method

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

Birchip 2012

Sow date 1 June 2012
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 4
Fertiliser

8 August - Urea @ 65kg/ha

Herbicide

1 June TriflurX� (2 L/ha) + Roundup PowerMax� (2 L/ha) + Hammer� (50 ml/ha)

Other trial notes

It is not expected to observe differences in soil condition and hence in yield, until at least the third year of the project (2014). We know that changes in soil C are slow and often difficult to detect.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Standing stubble Normal Nutrients (MAP 35kg/ha) 1.6
2 Worked Stubble Normal Nutrients (MAP 35kg/ha) 1.5
3 Removed Stubble Normal Nutrients (MAP 35kg/ha) 1.7
4 Standing stubble Additional Nutrients + (urea 30 kg/ha + SOA 12 kg/ha) 1.7
5 Worked Stubble Additional Nutrients + (urea 30 kg/ha + SOA 12 kg/ha) 1.8
6 Removed Stubble Additional Nutrients + (urea 30 kg/ha + SOA 12 kg/ha) 1.9

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
Birchip, VIC Clay loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Birchip, 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
2012 365.4mm
2011 431.2mm
2010 344.5mm
2009 292.7mm
2008 275.5mm
2007 274.8mm
2006 283.6mm
2005 316.0mm
2004 281.0mm
2003 275.8mm
2002 240.1mm
2001 285.1mm
2000 290.6mm
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

Derived climate information

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

Birchip VIC

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