Variable rate nitrogen trial – maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubbles in the Upper North of SA

2014

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Matt Foulis (Northern Ag)
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Upper North Farming Systems
Trial location(s) Booleroo Centre, SA
Variable rate nitrogen trial – maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubbles in the Upper North of SA locations
Aims

To investigate the possible advantages of varying nitrogen rates over different soil types on a field in the Upper North region.

Key messages
  • Each soil zone was nitrogen responsive at varying levels.
  • Low EM zones (sands and sand-loams) were very responsive - 41-61% increase in yield achieved by applying the top rate of urea.
  • High EM zones (clay-loams) were moderately responsive - 10-22% increase in yield achieved.
  • Applying high rates of nitrogen to high EM (clay-loam) zones proved to be un-economical.
Booleroo Centre SA 2014

Paddock Location 13km North Booleroo Centre
Paddock History 2012 TT Canola, 2013 Mace Wheat
Seeding Date 24/4/2014
Seeding System Knifepoint & Press wheels
Variety Hindmarsh @ 60kg/Ha
Seeding Nutrition 19:13:0:9 @ 120kg/Ha
Post Em Nutrition Urea @ 50kg/Ha 29/5/2014
Urea (Trial) @ 0,50,100kg/Ha 14/6/2014

Lead research organisation Northern Ag
Host research organisation Upper North Farming Systems
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble
Acknowledgments

Michael Wells, Yield data analysis and trial setup - PCT Ag, Jessica Wells, trial setup - Pringles Crouch, David Kumnick, Grower and data collection.


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

Method

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

Booleroo Centre 2014

Sow rate or Target density 60kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Knifepoint & Press wheels

Sow date 22 April 2014
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Seeding Nutrition 19:13:0:9 @ 120kg/Ha Post Em Nutrition Urea @ 50kg/Ha 29/5/2014 Urea (Trial) @ 0,50,100kg/Ha 14/6/2014

Soil amelioration

Seeding System Knifepoint & Press wheels

Other trial notes

This trial has demonstrated that although all soil zones have responded positively to applied nitrogen, the level of responsiveness is highly variable. When considering nitrogen management decisions in the future for this field there are a number of other factors which should be considered. These include timing, topography (which is likely to influence water behaviour, evaporation losses and frost), a better understanding of subsoil constraints, and most import

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 (SAND) EM40.7 Urea 0kg/ha 2.2
2 (SAND) EM40.7 Urea 50kg/ha 2.9
3 (SAND) EM40.7 Urea 100kg/ha 3.5
4 (SANDYLOAM) EM72.9 Urea 0kg/ha 3.1
5 (SANDYLOAM) EM72.9 Urea 50kg/ha 3.6
6 (SANDYLOAM) EM72.9 Urea 100kg/ha 4.5
7 (CLAYLOAM) EM103.8 Urea 0kg/ha 3.4
8 (CLAYLOAM) EM103.8 Urea 50kg/ha 4
9 (CLAYLOAM) EM103.8 Urea 100kg/ha 4.1
10 (CLAY) EM145.3 Urea 0kg/ha 3.1
11 (CLAY) EM145.3 Urea 50kg/ha 3.6
12 (CLAY) EM145.3 Urea 100kg/ha 3.5

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
Booleroo Centre, SA Various
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Booleroo Centre, SA 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 Booleroo Centre SA
2014 573.8mm
2013 578.3mm
2012 594.2mm
2011 602.9mm
2010 612.6mm
2009 592.7mm
2008 561.8mm
2007 584.8mm
2006 573.7mm
2005 584.4mm
2004 558.1mm
2003 544.5mm
2002 540.5mm
2001 588.9mm
2000 532.9mm
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

Derived climate information

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

Booleroo Centre SA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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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

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 26-05-2023 14:19pm AEST