Variable rate fertiliser

2010
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nicole Dimos (SPAA)
Aaron Long (SA Training )
Year(s) 2010
Contributor Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Trial location(s) Field, SA
Variable rate fertiliser locations
Aims

To compare the effects and to demonstrate the economic benefits that may result from the use of variable rate fertiliser applications by broad acre farmer trial.

Key messages

The results indicate that the land owner may see economic benefit (as per Gross Margin) from the uptake of variable rate technology in paddocks with varying soil types such as this trial paddock.

Lead research organisation Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC SPA000010
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

SA Training and Consulting; Vision Ag


Other trial partners SA Training and Consulting; Vision Ag
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
Trial type Precision agriculture
Trial design Not applicable

Field 2010

Sow rate or Target density 110kg/ha
Sowing machinery

14.58ha, 34.57ha, 21.18ha

Sow date 23 May 2010 23 May 2010
Harvest date 10 January 2011
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

8/7/2010 sprayed citric acid, potassium nitrate, mangosol, zincsol, wetter; 4/8/2010 spread urea 50kg; 29/8/2010 sprayed mangasol, zinc, copper, tilt, clopyralid, ester 680, 31/8/210 streamed easy N 75L; 23/9/2010 sprayed mangasol, copper, blast, wetter; aerial Meta 8kg

Herbicide

18/4/2010 knockdown spray - AMS, spray aid, LV Ester 680, Striker, Roundup P/Max; 23/5/2010 IBS spray, Triflur X, Avadex, Gramoxone, wetter

Insecticide

30/3/2010 baited 5kg Pestmaster

Other trial notes

An additional benefit from the trial is that evidence suggests that the second zone may have been slightly distorted due to the Manganese levels being low, not the soil type or water holding capacity of the soil.

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 Low yield 40kg DAP 0.481
2 Low yield 60kg DAP 0.371
3 Low yield 80kg DAP 0.341
4 Medium yield 40kg DAP 2.371
5 Medium yield 60kg DAP 2.714
6 Medium yield 80kg DAP 2.693
7 High yield 40kg DAP 3.269
8 High yield 60kg DAP 3.102
9 High yield 80kg DAP 3.416

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
Field, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Field, SA Calcarosol
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 Field SA
2010 380.6mm
2009 348.8mm
2008 349.2mm
2007 331.7mm
2006 347.0mm
2005 364.5mm
2004 368.2mm
2003 362.8mm
2002 337.8mm
2001 346.4mm
2000 364.9mm
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.

Field 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

2010 trial report



Trial last modified: 30-09-2019 15:56pm AEST