Variable rate phosphorus and nitrogen trials on YP

2010
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nicole Dimos (SPAA)
Mark Graham (Growers)
Aaron Jak (SPAA)
Peter Treloar (Precision Ag Services )
Sam Trengove (Trengove consulting)
Leighton Wilksch (Landmark Precision Ag Agronomist)
Year(s) 2010
Contributor Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Trial location(s) Arthurton, SA
Variable rate phosphorus and nitrogen trials on YP locations
Aims
  • To evaluate the potential of phosphorus replacement as a method of applying variable rate fertiliser.
  • Compare EM38 and NDVI as guides for nitrogen application and illustrates how simple farmer trials can be used to assess the benefits of variable managment.
Key messages

The objective of this GRDC / SPAA funded project is to increase the level of adoption of PA 'beyond guidance' by broadacre farmers. The project specifically aims to increase the level of adoption of variable rate (VR) by growers in the project to 30% by 2013.This goal will be achieved by demonstrating how to use PA tools to growers at a regional level and by increasing the skills of growers and industry in PA to a level where they can then use PA tools in their farming systems to achieve economic, environmental and social benefits.

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

This project was funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and run in conjuncion with Caring for our Country and Dept. Environment and Natural Resources


Other trial partners Topcon, Caring for our Country and Dept. Environment and Natural Resources.
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

Arthurton 2010

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

Phosphorus

Other trial notes

The potential to manage Phosphorus fertiliser inputs by matching inputs to production is a viable option for farmers. But it is important to understand background soil fertility when employing a P Replacement strategy. As seen in this trial the low flat rate of 50kg/ha would have returned the highest gross margin as it had no impact on yieldor P reserves, especially in such high yielding crops.

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 120kg/ha phosphorus Variatble rate (VR) fertiliser 7.96
2 100kg/ha phosphorus Variatble rate (VR) fertiliser 8.03
3 82kg/ha phosphorus Variatble rate (VR) fertiliser 7.97
4 65kg/ha phosphorus Variatble rate (VR) fertiliser 7.28
5 50kg/ha phosphorus Variatble rate (VR) fertiliser 6.37
6 120kg/ha phosphorus Flat rate fertiliser @ 50 kg/ha 8.05
7 100kg/ha phosphorus Flat rate fertiliser @ 50 kg/ha 7.85
8 82kg/ha phosphorus Flat rate fertiliser @ 50 kg/ha 7.21
9 65kg/ha phosphorus Flat rate fertiliser @ 50 kg/ha 7.04
10 50kg/ha phosphorus Flat rate fertiliser @ 50 kg/ha 6.25

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
Arthurton, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Arthurton, 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 Arthurton SA
2010 416.0mm
2009 364.4mm
2008 398.2mm
2007 420.4mm
2006 409.5mm
2005 394.7mm
2004 410.1mm
2003 460.8mm
2002 412.4mm
2001 448.9mm
2000 459.6mm
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.

Arthurton 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 16:15pm AEST