Researcher(s) |
Tracey Angel (Growers) Nicole Dimos (SPAA) Sean Mason (University of Adelaide) Sam Trengove (Trengrove Consulting) |
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Year(s) | 2010 |
Contributor | Society of Precision Agriculture Australia |
Trial location(s) |
Kybunga, SA
|
To compare the effects of P rates on barley yields across production zones and to assess the effects of P rates on plant and grain P concentrations.
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 |
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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 Corporatio (GRDC). |
Other trial partners | Not specified |
Crop type | Cereal (Grain): Barley |
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Treatment type(s) |
|
Trial type | Precision agriculture |
Trial design | Not applicable |
Sow rate or Target density | 60, 70 and 75kg/ha |
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Sowing machinery |
200 ha plot |
Sow date | 10 June 2010 10 June 2010 |
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Fertiliser |
Urea |
Other trial notes |
This trial shows that there are P responsive soils in this paddock, where P ratesshould not be cut too severely. However, the trial also indicates that on largeareas (85%) of the paddock P rates could be cut significantly with no loss of yield in the short term. However, this will lead to a decline in P reserves and yield losses would be expected in future years, how many years this would take is not clear. Soil test and leaf nutrient tests were useful in predicting the yield response and will be useful in future monitoring of zones. In this paddock, cutting rates from 60 kg MAP/ha to zero on the 170 ha that are not responsive would equate to a saving of $7,140 in 1 year with MAP at $700/t, while maintaining adequate fertiliser rates on the responsive soils. Rather than cutting rates too severely, the grower will use a maintenance program to keep P levels adequate, but target more P at the responsive areas to build them up. This scenario is relevant for the western half of the |
# |
Treatment 1
|
Treatment 2
|
Grain copper (mg/kg) | Grain manganese (mg/kg) | Grain zinc (mg/kg) | Grain phosphorus (mg/kg) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | █ Zone 1 (Flat) - seed sown @ 60kg/ha with urea @ 30kg/ha | █ MAP @ 0 kg/ha | 4.1 | 17 | 15 | 3000 |
2 | █ Zone 1 (Flat) - seed sown @ 60kg/ha with urea @ 30kg/ha | █ MAP @ 30 kg/ha | 3.5 | 15 | 12 | 3300 |
3 | █ Zone 1 (Flat) - seed sown @ 60kg/ha with urea @ 30kg/ha | █ MAP @ 60 kg/ha | 3.7 | 17 | 13 | 3300 |
4 | █ Zone 2 (Mid) seed sown @ 70kg/ha + urea @ 50kg/ha | █ MAP @ 0 kg/ha | 3.9 | 14 | 16 | 2300 |
5 | █ Zone 2 (Mid) seed sown @ 70kg/ha + urea @ 50kg/ha | █ MAP @ 30 kg/ha | 3.4 | 13 | 14 | 2700 |
6 | █ Zone 2 (Mid) seed sown @ 70kg/ha + urea @ 50kg/ha | █ MAP @ 60 kg/ha | 4.1 | 14 | 16 | 2400 |
7 | █ Zone 3 (Sand Hill) seed sown @ 75kg/ha + urea @ 65kg/ha | █ MAP @ 0 kg/ha | 3.1 | 10 | 12 | 2500 |
8 | █ Zone 3 (Sand Hill) seed sown @ 75kg/ha + urea @ 65kg/ha | █ MAP @ 30 kg/ha | 3.7 | 13 | 11 | 2500 |
9 | █ Zone 3 (Sand Hill) seed sown @ 75kg/ha + urea @ 65kg/ha | █ MAP @ 60 kg/ha | 3 | 12 | 11 | 2700 |
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.