Phosphorus rate trial

2010
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Tracey Angel (Growers)
Nicole Dimos (SPAA)
Sean Mason (University of Adelaide)
Sam Trengove (Trengrove Consulting)
Year(s) 2010
Contributor Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Trial location(s) Kybunga, SA
Phosphorus rate trial locations
Aims

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.

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 Corporatio (GRDC).


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
Trial type Precision agriculture
Trial design Not applicable

Kybunga 2010

Sow rate or Target density 60, 70 and 75kg/ha
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

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# 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

Grain copper mg/kg


Loading

Grain manganese mg/kg


Loading

Grain phosphorus mg/kg


Loading

Grain zinc mg/kg


Loading
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Kybunga, SA Brown sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Kybunga, SA Chromosol
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 Kybunga SA
2010 572.6mm
2009 553.6mm
2008 500.3mm
2007 536.6mm
2006 547.2mm
2005 585.7mm
2004 535.0mm
2003 561.8mm
2002 548.6mm
2001 583.2mm
2000 549.1mm
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

Loading

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.

Kybunga SA

Loading
Loading
Loading

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: 04-11-2020 16:53pm AEST