Evaluating soil and pH mapping

2010
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nicole Dimos (SPAA)
Karen Haigh (FSG)
Martin Peters (FarmingIT)
Andrew Whitlock (PA)
Year(s) 2010
Contributor Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Trial location(s) Lake Bolac, VIC
Evaluating soil and pH mapping locations
Aims

To understand the benefits of soil pH mapping and its interaction with other soil and crop mapsTo compare various layers of information (pH, elevation, EM-38, yield andsatellite imagery) for understanding paddock variability.

Key messages

We focussed on measuring paddock variability rather than implementing an actual variable rate trial. Soil pH mapping proved to be a valuable step towards variable rate lime with significant variability found, pH(CaCl2) varying from 4.0 to 7.1 across a 50ha paddock. A variable rate management approach to pH on this paddock would deliver a 75% saving of lime.

Lead research organisation Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC SPA000010
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners CSBP Soil Laboratory, Neil Vallance (Grower).
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Properties: Type
Trial type Precision agriculture
Trial design Not applicable

Lake Bolac 2010

Sow date 5 June 2010 5 June 2010
Harvest date 11 February 2011
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

70kg/ha MAP, 50L/ha UAN

Other trial notes

Neil Vallance is actively moving down the path of variable rate management. The projectpaddock was one of several paddocks where Neil has conducted pH mapping and implemented fertiliser trials to test responses across proposed management zones.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Lake Bolac, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Lake Bolac, VIC 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 Lake Bolac VIC
2010 723.6mm
2009 697.9mm
2008 691.3mm
2007 684.0mm
2006 662.1mm
2005 693.6mm
2004 704.5mm
2003 692.9mm
2002 686.1mm
2001 703.8mm
2000 640.9mm
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.

Lake Bolac VIC

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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: 23-09-2019 17:20pm AEST