Using PA to improve efficiency of soil amelioration

2011
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Marty Chandler (Precision AgServices)
Nicole Dimos (SPAA)
Peter Treloar (Precision AgServices)
Kieran Wauchope (RSSA)
Michael Wells (Precision AgServices)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Trial location(s) Edillilie, SA
Using PA to improve efficiency of soil amelioration locations
Aims
  • To determine if precision ag tools can improve the efficiency of soil amelioration as well as assess the effectiveness of amelioration techniques.
  • To compare delving, spading and gypsum to improve sodic and bleached soils.
Key messages

A yield increase is apparent in figures 2 (circled) and 3 (see attached Trial report) at the ripped only treatment in the eastern plot, however this is not seen in the western plots and does not stand out in graph 1. Results presented in Graph 1 generally show only slight differences with the greatest response observed in the gypsum only treatment on the eastern plots. This soil was highly sodic at 10cm and as could be expected the gypsum would make a quicker impact on sodicity, thus allowing for improved drainage that may have improved crop production. Gypsum would take longer to impact on subsoil sodicity and may show a response after several years of data are collected

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 Caring for Our Country and State NRM Community Grants


Other trial partners Peter and Brett Mickan (Property owner)
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

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

Edillilie 2011

Sow rate or Target density 100 kg/ha
Sow date 10 March 2011 10 March 2011
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

140 kg/ha Urea

Soil amelioration

Gypsum at 2.5 t/ha, disced and spading with gypsum at 2.5t/ha, ripping plus gypsum at 2.5 t/ha, a control and ripping plus spading with gypsum at 2.5 t/ha.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Electrical conductivity (dS/m)
1 South P1 site 0-10 cm depth 0.12
2 South P1 site 10-30 cm depth 0.04
3 South P1 site 30-70 cm depth 0.32
4 South P1 site 70-90 cm depth 0.48
5 South Y1 site 0-10 cm depth 0.08
6 South Y1 site 10-30 cm depth 0.04
7 South Y1 site 30-70 cm depth 0.05
8 South Y1 site 70-90 cm depth 0.05
9 South G1 site 0-10 cm depth 0.05
10 South G1 site 10-30 cm depth 0.04
11 South G1 site 30-70 cm depth 0.16
12 South G1 site 70-90 cm depth 0.28

Electrical conductivity dS/m


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Edillilie, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Edillilie, 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 Edillilie SA
2011 536.6mm
2010 549.8mm
2009 512.8mm
2008 484.1mm
2007 491.0mm
2006 516.4mm
2005 532.4mm
2004 528.5mm
2003 543.1mm
2002 509.6mm
2001 534.1mm
2000 515.2mm
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.

Edillilie SA

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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

2011 trial report



Trial last modified: 30-09-2019 15:55pm AEST