Variable urea rates on sandy loam and deep sand

2011
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Leigh Davis (MAC)
Nicole Dimos (SPAA)
Linden Masters (FSG)
Tim Moyle (Landmark Kimba)
Brenton Spriggs (SARDI)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Trial location(s) Kimba, SA
Variable urea rates on sandy loam and deep sand locations
Aims
  • To compare the effects of variable urea rate on two soil types.
  • To compare different rates of urea applied at GS30.
Key messages

Additional N did not have an economic advantage in this season. Paddock and demonstration site suffered from the dry 6 weeks period mid season. Stem rust devastated potential 3 ton crop reducing yield by 50%. This combination resulted in poor yields, low test weight and high screenings. Good soil showed improved protein over deeper sand regardless of extra N applied. Extra N marginally improved protein but not enough economically to apply more.

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 conjunction with Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 3


Other trial partners The Soaks' property owners Dion, Bert, & Barb Woolford. Paddock and trial sown by Dion Woolford
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

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

Kimba 2011

Sow rate or Target density 50kg/ha, 110 plants/m2
Sow date 30 May 2011 End of May
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 2m x 20m
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

At sowing: 50 kg 18:20. Then 50, 100 and 200 kg urea hand spread at GS31

Other trial notes

Many questions exist of how much nitrogen to apply in different seasons and soil types. With low organic carbon levels and sandy soils lack of ability to store nitrogen, adding N to the system using fertiliser is a standard district practice. Sowing machines with VRT allow a new option to address different soil types and potential crop needs. How much N to apply to reap economic gains is at the forefront of decision making and risk management consideration in this district. Providing sufficient nutrition for early crop establishment is essential. Applying N at GS30 allows some flexibility towards seasonal conditions and managing risk. These trials aimed to push the boundaries and unfortunately due to rust results were inconclusive. What we did learn it is essential to protect against rust as early as possible.

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Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Moisture (%) Screenings (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Test weight (kg/hL) Protein (%)
1 Sandy loam with 0kg/ha urea 11.3 13.1 1.71 66.4 10.4
2 Sandy loam with 50kg/ha urea 11.4 9.4 1.64 70.2 11.2
3 Sandy loam with 100kg/ha urea 11.3 9.2 1.71 68.1 11.5
4 Sandy loam with 200kg/ha urea 11.1 8.7 1.7 71.6 12.5
5 Deep sand with 0kg/ha urea 11.4 14.1 1.49 59.8 10.1
6 Deep sand with 50kg/ha urea 11.5 15 1.64 63.4 10.3
7 Deep sand with 100kg/ha urea 11.6 7.6 1.51 68.8 10.6
8 Deep sand with 200kg/ha urea 11.3 8.6 1.48 73.4 10.9

Grain yield t/ha


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Moisture %


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Test weight kg/hL


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Kimba, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Kimba, SA Calcarosol
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 Kimba SA
2011 497.9mm
2010 470.5mm
2009 422.6mm
2008 398.5mm
2007 406.6mm
2006 398.0mm
2005 387.6mm
2004 398.3mm
2003 413.8mm
2002 426.7mm
2001 461.2mm
2000 428.5mm
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.

Kimba 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

2011 trial report



Trial last modified: 30-09-2019 16:17pm AEST