Nitrogen type and timing

2011
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nicole Dimos (SPAA)
Mike Mooney (Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc.)
Peter Treloar (Precision Ag services)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Trial location(s) Puringa-Murtho, SA
Nitrogen type and timing locations
Aims
  • To encourage Mark Stoeckel, Paringa-Murtho grain grower, to experiment with different rates and types of nitrogen fertiliser on his paddock.
  • To use precision yield mapping to provide an accurate analysis of the trial.
  • To demonstrate potential benefits of Precision Agriculture technologies, especially variable rate to emonstrate reduced risk and maximised return in continuous cropping systems.
  • To demonstrate and extend the benefits of precision agriculture technology to SA Mallee growers.
Key messages

Variable rate fertiliser application has a real and profitable place in the Mallee when combined with good paddock science. The precision technology gives the ability to examine the yield data for many effects including other possible influencing factors such as elevation, slope aspect or orientation to the sun, and probably many others. Grain yield was recorded continuously during harvest and logged against GPS position. From the resultant yield map it was possible to isolate treatment strips and EM38 zones within these strips and determine the yield for individual strips and therefore treatments, and also where these treatments intersect with the paddock zones. Trial was statistically analysed and Table 1 above shows there was no significant difference between treatments.

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 Caring for our Country and Dept. Environment and Natural Resources


Other trial partners Mark and Sue Stoeckel, Growers, Bunyip Reach
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

Puringa-Murtho 2011

Sow date 26 May 2011 26 May 2011
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

VR Urea on 16 August, SOA 2 August

Other trial notes

It's not about trying to even up the yields across the paddock. It's about recognising and understanding the variations in yield potential and applyinh the appropriate inputs to best allow that potential to be reached. It's not always about applying more fertiliser, but rather redistributing inputs into the areas of greatest potential return.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Treatment 3
Gross margin ($/ha) Gross income ($/ha) Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Sandhill Zone Flat rate DAP: 45kg/ha 338.91 5422.23 1.614
2 Mid Slope Zone Flat rate DAP: 45kg/ha 335.97 32856.8 1.6
3 Flat Zone Flat rate DAP: 45kg/ha 219.63 5088.56 1.046
4 Sandhill Zone VR DAP: 45kg/ha VR Urea: 90kg/ha 445.33 7124.94 2.121
5 Mid Slope Zone VR DAP: 60kg/ha VR Urea: 0kg/ha 359.69 35176.5 1.713
6 Flat Zone VR DAP: 0kg/ha VR Urea: 0 kg/ha 221.76 5138 1.056

Grain yield t/ha


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Gross income $/ha


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Gross margin $/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Puringa-Murtho, SA Sandy clay loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Puringa-Murtho, 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 Puringa-Murtho SA
2011 551.5mm
2010 403.4mm
2009 331.1mm
2008 336.2mm
2007 346.7mm
2006 379.0mm
2005 397.7mm
2004 377.4mm
2003 387.9mm
2002 430.2mm
2001 493.3mm
2000 459.0mm
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.

Puringa-Murtho 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: 23-09-2019 17:26pm AEST