Soil type specific nitrogen responses

2011
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nicole Dimos (SPAA)
Michael Moodie (MSF)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor Society of Precision Agriculture Australia
Trial location(s) Ouyen, VIC
Soil type specific nitrogen responses locations
Aims
  • To use PA maps to identify and sample soil zones within a paddock.
  • To identify potential soil specific nitrogen responses within paddocks.
  • To compare different nitrogen fertiliser products.
Key messages

While all soil types responded to nitrogen, the response and profitability of nitrogen application varied between soil zones. Using the Urea/SOA treatment as an example, for the loam and swale soil types, the additional profit compared to no in-season N was approximately $50/ha. However, applying additional fertiliser to the dune soil was twice as profitable (approximately $100/ha). As input costs were standard across all soil types (i.e. an N Rich strip with the equivalent rate of N was used for all treatments), profitability was driven by the increase in yield. As fertiliser efficiency was below its potential for the loam and swale soils (and at potential for the dune soil), it is possible that the same yield response could have been achieved with less fertiliser, therefore these two soil zones could have been more profitable if less nitrogen was applied.

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)


Other trial partners Scott and Vanessa Anderson (site hosts)
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

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

Ouyen 2011

Sow rate or Target density VR 60-75 kg/ha
Sow date 18 May 2011 18 May 2011
Harvest date Unknown
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

DAP/SOA 50-80 kg/ha VR at sowing

Other trial notes

The trial investigated three nitrogen fertiliser sources; urea, UAN and a blend of urea and ammonium sulphate. Despite some abnormalities in some sections of the trial strips (such as on the dune in the urea treatment and on the loam soil in the UAN treatment), all three nitrogen fertilisers were equally effective in this rial.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Treatment 1
Plant available water (mm) Soil N (mg/kg)
1 Gladius Swale 95 112
2 Gladius Loam/limestone ridge 132 62
3 Gladius Dune 126 32

Plant available water mm


Loading

Soil N mg/kg


Loading
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Ouyen, VIC Brown sandy loam over limestone
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Ouyen, VIC 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 Ouyen VIC
2011 241.4mm
2010 183.1mm
2009 134.1mm
2008 110.8mm
2007 142.4mm
2006 115.3mm
2005 141.3mm
2004 95.3mm
2003 115.0mm
2002 68.7mm
2001 121.7mm
2000 151.4mm
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.

Ouyen VIC

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

2011 trial report



Trial last modified: 19-01-2023 10:09am AEST