Pasture topdressing pays off in following crop

2009
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons

Trial details

Researcher(s) James Easton (CSBP)
Year(s) 2009
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Dandaragan, WA
Pasture topdressing pays off in following crop locations
Aims

This trial was established 2006 to :

  • demonstrate responses to Super Phos, potash and lime in pasture and the benefits to the following crop, and
  • to demonstrate the benefits of pasture manipulation and intake in furrow to the following crop.
Key messages
  • Plant tests at the end of July showed that crop N and P uptake were significantly increased where 300 kg/ha Super Phos had been previously applied.
  • Super Phos applied to pasture increased crop yield from 3.0 t/ha to 3.9 t/ha but responses to more than 100 kg/ha Super Phos were not significant. There were no significant responses to potash, lime, manipulation or to Intake in Furrow.
  • Grain proteins were about 11 %, hectare litre weights 78 kg/hl and screenings 2 % (data not presented).
  • 100 kg/ha Super Phos increased protein yield by 77 kg/ha (or grain N recovery by about 14 kg N/ha). 
  • This is the equivalent to about 40kg fertiliser N/ha (assuming a nitrogen use efficiency of 35%).
  • The value of the crop response to pasture topdressing alone was big enough to more than offset the cost of 100 kg/ha Super Phos applied over the previous three years.
Lead research organisation CSBP
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Thanks to the Roberts family.


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Fertiliser: Type
  • Soil Improvement: Application Method
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Dandaragan 2009

Sow rate or Target density 60kg/ha
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 30m x 2.5m
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

Double Phos and was topped up with 140 L/ha Flexi-N (split into two post seeding applications).

Fungicide

No in furrow fungicides were applied aside from one of the two unmanipulated pasture treatments which received 400 ml/ha Intake in Furrow.

Soil amelioration

Pasture was topdressed annually with 100, 200, and 300 kg/ha Super Phos, 100 Super Phos + 50 MoP, and 2 t/ha Lime (except for one treatment) – all of these treatments were manipulated in the pasture phase (Simazine in 2006; Raptor in 2007). Two other treatments with 100 kg/ha Super Phos were manipulated.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Treatment 3
Grain yield (t/ha) Phosphorus uptake (mg/plant) Protein (%) Nitrogen uptake (mg/plant)
1 Wyalkatchem No added lime No Intake Nil 3.06 1.04 11.2 14.6
2 Wyalkatchem Lime added No Intake Nil 3.01 1.06 11.4 13.4
3 Wyalkatchem Lime added No Intake 100 Super 3.78 1.33 11.1 16.5
4 Wyalkatchem Lime added No Intake 200 Super 3.89 1.3 10.8 14.7
5 Wyalkatchem Lime added No Intake 300 Super 3.67 1.82 11 19
6 Wyalkatchem Lime added No Intake 100 Super (unmanip) 3.43 1.24 11.1 14.7
7 Wyalkatchem Lime added Intake in furrow 100 Super (unmanip) 3.5 1.12 11.3 14.7
8 Wyalkatchem Lime added No Intake 200 Super + 50 MoP 3.84 1.45 11.2 17

Grain yield t/ha


Loading

Nitrogen uptake mg/plant


Loading

Phosphorus uptake mg/plant


Loading

Protein %


Loading
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Dandaragan, WA Red brown loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Dandaragan, WA Chromosol
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 Dandaragan WA
2009 207.2mm
2008 226.4mm
2007 168.3mm
2006 161.0mm
2005 221.2mm
2004 181.7mm
2003 212.2mm
2002 185.5mm
2001 156.2mm
2000 169.1mm
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

Dandaragan WA 2009


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 447mm

Derived climate information

Dandaragan WA

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

2009 trial report



Trial last modified: 23-07-2019 13:17pm AEST