Long-term P trial

2014
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Sheree Blechynden (Facey Group)
Brett Coxon (Summit)
Sarah Hyde (Living Farm)
Rebecca Jenkinson (Living Farm)
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Facey Group
Trial location(s) Yealering, WA
Long-term P trial locations
Aims

To investigate the effect of phosphorus application rates and strategies over a number of years on the growth and yield of wheat.

Key messages

The value of starter P for early crop vigour was clearly demonstrated in 2014 by the decreased growth of wheat plants when P fertiliser was omitted. This effect continued through the grain development stages and was very evident in the final grain yield differences. If P application over the previous four years averaged 12 kg/ha or less, there is a good value return from applying P.  Although the highest yield was seen at 24 kg P applied in 2014, looking at historical trends shows that continual application of P at greater than 12kg/ha can provide yield gains but little or no margin and should not be considered unless low P application history, confirmed by soil P tests associated with P binding capacity, has resulted in low soil P levels. Results indicate a P recommendation of greater than 6 kg/ha to be appropriate for soils and conditions in the vicinity of the trial site, pushing up to 10-12 kg/ha if the input cost is affordable.

Lead research organisation Summit Fertilizers
Host research organisation Facey Group
Trial funding source Summit
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Living Farm for assistance in establishing and managing the trial. Alan Manton for continued generous support in providing the trial site.


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
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated

Yealering 2014

Sow rate or Target density 75Kg/ha
Sow date 28 May 2014 28th May 2014
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 25m X 6.09m
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

SOP topdressed 100 Kg/ha plus UAN 50L/ha, CU 200g/ha and Zn 200g/ha injected at seeding.  UAN 60L/ha at 5 and 8 weeks after seeding (41kg/ha- K, 72kg/ha-N, 17kg/ha- S, 200kg/ha- CU, 200g/ha- ZN)

Herbicide

Pre-emergent: Glyphosate- 2L/ha, Avadex- 2L/ha, Sakura- 188g/ha, Diuron- 300g/ha. Post-emergent: Velocity-1L/ha, Jaguar-700mL/ha

Fungicide

Prosaro- 300mL/ha (post-emergent)

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

@T1: 2010 @T2: 2011 @T3: 2012 @T4: 2013 @T5: Cumulative @T6: 2014
# Treatment 1
Fertiliser cost ($/ha) Grain yield (t/ha) Grain yield (t/ha) Grain yield (t/ha) Grain yield (t/ha) Grain yield (t/ha) Gross margin ($/ha) Gross margin ($/ha)
1 P rate 0kg/ha 0 1.51 0.56 2.42 1.06 2.51 $2,189 476
1 P rate 6kg/ha 20 2.27 0.82 3.21 1.27 3.11 $2,814 698
1 P rate 12kg/ha 39 2.39 0.91 3.41 1.34 3.11 $2,841 715
1 P rate 18kg/ha 59 2.59 0.91 3.41 1.43 3.11 $2,775 630
1 P rate 24kg/ha 78 2.67 1.22 3.65 1.59 3.57 $3,091 766
1 P rate 30kg/ha 98 2.48 1.13 3.65 1.44 3.44 $2,819 686
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Grain yield t/ha


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Fertiliser cost $/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
Yealering, WA Sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Yealering, WA 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 Yealering WA
2014 450.1mm
2013 465.0mm
2012 461.3mm
2011 402.7mm
2010 414.3mm
2009 441.4mm
2008 442.3mm
2007 417.9mm
2006 485.2mm
2005 463.0mm
2004 428.9mm
2003 444.9mm
2002 410.1mm
2001 407.8mm
2000 475.5mm
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.

Yealering WA

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

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 05-06-2019 09:44am AEST