To assess the value of spading on deep yellow sandplain and additional advantages that may come from the ability of spading to incorporate lime and nutrients into the subsoil.
Key messages
Report: Erin Cahill - on-farm results summary: Soil water repellence is relatively easy to diagnose but because numerous soil types can be affected and there are many possible management options deciding how best to address the problem can be difficult. Deciding on a water repellence management strategy in cropping systems will be determined by many factors including: the severity of the water repellence, soil types affected, how much of the farm is affected, impact of other constraints and whether repellence occurs in discrete patches or larger more widespread areas.
Lead research organisation
Southern DIRT
Host research organisation
N/A
Trial funding source
GRDC DAW00204,SDI00013
Related program
Regional Cropping Solutions Network
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to: Tony and Judy Snell for giving up a portion of their paddock for the trial. Dave Gartner and AgLime Australia for supplying the lime. Paul and David Hayes for spading; Brian Cahill for ploughing; Ryan Guthrie and Rowan Madden (CSBP field research) for pegging topdressing and harvesting; James Hagan (DAFWA) for economic advice. Stephen Davies involvement is funded by DAFWA and GRDC through the “Delivering agronomic strategies for water repellent soils in WA – DAW00204” project.
No observed climate data available for this trial. Derived climate data is
determined from trial site location and national weather sources.
Dandaragan WA
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.
