Tactical nitrogen using NDVI, N-gauges and in-season N calculator

2015

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) Shane Turner (Summit Fertilizers)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor Northern Agri Group
Trial location(s) East Binnu, WA
Tactical nitrogen using NDVI, N-gauges and in-season N calculator locations
Aims

Demonstrate and evaluate nitrogen rich strips (NGauges) and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NVDI) measurement as a decision support tools to guide economic application of nitrogen duringthe growing season.

Key messages
  • N Calculator recommendation was accurate for 9 weeks after sowing (WAS) application with additional nitrogen not increasing yeild. The recommendation was slightly below optimumfor 7 WAS.
  • Achieving close to the target 10.5% protein indicates that recommended N rates were utilised to optimise growth and yeild and application of N was not deficient or excessive.
  • This provides confidence to incorporate the use of N Gauges and the N-calculator to assist in making N application decisions to wheat crops during the season based on the growth status of the crop.
  • Summit will continue further testing of the N Calculator under differedt seasonal consitions in the noerthern Wheatbelt and the effect if timining of NVDI assessment and N-Calculator recommendations on yield response to in season N applications.  
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Trevor Bell and Steve Cosh and the technical team at DAFWA, Geraldton for trial site establishment and management work.


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: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

East Binnu 2015

Sow rate or Target density 70kg/ha
Sow date 18 May 2015
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Treatment 3
Protein (%) Gross margin ($/ha) Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Mace N at sowing 0 kg/ha 10.43 554 2.24
2 Mace N at sowing 6 kg/ha 10.37 552 2.28
3 Mace N at sowing 90 kg/ha 10.9 629 3.06
4 Mace N at 7 WAS 18 kg/ha  100% of recommendation from N Calculator rate from NVDI strips A:C  10.33 590 2.45
5 Mace N at 7 WAS 6 kg/ha Nil N top up 10.4 625 2.54
6 Mace N at 7 WAS 12 kg/ha 50% of recommendation from N Calculator rate from NVDI strips B:C 10.47 456 1.96
7 Mace N at 7 WAS 17 kg/ha 100% of recommendation from N Calculator rate from NVDI strips B:C 10.43 589 2.46
8 Mace N at 7 WAS 23 kg/ha 150% of recommendation from N Calculator rate from NVDI strips B:C 10.47 643 2.68
9 Mace N 9 WAS 25 kg/ha 100% of recommendation from N Calculator rate from NVDI strips A:C 10.5 568 2.39
10 Mace N 9 WAS 6 kg/ha Nil N top up 10.37 508 2.12
11 Mace N 9 WAS 17 kg/ha 50% of recommendation from N Calculator rate from NVDI strips B:C 10.57 505 2.14
12 Mace N 9 WAS 27 kg/ha 100% of recommendation from N Calculator rate from NVDI strips B:C 10.7 690 2.85
13 Mace N 9 WAS 37 kg/ha 150% of recommendation from N Calculator rate from NVDI strips B:C 10.53 607 2.6

Grain yield t/ha


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Gross margin $/ha


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Protein %


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
East Binnu, WA Yellow sands
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
East Binnu, 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 East Binnu WA
2015 373.2mm
2014 330.6mm
2013 333.3mm
2012 348.2mm
2011 400.9mm
2010 324.7mm
2009 358.5mm
2008 398.8mm
2007 280.7mm
2006 313.7mm
2005 342.3mm
2004 319.6mm
2003 338.0mm
2002 333.0mm
2001 338.8mm
2000 381.7mm
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

East Binnu WA 2015


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 260mm

Derived climate information

East Binnu 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

2015 trial report



Trial last modified: 25-06-2019 14:38pm AEST