Time to lime trial 96GE8 – Alan Desmond (now Tim Critch) Mullewa

2015
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Aims

In the mid 1990’s, DAFWA established a series of lime demonstrations sites across the WA wheatbelt, to highlight the importance of managing soil acidity. This trial is one of the series, which had a very simple design (0, 1 and 2t/ha applied, in 3 replicates). The rationale was to use farmer equipment, to enable larger areas to be treated differently, and ultimately provide extension opportunities across the WA wheatbelt.

Key messages
  • There was rapid change in soil pH at this site in the first few years following the establishment of this trial.
  • Despite the initial changes in soil pH, there were no positive grain yield responses between 1996-1999.
  • In the 2000 wheat crop, there was a negative response to 2t/ha in 2000. 
  • There has been a dramatic decline in soil pH across all treatments since 2000, despite a total of 4t/ha of lime being applied across the site (two applications of 2t/ha in circa 2009 and 2013.
  • The source of the subsequent applications of lime applied by the farmer is unknown
Lead research organisation Liebe Group
Host research organisation Aglime of Australia
Trial funding source GRDC LIE00008
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

The 'Time to Lime' project was a major coordinated research and extension initiative during which time, many of the trials reported upon were initiated, and many organisations contributed:

  • Grains Research and Development Corporation
  • Department of Agriculture, Government of Western Australia
  • National Landcare Program
  • Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation
  • National Heritage Trust
  • CSIRO Australia
  • Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture
  • The University of Western Australia
  • Australia Fertiliser Services Association

I acknowledge GRDC project LIE00008, “Working together to deliver multiple benefit messages to growers through a whole systems approach to soil management"

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

Method

Crop type None: No crop specified
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement: Timing
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Mullewa 2015

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 30m x 160m
Plot replication 3
Soil amelioration

Lime Source used: Limesand, Neutralising Value 67%, Particle size 93%

 

Other trial notes

We have been unable to determine if there was any lime application during the period of 1997 to 2008.  The current land owner does not believe any lime was applied by the previous land owner during that period

Tim Critch purchased the property from Alan Desmond in 2008.  Since that period, Tim has applied 2 applications (both of 2t/ha).  Timing of the additional 4t/ha of application and source of quality of lime used unknown.  We are assuming both events occurred between 2009 and 2013.  We are unsure if Tim applied additional lime across the trial site on either one, or both of the subsequent applications.  Further investigation to determine this is in progress.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Pre Liming pH (pH) 0 t/ha Lime rate (pH) 2 t/ha Lime Rate (pH) Change in soil pH (pH) Mid Season pH (pH) 1 t/ha Lime Rate (pH)
1 2t /ha lime 0-10cm 4.9 0.1 5
2 2t /ha lime 10-20cm 4.5 0 4.5
3 2t /ha lime 20-30cm 0 0 5
4 1t /ha lime 0-10cm 4.7 0.2 4.9
5 1t /ha lime 10-20cm 4.5 -0.1 4.3
6 1t /ha lime 20-30cm 0 0 5
7 0t /ha lime 0-10cm 4.7 0 4.7
8 0t /ha lime 10-20cm 4.3 0.1 4.5
9 0t /ha lime 20-30cm 0 0 5.2
10 1997 Average 0-10 cm 5.6 6.5 6.2
11 1997 Average 10-20cm 4.6 5.8 5.2
12 1997 Average 20-30cm 4.4 4.7 4.5
13 1998 Average 0-10 cm 5.1 6.1 5.7
14 1998 Average 10-20cm 4.4 4.6 4.5
15 1998 Average 20-30cm 5 4.9 4.7
16 1999 Average 0-10 cm 5.1 6.1 5.7
17 1999 Average 10-20cm 4.4 4.6 4.5
18 1999 Average 20-30cm 5 4.9 4.7
19 2000 Average 0-10 cm 4.9 6.3 5.9
20 2000 Average 10-20cm 4.4 5 4.8
21 2000 Average 20-30cm 4.6 5 4.8
22 2016 Average 0-10 cm 4.9 5 5.4
23 2016 Average 10-20cm 4.3 4.4 5
24 2016 Average 20-30cm 4.3 4.2 4.9

0 t/ha Lime rate pH


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1 t/ha Lime Rate pH


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2 t/ha Lime Rate pH


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Change in soil pH pH


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Mid Season pH pH


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Pre Liming pH pH


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Mullewa, WA 0 - 10cm Sandplain 4.80
Mullewa, WA 10 - 20cm Sandplain 4.40
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Mullewa, WA Sandplain
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Mullewa, WA Tenosol
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 Mullewa WA
2015 258.1mm
2014 218.7mm
2013 208.9mm
2012 211.9mm
2011 289.7mm
2010 206.7mm
2009 225.6mm
2008 259.4mm
2007 196.7mm
2006 218.4mm
2005 237.7mm
2004 223.6mm
2003 216.9mm
2002 210.7mm
2001 200.7mm
2000 250.9mm
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.

Mullewa WA

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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: 23-07-2019 11:14am AEST