Time to lime trial 96LG9 - Matt Cugley, Newdegate

2015
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Aims

The key aim of this trial is to document and understand the change in soil pH down to a depth of 30cm.

Key messages
  • During the first few years of this trial being monitored, there were significant changes in soil pH due to the application of lime, and these changes resulted in significant grain response
  • The ‘top up’ application (1.5t/ha, across all initial lime rates of 0, 1 and 2t/ha)) of lime applied in 2006 (10 years post trial establishment) has had dramatic impact on current soil pH.  Unfortunately, grain yields have not been monitored post the top up lime application.
  • The 2016 pH measurements provide clear evidence inadequate lime has been applied to counter inherent and ongoing soil acidification. From a starting surface pH of 4.8 over a subsurface of 4.6 (in 1996), the highest rate of lime applied has been 2t (1996) and a further 1.5t (2006) is simply insufficient to lift soil pH above the DAFWA stated targets (5.5 over 4.8).
  • Despite soil pH being under target, this trial provides a clear demonstration of the best soil pH profile being associated with the highest rate of lime application.  Collecting grain yields would be valuable
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

Newdegate 2015

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 50m x 200m
Plot replication 3
Soil amelioration

96LG9 is situated on a sandy gravel soil with a pre-demonstration topsoil pH of 4.5, and a subsoil pH of 4.6.  Limestone with a neutralising value of 86% was spread in 1996 at three rates (0 t/ha, 1 t/ha, 2 t/ha). By 1999, soil pH had increased by 0.6 pH units at 1 t/ha of lime and by 1.0 pH unit when 2 t/ha of lime was added.

Other trial notes

In 2006, each plot (originally 50m wide by 200m long) was split in two.  The western half of each plot received 1.5t/ha, the eastern side of each plot received no additional lime.  This data is reported, showing the massive impact of the additional lime application across all the three initial lime treatments.

 

The cooperating farmers have now also applied another 2t/ha of lime (source unknown) in February 2016 (ie. Post soil sampling reported in this document).  There was no other application of lime during the 1996-2016 periods across the trial site.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Mid Season pH (pH) 1 t/ha Lime Rate (pH) Change in soil pH (pH) Pre Liming pH (pH) 0 t/ha Lime rate (pH) 2 t/ha Lime Rate (pH)
1 2 t/ha lime 0-10cm 5.2 0.7 4.5
2 2 t/ha lime 10-20cm 4.6 0 4.6
3 2 t/ha lime 20-30cm 5.1 0 0
4 1 t/ha lime 0-10cm 5.1 0.6 4.5
5 1 t/ha lime 10-20cm 4.6 -0.1 4.7
6 1 t/ha lime 20-30cm 5.1 0 0
7 1997 Average 0-10 cm 5.1 4.4 5.6
8 1997 Average 10-20cm 4.5 4.5 4.6
9 1997 Average 20-30cm 4.9 4.8 5
10 1998 Average 0-10 cm 5.1 4.4 5.6
11 1998 Average 10-20cm 4.5 4.5 4.6
12 1998 Average 20-30cm 4.9 4.8 5
13 1999 Average 0-10 cm 5 4.4 5.4
14 1999 Average 10-20cm 4.6 4.5 4.7
15 1999 Average 20-30cm 5.1 4.8 5.1
16 2016 Average 0-10 cm 5.1 4.7 5.2
17 2016 Average 10-20cm 4.7 4.6 5.2
18 2016 Average 20-30cm 5.2 4.5 5.1

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
Newdegate, WA 0 - 10cm Sandy Gravel 4.50
Newdegate, WA 10 - 20cm Sandy Gravel 4.60
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Newdegate, WA Sandy gravel
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Newdegate, WA Kandosol
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 Newdegate WA
2015 477.3mm
2014 467.4mm
2013 481.4mm
2012 476.7mm
2011 451.1mm
2010 439.0mm
2009 469.4mm
2008 484.9mm
2007 463.4mm
2006 486.6mm
2005 470.8mm
2004 470.1mm
2003 472.6mm
2002 434.9mm
2001 428.9mm
2000 475.2mm
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.

Newdegate 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: 11-12-2019 10:38am AEST