Time to lime trial 01ME90 Kelvin Kent, Bodallin

2015
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Aims

The focus was on being able to rip and inject lime to depth, to attempt to alleviate the acidity and aluminium toxicity that resulted from the low pH.

Key messages
  • There was no significant pH changes within the first year of the demonstration however there was a trend for an increase in subsoil pH of 0.2-0.3 pH units following deep banding of lime.
  • Predicted some of the lime deep banded in 2001 would remain undissolved and further pH increases should take place subsequently.
  • Despite not significantly changing soil pH, there were first year yield responses in wheat following ripping, and the injection of lime.
  • From a perspective to have lime react, it would seem imperative to have a deep tillage operation every few years.  Once a certain portion of lime has reacted, the residual lime then sits in a highly alkaline (caused by the dissolution of some of the lime applied) zone, within a highly acidic soil.  The chance of the excess lime present deep in the soil profile coming into contact with acid soil, to subsequently react and change more of the overall soil pH appears to be reliant upon some degree of mechanical intervention.
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
• &a

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

Bodallin 2015

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 12m x 100m
Plot replication 5
Other trial notes

Initial treatments 2000

Treatment 1       Ripping at 10-15 cm

Treatment 2       Ripping at 10-15 cm and again at 15-20 cm

Treatment 3       Ripping at 10-15 cm and blowing lime in at depth at 1 t/ha

Treatment 4       Ripping at 10-15 cm and again at 15-20 cm and blowing lime in at depth at 1 t/ha

Treatment 5       Control

Subsequent treatments 2004

 In 2004, each initial plot (dimensions 12m wide by 100m long) was split in two.  One half (6m wide) was top-dressed with 2t/ha, the other half did n

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Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Nil treatment (pH) Rip 1 + Lime Treatment (pH) Rip 2 + Lime Treatment (pH) Rip 1 Treatment (mg/kg) Rip 2 Treatment (mg/kg) Rip 1 Treatment (pH) Rip 2 Treatment (pH) Nil Treatment (mg/kg) Rip 1 + Lime Treatment (mg/kg) Rip 2 + Lime Treatment (mg/kg)
1 2001 Soil pH 0-10cm 4.8 4.9 5 4.8 4.6
2 2001 Soil pH 10-20cm 4.3 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.2
3 2001 Soil pH 20-30cm 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.3
4 2001 Soil pH 30-40cm 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3
5 2001 Soil Aluminium 0-10cm 0.5 1.9 0.5 0.5 0.5
6 2001 Soil Aluminium 10-20cm 5 8.9 3.9 1.5 2.6
7 2001 Soil Aluminium 20-30cm 7.7 12.6 3.9 10.5 3.6
8 2001 Soil Aluminium 30-40cm 9.2 14.9 5.4 13 5.1

Nil treatment pH


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Nil Treatment mg/kg


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Rip 1 + Lime Treatment pH


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Rip 1 + Lime Treatment mg/kg


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Rip 1 Treatment pH


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Rip 1 Treatment mg/kg


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Rip 2 + Lime Treatment pH


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Rip 2 + Lime Treatment mg/kg


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Rip 2 Treatment pH


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Rip 2 Treatment mg/kg


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Bodallin, WA 0 - 10cm Yellow Sandplain (Wodjil) 4.40
Bodallin, WA 10 - 20cm Yellow Sandplain (Wodjil) 4.30
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Bodallin, WA Yellow sandplain
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Bodallin, 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 Bodallin WA
2015 362.9mm
2014 344.8mm
2013 377.9mm
2012 360.8mm
2011 346.8mm
2010 306.6mm
2009 361.2mm
2008 343.0mm
2007 347.9mm
2006 402.7mm
2005 366.4mm
2004 388.6mm
2003 375.0mm
2002 324.3mm
2001 367.6mm
2000 424.2mm
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.

Bodallin 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: 07-05-2019 19:08pm AEST