Time to lime trial 94MO58 – Lawson Grain Moora

2015
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Aims

The key aim of this trial was to compare soil pH change to depth; with two different sources of lime (lime sand and farmers chalk lime).

Key messages
  • A unique trial design (double up of each plot) was designed to allow destructive biomass sampling, and grain yield measurement
  • This trial site was primarily used in a ‘screening function’- to evaluate any negative impact of lime of a variety of different legumes which was considered to be happening during the mid 1990’s. The key concern was to investigate if manganese deficiency was induced by liming
  • The trial was sown to lupins in 1994, wheat in 1995.  Data not available
  • Yield responses (negative) were apparently not noted in the early years following establishment of the trial.  Positive yield response did occur, several years post trial establishment
  • The double up design allowed comparison of lime sources on many different species.  For example, in 1996, narrow leaf and yellow lupins were compared.  No data available
  • In 1997 the trial was sown to wheat, no yield responses reported
  • In 1998, the trial was sown to a diverse mix of new pasture legumes that were at various stages of evaluation prior to commercial release.  Some of the material screened, that subsequently was commercialised included Cadiz French serradella, Santorini and Charano yellow serradella, Casbah Biserrula, Prima gland clover and finally Bartolo bladder clover.  The primary focus of this work was to assess any negative impacts of lime on legumes.  No negative impacts reported.
  • The inclusion of this trial into this sampling regime, was primarily because of the known (high rates) of lime subsequently applied by the cooperating farmer, and the focus to see if these high rates had changed soil pH deeper in the profile, which did not occur initially.
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

Moora 2015

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 1.44m x 30m
Plot replication 8
Other trial notes

Subsequent lime application across the trial

A total of 6t/ha of limesand was applied across the trial site post 1994 (year of trial establishment) to 2013 (when the property was sold to Lawson Grain).  At the time of writing, we have not been able to determine if there has been subsequent lime application since 2013.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
2016 10-20cm pH (pH) 1994 0-10cm pH (pH) 1994 20-30cm pH (pH) 2016 20-30cm pH (pH) 1994 10-20cm pH (pH) 2016 0-10cm pH (pH)
1 0 t/ha lime sand 4.7 4.7 4.3 4.4 4.4 6.1
2 1 t/ha lime sand 5.2 5.4 4.3 4.7 4.3 6.1
3 2 t/ha lime sand 4.9 5.3 4.4 4.6 4.3 6.3
4 4 t/ha lime sand 5.2 5.7 4.4 4.6 4.4 6.3
5 1 t/ha farmer lime sand 4.7 5.4 4.3 4.2 4.3 6.3
6 2 t/ha farmer lime sand 5.1 5.2 4.4 4.7 4.3 6.2
7 4 t/ha farmer lime sand 5 6 4.3 4.6 4.4 6.3

1994 0-10cm pH pH


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1994 10-20cm pH pH


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1994 20-30cm pH pH


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2016 0-10cm pH pH


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2016 10-20cm pH pH


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2016 20-30cm 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
Moora, WA 0 - 10cm Deep Yellow sandplain 4.60
Moora, WA 10 - 20cm Deep Yellow sandplain 4.20
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Moora, WA Deep yellow sand
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Moora, 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 Moora WA
2015 372.0mm
2014 380.8mm
2013 416.7mm
2012 429.0mm
2011 384.4mm
2010 389.9mm
2009 392.5mm
2008 401.0mm
2007 369.2mm
2006 426.5mm
2005 411.3mm
2004 385.3mm
2003 385.4mm
2002 348.6mm
2001 331.6mm
2000 412.9mm
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.

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