Nitrogen and sulphur timing in the Mallee

2014

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Simon Craig (Agronomise)
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Kooloonong, VIC
Further information View external link
Nitrogen and sulphur timing in the Mallee locations
Aims

To determine the best nitrogen and sulphur strategy for wheat grown on sandy soils in the Mallee with a full profile of moisture and a forecast El Nino.

Key messages
  1. The application of nitrogen increased grain yield by 0.5t/ ha, but there was no benefit from additional sulphur. At this site, money was better spent on nitrogen than on sulphur.
  2. Grain protein was very low (7-10% protein) which is becoming an issue on sandy country despite adequate nutrition.
  3. The timing of nitrogen and sulphur applications made no difference to crop yield or quality. Consequently, growers could reduce production and financial risk by delaying some applications and adjusting rates to the seasons.
Lead research organisation Birchip Cropping Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC BWD00024
Related program Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble
Acknowledgments

This trial was GRDC-funded through the ‘Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble in Victoria and Tasmania’ project (BWD00024).


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

Method

Crop type None: No crop specified
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Type
  • Stubble: Management
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated

Kooloonong 2014

Sow rate or Target density 150 plants/m²
Sowing machinery

Knife points, press wheels, 30cm row spacing 

Sow date 25 April 2014
Harvest date 17 November 2014
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Refer to attached trial report for full details. 

Herbicide
  • Pre-sowing: Goal @ 75ml/ha + Lontrel Advanced @ 100ml/ha + Triflur X @ 1.5L/ha + Avadex Xtra @ 2L/ha + Glyphosate 450g/L @ 2L/ha + Hasten @ 0.5% v/v.  
  • In-crop: On-duty @ 40g/ha + Lontrel Advanced @ 150ml/ha + Hasten @ 0.5% v/v (4-5 leaf); Velocity @ 670ml/ha + MCPA LVE  600 @ 350ml/ha (GS30).
Insecticide

Pests were controlled to best management practice.

Fungicide

Diseases were controlled to best management practice.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Protein (%) Grade (grade) Income ($/ha) Yield change vs. control (t/ha) Head abundance (heads/m2) Grain yield (t/ha) Cost ($/ha) Return on investment (%)
1 Control (no N or S) 8.2 ASW 389 3.26
2 Control (no N) 7.9 ASW 351 3.1
3 All N up-front 10.1 ASW 492 3.61
4 All N in-crop 9 ASW 438 3.44
5 Split N 9.6 ASW 523 3.66
6 Multiple N 9.4 ASW 449 3.43
7 Control (no S) 9.6 ASW 351 3.79
8 All S up-front 8.6 ASW 492 3.53
9 All S in-crop 9.1 ASW 438 3.58
10 Split S 9.3 ASW 523 3.62
11 Multiple S 9.6 ASW 449 3.66
12 Addition of S 0 0 3.1 27 0
13 Addition of N 130.45 0.53 3.79 80 1.63

Grain yield t/ha


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Cost $/ha


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Grade grade


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Head abundance heads/m2


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Income $/ha


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Protein %


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Return on investment %


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Yield change vs. control t/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Kooloonong, VIC 0 - 10cm Sandy loam 8.40 0.27
Kooloonong, VIC 0 - 100cm Sandy loam 54.00
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Kooloonong, VIC Sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Kooloonong, VIC Vertosol
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 Kooloonong VIC
2014 435.8mm
2013 427.2mm
2012 482.7mm
2011 530.4mm
2010 528.4mm
2009 403.1mm
2008 391.8mm
2007 406.5mm
2006 426.2mm
2005 451.3mm
2004 408.8mm
2003 406.3mm
2002 389.0mm
2001 444.8mm
2000 412.2mm
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

Kooloonong VIC 2014


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 257mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 129mm

Derived climate information

Kooloonong VIC

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

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 07-05-2019 19:26pm AEST