Rotational effects of legume termination

2015

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) De-Anne Ferrier (BCG)
Alison Frischke (BCG)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Beulah, VIC
Further information View external link
Rotational effects of legume termination locations
Aims

To compare fallow and termination timing treatments of legumes on biomass and grain production (2014), and their impact on sowing-time, soil nitrogen and water, and subsequent yield and quality of cereal sown the following season (2015).

Key messages
  • In a dry season, there was a small grain yield benefit (90kg/ha) for wheat that followed terminated vetch and field peas (1.5-2.4t/ha of biomass), compared with fallow and terminated medic.
  • Soil water benefits from fallow and legume termination don’t occur with dry spring finishes.
  • Using soil tests to measure nitrogen mineralisation helps you to properly evaluate the benefit of a legume crop or pasture in a rotation.
Lead research organisation Birchip Cropping Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC BWD00081
Related program Grain & Graze 3
Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the GRDC as part of the Grain & Graze 3 project (BWD00081). 


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Rotation
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Beulah 2015

Sow rate or Target density 150 plants/m²
Sowing machinery

Knife points, press wheels, 30cm row spacing

Sow date 22 April 2015 7 May 2015
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Granulock Supreme Z @ 30 kg/ha + Impact @ 110mL/ha at sowing  (following a decile 1 season in 2014)

Herbicide

Weeds were controlled to best management practice.

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 Beulah results

@T1:
# Variety
Treatment 1
Post harvest soil water (vol. mm) Biomass (t/ha) Post harvest soil nitrogen (10 - 30 cm) (kg N/ha) Post harvest soil nitrogen (0 - 10 cm) (kg N/ha) Pre-sowing soil nitrogen (10 - 30 cm) (kg N/ha) Pre sowing soil nitrogen (kg N/ha)
1 Field peas July 26.4 1.66 20.7 15.7 43.8
1 Field peas September 26.5 2.43 21.1 16.8 65.9 39.8
2 Field peas July 27.8 1.47 32.5 24.2 48.8
2 Field peas September 27.8 1.66 21.2 18.5 64.6 47.4
3 Vetch July 26.2 0.74 19.8 15.5 38.1
3 Vetch September 22 1.4 12.3 14.5 33.4 36.7
4 Vetch July 34.5 32.5 21.1 48
4 Vetch September 25.9 9.7 12.6 44.7 30.4
5 Medic
5 Medic
6 Medic
6 Medic
7 Fallow
7 Fallow
8 Fallow
8 Fallow

Biomass t/ha


Loading

Post harvest soil nitrogen (0 - 10 cm) kg N/ha


Loading

Post harvest soil nitrogen (10 - 30 cm) kg N/ha


Loading

Post harvest soil water vol. mm


Loading

Pre sowing soil nitrogen kg N/ha


Loading

Pre-sowing soil nitrogen (10 - 30 cm) kg N/ha


Loading

Trial results Berriwillock results

@T1:
# Variety
Treatment 1
Post harvest soil water (vol. mm) Biomass (t/ha) Post harvest soil nitrogen (10 - 30 cm) (kg N/ha) Post harvest soil nitrogen (0 - 10 cm) (kg N/ha) Pre-sowing soil nitrogen (10 - 30 cm) (kg N/ha) Pre sowing soil nitrogen (kg N/ha)
1 Faba beans 332.1 26.7 20.9 428.3 10.7 109.9
1 Faba beans 1043.5 26.5 37.8 1366.1 10.7 65.9 79.8
2 Medic 536 28.5 33.3 782.5 11.7 77.6
2 Medic 325.6 28.8 35.3 462.7 11.4 64.6 75.8
3 Peas 22 1.4 12.3 14.5 153.5
3 Peas September 34.5 32.5 21.1 33.4 36.7
4 Vetch July 25.9 9.7 12.6 48
4 Vetch September 44.7 30.4
5 Fallow
5 Fallow
6 Medic
6 Medic
7 Fallow
7 Fallow
8 Fallow
8 Fallow

Biomass t/ha


Loading

Post harvest soil nitrogen (0 - 10 cm) kg N/ha


Loading

Post harvest soil nitrogen (10 - 30 cm) kg N/ha


Loading

Post harvest soil water vol. mm


Loading

Pre sowing soil nitrogen kg N/ha


Loading

Pre-sowing soil nitrogen (10 - 30 cm) kg N/ha


Loading
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Beulah, VIC Clay loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Beulah, VIC Calcarosol
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 Beulah VIC
2015 664.3mm
2014 685.0mm
2013 699.0mm
2012 706.6mm
2011 703.2mm
2010 684.1mm
2009 625.7mm
2008 617.3mm
2007 640.7mm
2006 624.1mm
2005 662.7mm
2004 623.1mm
2003 616.7mm
2002 551.2mm
2001 570.1mm
2000 566.4mm
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

Loading

Climate

Beulah VIC 2015


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 216mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 144mm

Derived climate information

Beulah VIC

Loading
Loading
Loading

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: 04-12-2019 15:26pm AEST