Managing hostile subsoils: what are the options?

2005

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) N/A
Year(s) 2005
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Nhill, VIC
Managing hostile subsoils: what are the options? locations
Aims

To investigate options for managing hostile subsoils.

Key messages

Hostile subsoils can significantly constrain crop growth and water use in the Mallee and Wimmera. Although the subsoil constraints are effectively fixed, the impact they have on grain yields can vary markedly with crop type and seasonal conditions (particularly the pattern of rainfall). Electromagnetic survey (EM) techniques offer the potential to assess the distribution and extent of subsoil constraints within a paddock. Management options however are currently limited and the most financially viable strategy may be to ‘live with the problem’ where inputs such as N fertiliser are limited and crop selection restricted to more tolerant types and varieties.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the many farmer collaborators who have assisted with our paddock survey over the past 3 years and the GRDC for co-funding this project. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the technical contributions of Roger Perris, Graham Price, Mel Baker and Janine Fitzpatrick (DPI, Horsham) and Kellie Matthews (BCG). 


Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Trial type
Trial design

Nhill 2005

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Nhill, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Nhill, VIC Sodosol
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 Nhill VIC
2005 711.5mm
2004 704.6mm
2003 737.9mm
2002 694.1mm
2001 689.8mm
2000 602.0mm
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.

Nhill 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


No trial reports or attachments found


Trial last modified: 06-08-2019 07:54am AEST