| Researcher(s) |
Nadine Hollamby (LIebe) Frances Hoyle (DAFWA) |
|---|---|
| Year(s) | 2013 |
| Contributor | SoilsWest |
| Trial location(s) |
Buntine, WA
|
To assess the effects of physical, chemical and biological soil manipulation (or inputs) on soil organic carbon in relation to changes in long term crop yields and quality.
The application of compost at 2 t/ha did not result in higher returns and the response under compost plus fertiliser treatments could be attributed to the application of fertiliser. Spading did not return any further gains in terms of yield or quality at this site in 2013. The high cost of spading and compost in the first year, have negatively influenced profit outcomes. Depending on future yield improvements, these treatments may pay for themselves over the longer term.
No measureable changes in soil condition as a result of adding 2 t/ha compost were measured in 2013 and 2014 that would add value to the long term profit of this site.
Machinery used for applying compost caused some compaction and due to the dry post-sowing conditions, crop germination was very patchy. The trial site experienced significant moisture stress early in the season and may not be representative of seasons experiencing an average or wetter start.
| Lead research organisation |
Department of Agriculture and Food WA |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation |
Liebe Group |
| Trial funding source | AGAC AOTGR1-27 |
| Trial funding source | DAFWA |
| Trial funding source | GRDC DAW00225 |
| Related program |
Action on the Ground |
| Acknowledgments |
|
| Other trial partners | University of Western Australia |
| Crop type | Cereal (Grain): Barley |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Experimental |
| Trial design | Randomised,Replicated,Blocked |
| Sow rate or Target density | 60 kg/ha barley |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
Selected treatments were rotary spaded prior to sowing on 5th June 2013. |
| Sow date | 5 June 2013 |
| Harvest date | 7 November 2013 |
| Plot size | 50m x 18.3m |
| Plot replication | 4 |
| Fertiliser |
Fertiliser TSP at 80kg/ha and 40 kg/ha urea topdressed at seeding. |
| Herbicide |
21/5/2013: 2L/ha glyphosate 5/06/2013: 2 L/ha Spray seed, 2.5 L/ha boxer gold, 130 g/ha Metribuzin 10/10/2013: 2L/ha Reglone |
| Soil amelioration |
Selected treatments were rotary spaded prior to sowing on 5th June 2013. |
| Tillage | Minimum tillage sowing |
| Rainfall trial gsr (mm) | 189mm |
|---|
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.
