On-farm assessment of options for amelioration of water repellent sand

2011
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Stephen Davies (DAFWA)
David Gartner (DAFWA)
Colin McAlpine (WMG)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Badgingarra, WA
On-farm assessment of options for amelioration of water repellent sand locations
Aims

To assess water repellent soil amelioration options and to determine whether a one-way plough can be used to ameliorate non-wetting sand for much lower cost than mouldboard ploughing or rotary spading.

Key messages
  • One of the greatest risks of the deep cultivation techniques is wind erosion as a result of the burial and removal of all surface cover. In 2011 strong post-seeding wind events in mid-June resulted in significant wind erosion and sand blasting of young crop seedlings. 
  • The wind erosion and sand blasting of the seedlings was a significant setback for the crop and would be partly responsible for the relatively low yields at the site. 
  • Grain yields at the site ranged from 1.3 to 1.8 t/ha.
  • For further results please see the attached trial report.
Lead research organisation Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Host research organisation West Midlands Group
Trial funding source GRDC DAW00204
Trial funding source DAFWA
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Particular thanks to Ferret McAlpine for establishing the site and allowing access to his property. THanks to David Hayes for rotary spading, Graham White for clay spreading and Dennis Martin for providing the offset discs.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Unreplicated

Badgingarra 2011

Sow rate or Target density 90 kg/ha
Sow date 10 June 2011
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 9m x 190m
Plot replication Not specified
Soil amelioration

Control - untreated

Mouldboard ploughing to 35cm, April 2011

Clay spreading, 120 t clay-rich subsoil/ha, April 2011, shallow (10 cm) incorporation with combine

Rotary spaded to 35 cm, April 2010

Offset discs to 10cm, April 2011

One-way disc plough to 15cm, April 2011

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
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
Badgingarra, WA Pale deep sand
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Badgingarra, WA Chromosol
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 Badgingarra WA
2011 224.8mm
2010 209.6mm
2009 228.5mm
2008 246.8mm
2007 198.9mm
2006 196.0mm
2005 242.6mm
2004 204.2mm
2003 230.9mm
2002 212.7mm
2001 192.5mm
2000 206.7mm
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

Badgingarra WA 2011


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 485mm

Derived climate information

Badgingarra 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

2011 trial report



Trial last modified: 09-07-2019 11:05am AEST