Assessing the benefit of clay spreading for overcoming soil water repellence in the northern agricultural region

2011
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Paul Blackwell (DAFWA)
Stephen Davies (DAFWA)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Badgingarra, WA
Balla, WA
Binnu, WA
Bolgart, WA
Assessing the benefit of clay spreading for overcoming soil water repellence in the northern agricultural region locations
Aims

To assess what clay rich subsoil application rates are required for overcoming soil water repellence and how this interacts with method of incorporation.

Key messages
  • More moderate clay rich subsoil application rates of 100-150 t/ha are less costly to apply, can be easily incorporated, can still improve crop establishment and productivity and importantly can reduce some of the risks associated with crops haying off due to water shortage during grain filling in dry seasons.
  • Clay spreading is likely to be more beneficial in higher rainfall, longer season environments and in wetter seasons where the risk of water shortage at grain fill and haying off is reduced.
Lead research organisation Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Host research organisation West Midlands Group
Trial funding source DAFWA DAW00204
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

We particularly thank the co-operating growers: Rohan Ford, Trevor Syme, Colin McAlpine, Andrew Kenny and Damian Harris and all the collaborating staff and growers in the West Midlands Group, Northern Agri Group and WANTFA.


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 Unknown

Badgingarra 2011

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Balla 2011

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Binnu 2011

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Bolgart 2011

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
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 Non-wetting sand
Balla, WA Not specified
Binnu, WA Not specified
Bolgart, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Badgingarra, WA Chromosol
Balla, WA
Binnu, WA Chromosol
Bolgart, WA 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 Badgingarra WA Balla WA Binnu WA Bolgart WA
2011 224.8mm594.3mm400.9mm158.4mm
2010 209.6mm450.7mm324.7mm152.2mm
2009 228.5mm565.2mm358.5mm187.2mm
2008 246.8mm533.4mm398.8mm189.4mm
2007 198.9mm575.0mm280.7mm168.6mm
2006 196.0mm606.0mm313.7mm202.4mm
2005 242.6mm448.3mm342.3mm185.9mm
2004 204.2mm510.5mm319.6mm181.1mm
2003 230.9mm444.1mm338.0mm180.0mm
2002 212.7mm422.6mm333.0mm150.7mm
2001 192.5mm527.5mm338.8mm156.5mm
2000 206.7mm586.8mm381.7mm226.1mm
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.

Badgingarra WA

Balla WA

Binnu WA

Bolgart WA

Badgingarra WA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Balla WA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Binnu WA

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Bolgart 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: 11-12-2019 14:47pm AEST