Amelioration of water repellent soils in the West Midlands - long term impacts

2014
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Stephen Davies (DAFWA)
Andrew Kenny (WMG)
Colin McAlpine (DAFWA)
Year(s) 2014
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Badgingarra, WA
Amelioration of water repellent soils in the West Midlands - long term impacts locations
Aims

To assess amelioration options for water repellent sandplain soils.

Key messages

These grower scale on-farm soil amelioration demonstrations have been managed by the growers according to standard practice. Both soil types were highly water repellent and the amelioration treatments have generally improved establishment but have probably had an even bigger impact on crop vigour. While it is possible to improve establishment, water and nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity using these techniques it is important to recognise that other constraints such as poor water and nutrient holding, soil acidity and compaction can still limit the yield potential of these soils. Pale sands which overly a clayey gravel or clay base within the top 1 m often have greater potential than the very deep sands.

Lead research organisation Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Host research organisation West Midlands Group
Trial funding source GRDC DAW00204
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

A big thanks to Andrew Kenny and Colin ‘Ferret’ McAlpine for their hard work, patience and unwavering support in continuing these trials – thank you, couldn’t have done it without you! This research was funded by DAFWA and GRDC through DAW00204 Delivering agronomic strategies for water repellent soils in WA.


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

Method

Crop type Grain Legume: Lupins
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Blocked

Badgingarra 2014

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 Not specified
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
2014 226.8mm
2013 251.5mm
2012 236.0mm
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

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

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 last modified: 23-07-2019 10:45am AEST