Biochar investigation - John Auld

2012
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) David Gartner (WMG)
Anne Wilkins (WMG)
Year(s) 2012
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Badgingarra, WA
Biochar investigation - John Auld locations
Aims

To demonstrate if there are any benefits of applying biochar to increase crop and pasture production in the West Midlands

Key messages
  • Plant density counts were estimated on the 3rd August 2012 by counting 8 x 1 metre rows along each treatment.
  • The treatment without Bio Char, there were counted 126 plants per square metre
  • Where Bio Char was applied, there were 130 plants per square metre. 
  • There were no replications of the treatment applied, so it is difficult to conclude if biochar application was beneficial in plant establishment.
  • Subsequent visual observations and ratings were done on the 25th September 2012 with no difference noticeable.  The inherent variation across the site mad it difficult to gain adequate measurements at this site.
  • We were not able to detect any difference in grain yield between untreated (nil) and the biochar plot.
Lead research organisation West Midlands Group
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Thanks to John Auld for his time and machinery and supplying the site.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Demonstration
Trial design Unreplicated

Badgingarra 2012

Sow rate or Target density 60kg/ha
Sowing machinery

36 ft Airseeder at 225 mm row spacing.

Sow date 6 July 2012
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 7.2m x 144m
Plot replication 1
Fertiliser

80 kg MAP Extra at seeding.

Herbicide

Post emergent only 40 g/ha Lontrel + 750ml/ha Tigrex + 250ml/ha Alpha Cypermetheryn.

Soil amelioration

Paddock was scarified one week prior to seeding. 100 kg/ha of Urea/Sulfate of Ammonia was spread 8/9/2012.

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 Sand over gravel
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
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

Badgingarra WA 2012


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 299mm

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

2012 trial report



Trial last modified: 09-07-2019 12:05pm AEST