Yield and soil water use for annual crops sown over subtropical perennial grasses

2009, 2011
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) David Ferris (DAFWA)
Phil Ward (CSIRO)
Year(s) 2009, 2011
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Moora, WA
Yield and soil water use for annual crops sown over subtropical perennial grasses locations
Aims

To evaluate the performance of annual crops when pasture cropped over different perennial species.  

Key messages
  • Pasture cropping systems can provide grain (and out of season fodder) on deep sandy soils and reduce the likelihood of groundwater recharge.
  • Potential yield penalties associated with pasture cropping across perennials on deep sandy soils in the west midlands appear to be less than 20%.
  • Pastures started competing with the crop for soil water during grain filling, but impacts on soil water and grain yield were generally small given average rainfall in spring.
  • During the crop growing season, there was little difference in soil water under annual crop, perennial pasture, and pasture-cropped plots.
  • Soil water contents were much lower under pasture and pasture-cropped plots during summer and autumn.
Lead research organisation Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Host research organisation West Midlands Group
Trial funding source GRDC P2 FP09
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Chris Vanzetti generously allowed us onto his farm to conduct the trial. EverCrop local adaptation group members (Moora) have provided valuable input into management schedules. Janey Arkle, Chris Herrmann, Jake Joyce, Bec Parsons and Julie Roche gave excellent technical assistance in 2011, and the DAFWA Geraldton Research Support Unit managed and maintained the trial.

Thanks also to others who have been part of the EverCrop-WA team at different times over the past 3 years: Phil Barrett-Lennard, Perry Dolling, Diana Fedorenko, John Finlayson, Peter Gwynne, Roger Lawes, Shayne Micin, Nat Raisbeck-Brown, Michael Robertson, Susan Robson, Tim Wiley and George Woolston. This research was funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation through the Future Farm Industries CRC as part of the Evercrop Project (P2 FP09).


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Management systems: Other
Trial type
Trial design

Moora 2009

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sowing machinery Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Herbicide Not specified

Moora 2011

Sow rate or Target density 70kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Disc seeder with trailing press wheels.

Sow date 3 June 2011
Harvest date Unknown
Plot size 6m x 30m
Plot replication 3
Herbicide

2009    Pre: Sprayseed @ 2L/ha

            Post: Barracuda @ 800mL/ha (16 July)

2011    Pre: Roundup @ 1L/ha

            Post: Jaguar @ 750 mL/ha (29 June); 2,4-D amine @ 1.4L/ha, Associate @ 5g (17 August)

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
Moora, WA Deep sand
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Moora, WA Tenosol
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 Moora WA
2011 384.4mm
2010 389.9mm
2009 392.5mm
2008 401.0mm
2007 369.2mm
2006 426.5mm
2005 411.3mm
2004 385.3mm
2003 385.4mm
2002 348.6mm
2001 331.6mm
2000 412.9mm
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

Moora WA 2011


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 341mm

Derived climate information

Moora WA

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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: 19-01-2023 15:12pm AEST