Deep incorporation of lime into acidic subsoils

2013
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Stephen Davies (DAFWA)
Chris Gazey (DAFWA)
Year(s) 2013
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Regans Ford, WA
Deep incorporation of lime into acidic subsoils locations
Aims

To assess amelioration of subsoil acidity using a range of tillage methods for incorporating surface applied lime into acidic subsoils and the impacts of tillage and lime on crop productivity.

Key messages
  • Soil pH results after liming and tillage treatments were applied was found to be quite variable and more sampling needs to be done before pH results can be quoted. Soil loosening indicates that only the deep tillage techniques were likely to incorporate lime into the deeper 20-30 cm acidic layer.
  • This trial highlights the importance of measuring subsoil pH levels and applying sufficient rates of lime to prevent and correct subsoil acidification. Where tillage treatments are used to incorporate lime it is important to understand to what depth lime will be incorporated and which subsoil layers need correction. It is intended to monitor this trial for the next few years to further assess the benefits of correcting subsoil acidification. Yield response to lime incorporation can increase over time as the untreated soil continues to acidify further and as lime has more opportunity to react and neutralize the acidity that is present.
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

This WMG research is funded by GRDC through the Western Agribusiness Trial Extension Network. Thanks to all those who helped establish, manage and monitor this trial: Trevor Bell, Steve Cosh, Gavin Sarre and Breanne Best (DAFWA); Joel Andrew (Precision SoilTech); Deb Jackson. Stephen Davies and Chris Gazey’s involvement is supported by GRDC and DAFWA through DAW00204 ‘Delivering agronomic strategies for water repellent soils in WA’ and DAW00236 ‘Soil Acidity is limiting grain yield’ respectively.


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
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Regans Ford 2013

Sow rate or Target density 90 kg/ha
Sowing machinery

A range of tillage treatments to incorporate surface applied lime including: Scarifier; Offset discs; One-way plough; Deep ripper; Rotary spader; Mouldboard plough. In addition a combined treatment of deep ripping followed by spading was also included.

Sow date 13 July 2013
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 20m x 4m
Plot replication 4
Fertiliser

Gusto 100 kg/ha at seeding + 90 L/ha UAN top up post seeding; 40 L/ha Flexi-N and 150 mL/ha Prosaro on 22 August 2013.

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
Regans Ford, WA Yellow deep sand
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Regans Ford, 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 Regans Ford WA
2013 151.9mm
2012 138.2mm
2011 136.9mm
2010 129.1mm
2009 142.1mm
2008 151.9mm
2007 107.9mm
2006 103.7mm
2005 142.2mm
2004 124.4mm
2003 142.9mm
2002 113.0mm
2001 115.0mm
2000 134.4mm
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

Regans Ford WA 2013


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 440mm

Derived climate information

Regans Ford 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

2013 trial report



Trial last modified: 09-07-2019 15:50pm AEST