Amelioration of water repellent sands - long term impacts

2015
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Stephen Davies (DAFWA)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Badgingarra, WA
Badgingarra, WA
Amelioration of water repellent sands - 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 are highly water repellent and in general the amelioration treatments have improved crop establishment, vigour and grain yield. Economic analysis indicates that the return on investment has been large as the benefits from the treatments have tended to last for at least 5-years or more at these sites. 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 and this needs to be considered when investing in amelioration. Liming to improve the soil pH and very deep ripping to remove compaction below 30-40 cm may well provide further yield gains beyond those achieved through amelioration of the top 10-30 cm only, and this may also help sustain the benefits of amelioration over a longer time.

Lead research organisation Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Host research organisation West Midlands Group
Trial funding source DAFWA
Trial funding source GRDC DAW00224
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This research is funded by DAFWA and GRDC through DAW00244 ‘Delivering enhanced agronomic strategies for improved crop performance on water repellent soils in WA’. Thanks to the growers, their families and staff for establishing and managing the trial sites and allowing us access to them – it is much appreciated.


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: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Blocked

Badgingarra 2015

Sow rate or Target density 100kg/ha
Sow date 21 May 2015
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 9m x 10m
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Fertiliser

90 kg/ha K-Till Plus

150 kg/ha NS41

Badgingarra 2015

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified
Fertiliser 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 Pale deep sand
Badgingarra, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Badgingarra, WA Chromosol
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 Badgingarra WA
2015 212.8mm95.6mm
2014 217.9mm85.8mm
2013 247.2mm110.5mm
2012 217.0mm117.9mm
2011 212.7mm108.8mm
2010 188.1mm90.6mm
2009 221.7mm112.5mm
2008 256.3mm125.3mm
2007 189.6mm94.1mm
2006 173.9mm92.1mm
2005 249.5mm98.7mm
2004 200.2mm77.2mm
2003 222.6mm93.6mm
2002 195.9mm71.6mm
2001 169.1mm72.5mm
2000 177.4mm110.2mm
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

Loading

Climate

Badgingarra WA 2015


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 264mm

Derived climate information

Badgingarra WA

Badgingarra WA

Badgingarra WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Badgingarra WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

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

2015 trial report



Trial last modified: 06-08-2019 07:54am AEST