Deep incorporation of lime into acidic subsoils

2015
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Chris Wilkins (West Midlands Group)
Year(s) 2015
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
  • The trial area was seeded in June 2015 to wheat by Peter Negus, while he was seeding the surrounding paddock.  Unfortunately, the seeder ran out of seed as the trial was being sown.  The result was that there were large unseeded strips running through the trial. 
  • Rainfall at the site was very poor in September and October 2015; approximately 70% below average for that period.  As a result, cereal crops on soils with low water holding capacity were badly affected, with yields well below average.
  • Analysis of the harvest results (excluding plots affected at seeding) showed no significant differences, leading us to conclude that either (a) the tillage and lime treatment effects have ‘worn out’ at the site, or that (b) poor rainfall in September and October severely reduced yields, obscuring any other effects.  We believe that (b) is more likely.
  • This trial will be sown to lupins in 2016.

The pH results from this trial show some interesting trends. 

The treatments with greater disturbance at depth (spade, deep rip + spade, mouldboard) tend to decrease surface pH.  This is of concern if the ‘new’ topsoil pH is acidic enough to inhibit root development. 

The treatments with greater disturbance at depth (spade, deep rip + spade, mouldboard) tend to increase midsoil pH most rapidly.  This is the effect hoped for.  The differences between treatments are generally not significant, but more intensive sampling may tease out differences.

The treatments with greater disturbance at depth (spade, deep rip + spade, mouldboard) tend to increase subsoil pH most rapidly.  This is the effect hoped for.  The differences between treatments are generally not significant, but more intensive sampling may tease out differences.

Lead research organisation West Midlands Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source DAFWA
Trial funding source Precision Soiltech
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Peter Negus, Stephan Davies, & Chris Gazey, DAFWA and Soiltech.


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
  • Soil Improvement: Method
  • Soil Improvement: Rate
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Regans Ford 2015

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
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
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
2015 138.3mm
2014 133.1mm
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 2015


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 370mm

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

2015 trial report



Trial last modified: 15-01-2023 12:21pm AEST