| Researcher(s) |
Ross Brennan (DAFWA) Gavin Sarre (DAFWA) Criag Scanlan (DAFWA) |
|---|---|
| Year(s) | 2015 |
| Contributor | West Midlands Group |
| Trial location(s) |
Badgingarra, WA
|
To investigate the effect of a rotary spader and lime on the residual value of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on a water repellent soil.
Our results so far suggest that there is an important interaction between year (timing and distribution of rainfall) and soil and nutrient management. There were no significant treatment effects on grain yield in 2013 and 2015, but there were in 2014 and this may be related to autumn rainfall. At the end of March, 75 and 57 mm had fallen in 2013 and 2015 respectively (Figure 3), however, only 16 mm had fallen at this time in 2014. In 2014, soil water repellence as measured in a laboratory test was significantly higher in the no-till control treatments compared to the rotary spader treatments. Seedling density in 2014 was highest in treatments that had the highest soil water repellence, however, this effect did not carry through to grain yield which was lowest in the no-till control. This trial will continue for at least one more year.
| Lead research organisation |
Department of Agriculture and Food WA |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation |
West Midlands Group |
| Trial funding source | GRDC DAW00222 |
| Related program | N/A |
| Acknowledgments |
Thanks to; Steve Cosh, Trevor Bell and Larry Prosser (DAFWA) for managing this experiment, Daron Malinowski (DAFWA) for assisting with field work and Dennis Martin for applying the rotary spader treatment. This research is funded by DAFWA and the ‘More profit from crop nutrition’ initiative by GRDC (Project code DAW00222). |
| Other trial partners | Not specified |
| Crop type | Cereal (Grain): Wheat |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Experimental |
| Trial design | Replicated |
| Sow rate or Target density | 2013: 80 kg/ha on 23 May, 2014: 80 kg/ha on 14 May, 2015: 4 kg/ha on 6 May |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
DAFWA plot seeder (7 rows @ 22.5 cm row spacing) and harvester. |
| Sow date | 13 June 2015 |
| Harvest date | Not specified |
| Plot size | 20m x 1.54m |
| Plot replication | 3 |
| Rainfall trial gsr (mm) | 340mm |
|---|
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.
