Tactical nitrogen decisions for wheat

2016
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Brett Beard (Summit Fertilizers)
Year(s) 2016
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Moora, WA
Tactical nitrogen decisions for wheat locations
Aims

To demonstrate and evaluate nitrogen-rich strips (N Gauges) and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) measurement as to provide a simple, accurate and easy-to-understand decision support tool to guide economic application of nitrogen during the growing season.

Key messages
  • For this trial, the N-calculator prediction optimised yield and gross margin in Mace wheat.
  • In Season N Calculator model predictions were
  • Getting mid-season N decisions right can have a significant impact on profitability since optimal top up N rates indicatively increased yields by 480 kg per hectare and net returns by $70 per hectare.
  • The value of split N applications was shown and the trial provides more weight to the building confidence that the N calculator can provide real and robust N recommendations that are not in excess of crop requirement and produce maximum or near maximum margin returns from mid-season N applications.
Lead research organisation Summit Fertilizers
Host research organisation West Midlands Group
Trial funding source Summit
Trial funding source Living Farm
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Thanks to Michael Brennan for providing the trial sites to WMG collaborators and to Living Farm for establishment, maintenance and harvesting of the trials.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Application Method
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Moora 2016

Sow rate or Target density 80kg/ha
Sowing machinery

Small plot seeder with knife points and press wheels. 

Sow date 14 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 10m x 1.8m
Plot replication 3
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 Sandplain
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
2016 102.8mm
2015 105.1mm
2014 88.5mm
2013 118.8mm
2012 138.2mm
2011 107.4mm
2010 102.0mm
2009 113.9mm
2008 120.4mm
2007 84.7mm
2006 113.8mm
2005 97.1mm
2004 75.7mm
2003 96.1mm
2002 77.2mm
2001 56.4mm
2000 110.9mm
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

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

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

2016 trial report



Trial last modified: 23-07-2019 14:54pm AEST