Understanding the Importance of N, P, K & S Interactions in Wheat Cropping Systems

2014
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons

Trial details

Researcher(s) Elliott Duncan
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Liebe Group
Trial location(s) Wongan Hills, WA
Understanding the Importance of N, P, K & S Interactions in Wheat Cropping Systems locations
Aims

To investigate how nutrient interactions influence yield response. Specifically, if:

  1. Applications of P, K and/or S fertilisers influence wheat yield under varying N concentrations.
  2. “Background” nutrition influences fertiliser responsiveness.
  3. Yield responses are a result of absolute nutrient concentrations or ratios between essential nutrients.

 

Key messages

At three field sites in WA, increased wheat yield was achieved at lower nitrogen (N) application rates when N was balanced with appropriate phosphorous (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) applications. Wheat yield was driven by the ratio of N to P and K rather than the absolute concentrations of the nutrients and it is possible to increase profit margins by balancing nutrient inputs.

The level of background nutrients present in the soil at sowing was a key factor in determining the responsiveness of yield to fertiliser applications and how profitable the fertiliser treatments were. Pre-season soil testing to determine the level of residual nutrients will allow growers to balance their nutrient inputs and help to maximise profits.

Lead research organisation CSIRO - Plant Industry
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Margaret Roper, Cathryn Sullivan and Kelley Whisson - CSIRO Agriculture Flagship, Floreat, WA

Shari Dougall - DAFWA Wongan Hills Field Station

Michael Blair and Rohan Hungerford - UWA Shenton Park Research Station

Summit Fertilizers

InterGrain


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Variety
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Wongan Hills 2014

Sow rate or Target density 80 kg/ha - Triticum aestivum C.V. Mace
Sow date 28 May 2014 28 May 2014
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 1.54m x 10m
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

As per protocol: Urea (46% N); TSP (27% P); Muriate of Potash (52% K); Gypsum (14% S) (See table in report for further details of individual treatments)

Herbicide

1.5 L/ha Roundup; 2 L/ha Spray.Seed250; 118 g/ha Sakura; 1% Hasten; 670 mL/ha Velocity

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Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Background 1.83
2 10 kg N ha 2.28
3 10 kg N ha + 2 kg P ha 2.36
4 10 kg N ha + 8 kg K ha 2.23
5 10 kg N ha + 3 kg S ha 2.3
6 10 kg N ha + 2 kg P ha + 8 kg K ha + 3 kg S ha 2.36
7 30 kg N ha 2.33
8 30 kg N ha + 8 kg P ha 2.41
9 30 kg N ha + 25 kg K ha 2.38
10 30 kg N ha + 10 kg S ha 2.29
11 30 kg N ha + 8 kg P ha + 25 kg K ha + 10 kg S ha 2.43
12 60 kg N ha 2.26
13 60 kg N ha + 16 kg P ha 2.29
14 60 kg N ha + 50 kg K ha 2.26
15 60 kg N ha + 20 kg S ha 2.29
16 60 kg N ha + 16 kg P ha + 50 kg K ha + 20 kg S ha 2.38
17 90 kg N ha 2.34
18 90 kg N ha + 24 kg P ha 2.35
19 90 kg N ha + 75 kg K ha 2.34
20 90 kg N ha + 30 kg S ha 2.4
21 90 kg N ha + 24 kg P ha + 75 kg K ha + 30 kg S ha 2.28
22 Site variability (SE) 0.08

Grain yield t/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Wongan Hills, WA 0 - 10cm 4.80 0.13
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Wongan Hills, WA Sandy duplex
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Wongan Hills, WA Kandosol
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 Wongan Hills WA
2014 147.7mm
2013 193.2mm
2012 191.1mm
2011 172.5mm
2010 146.8mm
2009 183.7mm
2008 202.7mm
2007 163.7mm
2006 176.1mm
2005 164.6mm
2004 182.2mm
2003 192.8mm
2002 134.6mm
2001 139.2mm
2000 207.0mm
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

Wongan Hills WA 2014


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 172mm

Derived climate information

Wongan Hills 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

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 23-07-2019 11:11am AEST