Growing topsoil: is is possible?

2010

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) Lyn Dohle (Rural Solutions SA)
Year(s) 2010
Contributor Agriculture Kangaroo Island Incorporated
Trial location(s) , SA
Growing topsoil: is is possible? locations
Aims

To investigate the questions:

  • What if there was a simple way to improve the top soil depth to encourage plants to grow deeper root systems?
  • Could we grow the massive crops you seen grown overseas where they measure top soil in feet not inches?
Key messages
  • Potential to significantly increase yields with deep incorporation of organic matter.
  • Local trial set up on KI but too early to gauge the real benefits or how long they will last for.
Lead research organisation Agriculture Kangaroo Island Incorporated
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Thanks to the trial sponsors:

  • Agriculture Kangaroo Island (supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under its Australia’s Farming Future initiative), and
  • Bellevista (Travis Bell).

Other trial partners Rural Solutions SA
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Forage: Oats Cereal (Grain): Wheat Grain Legume: Field peas
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement: Application Method
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Not applicable

2010 Oats

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

2010 Wheat

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

2010 Field peas

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
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
, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
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 SA
2010 434.8mm
2009 422.2mm
2008 401.8mm
2007 414.3mm
2006 459.6mm
2005 468.1mm
2004 516.2mm
2003 558.5mm
2002 525.1mm
2001 540.2mm
2000 513.6mm
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

Derived climate information

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

SA

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 last modified: 15-12-2021 10:12am AEST