Soil biological activity testing: is it worth it?

2014

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Lyn Dohle (Rural Solutions SA)
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Agriculture Kangaroo Island Incorporated
Trial location(s) Kangaroo Island, SA
Soil biological activity testing: is it worth it? locations
Aims

To use six different labs (Soil Food Web, CSBP, APAL, AgPath, Microbwise and Solvita) to analyse soil microbiology on six different properties across Kangaroo Island.

Key messages
  • There is still a lack of scientific research to validate results and their complete interpretation, nor does there appear to be any standardisation of tests.
  • Testing may provide a ‘guide’ and some value as a comparison tool between paddocks.
  • Significant differences in results between labs, possibly due to different analysis methods. This highlights the
  • need to be cautious when comparing results from different labs.
  • For a copy of the full report contact the PIRSA Office, Kingscote.
Lead research organisation Agriculture Kangaroo Island Incorporated
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source Caring for our Country
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Many thanks to the trial sponsor: Agriculture Kangaroo Island (through Caring for Our Country Funding).


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

Method

Crop type None: No crop specified
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil: Testing method
Trial type Article/commentary
Trial design Not applicable

Kangaroo Island 2014

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
Kangaroo Island, 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 Kangaroo Island SA
2014 531.4mm
2013 521.7mm
2012 519.8mm
2011 514.9mm
2010 515.4mm
2009 513.6mm
2008 471.8mm
2007 460.6mm
2006 505.5mm
2005 500.0mm
2004 513.6mm
2003 541.7mm
2002 507.7mm
2001 516.7mm
2000 508.2mm
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.

Kangaroo Island 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 report and links

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 15-12-2021 09:17am AEST