Can nil disturbance seeding systems overcome water repellence in non-wetting gravels and other soil health issues over time?

2016 - 2017
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) John Blake (SCF)
Brad Wood (host farmer)
Year(s) 2016 - 2017
Contributor Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial location(s) Kendenup, WA
Can nil disturbance seeding systems overcome water repellence in non-wetting gravels and other soil health issues over time? locations
Aims

To test whether disturbance seeding systems overcome water repellence in non-wetting gravels and other soil health issues over time.

Key messages
  • Three seeding systems, disc (slot), tyne and tyne-after cultivation were tested over two  seasons in a paddock with a long history of minimal soil disturbance. Soil water repellence, plant establishment and yield were compared.
  • In the wet 2016 season, the effect of soil water repellence was minimal and soil disturbance caused by disc, tyne or tyne-after-cultivation did not significantly affect plant establishment or yield.
  • In the dry 2017 season, plant establishment and yield of field peas was higher in the disc seeder treatment than the tyne or tyne-after-cultivation treatment.
Lead research organisation Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments
  • South Coast NRM, Brad Wood and the Wood family – Beau Valley Farms, Dr Margaret Roper – CSIRO researcher, Glenn McDonald – Soil researcher, Chris Gazey –Soil scientist, Jeremy Lemon – Senior DPIRD Agronomist, Alice Butler – DPIRD Development Officer Grains R & D.

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

Method

Crop types Grain Legume: Field peas Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Engineering: Tillage
Trial type
Trial design

Kendenup 2016 Field peas

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

Kendenup 2016 Canola

Sow date 13 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 10m x 250m
Plot replication Not specified

Kendenup 2017 Field peas

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

Kendenup 2017 Canola

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

Download results

Trial results 2016: Canola

# Treatment 1
Emergence plants (plants/m2)
1 Nil disturbance treatment 34
2 Tyne seeder treatment 40
3 Tillage to 15cm depth immediately before tyne seeding 41

Emergence plants plants/m2


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Trial results 2017: Field Peas

# Treatment 1
Plant density (plants/m2)
1 Nil disturbance treatment 25
2 Tyne seeder treatment 20
3 Tillage to 15cm soil depth immediately prior to tyne seeding 17

Plant density plants/m2


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Trial results Grain Yield

# Treatment 1
Growing season Crop type Grain yield (kg/ha)
1 Slot seeder (Disc) 2016 Canola 1.96
2 Tyne seeder 2016 Canola 1.96
3 Tyne seeder post cultivation 2016 Canola 2.04
4 Slot seeder (Disc) 2017 Field peas 1.49
5 Tyne seeder 2017 Field peas 1.15
6 Tyne seeder post cultivation 2017 Field peas 1.08

Grain yield kg/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Kendenup, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Kendenup, WA Sodosol
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 Kendenup WA
2017 509.8mm
2016 543.1mm
2015 517.0mm
2014 491.5mm
2013 495.9mm
2012 518.8mm
2011 535.7mm
2010 476.6mm
2009 530.1mm
2008 519.4mm
2007 468.3mm
2006 470.9mm
2005 520.4mm
2004 517.7mm
2003 523.8mm
2002 512.4mm
2001 473.3mm
2000 504.6mm
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

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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.

Kendenup 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 last modified: 25-08-2021 15:46pm AEST