Monitoring barley grass in broad acre paddocks

2017

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Amanda Cook (SARDI)
Year(s) 2017
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
Yaninee, SA
Related trials
Monitoring barley grass in broad acre paddocks locations
Aims

Barley grass weed density was monitored in three paddocks on upper EP (Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC), Heddle's at Minnipa and Wilkins' at Yaninee) using a UAV during the 2017 growing season at three different timings, with paddock transects conducted to verify grass weed density in paddocks.

Key messages

UAV imagery with appropriate analysis has the potential to identify weed issues in paddocks quickly, reliably and cheaply over large areas.

Lead research organisation SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source SAGIT S117
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Thank you to MAC, Bruce Heddle and Wilkins families for having the research and monitoring on their property. Thank you to Brett Hay, Katrina Brands and Rochelle Wheaton for helping to monitor the paddocks and processing the samples, and Ben Fleet for information regarding methodology for weed seed monitoring.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Management systems: Integrated weed management
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2017

Sowing machinery

Grass weeds were assessed in-crop or in pasture at ten GPS points along a transect for crop or weed density, with six counts taken at each sample point. This was used to verify the UAV data captured at three times during the cropping season. Extra sampling points in the paddock were targeted if more information was needed to verify the imagery. The paddock photos were captured on an iPad with 'Avenza Maps' linked to the location in the paddocks.

UAV data was captured during the 2017 cropping season on 14 August, 28 September and 3 October. The UAVs used were either a DJI Matrice 100 with both NIR and RGB sensors or a Mavic Pro with RGB sensors. The UAVs were flown at a height of 118 metres.

To analyse weed locations at a whole paddock level using the UAV imagery, geospatial analysis tools were used to automate the selection of likely weed infestation areas. A map of the paddock with the UAV coverage was generated from

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

Yaninee 2017

Sowing machinery Not specified
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
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Red loam
Yaninee, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Calcarosol
Yaninee, SA Calcarosol
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 Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA Yaninee SA
2017 338.2mm258.0mm
2016 305.1mm252.6mm
2015 286.4mm229.0mm
2014 338.0mm282.0mm
2013 287.6mm214.6mm
2012 329.5mm239.6mm
2011 356.6mm265.9mm
2010 337.6mm268.0mm
2009 369.5mm267.2mm
2008 300.3mm206.9mm
2007 285.9mm223.6mm
2006 305.8mm245.6mm
2005 267.5mm216.2mm
2004 263.8mm199.1mm
2003 263.8mm212.1mm
2002 254.9mm219.0mm
2001 317.8mm265.8mm
2000 353.9mm276.5mm
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

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 325mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 241mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 281mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 155mm

Derived climate information

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

Yaninee SA

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

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Yaninee SA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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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

2017 trial report



Trial last modified: 08-10-2019 14:00pm AEST