Nitrogen response in different electromagnetic (EM) zones of the paddock

2017

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nick Poole (FAR Australia)
Michael Straight (FAR Australia)
Year(s) 2017
Contributor Riverine Plains
Trial location(s) Dookie, VIC
Dookie, VIC
Yarrawonga, VIC
Yarrawonga, VIC
Nitrogen response in different electromagnetic (EM) zones of the paddock locations
Aims

To test the nitrogen response in different electromagnetic (EM) zones of the paddock.

Key messages
  • Paddock variance was measured across two paddocks through EM (electromagnetic) surveys. Based on this variance, high and low EM zones were identified.
  • Two small plot trials compared nitrogen (N) response in a high and low EM zone of two paddocks sown to Trojan wheat, one in Yarrawonga (sown 22 April) and the other in Dookie (sown 12 May).
  • • Both paddocks had high levels of nitrogen available in the soil (120–200kg N/ha 0–60cm) irrespective of zone.
  • The largest response to nitrogen (1t/ha) was observed in the high EM zone at Dookie, where the highest levels of available soil nitrogen were recorded (200kg N/ha).
  • Dry matter (DM) differences and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) readings at the Dookie site suggested the crop canopy was responding to applied nitrogen; this indicates the crop did not benefit from the high levels of soil nitrogen present (possibly as a result of later sowing or subsoil constraints).
  • At the Yarrawonga site there were no significant indications from NDVI readings that a response to nitrogen fertiliser was likely; this was supported by high grain yields in the nil nitrogen plots (5.8t/ha and 6.4t/ha in the high and low EM zone respectively).
  • At the Dookie low EM site, grain protein of 11.9% in the lowest-yielding treatment suggested there was sufficient soil nitrogen available to meet crop yield and protein requirements; this contrasts with in-crop NDVI measurements, which suggested the crop would respond to applied nitrogen.
  • At Yarrawonga nitrogen application strategies based on NDVI readings meant nitrogen application was
  • delayed until third node (GS33) in the high EM zone, which resulted in only limited uptake. A slightly earlier second node (GS32) application in the low EM zone resulted in an excellent response (0.39t/ha)to the NDVI-based approach.
Lead research organisation Riverine Plains
Host research organisation Riverine Plains
Trial funding source GRDC RPI00009
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners FAR Australia
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Management systems: Precision Agriculture
Trial type Precision agriculture
Trial design Not applicable

Dookie 2017

Sow date 8 May 2017
Harvest date 8 December 2017
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Dookie 2017

Sow date 12 May 2017
Harvest date 12 December 2017
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Yarrawonga 2017

Sow date 22 April 2017
Harvest date 12 December 2017
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Yarrawonga 2017

Sow date 22 April 2017
Harvest date 11 December 2017
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Plant growth traits at Yarrawonga high EM in 2017

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# Treatment 1
Yield (t/ha) Screenings (%) Emergence plants (plants/m2) Cereal tillers (tillers/m2) Thousand seed weight (g) Protein (%) Test weight (kg/hL) Dry matter (t/ha) Dry matter (t/ha)
1 Nil N (High EM) 5.74 2.4 116 328 48.9 9.3 75.8 11.48 13.18
1 40 N (High EM) 6.42 2 94 350 45.8 10.2 74.4 11.74 14.71
1 80 N (High EM) 5.82 2.1 - 376 45.2 10.5 76 12.78 13.21
2 120 N (High EM) 6.19 2.1 - 370 42.9 11.5 75.2 12.82 15.13
2 160 N (High EM) 6.29 2.3 - 373 42.8 11.6 75.1 14 16.71
2 NDVI 1 (120 N) (High EM) 5.79 2.2 - - 47.5 9.5 75.8 11.85 14.16
3 NDVI 2 (120 N) (High EM) 5.52 2.1 - - 46.2 9.7 75.6 12.5 13.71
3 120 N (N rich) (High EM) 6.29 2.8 95 396 36.9 13.4 73.6 12.2 13.27
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Cereal tillers tillers/m2


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Dry matter t/ha


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Trial results Plant growth traits at Yarrawonga low EM in 2017

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# Screenings (%) Test weight (kg/hL) Emergence plants (plants/m2) TGW (g) Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Cereal tillers (tillers/m2) Dry matter (t/ha) Dry matter (t/ha)
1 Nil N (low EM zone) 2.4 75.5 108 42.2 9.4 6.38 338 10.76 11.95
1 40 N (low EM zone) 2.9 75.7 98 42.7 10 6.5 352 10.55 11.84
1 80 N (low EM zone) 2.5 75.9 41.4 10.7 6.87 354 10.7 11.88
1 120 N (low EM zone) 2.2 75.9 42.3 11.1 6.86 361 12.09 12.04
2 160 N (low EM zone) 2.1 75.7 42.8 11.1 7.01 377 11.26 13.82
2 NDVI 1 120 N (low EM zone) 2.3 75.9 39.7 11.7 6.77 11.49 12.09
2 NDVI 2 120 N (low EM zone) 2.5 75.6 101 40.5 11.8 6.78 360 11.62 12.73
2 120 N N rich (low EM zone) 1.9 75.5 41.4 11.1 6.73 11.25 12.59
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Trial results Plant growth traits at Dookie high EM in 2017

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# Screenings (%) Test weight (kg/hL) TGW (g) Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Cereal tillers (tillers/m2) Emergence plants (plants/m2) Dry matter (t/ha) Dry matter (t/ha)
1 Nil N (High EM) 1.5 78.6 42.2 10.2 3.59 378 156 7.9 9.69
1 40 N (High EM) 1.5 78.3 41 10.5 3.77 386 168 8.14 10.24
1 80 N (High EM) 1.3 78.2 39.5 11.6 4.36 361 - 9.23 10.76
1 120 N (High EM) 1.2 78.2 40 11.5 4.59 380 - 8.42 10.72
2 160 N (High EM) 1.4 77.5 38.1 12.5 4.42 416 - 9.42 11.62
2 NDVI 1 (80N) (High EM) 1.4 78.3 39.3 11.5 4.47 - - 9.36 11.16
2 NDVI 2 (80N) (High EM) 1.4 78.5 41.3 11.3 4.19 - - 9.17 10.84
2 120 N (N rich) (High EM) 1.5 78.1 39.8 10.9 3.91 405 163 9.52 11.91
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Trial results Plant growth traits at Dookie low EM in 2017

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# 1000 grain weight (g) Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Test weight (kg/hL) Cereal tillers (tillers/m2) Establishment plants (plants/m2) Screenings (%) Dry matter (t/ha) Dry matter (t/ha)
1 Nil N (Low EM) 36.4 11.9 3.31 76.3 377 163 1.8 5.86 7.19
1 40 N (Low EM) 34.4 13.5 3.37 73.9 398 164 2 6.65 8.66
1 80 N (Low EM) 34.6 14 3.25 75.6 402 - 1.8 6.46 7.61
2 120 N (Low EM) 30.9 14.7 3.8 73.4 404 - 3.4 6.14 8.09
2 160 N (Low EM) 31.5 14.1 3.74 76.2 422 - 2.1 6.72 8.59
2 NDVI 1 (100N) (Low EM) 33.6 14.6 3.76 75.4 - - 1.9 6.39 8.53
3 NDVI 2 (100N) (Low EM) 35.3 13.7 3.85 75.6 - - 1.6 6.6 9.22
3 120 N (N rich) (Low EM) 32.5 14.5 3.82 74.8 427 170 2.3 7.16 9.98
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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Yarrawonga, VIC 0 - 60cm 129.40
Yarrawonga, VIC 0 - 60cm 120.80
Dookie, VIC 0 - 60cm 205.50
Dookie, VIC 0 - 60cm 181.70
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Dookie, VIC Not specified
Dookie, VIC Not specified
Yarrawonga, VIC Not specified
Yarrawonga, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Dookie, VIC Sodosol
Dookie, VIC Sodosol
Yarrawonga, VIC Sodosol
Yarrawonga, VIC 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 Dookie VIC Dookie VIC Yarrawonga VIC Yarrawonga VIC
2017 494.3mm418.4mm288.9mm425.0mm
2016 485.2mm404.6mm315.8mm452.7mm
2015 442.5mm359.9mm274.2mm411.0mm
2014 455.0mm373.1mm257.5mm395.2mm
2013 462.2mm373.1mm258.7mm389.6mm
2012 504.3mm415.9mm299.3mm413.5mm
2011 511.2mm419.8mm334.9mm421.0mm
2010 485.9mm402.8mm315.3mm379.0mm
2009 404.1mm326.6mm217.6mm287.3mm
2008 458.8mm379.9mm239.1mm302.8mm
2007 439.2mm368.9mm234.3mm295.5mm
2006 447.9mm382.0mm258.8mm305.1mm
2005 472.6mm411.2mm316.9mm365.7mm
2004 420.1mm366.3mm296.7mm347.8mm
2003 433.6mm393.9mm348.7mm376.7mm
2002 423.4mm382.2mm313.1mm356.8mm
2001 497.4mm453.8mm341.3mm390.2mm
2000 473.1mm443.5mm362.0mm422.4mm
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

Dookie VIC 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 281mm

Dookie VIC 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 281mm

Yarrawonga VIC 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 270mm

Yarrawonga VIC 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 270mm

Derived climate information

Dookie VIC

Dookie VIC

Yarrawonga VIC

Yarrawonga VIC

Dookie VIC

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Dookie VIC

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Yarrawonga VIC

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Yarrawonga VIC

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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: 28-11-2019 11:58am AEST