Researcher(s) |
Chris Bluett (ACTFA) Peter Fisher (AgVic) Rebecca Mitchell (AgVic) Nigel Wilhelm (SARDI) |
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Year(s) | 2018 |
Contributor | SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre |
Trial location(s) |
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
|
Related trials |
This article summarises the first four years of crop performance after trafficking was imposed on a red calcareous sandy loam at Minnipa Agricultural Centre (a detailed summary of 2015, 2016 and 2017 results can be found in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Summaries, respectively). Three other trials similar in design and monitoring have also been implemented across the LRZ – on a deep sand at Loxton (SA), a brown loam near Swan Hill (Vic) and on a deep red earth at Lake Cargelligo (NSW). All these trials except Swan Hill (land ownership has changed) have been maintained for at least the five years of the project. A new trial was set up in 2018 to investigate the role of CTF on a deep sand which has been ameliorated with deep ripping.
Lead research organisation |
Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Association Inc. |
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Host research organisation |
SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre |
Trial funding source | GRDC ACT00004 |
Related program |
Application of CTF in the low rainfall zone |
Acknowledgments |
Thanks to MAC farm staff for the implementation and management of the R site and to Ian Richter, Brett Hay and Naomi Scholz for undertaking the monitoring of crop performance and soil condition. GRDC is the major funder of this project, which is managed by the Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Assocation. |
Other trial partners | Agriculture Victoria |
Crop type | Cereal (Grain): Wheat |
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Treatment type(s) |
|
Trial type | Experimental |
Trial design | Randomised,Replicated |
Sow rate or Target density | 75 kg/ha |
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Sowing machinery |
The original R trials were designed and implemented to be the same at all four sites. Each trial consists of 5 treatments replicated 4 times:
These passes were implemented in 2015 with 50% overlap of the load bearing wheels to ensure even coverage and were not be re-imposed.
The trafficking treatments simulate the effect of compaction caused by trafficking of heavy vehicles, with three passes when the soil is moist as an extreme (soil is always softer when wet so compac |
Sow date | 25 May 2018 |
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | 50m x 3m |
Plot replication | 4 |
Fertiliser |
70 kg/ha of Granulock Z (11:22 1% Zn). |
# |
Treatment 1
|
Establishment plants (plants/m2) | Shoot dry weight (t/ha) | Grain yield (t/ha) | Sowing depth (mm) (mm) | Anthesis biomass (t/ha) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | █ Control | 135 | 0.18 | 2.32 | 35 | 3.64 |
2 | █ Single trafficking on dry soil | 130 | 0.22 | 2.38 | 31 | 3.96 |
3 | █ Single trafficking on wet soil | 111 | 0.15 | 2.13 | 36 | 3.34 |
4 | █ Multi trafficking on wet soil | 118 | 0.14 | 2.19 | 39 | 3.09 |
5 | █ Ripping | 140 | 0.21 | 2.14 | 31 | 3.39 |
Rainfall avg ann (mm) | 325mm |
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Rainfall avg gsr (mm) | 242mm |
Rainfall trial total (mm) | 244mm |
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) | 186mm |
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.