Cropping: using legumes to improve nitrogen efficiency

2016 - 2018

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Jenny Stanton (Agbyte)
Leighton Wilksch (Agbyte)
Year(s) 2016 - 2018
Contributor Primary Industries and Regions SA
Trial location(s) MacGillivray, SA
Cropping: using legumes to improve nitrogen efficiency locations
Aims

To evaulate the nitrogen fixing capacity of various legume species grown on Kangaroo Island.

Key messages
  • All the legumes sown - peas, lupins, sub clover and faba beans - were equal in terms of their nitrogen-fixing capabilities, reflecting the importance of having well nodulated legumes.
  • The average amount of N fixed by the legumes was calculated at approx. 86kg/ha.
  • In year 2, this residual N gave rise to a approx. 1 t/ha canola yield advantage.
  • In yera 3, no differences in residual nitrogen from legumes were measured.
  • Linseed extracted more moisture, from a greater depth, than the faba beans in the same year and all subsequent crops - canola and oats.
  • The linseed was able to dry the soil profile in a decile 10 year (812mm rainfall). This is a potential solution for farmers wanting to dry out their soil profile.
  • Two years after growing linseed, soil moisture levels were even.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source SAGIT
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Funding/Sponsors:

  • South Australia Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT) funding administered by AgKI.
  • Thanks to the Stantons for providing the trial site, seed and spraying.

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

Method

Crop types Grain Legume: Faba beans Forage: Oats Pasture: Clover Forage: Pea Oilseed: Canola Oilseed: Linseed Grain Legume: Lupins
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

MacGillivray 2016 Faba beans

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
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MacGillivray 2016 Oats

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MacGillivray 2016 Clover

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MacGillivray 2016 Pea

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MacGillivray 2016 Canola

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2016 Linseed

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2016 Lupins

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MacGillivray 2017 Oats

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MacGillivray 2017 Clover

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2017 Pea

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2017 Canola

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MacGillivray 2017 Linseed

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2017 Faba beans

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2017 Lupins

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2018 Oats

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MacGillivray 2018 Clover

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MacGillivray 2018 Pea

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MacGillivray 2018 Canola

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2018 Linseed

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2018 Faba beans

Sow date Not specified
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MacGillivray 2018 Lupins

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
MacGillivray, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
MacGillivray, SA Tenosol
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 MacGillivray SA
2018 299.8mm
2017 339.7mm
2016 330.2mm
2015 278.2mm
2014 334.2mm
2013 329.9mm
2012 310.8mm
2011 329.3mm
2010 321.0mm
2009 333.0mm
2008 313.4mm
2007 285.7mm
2006 330.2mm
2005 317.1mm
2004 326.2mm
2003 350.3mm
2002 317.1mm
2001 343.6mm
2000 348.2mm
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

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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.

MacGillivray 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 last modified: 23-12-2022 14:18pm AEST