Improving the performances of pulses on acidic soils of the high rainfall zone of south eastern Australia

2017
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) Helen Burns (NSW DPI)
Mark Norton (NSW DPI)
Year(s) 2017
Contributor MacKillop Farm Management Group
Trial location(s) Wickliffe, VIC
Improving the performances of pulses on acidic soils of the high rainfall zone of south eastern Australia locations
Aims

Aimed at identifying factors limiting the production and nitrogen fixation of pulse crops grown on acidic soils in the high rainfall zone (HRZ) grain production regions of south eastern Australia with a long-term average annual rainfall above 500 mm.

Key messages

• Most legumes favour pHCa > 5.0 to a depth of at least 20 cm; acidic layers below 5 cm adversely affect root growth, nodulation, plant vigour and N2 fixation potential of acid-sensitive pulses.
• Ineffective incorporation of lime under minimum tillage systems confines the lime effect to the shallow surface layers (0-5 cm).
• An ‘acid throttle’ located between 5 to 20 cm in the soil profile is not detected using soil samples collected at standard depths of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm, finer sampling at 5 cm intervals is recommended to detect acidic layers.
• Apply and incorporate adequate rates of fine grade, high quality lime at least 12 months before sowing acid-sensitive species to allow time for the lime to react and increase pH to the depth of incorporation.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

• The contribution of the 21 growers participating in this project is greatly appreciated.
• Amanda Pearce, Senior Research Scientist (SARDI), conducted field assessment and sampling at the SA sites.


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

Method

Crop type Grain Legume: Faba beans
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Wickliffe 2017

Sow date varied - please see report
Harvest date varied - please see report
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
Wickliffe, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Wickliffe, 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 Wickliffe VIC
2017 555.1mm
2016 556.6mm
2015 511.9mm
2014 548.5mm
2013 574.2mm
2012 593.6mm
2011 639.4mm
2010 681.4mm
2009 621.2mm
2008 569.4mm
2007 556.6mm
2006 546.9mm
2005 589.4mm
2004 605.9mm
2003 607.6mm
2002 607.7mm
2001 617.4mm
2000 586.3mm
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.

Wickliffe 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 last modified: 23-11-2021 13:29pm AEST