Overcoming constraints on sandy soils – amelioration strategies to boost crop production.

2015
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) Bret Bartel (Rural Solution SA)
David Davenport (Rural Solution SA)
Melissa Fraser (Rural Solution SA)
Nigel Wilhelm (SARDI)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor MacKillop Farm Management Group
Trial location(s) Brimpton Lake, SA
Cadgee, SA
Karoonda, SA
Overcoming constraints on sandy soils – amelioration strategies to boost crop production. locations
Aims

The aim of this research was to confirm that crop productivity can be substantially improved when subsoil chemical, physical and biological constraints in sandy soils are treated.

Key messages

• Crop productivity on infertile sandy soils can be greatly improved by incorporating organic matter deep into the soil (>30 cm).
• In some cases, crop yields are further boosted with the incorporation of clay and/or fertiliser to depth.
• Two years of recent research show that the best soil modification treatments can increase crop yields by 70 to 200 %, even in challenging seasons.
• Treatments that address multiple constraints in these soils provide greater benefit than those addressing individual issues.
• Crop yields are reduced when clay is poorly incorporated into the soil.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type None: No crop specified
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Type
  • Soil Improvement: Rate
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated,Blocked

Brimpton Lake 2015

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

Cadgee 2015

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

Karoonda 2015

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
Brimpton Lake, SA Not specified
Cadgee, SA Not specified
Karoonda, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Brimpton Lake, SA Tenosol
Cadgee, SA Sodosol
Karoonda, 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 Brimpton Lake SA Cadgee SA Karoonda SA
2015 455.0mm226.4mm183.6mm
2014 528.2mm276.5mm180.9mm
2013 509.0mm281.0mm181.6mm
2012 503.9mm298.5mm223.3mm
2011 526.0mm368.2mm276.9mm
2010 541.8mm301.4mm238.4mm
2009 524.6mm262.0mm183.8mm
2008 498.5mm193.4mm170.9mm
2007 485.5mm209.5mm195.6mm
2006 525.4mm227.6mm201.1mm
2005 521.1mm295.5mm234.8mm
2004 524.0mm291.8mm189.3mm
2003 526.4mm242.3mm197.3mm
2002 488.1mm180.8mm162.2mm
2001 526.5mm260.2mm176.9mm
2000 524.7mm296.2mm228.7mm
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.

Brimpton Lake SA

Cadgee SA

Karoonda SA

Brimpton Lake SA

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Cadgee SA

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

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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

2015 trial report



Trial last modified: 23-11-2021 13:43pm AEST