UNDERSTANDING PRODUCTION BENEFITS OF CLAY INCORPORATION AND THE ROLE OF ORGANIC MATTER IN SANDY SOILS

2014
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) David Davenport (Rural Solutions SA)
Melissa Fraser (Rural Solutions SA)
Amanda Schapel (Rural Solutions SA)
Rebecca Tonkin (Rural Solutions SA)
Contact email Melissa.Fraser@sa.gov.au
Year(s) 2014
Contributor MacKillop Farm Management Group
Trial location(s) Sherwood, SA
Wolseley, SA
UNDERSTANDING PRODUCTION BENEFITS OF CLAY INCORPORATION AND THE ROLE OF ORGANIC MATTER IN SANDY SOILS locations
Aims

To gain an understanding of production benefits of clay incorporation and the role of organic matter in sandy soils. 

Key messages

Spading alone and the addition of more clay did not appear to increase growth in this year. This would suggest that non-wetting and soil compaction were not major constraints affecting this site. The incorporation of organic matter combined with clay did, however, provide large increases to both dry matter and yield. The incorporation of organic matter provides a large nutrient benefit, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. However, nutrients applied by the landholder should have been adequate to meet the yields delivered. Clay addition would have provided more than enough potassium.

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 Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Preparation: Tillage
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type
Trial design

Sherwood 2014

Sow date varied - please see report
Harvest date varied - please see report
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Wolseley 2014

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
Sherwood, SA Not specified
Wolseley, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Sherwood, SA Sodosol
Wolseley, SA 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 Sherwood SA Wolseley SA
2014 369.7mm498.4mm
2013 407.6mm506.3mm
2012 401.4mm532.6mm
2011 459.3mm551.6mm
2010 428.2mm574.9mm
2009 364.8mm556.1mm
2008 356.2mm535.0mm
2007 403.7mm558.7mm
2006 395.8mm535.6mm
2005 422.5mm496.3mm
2004 427.4mm486.0mm
2003 425.1mm535.2mm
2002 350.5mm530.4mm
2001 343.9mm570.7mm
2000 367.8mm612.7mm
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.

Sherwood SA

Wolseley SA

Sherwood SA

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Wolseley 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 last modified: 03-12-2021 10:22am AEST