Nationwide field survey for herbicide residues in soil

2015

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Mick Rose (NSW DPI)
Lukas Van Zweiten (NSW DPI)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor Department of Primary Industries NSW
Trial location(s) Southern NSW DPI offices, NSW
Further information View external link
Nationwide field survey for herbicide residues in soil locations
Aims

This report presents the results of a national field survey of herbicide residues in 40 cropping soils before sowing and pre-emergent herbicide application in 2015. It looks at the relevance of these residues to soil biological processes and crop health with a focus on those herbicides most frequently detected. 

Key messages
  • Growers need to be aware that glyphosate, trifluralin and diflufenican residues, plus the glyphosate metabolite AMPA, can accumulate to agronomically significant levels in certain soils.
  • These findings suggest that the current risk of damage to crops in NSW is minor compared with some sites in WA that have lower rainfall and sandy soils with low organic matter.
  • The risk to soil biological processes is generally minor when herbicides are used at label rates and given sufficient time to dissipate before re-application.
  • However, given the frequency of glyphosate application and the persistence of trifluralin and diflufenican, further research is needed to define site-specific critical thresholds for these chemicals to avoid potential negative effects on soil function and crop production.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAN00180
Trial funding source DPI NSW
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This research is part of the ‘Does increased herbicide use impact on key soil biological processes project’, DAN00180 2013–18, jointly funded by GRDC and NSW DPI. We acknowledge the generosity of all growers participating in this survey for support, access and information regarding on-farm herbicide use. Special thanks to Cindy Cassidy, Tony Pratt and Kellie Jones from Farmlink, NSW; Greg Butler from SANTFA, SA; Clare Johnston and Elly Wainwright from Liebe Group, WA; Sarah Hyde and Georgia Oliver from Facey Group, WA; and Ashley Webb, Annabelle McPherson, Clarence Mercer and Helen Burns, NSW DPI, for their invaluable assistance with soil sampling and liaison. Thank you also to Ken Lisha and Scott Petty, NSW DPI who provided excellent support in processing soil samples.


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

Method

Crop types Grain Legume: Lupins Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Herbicide: Type
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Article/commentary
Trial design Unknown

Southern NSW DPI offices 2015 Lupins

Sow date none specified
Harvest date none specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Southern NSW Research Results 2015, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/southern-nsw-research-results

Southern NSW DPI offices 2015 Wheat

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Southern NSW Research Results 2015, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/southern-nsw-research-results

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
Southern NSW DPI offices, NSW Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Southern NSW DPI offices, NSW Kurosol
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 Southern NSW DPI offices NSW
2015 316.4mm
2014 289.8mm
2013 294.4mm
2012 302.1mm
2011 318.6mm
2010 314.4mm
2009 295.1mm
2008 297.0mm
2007 311.2mm
2006 276.3mm
2005 301.7mm
2004 272.4mm
2003 286.9mm
2002 262.8mm
2001 314.1mm
2000 278.3mm
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.

Southern NSW DPI offices NSW

CAUTION: Trial site locality unknown; Climate data sourced from Department of Primary Industries NSW office location
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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: 20-10-2023 08:10am AEST