Characterising water limited yield potential in calcareous soils of upper Eyre Peninsula

2019

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Fabio Arsego
Contact email Fabio.Arsego@sa.gov.au
Contact phone 0401653389
Year(s) 2019
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Cungena, SA
Minnipa, SA
Streaky Bay, SA
Related trials
Characterising water limited yield potential in calcareous soils of upper Eyre Peninsula locations
Aims

On the upper Eyre Peninsula (UEP), highly calcareous soils constitute a high proportion (more than 1 million hectares) of soils used for agricultural production (Bertrand et al. 2000, Bertrand et al. 2003). The website ‘Yield Gap Australia’ (http://yieldgapaustralia.com.au/maps/) identifies that the average grain yield on Western Eyre Peninsula (WEP) and UEP is between 41 and 45% of the water limited yield potential (1.5 t/ha for WEP and 1.8 t/ha for UEP). Closing the grain yield gap for wheat on UEP presents a challenge to growers, particularly on highly calcareous soils where nutrient deficiencies are common (Holloway et al. 2001). The production of insoluble minerals through the interaction of soil calcium carbonate with soluble nutrients such as phosphorous and trace elements (Holloway et al. 2001), combined with low soil moisture conditions prevents these nutrients from being readily available to the plant (Lombi et al. 2004). Holloway et al. (1999-2003) demonstrated the possibility of providing phosphorus (P) to the plant in an available form by applying fluid P fertilisers instead of granular fertilisers at seeding.

 

The majority of landholders in Australia, including the western and upper Eyre Peninsula currently use granular fertilisers which require good soil moisture conditions to enable uptake of nutrients by crops. Growers and advisors have noted that highly calcareous top soils dry out quickly after rainfall events, which may contribute to poor water use and nutrient extraction efficiency, and may also be a reason why diseases such as Rhizoctonia solani have greater impact in these soils. In addition, as a risk management strategy, growers often apply lower rates of nutrients than required to achieve the water limiting yield potential (Sadras and Roget 2004, Monjardino et al. 2013). A better understanding of soil moisture, root disease and factors which influence nutrient availability and the efficacy of fertilisers are needed to increase the water limited yield potential of the highly calcareous soils (McLaughlin et al. 2013).

 

Field trials were conducted in 2019 to investigate these factors on the nutrition of wheat on highly calcareous soils.

Key messages

 

  • Current standard practices of 50 kg/ha DAP or 50 kg/ha MAP balanced with urea below the seed provides adequate P nutrition.
  • With adequate soil moisture, no large differences in grain yield were observed in 2019 at Streaky Bay with different granular fertiliser treatments.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source SARDI DAS00157
Trial funding source GRDC DAS00157
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This project was part of the strategic partnership between SARDI and GRDC (scoping study DAS00157). Special thanks to Matthew Cook, Myles Tomney and Phil Wheaton and families for providing the field trial sites. Thank you to Katrina Brands, Steve Jeffs and Bradley Hutchings for their collaboration with field activities. Thank you to Nigel Wilhelm and Amanda Cook for feedback and suggestions throughout the season.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
  • Soil Properties: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Cungena 2019

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Minnipa 2019

Sow date 6 May 2019 6th may 2019
Harvest date Unknown
Plot size 12m x 2m
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking Random
Plot randomisation Random blocks
Fertiliser

DAP 

MAP 

P

Streaky Bay 2019

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser 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
Cungena, SA Not specified
Minnipa, SA Red sandy loam
Streaky Bay, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Cungena, SA Calcarosol
Minnipa, SA Calcarosol
Streaky Bay, SA
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 Cungena SA Minnipa SA Streaky Bay SA
2019 129.1mm274.8mm94.7mm
2018 148.0mm293.5mm105.3mm
2017 148.0mm323.8mm110.0mm
2016 146.9mm315.3mm123.8mm
2015 109.6mm289.3mm94.2mm
2014 146.9mm336.5mm119.5mm
2013 126.1mm290.8mm104.9mm
2012 118.2mm330.8mm99.4mm
2011 147.6mm383.4mm122.5mm
2010 142.4mm385.3mm108.5mm
2009 158.1mm391.3mm120.8mm
2008 126.1mm330.4mm103.0mm
2007 109.4mm331.2mm82.1mm
2006 141.9mm334.5mm94.0mm
2005 133.9mm288.0mm105.3mm
2004 134.2mm296.1mm107.8mm
2003 132.8mm293.2mm111.2mm
2002 106.0mm283.3mm96.4mm
2001 124.7mm343.9mm101.9mm
2000 129.5mm389.0mm105.1mm
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

Loading

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.

Cungena SA

Minnipa SA

Streaky Bay SA

Cungena SA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Minnipa SA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Streaky Bay SA

Loading
Loading
Loading

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

2019 trial report



Trial last modified: 19-05-2023 14:24pm AEST