Researcher(s) |
Fabio Arsego |
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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 |
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.
Lead research organisation | N/A |
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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 |
Crop type | Cereal (Grain): Wheat |
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Treatment type(s) |
|
Trial type | Experimental |
Trial design | Replicated |
Sow date | Not specified |
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Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Plot blocking | Not specified |
Plot randomisation | Not specified |
Fertiliser | Not specified |
Sow date | 6 May 2019 6th may 2019 |
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Harvest date | Unknown |
Plot size | 12m x 2m |
Plot replication | 3 |
Plot blocking | Random |
Plot randomisation | Random blocks |
Fertiliser |
DAP MAP P |
Sow date | Not specified |
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Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Plot blocking | Not specified |
Plot randomisation | Not specified |
Fertiliser | Not specified |
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.