Researcher(s) |
Fabio Arsego (SARDI) Helena Oakey (Uni of Adelaide) Andrew Ware (SARDI) |
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Year(s) | 2019 |
Contributor | SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre |
Trial location(s) |
Condada, SA
Cungena, SA Streaky Bay, SA |
Related trials |
This research was done to develop predictive formulas that can be used by growers to estimate in-season soil nutrients from soil samples taken at different depths and crop nutrient content from proximal sensing (PS) data.
The upper Eyre Peninsula (UEP) is a challenging environment for growers, due to the irregular rainfall patterns which are coupled with lower soil fertility. Additionally, calcareous soils with poor structure and low water holding capacity provide additional restrictions for plant growth, as growers currently use granular fertilisers which require good soil moisture conditions to enable the uptake of nutrients. Topsoils from calcareous soils may dry quickly after rain events, which may explain poor water use and nutrient extraction efficiency.
PS technologies have the potential to support grower’s nutrient management decisions by monitoring in-season soil and crop water and nutrient content (Allen et al. 2017, Arsego et al. 2017). PS uses a wide range of wavelengths to predict soil and crop nutritional status in a non-destructive, quick, and inexpensive way. PS technology is mostly limited to laboratory use. The development of small, portable PS devices may allow the use of this technology in farm paddocks in the near future. In this study, we combined different UEP trials to develop predictive models for PS for crop nitrogen, crop nutrient content and soil moisture.
Lead research organisation |
South Australian Research and Development Institute |
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Host research organisation | N/A |
Trial funding source | GRDC DAS00165 |
Related program | N/A |
Acknowledgments |
This project was part of the bilateral investment initiative between SARDI and GRDC (scope study DAS00165). Special thanks to Douglas Green, Stuart Modra, Ian Burrows, John Montgomerie, Tim Howard, Phil Wheaton, Matthew Cook, Myles Tomney, Matthew Cook, MAC and families for providing the location of field trials. Thank you to all growers who are part of the EPARF soil moisture probe network for letting us sample soils and crops. Thank you to Katrina Brands and Steve Jeffs for their collaboration with field activities. Thank you to Amanda Cook and Nigel Wilhelm 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 | Randomised,Replicated,Blocked |
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 | 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 Multiple - please see report |
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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 Urea |
Rainfall avg ann (mm) | 325mm |
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Rainfall avg gsr (mm) | 241mm |
Rainfall trial total (mm) | 269mm |
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) | 208mm |
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.