Optimising timing and rate of nitrogen application in waterlogging conditions in the Esperance Port Zone

2018 - 2020
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding sources
<abbr title='Grains Research and Development Corporation'>GRDC</abbr> Trial Host

Trial details

Researcher(s) N/A
Contact email eo@sepwa.org.au
Contact phone 0447908311
Year(s) 2018 - 2020
Contributor South East Premium Wheat Growers Association
Trial location(s) Condingup, WA
Condingup, WA
Gibson, WA
Gibson, WA
Hopetoun, WA
Jerdacuttup, WA
Optimising timing and rate of nitrogen application in waterlogging conditions in the Esperance Port Zone locations
Aims

This project aims to enable growers to make timely and efficient nitrogen decisions in the Esperance port zone by having a rule of thumb around the cost/benefit of feeding N to crops on waterlogged soils.

Key messages

2018 Season

  • At Speddingup, yield of late sown Scepter wheat was highest (3.6 tonnes/ha) in treatment strips that received a 100L top-up of Flexi-N at early stem elongation in early September following a period of waterlogging in August. Yield was lowest (3.4 tonnes/ha) in the treatment to which all nitrogen was applied up front at seeding.
  • At Condingup, mid-May sown Scepter wheat yield and grain protein increased as nitrogen application increased, with the Playing the Season treatment seeing the highest (8.4 tonnes/ha) and the Farmer Practice treatment seeing the lowest (6.9 tonnes/ha).
  • Moderation of nitrogen applied up front provided the host grower at the Speddingup demonstration site with an opportunity to tailor nitrogen applications to the potential of the season and to address waterlogging issues faced during the season.
  • The addition of extra nitrogen following waterlogging at the Condingup demonstration site resulted in improved yield and financial return (after nitrogen input costs had been deducted).
  • Applications at stem elongation at Speddingup and as late as full flag leaf to head emergence at Condingup were able to provide yield with an associated positive effect on grain protein.

2019 Season

  • There was no statistically significant difference in Scepter wheat grain yield or protein between the nitrogen application regimes applied at the Jerdacuttup, Speddingup and Condingup demonstration sites, despite there being a difference in the rate of nitrogen and timing of application. Each of these sites experienced below average rainfall in 2019 and no waterlogging occurred. Crops at Jerdacuttup and Speddingup were also affected by frost.
  • Despite dry growing conditions and exposure to a significant frost in September, Scepter wheat replicates that received the highest rate of nitrogen were the most profitable at the Jerdacuttup demonstration site. The margin between the most profitable and the least profitable treatment was $79/ha while the difference in nitrogen rate applied between these was 54.9kg/ha.
  • The difference between gross income achieved from each of the 4 treatments applied at the Speddingup demonstration site was very small but the variation in input costs did affect profitability. The most profitable treatment was the ‘Farmer Practice’ treatment as it had the lowest fertiliser input cost with little yield or grain quality penalty. The ‘Regular Intervals’ treatment was the least profitable of the nitrogen treatments as the input and application costs were highest. Conditions were too dry for the crop to utilize the additional applied nitrogen in this treatment. The difference between these 2 treatments was $72/ha.
  • Grain price varied by only $0 to $10/t between nitrogen treatments at the Condingup demonstration site. The most profitable treatment was the ‘Playing the Season’ treatment, with the highest rate of nitrogen applied and the latest application date when the crop was at growth stage Z24/32-33; just prior to flag leaf emergence. The ‘Farmer Practice’ treatment was the next most profitable of those applied, the difference being $29/ha, followed by the ‘All Up Front’ treatment with a margin of $31/ha. The difference between the most profitable and least profitable treatment was $60/ha.
Lead research organisation South East Premium Wheat Growers Association
Host research organisation Grains Research and Development Corporation
Trial funding source GRDC 9176054
Trial funding source Trial Host
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

SEPWA would like to thank the following,

  • Farm and General 
  • Summit Fertilizer
  • Mick Liebeck 
  • Warrakirri Cropping
  • Stott Redman

Without their generous contribution or support, the project would not have been implemented or successful. 


Other trial partners Farm and General, Summit Fertilizers
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Adverse Effects Management: Waterlogging
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Fertiliser: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated

Condingup 2018

Sowing machinery

Air seeder with knife points and press wheels 

Sow date 10 May 2018 10th of May 2018
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 2
Fertiliser

“Farmer Practice”

  • UAN - 50L/ha applied at seeding, 10th May 2018
  • Urea/Plus – 150kg/ha applied 20th June 2018
  • Urea – 100kg/ha applied 28th July 2018
  • Urea – 50kg/ha applied by plane 13th August 2018

“More Up Front”

  • UAN - 80L/ha applied at seeding, 10th May 2018
  • Urea/Plus – 150kg/ha applied 20th June 2018
  • Urea – 100kg/ha applied 21st June 2018
  • Urea – 50kg/ha applied by plane 13th August 2018

“Playing the Season”

  • UAN - 50L/ha applied at seeding, 10th May 2018
Tillage Only at seeding
Other trial notes

In 2018, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced significantly low rainfall for the growing season. Rainfall for the Janurary to September period in 2018 was 197.2 mm compared to 471.8 mm in 2017. This lead to the trial site being abandoned for the 2018 season. 

In 2019, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced a significant frost on the 6th of Spetember which is highly irregular for the region. On the same date there was a moderate frost at the Speddingup trial site. 

Condingup 2019

Sowing machinery

Air seeder with knife points and press wheels 

Sow date 17 May 2019 17th of May 2019
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

"Farmer Practice" 

  • 100kg/ha of MAP and 50L/ha of UAN at seeding, on the 17th May 2019.
  • 150 kg/ha Urea Plus applied on the 4th of July 2019.
  • 100 kg/ha Urea applied on the 5th of August 2019. 

"All Up Front"

  • 100kg/ha of MAP and 100L/ha of UAN at seeding, on the 17th May 2019.
  • 100 kg/ha Urea applied on the 20th of June 2019. 
  • 150 kg/ha Urea Plus applied on the 4th of July 2019.

"Playing the Season" 

  • 100kg/ha of MAP and 50L/ha of UAN at seeding, on the 17th May 2019.
  • 60 kg/ha Urea applied on the 20th of June 2019.&
Tillage Only at seeding
Other trial notes

In 2018, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced significantly low rainfall for the growing season. Rainfall for the Janurary to September period in 2018 was 197.2 mm compared to 471.8 mm in 2017. This lead to the trial site being abandoned for the 2018 season. 

In 2019, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced a significant frost on the 6th of Spetember which is highly irregular for the region. On the same date there was a moderate frost at the Speddingup trial site. 

Gibson 2018

Sowing machinery

Air seeder with knife points and press wheels 

Sow date 27 June 2018 27th of June 2018
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 2
Fertiliser

All treatment strips at the demonstration site received 100kg/ha of K-Till Extra at seeding, on the 27th June 2018, coupled with the following Flexi N application regime:

  • 50L on 27th June + 50L on 7 th September (from here on in called 50 + 50). This treatment constituted ‘Usual Farmer Practice.’
  • 100L on 27th June + 0 for rest of growing season (from here on in called 100 + 0). This treatment constituted ‘All Up Front.’
  • 50L on 27th June + 100L on 7 th September (from here on in called 50 + 100). This treatment constituted ‘Playing the Season.’
  • 100L on 27th June + 100L on 7 th September (from here on in called 100 + 100). This treatment constituted ‘Playing the Season.’
Tillage Only at seeding
Other trial notes

In 2018, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced significantly low rainfall for the growing season. Rainfall for the Janurary to September period in 2018 was 197.2 mm compared to 471.8 mm in 2017. This lead to the trial site being abandoned for the 2018 season. 

In 2019, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced a significant frost on the 6th of Spetember which is highly irregular for the region. On the same date there was a moderate frost at the Speddingup trial site. 

Gibson 2019

Sowing machinery

Air seeder with knife points and press wheels 

Sow date 15 June 2019 15th of June 2019
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 2
Fertiliser

"Farmer Practice"

  • 50L/ha Flexi N + K-Till Xtra 100 kg/ha applied at seeding on the 15th of June 2019. 
  • 130kg/ha of Urea/Mop blend applied on the 10th of July 2019. 

"All up front"

  • 50L/ha Flexi N + K-Till Xtra 100 kg/ha applied at seeding on the 15th of June 2019. 
  • 100L/ha Flexi-N with stream Jets applied on the 9th of July 2019. 
  • 130kg/ha of Urea/Mop blend applied on the 10th of July 2019. 

"Playing the Season"

  • 50L/ha Flexi N + K-Till Xtra 100 kg/ha applied at seeding on the 15th of June 2019. 
  • 130kg/ha of Urea/Mop ble
Tillage Only at seeding
Other trial notes

In 2018, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced significantly low rainfall for the growing season. Rainfall for the Janurary to September period in 2018 was 197.2 mm compared to 471.8 mm in 2017. This lead to the trial site being abandoned for the 2018 season. 

In 2019, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced a significant frost on the 6th of Spetember which is highly irregular for the region. On the same date there was a moderate frost at the Speddingup trial site. 

Hopetoun 2019

Sowing machinery

Air seeder with knife points and press wheels 

Sow date 30 April 2019 30th of April 2019
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

"All Up Front"

  • 80L Flexi N + K-Till Plus 110kg on the 30th of April 2019 at seeding.
  • 130L Flexi N applied on the 6th June 2019. 

"Farmer Practice"

  • 80L Flexi N + K-Till Plus 110kg on the 30th of April 2019 at seeding.
  • 110L Flexi N applied on the 27th of June 2019. 

"Playing the Season"

  • 80L Flexi N + K-Till Plus 110kg on the 30th of April 2019 at seeding.
  • No post emergent nitrogen was applied to the ‘Playing the Season’ replicates in response to the season’s low rainfall; the host grower and his agronomist preferring to pursue a ‘shut up s
Tillage Only at seeding
Other trial notes

In 2018, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced significantly low rainfall for the growing season. Rainfall for the Janurary to September period in 2018 was 197.2 mm compared to 471.8 mm in 2017. This lead to the trial site being abandoned for the 2018 season. 

In 2019, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced a significant frost on the 6th of Spetember which is highly irregular for the region. On the same date there was a moderate frost at the Speddingup trial site. 

Jerdacuttup 2020

Sowing machinery

Air seeder with knife points and press wheels

Sow date 28 April 2020 28th of April 2020
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

"Farmer Practice"

  • 80 L Flexi N + K-Till Plus 110 kg applied at seeding on the 28th of April 2020. 
  • 110 L Flexi N was applied on the 25th of June 2020. 

"All up front" 

  • 80 L Flexi N + K-Till Plus 110 kg applied at seeding on the 28th of April 2020.
  • 132 L Flexi N applied on the 28th of April 2020. 

"Playing the Season" 

  • 80 L Flexi N + K-Till Plus 110 kg applied at seeding on the 28th of April 2020. 
  • Due to the low rainfall early on, shut the gate strategy was taken. In hindisght with the late rains August through to October more units of nitro
Tillage Only at seeding
Other trial notes

In 2018, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced significantly low rainfall for the growing season. Rainfall for the Janurary to September period in 2018 was 197.2 mm compared to 471.8 mm in 2017. This lead to the trial site being abandoned for the 2018 season. 

In 2019, the Jerdacuttup trial site experianced a significant frost on the 6th of Spetember which is highly irregular for the region. On the same date there was a moderate frost at the Speddingup trial site. 

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
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Condingup, WA 0 - 10cm 4.70 0.09 17.00 151.00 18.00 15.00 1.51
Gibson, WA 0 - 10cm 5.10 0.10 13.00 31.00 5.00 7.00 0.79
Hopetoun, WA 0 - 10cm 5.60 0.05 26.00 30.00 12.00 1.00 0.50
Condingup, WA 0 - 10cm 5.90 0.13 18.00 297.00 14.00 6.00 1.04
Gibson, WA 0 - 10cm 5.10 0.08 31.00 76.00 21.00 2.00 0.90
Jerdacuttup, WA 0 - 10cm 5.10 0.08 29.00 108.00 13.00 1.00 1.38
Gibson, WA 10 - 20cm 5.80 0.05 25.00 51.00 0.00 0.00 0.35
Hopetoun, WA 10 - 25cm 6.60 0.03 21.00 26.00 2.00 0.00 0.14
Condingup, WA 10 - 30cm 6.80 0.16 4.00 379.00 7.00 0.00 0.71
Condingup, WA 10 - 30cm 7.60 0.15 5.00 260.00 4.00 0.00 0.48
Jerdacuttup, WA 10 - 30cm 6.00 0.05 1.00 93.00 3.00 1.00 0.23
Gibson, WA 10 - 40cm 5.40 0.08 17.00 19.00 2.00 1.00 0.26
Gibson, WA 20 - 40cm 7.60 0.35 5.00 833.00 3.00 0.00 0.31
Hopetoun, WA 25 - 60cm 6.40 0.05 1.00 59.00 4.00 0.00 0.10
Jerdacuttup, WA 30 - 50cm 5.90 0.16 1.00 111.00 3.00 0.00 0.17
Condingup, WA 30 - 80cm 7.60 0.18 1.00 210.00 6.00 0.00 0.34
Condingup, WA 30 - 90cm 8.10 0.19 3.00 347.00 2.00 0.00 0.30
Gibson, WA 40 - 60cm 8.40 0.58 1.00 821.00 1.00 0.00 0.11
Gibson, WA 40 - 90cm 6.70 0.17 1.00 390.00 5.00 0.00 0.25
Jerdacuttup, WA 50 - 70cm 6.40 0.30 1.00 196.00 3.00 0.00 0.17
Gibson, WA 60 - 80cm 8.50 0.64 1.00 862.00 3.00 0.00 0.10
Hopetoun, WA 60 - 90cm 6.80 0.12 1.00 275.00 4.00 0.00 0.12
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Condingup, WA Shallow sandy duplex
Condingup, WA Shallow sandy duplex
Gibson, WA Not specified
Gibson, WA Sand over clay
Hopetoun, WA Sand/loamy sand over gravel
Jerdacuttup, WA Sandy gravel
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Condingup, WA Calcarosol
Condingup, WA Calcarosol
Gibson, WA Sodosol
Gibson, WA Calcarosol
Hopetoun, WA Calcarosol
Jerdacuttup, WA Sodosol
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

Condingup WA 2018


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 570.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 550mm

Condingup WA 2019


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 570.2mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 427mm

Gibson WA 2018


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 504.5mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 316.2mm

Gibson WA 2019


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 504.5mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 229.4mm

Hopetoun WA 2019


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 482.4mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 306.8mm

Jerdacuttup WA 2020


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 430mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 500mm

Derived climate information

Condingup WA

Condingup WA

Gibson WA

Gibson WA

Hopetoun WA

Jerdacuttup WA

Condingup WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Condingup WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Gibson WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Gibson WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Hopetoun WA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Jerdacuttup WA

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

Optimising timing and rate of nitrogen application in waterlogging conditions in the Esperance Port Zone 2020 Annual Results Report

Optimising timing and rate of nitrogen application in waterlogging conditions in the Esperance Port Zone 2019 Annual Results Report

Event Date Type Effect
Drought

Jerdacuttup demonstration site was not exposed to waterlogging conditions during the growing season and it was agreed that data collection would cease at this location and resume in the 2019 growing season.

2018 Low rainfall N/A
Frost in Jerdacuttup

Jerdacuttup demonstration site experianed a significant forst event on the 6th of September, a very unusual occurence for the location. 

2019 Severe frost N/A
Frost in Speddingup

Speddingup demonstration site experianced a moderate frost on the 6th of September.

2019 Moderate frost N/A


Trial last modified: 15-06-2021 19:10pm AEST