Returns form ameliorating subsoil compaction and subsoil acidity

2019 - 2020
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources
Stirlings to Coast Farmers inc. <abbr title='National Landcare Programme'>NLP</abbr>

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nathan Dovey
Year(s) 2019 - 2020
Contributor Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial location(s) Takalarup, WA
Returns form ameliorating subsoil compaction and subsoil acidity locations
Aims

The aim of this trial is to evaluate and analyse the effect of deep ripping with inclusion plates on moving surface-applied lime into acidic sub-soil of deep sandy duplex. Additionally, this trial tested farm-sourced lime against commercial grade lime. 

 

 

Key messages

In 2019 ameliorating subsoil compaction and improving subsoil acidity improved barley yields by >1t/ha. 

Subsoil pH changes were observed in the first year of the trial where inclusion plates were used. 

Subsoil pH did not change where surface lime was applied, but inclusion plates were not used to invert the application. 

On-Farm sourced lime performed to equally to commercial lime when adjusted to neutralising value percentage (NV%). 

In 2020 all treatments yielded significantly better than the UTC. including ripping alone where no lime was applied. highlighting the benefits of amelioration of subsoil compaction. 

There was no benefit resulting from commercial lime compared to farm-sourced lime when adjusted to achieve the same neutralising value, however much higher rates of farm sourced lime was needed to achieve this value. 

 

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial funding source Stirlings to Coast Farmers inc.
Trial funding source NLP
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Cereal (Grain): Barley Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement
  • Soil Improvement: Rate
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Takalarup 2019 Barley

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Soil amelioration

The amelioration techniques used in this trial were the following:

Deep Rip: No Lime

Deep Rip + 5 t/ha Commercial Lime

Deep Rip + 12 t/ha On Farm Lime

Nil Rip + Commercial Lime

 

Takalarup 2019 Canola

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Takalarup 2020 Barley

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Takalarup 2020 Canola

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Soil amelioration

The amelioration techniques used in this trial were the following:

Deep Rip: No Lime

Deep Rip + 5 t/ha Commercial Lime

Deep Rip + 12 t/ha On Farm Lime

Nil Rip + Commercial Lime

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results pH (CaCl2) in response to amelioration

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Growing season Trial site pH CaCl2 (pH)
1 Conrol 0-10cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 4.75
2 Deep rip, nil lime 0-10cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 4.55
3 Deep rip, 12t/ha farmer lime 0-10cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 6.15
4 Deep rip- 5t/ha Commercial lime 0-10cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 6.4
5 Nil rip, 5t/ha Commercial lime 0-10cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 6.35
6 Deep rip, nil lime 10-30cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 4.3
7 Deep rip + 5t/ha Commercial lime 10-30cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 6.15
8 Deep rip + 12t/ha Farmer lime 10-30cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 5.25
9 Nil rip + 5t/ha Commercial lime 10-30cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 4.4
10 Control 10-30cm 2019 Takalarup (WA) 4.2

pH CaCl2 pH


Loading

Trial results Harvest yields in response to amelioration

# Treatment 1
Growing season Trial site Crop type Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Deep rip, nil lime 2019 Takalarup (WA) Barley 4.93
2 Deep rip + 5t/ha Commercial lime 2019 Takalarup (WA) Barley 4.4
3 Deep rip + 12t/ha Farmer lime 2019 Takalarup (WA) Barley 5.23
4 Nil rip + 5t/ha Commercial lime 2019 Takalarup (WA) Barley 4.29
5 Nil Rip- Nil Lime 2019 Takalarup (WA) Barley 5.49
6 Deep rip, nil lime 2020 Takalarup (WA) Canola 2.46
7 Deep rip + 5t/ha Commercial lime 2020 Takalarup (WA) Canola 2.51
8 Deep rip + 12t/ha Farmer lime 2020 Takalarup (WA) Canola 2.47
9 Nil rip + 5t/ha Commercial lime 2020 Takalarup (WA) Canola 2.37
10 Nil Rip- Nil Lime 2020 Takalarup (WA) Canola 1.95

Grain yield t/ha


Loading

Trial report and links

2019 trial report



Trial last modified: 17-05-2023 12:08pm AEST