Preston P-Rate trial

2017 - 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
Dan Fay
Philip Honey
Year(s) 2017 - 2020
Contributor Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Trial location(s) Cranbrook, WA
Preston P-Rate trial locations
Aims

This project looked at the long-term effect of P rates on crop production in the APZ. 


 

Key messages

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Insufficient plant-available P, ultimately results in reduced yield. 

Crops, particularly cereals require a high amount of P for crop production, and P can often be depleted over time if optimal rates are not applied. Given P is an immobile nutrient historical application rates can bank P within the soil profile. 

Variable rates of starter fert were applied over a 4 year period, to assess the cumulative yield effect and P balance, to determine an optimal rate for crop production.

The control rate of 100kg/ha of MAPSZC:MOP (15.8kg/ha P), produced identical cumulative yields across the time span of the project to the 140kg/ha luxury rate. 

The 80kg/ha application provided sufficient P levels to maintain the phosphorus balance for cumulative yields achieved since 2017. However lower P rates will consume stored soil P reserves. 

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
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 Oilseed: Canola Cereal (Grain): Barley Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Blocked

Cranbrook 2017 Canola

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

This trial focused on variable P rates, variable rates of starter ferterliser were applied. 

Fert applied: Mapszc/MOP 80:20.

Rates applied were 40kg/ha- N 3.7, P 6.3, K 4, S 2.6

60kg/ha- N 5.6, P 9.5, K 6, S 3.9

80kg/ha N 7.4, P 12.7, K 8, S 5.2

100kg/ha N 9.3, P15.8, K10, S 6.5

120kg/ha N 11.1, P19, K12, S7.8

140kg/ha N 13, P 22, K14, S 9.2

Cranbrook 2018 Barley

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

This trial focused on variable P rates, variable rates of starter ferterliser were applied. 

Fert applied: Mapszc/MOP 80:20.

Rates applied:

40kg/ha- N 3.7, P 6.3, K 4, S 2.6

60kg/ha- N 5.6, P 9.5, K 6, S 3.9

80kg/ha N 7.4, P 12.7, K 8, S 5.2

100kg/ha N 9.3, P15.8, K10, S 6.5

120kg/ha N 11.1, P19, K12, S7.8

140kg/ha N 13, P 22, K14, S 9.2

Cranbrook 2019 Canola

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

This trial focused on variable P rates, variable rates of starter ferterliser were applied. 

Fert applied: Mapszc/MOP 80:20.

Rates applied:

40kg/ha- N 3.7, P 6.3, K 4, S 2.6

60kg/ha- N 5.6, P 9.5, K 6, S 3.9

80kg/ha N 7.4, P 12.7, K 8, S 5.2

100kg/ha N 9.3, P15.8, K10, S 6.5

120kg/ha N 11.1, P19, K12, S7.8

140kg/ha N 13, P 22, K14, S 9.2

Cranbrook 2020 Wheat

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

This trial focused on variable P rates, variable rates of starter ferterliser were applied. 

Fert applied: Mapszc/MOP 80:20.

Rates applied:

40kg/ha- N 3.7, P 6.3, K 4, S 2.6

60kg/ha- N 5.6, P 9.5, K 6, S 3.9

80kg/ha N 7.4, P 12.7, K 8, S 5.2

100kg/ha N 9.3, P15.8, K10, S 6.5

120kg/ha N 11.1, P19, K12, S7.8

140kg/ha N 13, P 22, K14, S 9.2

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Yields in response to P-rate

# Variety
Treatment 1
Growing season Crop type

Grain yield t/ha


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Trial results Phosphorus Balance

# Variety
Treatment 1
Trial site

Cumulative P removal kg/ha


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cumulative Yield t/ha


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P balance kg/ha


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P units applied kg/ha


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Trial report and links

Preston P Rate Trial Results



Trial last modified: 17-05-2023 12:26pm AEST