Researcher(s) |
Brett Masters |
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Contact email | brett.masters@gov.sa.au |
Year(s) | 2020 - 2022 |
Contributor | Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula |
Trial location(s) |
Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA, SA
|
Why do the trial?
There are around 5 million hectares of sandy soils under agricultural production in the low to medium rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia. These soils have multiple constraints limiting production including water repellence, soil acidity, compaction and low organic carbon levels leading to poor biological cycling and nitrogen mineralisation. Estimates of the yield gap (the difference between water limiting potential and average actual crop yield) are between 1.8 and 2.1 t/ha on Upper Eyre Peninsula and as much as 2.3 t/ha on Lower Eyre Peninsula (http://yieldgapaustralia.com .au/ maps/).
In 2016, GRDC invested in a research program to help grain growers identify and overcome the primary constraints to poor crop water-use on sandy soils in the low-medium rainfall environment (CSP00203). The 'Sands Impacts' component of this project enables grower groups to test outcomes from the research component by applying targeted mitigation and amelioration interventions to overcome production constraints.
• Production constraints on sandy soils can be overcome by mechanical intervention and the application of soil amendments, however, the response can vary between sites and years.
• Knowledge of soil characteristics throughout the profile is vital for identifying key production constraints and determining an appropriate and effective management strategy.
Lead research organisation |
CSIRO - Agriculture and Food |
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Host research organisation |
Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula |
Trial funding source | GRDC CSP00203 |
Related program |
Sandy soils in low and medium rainfall areas |
Acknowledgments |
The GRDC funded Sandy Soils project (CSP00203) is a collaboration between CSIRO, University of South Australia, Primary Industries and Regions SA, Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc, AgGrow Agronomy and Trengove Consulting. The author would also like to thank the landholders involved in this project; Graeme and Heather and Tristan and Lisa Baldock, Matt and Rhianna Foster, Nigel Oswald, Reece Modra and Scott and Mary-Anne Mickan as well as AIR EP and the Buckleboo Farm Improvement Group (Big FIG) for their support of these trials. |
Other trial partners | Rural Solutions SA; PIRSA; SARDI; Buckleboo Farm Improvement Group; |
Crop types | Cereal (Grain): Barley Cereal (Grain): Wheat |
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Treatment type(s) |
|
Trial type | Experimental |
Trial design | Replicated |
Sow date | Unknown |
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Harvest date | Unknown |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
The GRDC funded Sandy Soils Project is a collaboration between CSIRO, University of South Australia, Primary Industrues and Regions SA, Mallee Sustainable Farmin Inc, AgGrow Agronomy and Trengove Consulting. |
Sow date | Not specified |
---|---|
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
The GRDC funded Sandy Soils Project is a collaboration between CSIRO, University of South Australia, Primary Industrues and Regions SA, Mallee Sustainable Farmin Inc, AgGrow Agronomy and Trengove Consulting. |
Sow date | Not specified |
---|---|
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
The GRDC funded Sandy Soils Project is a collaboration between CSIRO, University of South Australia, Primary Industrues and Regions SA, Mallee Sustainable Farmin Inc, AgGrow Agronomy and Trengove Consulting. |
Sow date | Not specified |
---|---|
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
The GRDC funded Sandy Soils Project is a collaboration between CSIRO, University of South Australia, Primary Industrues and Regions SA, Mallee Sustainable Farmin Inc, AgGrow Agronomy and Trengove Consulting. |
Sow date | Not specified |
---|---|
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
The GRDC funded Sandy Soils Project is a collaboration between CSIRO, University of South Australia, Primary Industrues and Regions SA, Mallee Sustainable Farmin Inc, AgGrow Agronomy and Trengove Consulting. |
Sow date | Not specified |
---|---|
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
The GRDC funded Sandy Soils Project is a collaboration between CSIRO, University of South Australia, Primary Industrues and Regions SA, Mallee Sustainable Farmin Inc, AgGrow Agronomy and Trengove Consulting. |
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.