Increasing adoption of new techniques combining physical, chemical and plant based interventions to improve soil function on Eyre Peninsula

2020

Research organisaton
Funding source
Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula

Trial details

Researcher(s) David Davenport
George Pedler
Contact email davenportsoil@outlook.com
Year(s) 2020
Contributor Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula
Trial location(s) Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA, SA
Increasing adoption of new techniques combining physical, chemical and plant based interventions to improve soil function on Eyre Peninsula locations
Aims

Trials and demonstrations involving soil mixing either with a spader or ripping with inclusion plates have been shown to increase yields on sandy soils on Eyre Peninsula (EP). Many of these trials have included the addition of organic material incorporated at rates of 5-10 t/ha. Whilst generally these treatments have provided yield increases for a number of years post application, the rates applied have proven to be uneconomic (EPFS 2019, p 71). This project was originally developed by the Lower Eyre Ag
Development Association (LEADA) with two major objectives being:
1. To test ripping with inclusion plates on a wider range of soils.
2. To trial rates and sources of organic matter that are practical for broadacre use.

Key messages

Deep ripping with inclusion plates generally resulted in lower plant numbers than unripped plots.
• Yield increases to ripping were observed mainly in sandy and calcareous soils.
• Treatments including the incorporation of mineral nutrients and organic amendments delivered mixed results but were generally the highest yielding treatments

Lead research organisation Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula
Host research organisation Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula
Trial funding source NLP 4-FRQ3APC
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Farmer Co-operators: Jason Challinger, Evan and Ed Hunt, Todd Matthews, Jon and Leonie Mills, Mark Modra, Bruce Morgan,
Michael Treloar, Phil Wheaton and Brett Zibell.

NSW DPI for providing the soil enzyme and herbicide residue analyses,

Ian Richter and Amanda Cook (SARDI) for harvesting sites and the project
Steering Committee: George Pedler, Bruce Morgan, Brett Masters, John Richardson and Andy Bates.
This work is undertaken through the AIR EP project “Increasing adoption of new techniques combining physical, chemical
and plant based interventions to improve soil function on Eyre Peninsula” funded by the National Landcare Program, activity ID
4-FRQ3APC.


Other trial partners SARDI; NSW Department of Primary Industries
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement: Application Method
  • Soil Improvement: Rate
  • Soil Improvement: Timing
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Demonstration
Trial design Randomised

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA 2020

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
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
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA, SA Calcarosol
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

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA SA

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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

2020 trial report



Trial last modified: 25-05-2023 15:03pm AEST