Copper management for the future - three years of trials on lower EP

2017 - 2019

Research organisatons
Funding sources
Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association
<abbr title='South Australian Grain Industry Trust Fund'>SAGIT</abbr> South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT)

Trial details

Researcher(s) George Pedler
Andrew Ware
Contact email george@georgepedlerag.com.au
Year(s) 2017 - 2019
Contributor Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula
Trial location(s) Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA, SA
Copper management for the future - three years of trials on lower EP locations
Aims

This project aimed to explore different management strategies to overcome copper deficiency in cereals. The project compared the effectiveness of copper sulfate and copper chelate applied either as liquids banded at seeding or as a foliar spray. The project also evaluated the effect of different timings of application of the foliar sprays and their efficiency.
This project aimed to benefit local and South Australian farmers by establishing an independent best practice management guide for copper applications for the future.

Key messages

The program demonstrated that:
• At some sites where copper deficiency was historically assumed, no response to any form of copper application was observed. Copper response is likely to vary by site and season.
• Yield loss caused by copper deficiency can be devastating to wheat yield.
• Soil and tissue testing can be useful in helping to detect low levels, but are not always definitive. Copper response appears to be dependent on other complex interactions such as soil moisture, yield potential and other constraints (N fertility etc.) and thus soil/tissue tests alone are not a definitive guide to future responses.
• Foliar applications performed better than in-furrow liquids.
• Chelate and sulphate products performed equally well when applied as foliar applications.
• Timing did not appear to be critical, with a wide band of opportunity from mid-tiller to early head emergence providing similar results

Lead research organisation Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association
Host research organisation Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association
Trial funding source SAGIT LDA217
Trial funding source South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT) LDA217
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners George Pedler Ag, EPAG Research, AIREP, SARDI, SAGIT
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Application Method
  • Fertiliser: Form
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Fertiliser: Timing
  • Fertiliser: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Unknown

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA 2017

Sow date 18 May 2017
Harvest date Unknown
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

The authers gratefully acknowlege the contribution of the SARDI New Variety staff in Port Lincoln (2017 & 2018) and EPAG Research staff (2019) for conducting the field trials on their properties and the South Australain Grains Industry Trust fund for providing funding. 

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA 2018

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

The authers gratefully acknowlege the contribution of the SARDI New Variety staff in Port Lincoln (2017 & 2018) and EPAG Research staff (2019) for conducting the field trials on their properties and the South Australain Grains Industry Trust fund for providing funding. 

Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA 2019

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

The authers gratefully acknowlege the contribution of the SARDI New Variety staff in Port Lincoln (2017 & 2018) and EPAG Research staff (2019) for conducting the field trials on their properties and the South Australain Grains Industry Trust fund for providing funding. 

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
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Multiple Site, Eyre Peninsula, SA SA
2019 296.7mm
2018 335.6mm
2017 326.9mm
2016 312.7mm
2015 308.6mm
2014 369.0mm
2013 340.7mm
2012 342.9mm
2011 392.7mm
2010 357.7mm
2009 342.5mm
2008 327.5mm
2007 332.5mm
2006 365.1mm
2005 340.8mm
2004 318.9mm
2003 365.9mm
2002 350.5mm
2001 358.6mm
2000 370.9mm
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

Copper Management for the Future - Edillilie/Wangary 2019

Capper Management for the Future - Tumby Bay Hills 2019

Copper Management for the Future - Trial Report

Copper Management for the Future - Edillilie 2018

Copper Management for the Future - Tumby Bay Hills 2018

Copper Management for the Future - Cockaleechie 2017

Copper Management for the Future - Strawberry Hill 2017



Trial last modified: 14-12-2022 17:06pm AEST