Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA

2022 - 2023
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) N/A
Contact email mel@soilfunction.com.au
Year(s) 2022 - 2023
Contributor MacKillop Farm Management Group
Trial location(s) Coomandook, SA
Sherwood, SA
Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA locations
Aims

This investment is designed help build growers’ confidence and address gaps in knowledge relating to the agronomic management of recently ameliorated soils in the upper South East of South Australia. The project will include a three-year series of trials, soil characterisations, pit demonstrations and associated extension activities to:

  • improve the agronomic management of ameliorated soils to the newlyestablished yield potential;
  • reduce risks related to crop establishment and wind erosion in theamelioration transition phase; and
  • improve understanding of soil physical and chemical properties andcharacterisation of PAW, and identification nutrition and soil constraintlimitations in ameliorated soil and how soil settles over the transitionphase.

Six distinct phases of amelioration have been identified through the planning and implementation of soil amelioration as follows:

  1. Identification and ranking of constraints phase (byseverity and depth). Also includes selection of constraint specificamelioration strategies;
  2. Pre-amelioration site preparation phase;
  3. Amelioration implementation phase (large logistical andtime input);
  4. Transition phase 1 to 2-year post amelioration , oftencharacterised by soft soil, a large flush of nutrition, acute short-term wind erosion risk, crop seeding difficulties and high cropresponsiveness;
  5. New stabilised yield potential where the site has settledand immediate tillage effects on nutrient release havedissipated.
  6. Mature phase where yields subside and constraints redevelop.Consideration given to re-amelioration of residual orredeveloped constraints.

This investment is designed to address gaps in grower confidence and knowledge around phases four and five (transition and new stabilised yield potential).

Key messages

These trials will quantify how far the yield gap can be closed on deep and shallow ameliorated sandy soils, and optimise crop establishment and grain yield immediately following deep tillage.

Lead research organisation MacKillop Farm Management Group
Host research organisation MacKillop Farm Management Group
Trial funding source GRDC MFM2106-001RLX
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

MFMG would like to thank the Jaeschke and Pfitzner families for hosting the trials for this project, and Adam Hancock, Elders Naracoorte, for ongoing assistance with the project. 


Other trial partners South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), University of South Australia, Soil Function Consulting
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Oilseed: Canola Cereal (Grain): Barley Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Application Method
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Fertiliser: Type
Trial type
Trial design

Coomandook 2022 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Coomandook 2022 Barley

Sow rate or Target density 75kg/ha
Sow date 23 June 2022
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 10m x 1.26m
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking Yes
Plot randomisation No
Fertiliser

75kg/ha MAP+S

Soil amelioration
  • Treatment 1: Control (no tillage)
  • Treatment 2: N/A
  • Treatment 3: Inversion plough, direct sown
  • Treatment 4: Inversion plough, direct sown + top dressed
  • Treatment 5: Deep rip + mix, direct sown
  • Treatment 6: Deep rip + mix, direct sown + top dressed

 

Coomandook 2023 Barley

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Coomandook 2023 Wheat

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Coomandook 2023 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Sherwood 2022 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Sherwood 2022 Wheat

Sow rate or Target density 225 plants/m2
Sow date 23 May 2022
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 10m x 1.26m
Plot replication 3
Plot blocking No
Plot randomisation Yes
Fertiliser
  • Treatment 1: Nil
  • Treatment 2: District practice
  • Treatment 3: + nitrogen (100kg)
  • Treatment 4: +phosphorus (9kg)
  • Treatment 5: + potassium (20kg)
  • Treatment 6: +nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium (shallow)
  • Treatment 7: +nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium (deep)
Soil amelioration

Clay spread and incorporated in 2020

Sherwood 2023 Barley

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Sherwood 2023 Wheat

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Soil amelioration Not specified

Sherwood 2023 Canola

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot blocking Not specified
Plot randomisation Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Soil amelioration 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
Coomandook, SA Deep sand
Sherwood, SA Deep sand
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Coomandook, SA Calcarosol
Sherwood, SA Chromosol
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.

Coomandook SA

Sherwood SA

Coomandook SA

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Sherwood 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

Closing the yield gap after sandy soil amelioration - Sherwood

Optimising crop establishment on freshly ameliorated deep sand - Coomandook



Trial last modified: 28-06-2023 16:14pm AEST