| Researcher(s) |
Jack Desbiolles Melissa Fraser Tammy Johnson Ian Ludwig Amanda Pearce |
|---|---|
| Contact email | mel@soilfunction.com.au |
| Year(s) | 2022 - 2023 |
| Contributor | MacKillop Farm Management Group |
| Trial location(s) |
Coomandook, SA
Sherwood, SA |
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.
This investment is designed to address gaps in grower confidence and knowledge around phases four and five (transition and new stabilised yield potential).
• Crop performance improved with the addition of extra nitrogen on an ameliorated soil at Sherwood in 2022.
• On the Delved Flat, district practice yield (3.1 t/ha) was enhanced by +1.2 t/ha with extra N, with a cost:benefit of 1:2.3.
• On the Clayed Hill, district practice yield (2.9 t/ha) was enhanced by +0.9 t/ha with extra N, producing a cost:benefit of 1:1.7.
• Additional P or K fertiliser alone did not impact wheat yields, but grain yields were always highest in the combo N+P+K, both shallow and deep; albeit these increases were little better than for N only.
• A nil fertiliser treatment had the lowest NDVI, maturity biomass and grain yield, confirming the importance of annual fertiliser application to produce economic yields.
| 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 |
| Crop types | Cereal (Grain): Barley Cereal (Grain): Wheat |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Experimental |
| Trial design | Randomised,Replicated,Blocked |
| Sow rate or Target density | 75kg/ha |
|---|---|
| Sow date | 23 June 2022 |
| Harvest date | Unknown |
| Trial design method | RCBD Randomised Complete Block Design |
| Plot size | 10m x 1.26m |
| Plot replication | 3 |
| Plot blocking | Yes |
| Fertiliser |
75kg/ha MAP+S |
| Soil amelioration |
|
| Sow rate or Target density | 225 plants/m2 |
|---|---|
| Sow date | 23 May 2022 |
| Harvest date | Unknown |
| Trial design method | RCBD Randomised Complete Block Design |
| Plot size | 10m x 1.26m |
| Plot replication | 3 |
| Plot blocking | No |
| Fertiliser |
|
| Soil amelioration |
Clay spread and incorporated in 2020 |
| Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
|---|---|
| Sow date | Not specified |
| Harvest date | Not specified |
| Trial design method | Not specified |
| Plot size | Not specified |
| Plot replication | Not specified |
| Plot blocking | Not specified |
| Fertiliser | Not specified |
| Soil amelioration | Not specified |
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.
