Better identification and management of subsurface acidity on sandy soils of the Northern Yorke Peninsula

2022 - 2023

Research organisaton
Funding sources
Trengove Consulting

Trial details

Researcher(s) jordan bruce
Sarah Noack
Stuart Sherriff
Sam Trengove
Contact email samtrenny34@hotmail.com
Contact phone 0428262057
Year(s) 2022 - 2023
Contributor Trengove Consulting
Trial location(s) Bute, SA
Better identification and management of subsurface acidity on sandy soils of the Northern Yorke Peninsula locations
Aims

The aim of this project is to improve the capacity of growers to identify and manage subsurface acidity on the Northern Yorke Peninsula. Soil testing and pH mapping for acidity has become common practice in the district. However, this sampling and mapping has focused on the top 0-10 cm of soil. Recent reports and preliminary work have confirmed an acidic band of soil is often occurring at the 5-15 cm depth and beyond in certain soil types.

There are two main components to this project:

  • Spatially identifying subsurface acidity by validating the relationship between soil pH and EC (electrical conductivity).
  • Develop best management practices for lime amelioration to manage subsurface acidity.
Key messages
  • Incorporation method (deep ripping or spading) reduced plant establishment in both barley (2022) and lentil (2023) as a result of soft and uneven seedbed conditions. However, later in the season NDVI showed the crop had recovered with values similar or higher compared to the control.
  • The application of lime in 2022 increased NDVI in all incorporation treatments by an average of 10% on 1st September in the following season lentils.
  • In both seasons grain yields were increased by an average of 0.7 t/ha in barley and 1.03 t/ha in lentil from spading and deep ripping. However, this was not influenced by the incorporation of 10.7 t/ha Kulpara lime.
  • Soil sampling one year after the trial was established generally showed lime with and without incorporation increased group E/F rhizobia levels compared to the control.
  • Long-term monitoring is required to understand the movement and benefit of lime incorporation at depth. 
Lead research organisation Trengove Consulting
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source Future Drought Fund: Drought resilient soils
Trial funding source GRDC TGC2304002RTX
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the investment from the National Landcare Program Smart Farms Grant ‘Improving the capacity of growers to identify and manage subsurface acidity on sandy soils on the Northern Yorke Peninsula’. We also recognise the support of the Davidson family for hosting the demonstration site and applying the inputs. GRDC investment through TGC2304-002RTX is also acknowledged for soil rhizobia assessments.


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop types Cereal (Grain): Barley Grain Legume: Lentils
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement: Application Method
  • Soil Improvement: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated

Bute 2022 Barley

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified

Bute 2022 Lentils

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified

Bute 2023 Barley

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication Not specified

Bute 2023 Lentils

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Psuedoreplication 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
Bute, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Bute, 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.

Bute SA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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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

2022 trial report



Trial last modified: 17-04-2024 10:58am AEST