| Researcher(s) |
Kate Coffey |
|---|---|
| Year(s) | 2020 |
| Contributor | Riverine Plains |
| Trial location(s) |
Murchison, VIC
|
To demonstrate best-practice inoculation in pulse crops on acid soils in northern Victoria,
• Sowing rate, rather than inoculation, was the main determinant of faba bean dry matter (DM) production.
• It was estimated the faba beans in this demonstration trial fixed between 101–129 kilograms of nitrogen (N) per hectare based on above-ground DM production.
• High harvest indices (HI) in the trial (48.8–64.09%) indicated a considerable amount of the nitrogen fixed was removed in the grain.
• A new DNA test available to measure Group E and F rhizobia in soil accurately predicted the moderate levels of nodulation measured in the trial.
• Inoculation responses are more likely in soils with lower pH (<pHca 5.0). Where faba beans are sown into acidic layers at depth, the likelihood of inoculation responses will further increase.
| Lead research organisation | N/A |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation | N/A |
| Trial funding source | GRDC |
| Related program | N/A |
| Acknowledgments |
Increasing the effectiveness of nitrogen fixation in pulse crops through extension and communication of improved inoculation and crop management practices in the southern region is a GRDC investment led by Mallee Sustainable Farming Systems. The author also wishes to acknowledge the technical assistance provided by Ross Ballard and Liz Farquharson (SARDI). Thank you to our farmer co-operators, the Menhennett family (Murchison). |
| Other trial partners | Not specified |
| Crop type | Grain Legume: Faba beans |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Demonstration |
| Trial design | Unreplicated |
| Sow rate or Target density | 140 and 160kg/ha |
|---|---|
| Sow date | 17 May 2020 |
| Harvest date | Unknown |
| Plot size | 18m x 660m |
| Plot replication | 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.
