| Researcher(s) |
Rhiannan McPhee |
|---|---|
| Year(s) | 2023 |
| Contributor | Riverine Plains |
| Trial location(s) |
Bundalong, VIC
Wahgunyah, VIC |
To provide evidence-based innovative research for diversified farms in south-eastern Australia and allow farmers in the Riverine Plains region to consider options outside of the typical inputs, to build resilience to more frequent droughts
• Previous trial work under controlled experimental conditions has shown that silicon (Si) fertiliser application can improve tolerance to abiotic stress, including drought, via various plant physiological processes, leading to increased water uptake, reduced water loss from the leaves and improved plant growth
• While silicon application in this project has yet to show significant differences in grain yield or quality of the evaluated crops, positive trends for plant growth traits for various crop types were observed
• Further work is required to determine the potential yield effects of applying silicon on a commercial scale and the potential for economic returns to farmers.
| Lead research organisation |
The University of Melbourne |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation | N/A |
| Trial funding source | Australian Government |
| Related program | N/A |
| Acknowledgments |
This project is supported by Riverine Plains, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. This project is led by The University of Melbourne (project lead - Associate Professor Dorin Gupta), with partners Riverine Plains Inc, Birchip Cropping Group, Gap Flat Native Foods, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Black |
| Other trial partners | Not specified |
| Crop types | Cereal (Grain): Wheat Grain Legume: Faba beans |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Experimental |
| Trial design | Replicated |
| Sow rate or Target density | 90 kg/ha |
|---|---|
| Sow date | 27 April 2023 |
| Harvest date | Unknown |
| Plot size | Not specified |
| Plot replication | Not specified |
| Fertiliser |
Starter fertiliser: 60 kg/ha MAP, 5 t/ha cow manure In season fertiliser: 300kg/ha urea Please refer to the trial report for treatment details |
| Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
|---|---|
| Sow date | 24 May 2023 |
| Harvest date | Unknown |
| Plot size | Not specified |
| Plot replication | Not specified |
| Fertiliser |
Starter fertiliser: 80 kg/ha MAP Please refer to the trial report for treatment details |
| Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
|---|---|
| Sow date | 24 May 2023 |
| Harvest date | Unknown |
| Plot size | Not specified |
| Plot replication | Not specified |
| Fertiliser |
Starter fertiliser: 80 kg/ha MAP In season fertiliser: 120 kg/ha urea (wheat only) Please refer to the trial report for treatment details |
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.
