| Researcher(s) |
Kaidy Morgan Mikaela Tiller |
|---|---|
| Year(s) | 2025 |
| Contributor | Hart Field Site Group |
| Trial location(s) |
Hart, SA
|
| Further information | View external link |
A plot trial was established at Hart, SA in 2025 to evaluate agricultural practices to improve soil water and fertility in wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Calibre) over three growing seasons
• Chicken litter treatments (5 t/ha surface applied) recorded improved growth and vigour at all NDVI timings, however nitrogen was not the limiting factor in 2025 and water stress resulted in no yield benefit.
• Biochar when applied without chicken litter, performed similarly to standard practice management across all parameters measured in 2025.
• Background soil N was more than what was needed to produce the ~1.5 t/ha yields observed, meaning that differences in nitrogen rates likely had little to no effect in 2025. Biochar applied with a full rate, half rate or no inorganic fertiliser (IF) all
performed similarly, as did chicken litter treatments when applied with a full or half rate of IF fertiliser.
• Sowing vetch with wheat did not impact wheat yield, however reduced grain quality, likely due to competition and water depletion caused by vetch growth in a season where water was already a limiting factor.
| Lead research organisation | N/A |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation | N/A |
| Trial funding source | Future Drought Fund - SA Drought Hub |
| Related program | N/A |
| Acknowledgments |
We would like to acknowledge the Future Drought Fund (FDF) for their financial contribution to conduct these trials. We would also like to thank our research partners and the various growers and collaborators involved across project design and implementation of this trial. |
| Other trial partners | Not specified |
| Crop type | Cereal (Grain): Wheat |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Experimental |
| Trial design | Replicated |
| Sow date | 20 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Harvest date | 3 December 2025 |
| Plot size | 1.75m x 10m |
| Plot replication | 3 |
| Fertiliser |
Seeding fertiliser: Seeding: DAP (18:20) Zn 1% + Flutriafol @ 80 kg/ha |
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.
