Only treatments with phosphorus removed from fertilizer resulted in grain yield losses consistent with previous seasons. Some visual responses were observed for other nutrients, but nothing resulted in a yield gain or loss.

Delayed sowing resulted in 25% of grain yield loss in PBA Jumbo2 and 15% loss in PBA Hurricane compared to sowing early. TOS did not influence grain yield of other varieties. Grain yields were not affected by sowing density when sown early as the dry finish to the season resulted in biomass loss in denser plots. However, lower plant densities resulted in grain yield losses in delayed sowing.

Average yield of autumn sown lentils were 1.7 t/ha in 2019 with a range from 1.0 to 2.1 t/ha between cultivars. PBA Hallmark XT, PBA Bolt, Jumbo2 and CIPAL1701 had the highest yields of the eight varieties tested (Table 2).

Average yield of autumn sown lentils were 1.7 t/ha in 2019 with a range from 1.0 to 2.1 t/ha between cultivars. PBA Hallmark XT, PBA Bolt, Jumbo2 and CIPAL1701 had the highest yields of the eight varieties tested (Table 2).

• Lentils are not traditionally grown in the Victorian HRZ. Mid-season vigour was good and suggested a promising fit for lentils in the region, but late rain in November caused lodging and significantly reduced yields, highlighting the importance of sowing into standing residue.
• Sowing on May 14 increased crop biomass compared to sowing on May 31, but this did not translate into greater grain yields.

•  Lentils are not traditionally grown in the Victorian HRZ. Growth vigour was good and suggested a promising fit for lentils in the region, but unfavourable weather during reproductive stages, and late rain in November that caused lodging reduced grain yields.
• Large numbers of pods were dropped before harvest, with more than twice the number of pods dropped in plots sown on May 17 compared to June 6.  
   

• Grain yields of varieties and breeding lines were very low due to dry seasonal conditions. Hence, results of these trials should be interpreted with caution.
• Several frosts during the flowering and podding phase significantly impacted grain yields, particularly the earlier sown treatments which were further advanced in the reproductive phase and unable to recover. As a result, the trends observed in 2018 are completely opposite to long term trial results in low rainfall environment for lentil, which generally indicate significant benefits from earlier sowing.
• The mid/late maturing breeding lines CIPAL1504 and CIPAL1522 have consistently performed well in the Mallee across multiple seasons, highlighting the yield potential of advanced lines coming through the breeding program.

When sowing was delayed until rains in May (Wet) overall grain yields in varieties decreased by 20 – 80% in lentil, 40 – 80% in chickpea and 30 – 60% in field pea compared to Early and Dry sowing in April.

• Grain yields of varieties and breeding lines were very low due to dry seasonal conditions and extreme temperature events (heat and frost) during the growing season. Hence, results of this trial should be interpreted with caution. Long-term data and additional information should be considered when making varietal or agronomic decisions.
• Several frosts during the flowering and podding phase significantly impacted grain yields, particularly the earlier sown treatments which were further advanced in the reproductive phase and unable to recover. As a result, the trends observed in 2018 are completely opposite to long term trial results for lentil, which generally indicate significant benefits from earlier sowing.
• The mid/late maturing lines CIPAL1504 and CIPAL1522 have consistently performed well across multiple seasons, highlighting the yield potential of advanced lines coming through the breeding program. 

Grain yields in the Mallee were very low (< 1 t/ha) but results clearly indicated the adaptability of PBA Bolt which was the highest yielding variety in 2019 at Ouyen. Sowing early achieved higher yields, but only marginally better than mid-May.
Good grain yields (>1.5 t/ha) were achieved in the Wimmera, with a mid-May being the optimum. A new breeding line, CIPAL 1504 had the highest yields overall and offers potential to maximise yields when sown early. PBA Jumbo2 again was very high yielding, equivalent to the new ‘imi’ tolerant variety PBA Hallmark XT.
In these trials, consistent with previous work there is no clear link between flowering and maturity time and grain yield, with an early line like HSI2001 performing well alongside a mid/late flowering line, CIPAL1504.

None of the lentil varieties developed ascochyta blight due to the dry conditions during the season. Only few isolated lesions were developed in PBA Hurricane XT.

Good October rains and mild weather in spring ensured relatively high yields, especially in the Mallee, and good whole seed quality. However, there were several cases of poor quality seed from late infection by ascochyta blight. Growers are urged to treat seed for sowing in 2006 with a fungicide seed dressing and remain vigilant in controlling this disease.

Ascochyta blight and botrytis grey mould resistant red lentil variety Nipper and the green lentil. Boomer are now available for farmers (AWB Seeds). Good lentil management is beneficial in most years, irrespective of rainfall.

• The AB isolate caused a moderately susceptible disease reaction in unprotected (Nil) plots on varieties which are currently rated as being MR (PBA Blitz) and MR/MS (Nipper, Nugget and PBA Greenfield) which indicates a change in virulence of the AB isolate resulting in a loss of foliar AB resistance in these varieties.
• Research conducted by SARDI Pathology group and reported elsewhere (Pulse Diseases 2017, GRDC Updates 2017 proceedings) has shown that the AB isolate tested in the current trial, caused susceptible reactions in PBA Hurricane XT and disease reactions in PBA Ace and PBA Bolt when tested under controlled environmental conditions. This results were however not confirmed under field conditions in the current trial.
• The current results suggest that there is a change of virulence in the AB pathogen which may be causing a loss in foliar resistance on varieties currently rated as being relatively resistant. The AB isolate tested was collected from the high intensity lentil producing area in the Yorke Peninsula region in SA.
• Protection of the plant foliage through application of fortnightly Chlorothalonil significantly increased yield in the most susceptible variety, PBA Flash (76 %) over unprotected (Nil) plots.
• Grain yields were also improved in varieties that had moderate disease reactions together with those varieties that showed no disease symptoms, indicating the importance of fungicide sprays in not only controlling disease but also enhancing plant growth.
• All commercial lentil varieties should be managed as having potential for risk from foliar AB especially under favourable conditions that promote disease. Varieties will need close monitoring for disease during the growing season and strategic fungicide sprays will be required in all varieties even in the absence of disease symptoms particularly in varieties rated as having foliar resistance to AB pathogen.

Seeding rate of lentils in the Mallee could be lowered from 120 to 80 plants/m2, particularly with new disease resistant varieties sown early. Lentils were profitable in the mallee, producing up to $653/ha at Kulwin and $433/ha at Curyo.

• PBA Ace and PBA Jumbo2 performed very well across a range of agronomic characters, compared to the other varieties tested in this experiment.
• Sowing time was a critical management factor in the 2015 season.
• Sow lentil early to late May in the eastern cropping region of southern NSW.
• Target establishment densities of 120 plants m2 in this environment.

• Newly released varieties, PBA Ace and PBA Bolt, had the highest grain yields at Curyo (southern Mallee, Vic.) in 2012.
• Yields exceeded 2.5t/ha for both varieties when sown early, despite the very dry season. All varieties had higher grain yields when sown early (May 4) compared with later dates (June 5 and June 22).
• Varietal differences were evident in the relative decline in grain yield as sowing dates were delayed.
• Differences in tolerance to a range of group B herbicides were observed in several breeding lines. Pulse Breeding Australia will use this information to define future breeding directions for herbicide tolerant varieties, following PBA Herald XT.

Managing brome grass populations in wheat is a challenge facing many growers, however chemical and variety control options have improved over the years with the introduction of Clearfield wheat technology and now metribuzin tolerant wheats.

Management practices influence microbial activity by altering carbon availability and conditions reflecting rapid changes in the biological function of the soil, although the reserach is still in the preliminary stages this has been highlighted where increased microbial biomass and nutrient availability was associated with plots receiving high amounts of organic matter.

• Average yield increase of 0.3 t/ha or 12% where chaff was added. (Although in some seasons addition of chaff resulted in no yield benefit or a yield decline.)
• Microbial population has doubled where chaff was added.
• 650 kg/ha more nitrogen where chaff was added.
• Soil now holds 8 t/ha more organic carbon where chaff was added.

• Organic matter treatments showed greater early vigour, but this was not reflected in yield due to the dry season.

 

• There has been a drop in surfact pH for all the lime treatments.
• It is anticipated that further works will be carried out at this site.

Light grazing was shown to leave most of the crop residue horizontal and detached but there were similar amounts of residue to the ungrazed plots. Grazing over summer and winter reduced crop yield at one site and further work on this may be required.

• There were no significant differences between cultivation treatments at the Martin site.  There was a significant effect from lime applied, as expected. There is an interesting trend of increasing pH over the 3 years in the limed treatments, suggesting that the lime applied in 2013 is still acting to reduce soil acidity after three years. 
• There were no significant differences between cultivation treatments at any depth in either year at the Brown site. 
• There were no significant differences between cultivation treatments at any depth at the McAlpine site. 

• Significant lime response in third year after application
   
• Sub soil acidity can be addressed with lime incorporation but may not be most cost-effective treatment – requires further seasons of testing

• Surface applied lime can take many years to ameliorate subsoil acidity.
• Ongoing acidification has resulted in lower subsoil pH’s and the depth of the acidic layer is increasing.
• This has generated renewed interest in one-off lime incorporation using strategic tillage to reduce the time required to ameliorate the subsoil acidity and to get a more rapid return on investment from applying lime.
• Effective amelioration of subsoil acidity requires the creation of continuous pathways of pH corrected soil from the soil surface through the acidic subsoil layer.

It is critically important to sample soil pH to depth prior to investing large sums in lime application and incorporation. Typically it has been found that on sandplain soils the yield benefit of one-off deep cultivation or deep ripping is large enough to cover the cost of the tillage in the first year so the subsequent productivity benefits associated with more rapidly fixing the soil pH by incorporating lime can be realised sooner. Other factors such as water repellence, herbicide resistant weeds, subsoil compaction, wind erosion risk and soil type will impact on the choice of incorporation implement used.

• No significant differences were obtained between any of the lime rates with the only differences being between varieties.
• This is the second year that this result has occurred at the site and it needs to be put into context.
• The soil pH is very low (4.7 in H20), but the aluminium levels are extremely low and this would probably have some bearing on the result.
• Further work needs to be done. 

• These initial results indicate that to change soil pH at depth ideally requires some form of incorporation and/or higher application rates
• In the second year of monitoring, there was a significant increase in yield with the high rates of lime application (either incorporated or surface application)

There was a 0.6 t/ha response to fertiliser, but no response to molybdenum (Mo) or lime. Plant tissue analysis showed that sodium molybdate (Na2MoO4) was effective applied as a seed dressing or banded with Flexi-N. The high Mo levels in these treatments indicate that application rates were much higher than needed. Grain analysis results confirmed that Mo was not limiting. Grain protein was about 9.0%, hectolitre weights 80 kg/hl, and screenings 3% in all treatments.

• The application of lime or dolomite increased soil pH significantly and increased exchangeable Ca and Mg, while the application of gypsum increased soil conductivity levels.
• The nodulation of lupins sown on the gypsum plots was impaired probably because of the high salt levels in the soil.
• Following a drier than average season, lupin yields were lowest where gypsum had been applied in the previous year but benefited from the application of lime or dolomite.

Lime or dolomite were both effective tools for increasing pH in this trial.

The use of gypsum in combination with either lime or dolomite gave the highest yields for both wheat and barley.

 

• Select a few key paddocks and soil test them every few years to monitor soil pH levels.
• Make lime a part of your annual farm budget.
• Lime will increase pasture growth and feed quality.

• A full liquid system including N, P, Trace elements and fungicides provided the greatest yield response and was significantly better than district practice granular treatments.
• Liquid N gave the most significant response of all liquid treatments in terms of mid-season biomass and yield.
• Full liquid and liquid N treatments provided similar returns to that of traditional treatments and greater returns than liquid P only.

• pH soil trials take time to show true results.

• The effect of the liquid lime was less that the 3.5 t/ha lime sand when applied at 113 L/ha.
• In this case the manufacturer’s recommendations were possibly insufficient to guarantee a result.

• The effect of the liquid lime was less than the 3.5 t/ha lime sand when applied at 113 L/ha.
• In this case the manufacturer’s recommendations were possibly insufficient to guarantee a result.

In all three trials there was no statistically significant yield response to additional post-emergent liquid nitrogen. Given the below average rainfall experienced in the district in this season, this result is probably not unexpected. 

For further comments please see the attached trial report.

• Granular and liquid fertilisers were equally effective in terms of grain yield for wheat. ƒ
• The addition of zinc and copper had no effect on crop performance.
• Liquid P produced more dry matter production at the 5-leaf stage than granular P. ƒ
• More P was taken up by the crop as a liquid rather than as a granular.

• Over two years of trial work, there has been no economic advantage for the use of fluids.
• The site was yield responsive to high rates of liquid P.
• At rates typical of farmer practice there was no difference between granular and fluid.

• Changes in soil chemistry were found 14 years after application of high rates of lime and gypsum.
• The source of Ca (lime, gypsum or lime + gypsum) had no significant impact on the long term displacement of Na hy Ca.
• The practical message is that any source of Ca, applied at an equivalent Ca rate, gives equal long term benefits in Na displacement.
• Soil chemistry did not change below 30 cm depth.
• Plant yields have been low due to drought. In 2002 there was no significant difference in plant growth after different ameliorants. This result may not be true and may have occurred because of the low yields.

This trial was an un-replicated farmer demonstration and results should be interpreted with caution. It is suggested to refer to national variety trial data over a number of seasons to get a better picture of variety performance. 

• Modest autumn grazing of no-till crop stubbles sometimes leads to small measurable increases in surface soil bulk density.
• In two seasons, on soils in the Mallee and Wimmera, modest autumn grazing of no-till crop stubbles had no measurable effect on crop yield, quality or weed seed burial.

• For the first time sheep grazing behaviour in a Mallee paddock was monitored and mapped using GPS tracking collars.
• Sheep grazed the entire stubble paddock as they sought out spilt grain during the summer fallow, but they preferred to graze on sandy soil types first.
• While grazing a vetch pasture in the same paddock, livestock spent 50% of the time grazing only 25% of the paddock and 25% of the paddock was not utilised. (iv) At least $4000 profit was foregone from the paddock through the under-utilisation of the vetch pasture.
• Within-paddock fencing technology in large Mallee paddocks has the potential to capture this potential profit by improving feed utilisation.

• For the first time sheep grazing behaviour in a Mallee paddock was monitored and mapped using GPS tracking collars.
• Sheep grazed the entire stubble paddock as they sought out spilt grain during the summer fallow, but they preferred to graze on sandy soil types first.
• While grazing a vetch pasture in the same paddock, livestock spent 50% of the time grazing only 25% of the paddock and 25% of the paddock was not utilised.

Light to moderate grazing of sheep on no-till stubbles in autumn is unlikely to have detrimental impacts on crop growth in the following season.

• Lodging is becoming a significant problem in rice as growers push for maximum grain yields, but some varieties are more prone to lodging than others.

• Management practices such as drill sowing, reduced sowing rate, reduced pre-permanent water nitrogen rate and draining on time reduce the potential for lodging.
 

• As demonstrated by the yields of the varieties barley had quite a good season in the Southwest.
• The Long Season Barley Variety trial incorporates both feed and malting varieties which are selected to have a late maturity period as this suits the high rainfall growing season in the South West.  
• Frost damage to the barley varieties at the three sites was minimal because of their maturity stage. 

• For a list of variety informaiton and yield results, please see the attached trial report.
• Some of these varieties are feed varieties and some are suitable for malt production. Please check with your seed supplier for this information. Also check on maturity and disease resistance before making a decision. 

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

Please see attached trial report for results.

• Seeding system had a significant effect on wheat grain yield with the disc treatment averaging 4.1 t/ha compared to the no-till and strategic systems which averaged 3.5 and 3.4 t/ha, respectively. 
• The higher nitrogen treatments increased grain protein levels and screenings, while decreasing test weight across all seeding systems.

• Seeding systems did not affect wheat grain yield, averaging 5.3 t/ha.
• Good rainfall and cool temperatures during grain fill increased yield potential and the higher N rate resulted in a 1.2 t/ha yield advantage.
• Available soil N pre-seeding ranged from 80 – 190 kg N/ha with 75 kg N/ha more accumulated under the high N rate.

Five management strategies were compared: stubble fully retained (SFR); cut and baled (SCB); incorporated with Lemkin discs (Lemkin); Burnt; and stubble digester applied with stubble incorporated. Increased ground cover resulted in large delays in establishment.The different stubble treatments had no significant effect on grain yield.Some long term benefits from full retention of stubble are already evident with significant increases in earthworms and a trend towards decreased resistance to root penetration.

• There was no significant difference between seeding systems or level of nutrition on grain yield or oil content.
• Soil available N was the same for all seeding systems pre-seeding however, the no till treat had released more available soil N.
• In-season more available N was measured in the high nutrition treatment compared to the medium.

• Disease suppression has not developed in this soil type after 8 years.
• Higher nutrition treatments allowed crops to cope better with high disease levels in both 2010 and 2011.
• Canola will reduce Rhizoctonia inoculum but only one year of wheat will result in high levels of Rhizoctonia inoculum again.
• In good seasons the high input treatments have shown that district practice performance is limited by poor nutrition.

• Changing rotation and nutrition have changed the microbial population activity and diversity but not developed disease suppression after seven years.
• One year of wheat in 2009 resulted in high Rhizoctonia inoculum regardless of previous rotation or fertiliser histories.
• Take-all has increased in the continuous cereal district practice treatment to severe levels; higher nutrition treatments give the plants the ability to cope better with these increased disease levels.
• The high input systems have continually yielded higher than the other systems, but inputs of N have not matched production levels completely so soil reserves of mineral N are now lower in these treatments.
• In good seasons the high input treatments have shown that district practice performance is severely limited by inadequate nutrition.

• The higher input brassica break system had higher cereal yields than the other systems in 2009.
• Rhizoctonia inoculum levels were higher under the continuous cropping systems compared to the medic pasture and brassica break crops.
• The different rotations and fertiliser systems have resulted in differences in the microbial community (number) and microbial diversity (their ability to use different sources of carbon).
• Disease suppression is still the same in all rotations.

• Liming decreases surface soil acidity.
• The incorporation of lime increased the movement of the lime to the 10-20cm layer neutralising subsoil acidity.
• Subsoil aluminium levels at this site fit WA relationships that toxic Al above 2 mg/kg occur when pH (CaCl2) is below 4.5

• No till treatments have been higher yielding and more profitable in continuous cropping rotations. Cultivation has increased yield and profit in 18 month fallow rotations.
• Two cereals followed by a break crop of either fieldpeas or canola no till has been the most profitable rotation. Interestingly 16 years continuous wheat has not been too far behind.
• Weed spectrum and numbers have changed dramatically within rotations and tillage methods. Interestingly no till treatments have hosted less weeds than cultivated treatments.
• One year of no pre emergent herbicide has taken the trial back 6 years and allowed large numbers of ryegrass to again become established and set seed.

• After 18 years there was no standout rotation, in terms of profitability, in any given season. All  rotations had their pros and cons in both wet and dry years. Therefore having a mix
  of rotations and doing things on time is a recipe for a resilient business.
• The most profitable rotation for the duration of the trial was the continuous cropping rotation, which included two wheat crops followed by a pulse crop in a no-till system. The addition of the pulse crop every third year was beneficial, especially for adding extra nitrogen, however added issues such as broadleaf weed blowouts with weeds like fumitory.

• No till treatments, for all rotations, were slightly higher yielding than the conventional tillage
  treatments for wheat. The yield of peas, in rotation 2, was very low in this trial as a result of
  the season and Sakura damage.
• Rotations including a fallow, such as the WFW treatment, had lower weed numbers compared
  to continuous cropped rotations. The continuous wheat rotation, both conventional and no till
  treatments, had a large number of ryegrass, even with Sakura.
• Profit and income for 2015 was highest in the no till wheat/ley/fallow/wheat rotation, and lowest in Rotation 2.
• 17 years of no till wheat on wheat is still second for profitability.

This first year study has shown that the adoption of a strategic tillage practice (one-way plough) provided a significant improvement in terms of crop establishment and grain yields on a moderately repellent sandy gravel. The adoption of other agronomic options, such as paired-row sowing or wetters, in this instance did not provide any noticeable improvement in comparison to the control treatments. In fact, in one case (wetter 1), the cost of the treatment was not covered by the yield increase.

Without doubt, the tillage proved to be the most effective treatment for reducing SWR but at this stage it is not possible to evaluate the extent to which this improvement alone contributed to the significant increase in yields.

With this long term experiment, we expect the following seasons to give us more information to better understand what changes drive the yield increase and possibly the potential longevity of these improvements.

• Five stubble management strategies were compared: fully retained, cut and baled, burnt and incorporated with Lemkin or offset discs. 
• Grain yield from the burnt plots was significantly higher compared with stubble retained (fully retained and cut and baled) and both incorporation treatments were significantly higher yielding than where stubble was fully retained. It is likely that this effect is a result of increased stubble from retained treatments leading to poorer plant establishment.
• Fully retained stubble resulted in significant soil improvements i.e. increased soil moisture (particularly early in the season), higher invertebrate and microbial populations and improved soil physical characteristics.
• Rain at the end of the season may have masked potential yield benefits from improved soil moisture with retained stubble treatments.   

• Five stubble managmenet strategies were compared: fully retained; fully retained with higher sowing rate; cut and baled; burnt and incorporated with Lemken discs.
• Fully retained stubble resulted in some soil improvements such as increased worm populations.
• Grain yield from plots where stubble was retained (fully retained ad cut and baled) tended to produce higher yields compared with plots where stubble was burnt. The wet season and irrigation may have masked any greater potential yield benefits from plots with retained stubble.

Barley grain yield was not affected by tillage treatment averaging 4.25 t/ha. The medium nitrogen level increased grain yield by 0.61 t/ha compared to the high nitrogen level

• Wheat grain yield was not significantly different between seeding systems or level of nitrogen, averaging 5 t/ha.
• The high nutrition treatment increased grain protein.
• The high nutrition treatments had accumulated 28 kg N/ha more soil available nitrogen compared to the medium treatments to a depth of 60 cm.

In the first growing season, the one-off tillage treatments showed to reduced significantly the water repellency of the soil. Significantly better plant establishment and grain yield were obtained in all the tillage treatments. In terms of grain yield, better results were achieved with the tillage treatments that mixed the soil more efficiently, such as the “Deep ripping + Spading” and the “Mouldboard plough” treatments. The “Deep ripping” treatment, which effectively targeted only subsoil compaction, provided the lowest improvements in terms SWR and the lowest grain yield.

The greatest profit in the first growing year was achieved using the “Modified one-way plough” thanks to its low capital cost which reduces its operating cost. Nonetheless, further growing season will be necessary to establish its long term profitability in comparison to the “Deep ripping + Spading” and the “Mouldboard plough” treatments.

Changes in the soil pH profile were also observed after the tillage treatments, with increased acidity in the topsoil. That was particularly the case with the “Mouldboard plough” treatment and the management of soil pH with addition of lime after the tillage needs to be considered.

We expect the next four growing seasons to give us more information to better understand the long term effects of these soil modifications on soil productivity.

 

The value of starter P for early crop vigour was clearly demonstrated in 2014 by the decreased growth of wheat plants when P fertiliser was omitted. This effect continued through the grain development stages and was very evident in the final grain yield differences. If P application over the previous four years averaged 12 kg/ha or less, there is a good value return from applying P.  Although the highest yield was seen at 24 kg P applied in 2014, looking at historical trends shows that continual application of P at greater than 12kg/ha can provide yield gains but little or no margin and should not be considered unless low P application history, confirmed by soil P tests associated with P binding capacity, has resulted in low soil P levels. Results indicate a P recommendation of greater than 6 kg/ha to be appropriate for soils and conditions in the vicinity of the trial site, pushing up to 10-12 kg/ha if the input cost is affordable.

After 8 years of trial work on a Mallee clay loam with subsoil limitations:

• In only 2 years did yields increase after applying P fertiliser,
• the site has remained responsive at nil and 5P treatments, but maintaining rates >5kg P/ha did not produce any extra yield,
• in 2010 there as a 25% increase in wheat yield between nil P and where P had been applied (at rates 5kg P/ha or higher),
• the 5kg P/ha treatment provided the highest net income, and
• soil Colwell P together with PBI accurately estimated the response seen in 2010.

• After nine years, applying more than 5kg P/ha had no impact on grain yield in 2011.
• Consistently applying 5kg P/ha has been the most productive and profitable rate used.
• The DGT soil P test will undergo commercial testing at CSBP laboratories in 2012.

• In a Morgan pea hay crop, there were no dry matter differences between any of hte P fertiliser rates in 2009.
• The most profitable application of P on average between 2003 and 2009 has been zero P/ha on a site with a strong fertiliser history and initial soil P Colwell of 41mg/kg.
• A rate of 5kg P/ha per year produced the second highest net income with the least amount of risk.

• The application of P improved the yield (especially barley) and soil P content (Colwell P).
• Soil P balance doubled when high P rates were applied.
• Responses to P applications above 6kg P/ha are rare and extra expense would not be justified in the Mallee.

Phosphorus responses were undertaken in 2004 on a barley crop. This is a long-term trial to determine the effect of a range of fertiliser application rates of phosphorus (P) on long-term grain yields and soil phosphorus reserves. Results indicate that in paddocks with a good phosphorus history little response, in terms of grain yield and protein, will be gained from higher rates of P. However grain yields and protein were significantly higher where some P was applied compared to no P.

• Since this trial began in 2003, there has been no significant economic response to applied P. The most profitable treatment over five years was where either no P or 5kg P/ha had been applied.
• If considering reducing P rates in 2008, it is important that the amount of P that has been applied and removed over a 3-4 year period is calculated. If the P removal is not greater than P inputs then you can consider reducing P rates.
• The 5kg P/ha rate maintained a neutral P balance after the 5 years, whereas the control had a negative balance of just under 20kg P/ha. The higher rate treatments failed to utilize applied P and subsequently accumulated a positive balance greater than 20kg P/ha.

• There was no significant yield difference between any of the P rates in 2008
• The most profitable application rate of P on average between 2003 and 2008 has been zero on a site with a strong fertiliser history and initial soil P Colwell of 41ppm
• Maintenance rates of 5kg/ha, produced the second highest net income with the least amount of risk
• Avoid making fertiliser decisions on ‘gut feel’. Make use of tools such as soil tests and nutrient balances to determine P rates in 2009.

• Field peas are responsive to the applicatio nof phosphorus.
• In the Mallee, peas sown on low phosphorus soils (<15ppm Colwell) should be sown with 13-15kg P/ha. In higher P soils, rates should be 10-13kg P/ha. 

• Crop water use and soil analysis values were very similar between the sites comparing long term reduced tillage and stubble retention.
• Reduced tillage and stubble retention has significantly contributed to increasing organic carbon levels at these sites.
• The grain yields of wheat were greatest at the sites with higher water use efficiency for each location.

• Crop water use and soil analysis values were very similar between the sites comparing long term reduced tillage and stubble retention.
• Reduced tillage and stubble retention has significantly contributed to increasing organic carbon levels at these sites.
• The grain yields of wheat were greatest at the sites with higher water use efficiency for each location.

• Crop water use and soil analysis values were very similar between the sites comparing long term reduced tillage and stubble retention.
• Reduced tillage and stubble retention has significantly contributed to increasing organic carbon levels at these sites.
• The grain yields of wheat were greatest at the sites with higher water use efficiency for each location.

 Mowing to simulate grazing reduced grain yield and plant height. The application of Prosaro at the 3-4 leaf stage increased grain yield over the nil application treatment by reducing the level of internal infection caused by blackleg. The later application of Prosaro (8-10 leaf stage) also decreased the amount of blackleg compared to either the nil or the mowed at 8-10 leaf treatments. 

 Mowing to simulate grazing reduced grain yield and plant height. The application of Prosaro at the 3-4 leaf stage increased grain yield over the nil application treatment by reducing the level of internal infection caused by blackleg. The later application of Prosaro (8-10 leaf stage) also decreased the amount of blackleg compared to either the nil or the mowed at 8-10 leaf treatments. 
 

Longer-season wheat with later flowering time produced higher yield than early flowering wheat. However, the high correlation between the time to anthesis and the time to terminal spikelet initiation makes it difficult to evaluate the relationship between yield and CPD independently. Increasing biomass from longer-season wheat is probably more promising trait than lengthening CPD to achieve higher yield in the high rainfall area.

The results from this trial show the importance of ripping below the hard pan with deeper ripping. The hard pan at this site measured to a depth of 400mm prior to the ripping treatments going in. Ripping to 300mm, without spading, has not improved yield in either of the first two seasons as plant roots are slowed through the hard pan. For return on the dollars spent deep ripping it is important to understand where the hardpan is in your paddock before starting the program.

It is likely that the topsoil slotting plates are impacting the inter-row soil strength during the ripping process. Therefore the design needs investigation. It may be that additional shatter is required through winged points allowing the plates to pass through with less impact.

Monitoring of this trial continues during 2017 and 2018 seasons.

• Rip to below your compacted layer
• Ripping to 60cm reduced soil strength, and this effect continued into the second year after ripping
• Wheat yield response to the 60cm rip treatment paid for deep ripping in the first year
• It is important to understand potential yield benefits of ripping before you rip