Sherwood SA trials

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Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA

This investment is designed help build growers’ confidence and address gaps in knowledge relating to the agronomic management of recently ameliorated soils in the upper South East of South Australia. The project will include a three-year series of trials, soil characterisations, pit demonstrations and associated extension activities to:

  • improve the agronomic management of ameliorated soils to the newlyestablished yield potential;
  • reduce risks related to crop establishment and wind erosion in theamelioration transition phase; and
  • improve understanding of soil physical and chemical properties andcharacterisation of PAW, and identification nutrition and soil constraintlimitations in ameliorated soil and how soil settles over the transitionphase.

Six distinct phases of amelioration have been identified through the planning and implementation of soil amelioration as follows:

  1. Identification and ranking of constraints phase (byseverity and depth). Also includes selection of constraint specificamelioration strategies;
  2. Pre-amelioration site preparation phase;
  3. Amelioration implementation phase (large logistical andtime input);
  4. Transition phase 1 to 2-year post amelioration , oftencharacterised by soft soil, a large flush of nutrition, acute short-term wind erosion risk, crop seeding difficulties and high cropresponsiveness;
  5. New stabilised yield potential where the site has settledand immediate tillage effects on nutrient release havedissipated.
  6. Mature phase where yields subside and constraints redevelop.Consideration given to re-amelioration of residual orredeveloped constraints.

This investment is designed to address gaps in grower confidence and knowledge around phases four and five (transition and new stabilised yield potential).

 		MacKillop Farm Management Group
GRDC 		2023 Sherwood SA
Research organisaton
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