trials

To compare and showcase a range of strategic tillage options for amelioration of shallow sandy duplex soils (Sand over clay/gravel) and to assess their effectiveness at overcoming a range of soil constraints including topsoil water repellence and Compaction and increasing crop productivity over a period of 4-5 years.

The aim of this trial is to quantify the value of lime applications using different incorporation methods and compare the economic and agronomic returns of each. This trial also includes an application of a rapidly acidifying Elemental Sulphur to demonstrate how soils and crops will perform 10-years into the future if no action is taken to maintain pH levels. The trial also aims to analyse the interactions between each incorporation technique and its effects on ameliorating other crop constraints.

The objective is to give growers a greater understanding of different methods of lime incorporation and the most cost-effective practice locally and to extend on these findings with other research being conducted on varying soil types throughout the state, so that growers can make informed decisions for implementing their own liming strategy.

A four-year study has investigated if lime applied in a low pH soil could enhance the efficacy of herbicides on weeds (ryegrass and barley grass) and improve crop performance in a wheat-wheat-lupin-barley rotation at the Wongan Hills Research Station, Western Australia.

A four-year study has investigated if lime applied in a low pH soil could enhance the efficacy of herbicides on wild radish and improve crop performance in a wheat-wheat-lupin-barley rotation at the Wongan Hills Research Station, Western Australia (WA).

To determine the effects of mouldboard ploughing on a Wongan Hills yellow sand when varying lime and nutrient inputs.

To determine the effects of mouldboarding and deep ripping on a Wongan Hills yellow sand when varying lime and nutrient inputs

To provide a demonstration site to observe the effects of mouldboard ploughing vs. no cultivation on non-wetting soils and crop growth and yield.

• To determine if the addition of lime and its method of incorporation (none/control, MBP or deep rip) has an effect on the soil pH profile and crop productivity.
• To compare the impact of mouldboard ploughing and deep ripping on topsoil water repellence compared to an untreated control.

To determine which ameliorant practice is the most effective and economic in remediating subsoil acidity at depth.

To determine which ameliorant practice is the most effective and economic in remediating subsoil acidity at depth.

To determine whether a profit can be achieved from incorporating lime in the year it is applied.

To evaluate the weed control efficacy of mouldboard ploughing on an area with a high weed burden

To test the effect of very deep ripping to 500mm with shallow leading tines and incorporation of limesand on a very deeply compacted acid sand plain soil.

Claying has been undertaken in many areas throughout the zone, and there is quite a bit of expertise on the risks and benefits associated with it within the zone. Cash flow of most farmers in general doesn’t allow the expense of the high rates of clay to occur. However, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that low rates of clay (lower than rates used currently to improve soil structure) will improve the wettability of the soil. By including clay in the trial it is anticipated that the benefits of low rates of clay will show improved wettability. Other opportunities for the zone appear to be mitigation of non-wetting – including on-row seeding. This would include associated practical risks around seeding such as stubble handling issues and accurate seeding systems.

To showcase to growers different methods for deep incorporation of lime to ameliorate sub surface, below 10cm, acidity and improve soil health.

To measure the impact on crop productivity of combinations of lime and mouldboard ploughing on acidic deep yellow sand.

To improve grain production by ameliorating subsurface compaction and subsurface acidity.

To improve grain production by ameliorating subsurface compaction and subsurface acidity.

To measure the effect of deep ripping on depth to free water (waterlogging) and the associated yield response of canola (2018) and wheat (2019) after deep ripping on this soil type.

To investigate the benefits of Kelpak, seaweed extract containing high concentrations of auxin, a plant growth hormone.

To determine if there are any benefits to be gained from mouldboard ploughing a yellow sandplain soil

To evaluate the effects of mouldboard ploughing and deep ripping on a yellow sand

To evaluate compost and clay for their ability to improve the production capacity of a loamy sand.

To evaluate compost and clay for their ability to improve the production capacity of soil.

To evaluate the effects of mouldboard ploughing a soil with and without TM21.

Using tillage to incorporate lime improves the rates of reaction and increases subsurface pH soomer than spreading lime on the surface alone.

To test modified one-way ploughs as a method of lime incorporation.

To look at the interaction of lime rate and cultivation in changing subsoil pH. 

To systematically assess the impact of sowing time, seeding rate and wetting agents on wheat establishment and productivity across a range of environments on water repellent soil and determine whether there are interactions between the agronomic options tested.

Compare varying rates of N on wheat after applying BEST TM21 against a control area of no post nitrogen application.

To provide growers and advisers with a better understanding of the benefits of deep ripping and in particular depth of deep ripping required to optimise crop yield and profit.

To identify on-farm management strategies to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and quantify any associated risks and benefits in a grain production system.

In this trial the Facey Group wanted to determine whether:

1. Altering inputs to increase plant biomass would subsequently increase soil carbon and
2. Amending soils with compost would increase soil carbon storage or provide agronomic benefits.

The trial aims to explore management options for non-wetting soils in the Albany port zone.

Conventional methods of managing non-wetting soils involve mechanical disturbance to mix non-wetting particles with wettable particles. This trial explores the best options for placement of wetters, and wetter types for managing non-wetting soils.

Eleven treatments of differing placements and rates, as well as three seed placements were explored and analysed in this trial.

Two market available wetting agents were tested in this trial, SECOA’s SE14 and BASF Devine.

The aim of this trial is to evaluate and analyse the effect of deep ripping with inclusion plates on moving surface-applied lime into acidic sub-soil of deep sandy duplex. Additionally, this trial tested farm-sourced lime against commercial grade lime. 

By 2023, growers will have increased the value of the cropping phase in the HRZ farming system by 10% by addressing both crop yield potential and the gap between potential and realised yields.

This trial aims to explore ways to optimise crop production in the HRZ. 
This trial looks at verity types, deep ripping and sowing times as ways to maximise yields in the HRZ. 

This trial aims to assess different treatments and there effectiveness in maximising water limited yield potentials.  

By 2023, growers will have increased the value of the cropping phase in the HRZ farming system by 10% by addressing both crop yield potential and the gap between potential and realised yields.

• Assess the influence of soil renovation treatments on soil borne diseases.

To assess amelioration of subsoil acidity using a range of tillage methods for incorporating surface applied lime into acidic subsoils and the impacts of tillage and lime on crop productivity.

To assess amelioration of subsoil acidity using a range of tillage methods for incorporating surface applied lime into acidic subsoils and the impacts of tillage and lime on crop productivity.

Assess the value of several traits that aim to improve the acid-soil tolerance of wheat under field conditions.

To determine if deep ripping overcomes compaction and increases yield on a red sandy loam.

Liming is proven to be beneficial to our cropping and pasture systems in WA; is improved radish control an added gain?

To improve grain production by ameliorating subsurface compaction and subsurface acidity.

To provide growers and advisers with a better understanding of the benefits of deep ripping and in particular depth of deep ripping required to optimise crop yield and profit.

• To reduce soil acidity at depth (i.e. 10-30cm) from banded prilled carbonate.
• To increase crop uptake of fertiliser from banded lime treatments, especially prilled humate and VAM seed dressing.
• To reduce sub-soil lime input costs by using prilled instead of liquid lime products.

To establish a farmer scale demonstration site at Nungarin on a Wodjil soil type investigating cheap, cost-effective methodology to effectively incorporate lime to depth which removes the subsurface constraint and provides more immediate returns to growers on their investment.

Main aims of the project are: • Demonstrate different methods of lime incorporation. • Assess rate responses to lime through subsoil amelioration. • Economics of lime rate by tillage method

To investigate the cost-effectiveness of on-farm lime for ameliorating soil acidity in Kwinana East Port Zone and to validate the iLime application (developed by DPIRD and Desiree Futures with funding from GRDC) by comparing simulations with field trial results.