trials

Evaluate the chemical forms of zinc in the soil solutions of Vertisols used for cereal cropping.

To explore low risk, best bet strategies for the low rainfall cropping zone.

To investigate low risk, best bet strategies for the low rainfall cropping zone

To assess the yield response to deep ripping depth on a productive sand plain near Kojaneerup, WA.

To assess the yield response in barley, canola and lupins to deep ripping over a three year period (2015 – 2017) near Broomehill, WA.

To assess the yield response in barley, canola and lupins to deep ripping over a three year period (2015 – 2017) near Broomehill, WA.

To discuss the process of wind erosion: how it occurs, what the liklihood of wind and rain fall is going to be, what control methods are available, and which is the best control method to use in a particular location.

This article summarises the first season’s wheat performance after increasing severity of trafficking was imposed on a red calcareous sandy loam at Minnipa Agricultural Centre. Three other trials similar in design and monitoring have also been implemented across the LRZ – on a deep sand at Loxton (SA), a brown loam near Swan Hill (Vic) and on a deep red earth at Lake Cargellico (NSW). All these trials will be maintained for at least the five year life of the project.

To develop systems to protect grain quality and yield in a low rainfall area. Trying wider rows to conserve moisture instead of fallow.

To report on Alan’s aim to lime 20% of the farm each year and reprot that now, five years later, that aim is just about achieved. 

To shed some light on why cereals yielded so much better compared with pulse crops and canola in the southern Mallee in 2001.

To characterise the residual value of different P sources and changes in soil fertility (SOC, CEC, pH, nutrient supply, non-wetting, compaction) after 30 plus years, using soil measurements and bioassay cropping.

To examine the potential for crop yield in the northern sandplain systems and explore practices that will allow the potential to be approached

To assess the impact of rotary spading non-wetting sandplain soil on soil properties, crop growth and productivity.

To determine the impact of root lesions nematode on wheat and barley production in the southern Mallee.

To identify cultivation and fertiliser practices which reduce the incidence and damage caused by Pratylenchus.

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.

To determine what happens to pre-drilled N on southern Malle clay-loam soils.

To summarise the current knowledge about waterlogging on Kangaroo Island.

• To determine how much genetic variation there is in the tolerance of wheat to waterlogging on Kangaroo Island.

• To investigate the effect of some common trace elements on wheat yields in waterlogged soils. zinc, copper and manganese were used in the trial as they are micronutrient deficiencies known to occur in southern Australia.

• To investigate nitrogen management strategies in waterlogged soils.

• To look at some agronomic solutions to waterlogging.

• To test the ability of a range of drainage treatments to improve crop yields in soil prone to waterlogging.

• To test the ability of a range of drainage treatments to improve crop yields in soil prone to waterlogging.

To compare the performance of a range of pulse varieties and sowing dates in two contrasting soil types in North Central Victoria.

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.

• To compare the effects of variable urea rate on two soil types.
• To compare different rates of urea applied at GS30.

• To compare variable rate phosphorus against flat rate applications.
• To compare ' P Replacement' with P applications based on EM38 soil surveys.

To utilise satellite imagery technology for determining variable rate nitrogen applications.

To investigate the possible advantages of varying nitrogen rates over different soil types on a field in the Upper North region.

To use a combination of N-rich strip and satellite imagery in canola to determine a variable rate nitrogen plan.

• To compare the effects of nitrogen on cereal crop yield and protein levels.
• To compare the performance of variable rate nitorgen applications to determine profitable future rate applications.

• To compare Variable Rate Nitrogen against Flat rate applications.
• To compare two methods of zoning – using EM38 soil survey and 2009 yield data.

To compare the effects of variable rate nitrogen applications on wheat yield across diverse soil types.

To compare the effects of variable rate nitrogen applications on wheat yield across varying soil types.

To determine the effects of variable rate technology (VRT) through variable nutrient management across high, medium and low performing soil types, and also the effects of seeding rate across these soil types

To address the following questions.

• Is the variable lime technique applicable/economic in a pasture system or is it more suited to cropping systems?
• Is it viable in the smaller size paddocks that are usual in pasture systems?
• Can you measure economic gains using the technique in pasture paddocks?

To determine if a soil wetter, such as SE14, improves plant establishment in years with a dry start.

To improve predictability of growth responses to zinc from soil analysis.

To compare and showcase the broad range of strategic tillage options for amelioration of yellow sandplain soils and to assess their effectiveness at overcoming a range of soil constraints including non-wetting soil surface, compaction and subsoil acidity and increasing crop productivity.

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.

To gain an understanding of production benefits of clay incorporation and the role of organic matter in sandy soils. 

To (i) improve the understanding of how soil moisture probes and Yield Prophet can be used to complement each other; (ii) increase the range of APSoil soil type selections in Yield Prophet by modifying existing soil types based on the probe data; (iii) provide growers with access to real-time soil moisture data and periodic Yield Prophet reports from soil types and cropping scenarios that are representative of their area; and (iv) cross-validate soil moisture probe data with Yield Prophet soil moisture modelling.

To determine suitable tine spacing and lime products for deep banding of lime to treat subsurface acidity.

This article summarises the first four years of crop performance after trafficking was imposed on a red calcareous sandy loam at Minnipa Agricultural Centre (a detailed summary of 2015, 2016 and 2017 results can be found in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems Summaries, respectively). Three other trials similar in design and monitoring have also been implemented across the LRZ – on a deep sand at Loxton (SA), a brown loam near Swan Hill (Vic) and on a deep red earth at Lake Cargelligo (NSW). All these trials except Swan Hill (land ownership has changed) have been maintained for at least the five years of the project. A new trial was set up in 2018 to investigate the role of CTF on a deep sand which has been ameliorated with deep ripping.

To quantify the benefits of Tramline Farming in a low rainfall area.

A review of trace element research in South Australia.

To explore relationships between the availability of trace elements in some South Australian soils.

To establish the micronutrient status of some South Australian soils.