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.

Investigate the impact of soil management techniques and the application of different rates of lime over a five year period on soil pH.

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.

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

Compare changes in soil characteristics, including non-wetting and crop growth and performance in a mouldboard ploughed area versus untreated (control) area using an on-farm large scale demonstration site.

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 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 measure the role of water stored in the soil at sowing in affecting wheat yield.

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 improve grain production by ameliorating subsurface compaction and subsurface acidity.

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

To evaluate the response of wheat (yield and protein) in different paddock management zones to in-season application of nitrogen fertiliser, using the Yield Prophet system as a guide.

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 soil.

The purpose of this trial is to determine if there are benefits from applications of a biological based product developed by Basic Environmental Systems and Technology (B.E.S.T) namely ‘Customer Formulated Fertiliser’ (CFF).

To evaluate the response of wheat (yield and protein) in different paddock management zones to in-season application of nitrogen fertilizer, using the Yield Prophet system as a guide.

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

To determine if there are any benefits to increased productivity and carbon cycling on a yellow sandplain soil through mechanical incorporation.

To determine optimal input packages for noodle wheats in Buntine.

To examine the effect of increasing inputs for crop varieties representing APW wheat, oats, triticale and a new wheat investigating the prospects for ethanol production from wheat, on profitability for growers on a sandy soil with a highly acidic subsoil in the Liebe Group area.

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 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 assess the impact of deep ripping on barley and canola yield on sand over gravel and deep sand soil types in the South Stirling area of WA.

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

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

This project aims to establish 4 demonstration sites in the Esperance Port Zone that are used by growers to increase their knowledge and adoption of deep ripping and controlled traffic farming to alleviate non-wetting soils, compaction and waterlogging on different soil types in the port zone to improve crop production.

To do so the project will measure the grain yield and gross margin outcome of each soil ameliorant treatment at each site.

To assess the impact of deep ripping and spading on crop yield across three different soil types near Quairading, WA.

To examine the effect of increasing inputs to three commonly grown cereal varieties representing APW, noodle and malt segregations, and a new wheat investigating the prospects for ethanol production from wheat, on profitability for growers in the Liebe Group area.

To compare the performance of wheat crops grown using normal farming practices and inputs, to those grown with 2 x 250 mL/ha applications of the biological stimulant TM21 in addition to the normal farming practices and inputs.

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

To quantify the benefits pre-furrowing after pasture in a low rainfall area. Prefurrowing runs a point through dry soil to help rainfall entry.

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

The zinc content of particle size fractions of 12 mainly zinc deficient soils was measured by extraction with three contrasting extractants.

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 assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield across varying sites on a farm near Nyabing, WA.

• 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 (i) identify gaps in soil descriptions for the Esperance and Albany Zones (this project will assist growers to make better informed decisions when it comes to addressing their soil constraints and crop management decisions); and (ii) upskill growers and industry on the tools and models available to them and how to interpret the data generated from soil moisture probes through extension activities and workshops.

To assess the impact of deep ripping on wheat yield in a sand over gravel soil type near Northam, WA.

The key aim of this trial is to document and understand the change in soil pH down to a depth of 30cm.

To assess the impact of deep ripping on crop yield in a gravelly loam soil type near Muradup, WA.

In the mid 1990’s, DAFWA established a series of lime demonstrations sites across the WA wheatbelt, to highlight the importance of managing soil acidity. This trial is one of the series, which had a very simple design (0, 1 and 2t/ha applied, in 3 replicates). The rationale was to use farmer equipment, to enable larger areas to be treated differently, and ultimately provide extension opportunities across the WA wheatbelt.

To test the concept of variations in crop nitrogen dynamics in relation to soil compaction during the 2014 season.

The key aim of this trial was to compare soil pH change to depth; with two different sources of lime (lime sand and farmers chalk lime).

• OBJECTIVE 1: For growers, researchers and advisers to have a better understanding of the costs and benefits of ‘deeper’ deep ripping versus standard deep ripping and in particular depth of deep ripping required to optimise crop yield and profit.
• OBJECTIVE 2: To gain a better understanding of whether the higher cost associated with deeper ripping is matched with a corresponding yield increase taking into account the rainfall zones and the soil type.
• OBJECTIVE 3: Assess how long the benefits of ‘deeper’ deep ripping benefit last in a CTF system.
• OBJECTIVE 4: Enable growers and advisors on behalf of their clients, assess the cost-benefit of undertaking ‘deeper’ deep ripping.