Fertiliser N and P applications on two Vertosols in north-eastern Australia. 2. Grain P concentration and P removal in grain from two long-term experiments

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 218 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Lester ◽  
Colin J. Birch ◽  
Chris W. Dowling
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
P Concentration ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Legume Crops ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
P Removal

Within north-eastern Australia’s grain-production region there are few reports outlining nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertiliser effects on grain P concentration and P removal in grain. Two long-term N × P fertiliser experiments with different cultivation durations were conducted, one at ‘Colonsay’ on the Darling Downs in southern Queensland (commencing 1985 after 40 years of cultivation), and the other at ‘Myling’ on the north-west plains of New South Wales (commencing 1996 after 9 years of cultivation). Applications of N and P fertiliser independently influenced both grain P concentration and P removal for a range of summer and winter cereal and legume crops. Generally, if N fertiliser application increased grain yield, the grain P concentration decreased as grain yield increased; however, if grain yield did not respond to N fertiliser, grain P concentration was unaffected. P fertiliser applications typically increased grain P concentration. Wheat and barley grain P concentrations were generally higher in this subtropical region than reported values from temperate regions in Australia. Grain sorghum values were similar to those from subtropical areas overseas, but were greater than reported values from more tropical production zones. Mungbean and chickpea grain P concentrations were consistent with other reported values. Experimental results indicated grain P concentrations for estimating grain P removal in the northern grains region of 3400 mg/kg for sorghum, 3500 mg/kg for wheat and barley, and 4000–4500 mg/kg for mungbean. At both sites, grain P removal was greater with summer and winter cereals than with legume crops. Larger grain yields with N fertiliser application had the largest influence on grain P removal at the Colonsay site, with an additional 23.3 kg P/ha removed from plots with 80 kg N/ha applied compared with nil N over 5 analysed crops from 1998 to 2003. Grain P removal was 20.9, 17.1, and 19.7 kg P/ha in the 3 sorghum crops at this site in this period. Thus, application of P at 10 kg P/ha.crop for this 5-crop study period did not replace P removed. In the predominantly winter-cropped Myling experiment with a shorter duration of cultivation and smaller N fertiliser response, cumulative removal was more influenced by P fertiliser, with 10 kg fertiliser P/ha.crop generally sufficient to provide replacement P. These results support findings of negative P balances recently reported for grain production in this region and suggest a need for further investigation into the implications of a continuing negative P balance on the sustainability of grain production.

Corrigendum to: Fertiliser N and P applications on two Vertosols in north-eastern Australia. 2. Grain P concentration and P removal in grain from two long-term experiments

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
David W. Lester ◽  
Colin J. Birch ◽  
Chris W. Dowling
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
P Concentration ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Legume Crops ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
P Removal

Within north-eastern Australia's grain-production region there are few reports outlining nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertiliser effects on grain P concentration and P removal in grain. Two long-term N�נP fertiliser experiments with different cultivation durations were conducted, one at ?Colonsay' on the Darling Downs in southern Queensland (commencing 1985 after 40 years of cultivation), and the other at ?Myling' on the north-west plains of New South Wales (commencing 1996 after 9 years of cultivation). Applications of N and P fertiliser independently influenced both grain P concentration and P removal for a range of summer and winter cereal and legume crops. Generally, if N fertiliser application increased grain yield, the grain P concentration decreased as grain yield increased; however, if grain yield did not respond to N fertiliser, grain P concentration was unaffected. P fertiliser applications typically increased grain P concentration. Wheat and barley grain P concentrations were generally higher in this subtropical region than reported values from temperate regions in Australia. Grain sorghum values were similar to those from subtropical areas overseas, but were greater than reported values from more tropical production zones. Mungbean and chickpea grain P concentrations were consistent with other reported values. Experimental results indicated grain P concentrations for estimating grain P removal in the northern grains region of 3400�mg/kg for sorghum, 3500�mg/kg for wheat and barley, and 4000–4500�mg/kg for mungbean. At both sites, grain P removal was greater with summer and winter cereals than with legume crops. Larger grain yields with N fertiliser application had the largest influence on grain P removal at the Colonsay site, with an additional 23.3�kg�P/ha removed from plots with 80�kg�N/ha applied compared with nil N over 5 analysed crops from 1998 to 2003. Grain P removal was 20.9, 17.1, and 19.7�kg�P/ha in the 3 sorghum crops at this site in this period. Thus, application of P at 10�kg�P/ha.crop for this 5-crop study period did not replace P removed. In the predominantly winter-cropped Myling experiment with a shorter duration of cultivation and smaller N fertiliser response, cumulative removal was more influenced by P fertiliser, with 10�kg fertiliser P/ha.crop generally sufficient to provide replacement P. These results support findings of negative P balances recently reported for grain production in this region and suggest a need for further investigation into the implications of a continuing negative P balance on the sustainability of grain production.

Fertiliser N and P application on two Vertosols in north-eastern Australia. 3. Grain N uptake and yield by crop/fallow combination, and cumulative grain N removal and fertiliser N recovery in grain

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Lester ◽  
Colin J. Birch ◽  
Chris W. Dowling
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Winter Cereals ◽  
N Removal ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
P Application ◽  
Fertiliser Application

The grain N uptake response of an opportunity cropping regime comprising summer and winter cereal and legume crops to fertiliser nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) applications was studied in 2 long-term experiments with contrasting durations of cultivation. At the longer cultivation duration Colonsay site (>44 years at commencement), grain N uptake increased with fertiliser N application in 15 of 17 harvested crops from 1985 to 2003. Grain sorghum on short-fallow consistently responded to applied fertiliser N at higher rates (≥80 kg N/ha) than crops grown on long-fallow where either fertiliser at nil or 40 kg N/ha maximised grain N uptake. Winter cereal response to applied N was influenced by fallow length, generally smaller responses in long fallow years, although in-crop rainfall affected this. Short-fallow crops responded up to 40 or 80 kg applied N/ha, while seasonal growing-season rainfall affected the responses of the double-crop winter cereals the most. Responses to applied fertiliser N at the shorter duration cultivation Myling site (9 years at commencement) generally occurred only under high-intensity cropping periods, or in those crops sown following periods of slower potential N mineralisation. Phosphorus fertiliser application influenced grain N uptake at both locations in some years, with winter cereals, legumes, and sorghum sown following long-fallow generally significant. Cumulative grain N uptakes in both experiments were independently influenced by fertiliser N and P treatments, P having an additive effect, increasing grain yield and grain N removed. Recovery efficiency of fertiliser N in grain, derived from cumulative N fertiliser application and grain N uptake, in general declined as amount of fertiliser N applied increased; however, as N supplies became less limiting to yield, P fertiliser generated higher fertiliser N recovery in grain. At Colonsay, RENG from cumulative uptake and removal was ≥0.48 with fertiliser P application for cumulative fertiliser N input ≤1340 kg N/ha (≈80 kg fertiliser N/ha.crop).

Fertiliser N and P applications on two Vertosols in north-eastern Australia. 1. Comparative grain yield responses for two different cultivation ages

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Lester ◽  
Colin J. Birch ◽  
Chris W. Dowling
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Average Yield ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Winter Cereals ◽  
Eastern Australia

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the 2 most limiting nutrients for grain production within the northern grains region of Australia. The response to fertiliser N and P inputs is influenced partly by the age of cultivation for cropping, following a land use change from native pasture. There are few studies that have assessed the effects of both N and P fertiliser inputs on grain yield and soil fertility in the long term on soils with contrasting ages of cultivation with fertility levels that are running down v. those already at the new equilibrium. Two long-term N × P experiments were established in the northern grains region: one in 1985 on an old (>40 years) cultivation soil on the Darling Downs, Qld; the second in 1996 on relatively new (10 years) cultivation on the north-west plains of NSW. Both experiments consisted of fertiliser N rates from nil to 120 kg N/ha.crop in factorial combination with fertiliser P from nil to 20 kg P/ha.crop. Opportunity cropping is practiced at both sites, with winter and summer cereals and legumes sown. On the old cultivation soil, fertiliser N responses were large and consistent for short-fallow crops, while long fallowing reduced the size and frequency of N response. Short-fallow sorghum in particular has responded up to the highest rate of fertiliser N (120 kg N/ha.crop). Average yield increase with fertiliser N compared with nil for 5 short-fallow sorghum crops was 1440, 2650, and 3010 kg/ha for the 40, 80, and 120 kg N/ha, respectively. Average agronomic efficiency of N for these crops was 36, 33, and 25 kg grain/kg fertiliser N applied. This contrasts with relatively new cultivation soil, where fertiliser N response was generally limited to the first 30 kg N/ha applied during periods of high cropping intensity. Response to P input was consistent for crop species, VAM sensitivity, and starting soil test P level. At both the old and new cultivation sites, generally all winter cereals responded to a 10 kg P/ha application, and more than half of long-fallow sorghum crops from both sites had increased grain yield with P application. At the old cultivation site, average yield gain for 10 kg P/ha.crop treatment was 480 kg/ha for all winter cereal sowings, and 180 kg/ha for long-fallow sorghum. Short-fallow sorghum did not show yield response to P treatment.

Forage and grain yield of grazed or defoliated spring and winter cereals in a winter-dominant, low-rainfall environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison. J. Frischke ◽  
James R. Hunt ◽  
Dannielle K. McMillan ◽  
Claire J. Browne
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Cereal Crops ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Winter Cereals ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Grain Yield And Quality

In the Mallee region of north-western Victoria, Australia, there is very little grazing of crops that are intended for grain production. The success of dual-purpose crops in other regions in south-eastern Australia with higher and more evenly distributed rainfall has driven interest in assessing the performance of dual-purpose cereals in the region. Five experiments were established in five consecutive years (2009–13) in the southern Mallee to measure the forage production and grain yield and quality response in wheat and barley to grazing by sheep or mechanical defoliation. The first three experiments focused on spring cultivars sown from late April to June, and the last two on winter cultivars planted from late February to early March. Cereal crops provided early and nutritious feed for livestock, with earlier sowing increasing the amount of dry matter available for winter grazing, and barley consistently produced more dry matter at the time of grazing or defoliation than wheat. However, the grain-production response of cereals to grazing or defoliation was variable and unpredictable. Effects on yield varied from –0.7 to +0.6 t/ha, with most site × year × cultivar combinations neutral (23) or negative (14), and few positive (2). Changes in grain protein were generally consistent with yield dilution effects. Defoliation increased the percentage of screenings (grains passing a 2-mm sieve) in three of five experiments. Given the risk of reduced grain yield and quality found in this study, and the importance of grain income in determining farm profitability in the region, it is unlikely that dual-purpose use of current cereal cultivars will become widespread under existing grazing management guidelines for dual-purpose crops (i.e. that cereal crops can be safely grazed once anchored, until Zadoks growth stage Z30, without grain yield penalty). It was demonstrated that early-sown winter wheat cultivars could produce more dry matter for grazing (0.4–0.5 t/ha) than later sown spring wheat and barley cultivars popular in the region (0.03–0.21 t/ha), and development of regionally adapted winter cultivars may facilitate adoption of dual-purpose cereals on mixed farms.

Liming and re-liming needs of acidic soils used for crop - pasture rotations

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 577 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Slattery ◽  
G. W. Ganning ◽  
V. F. Burnett ◽  
D. R. Coventry
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Acidic Soils ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
Degradation Problem

Summary. In a long-term liming experiment in north-eastern Victoria, we have re-applied lime and applied gypsum (1992 season) to assess wheat grain yield responses with on-going changes in soil pH and extractable aluminium. An acid-sensitive wheat (cv. Oxley) was grown in 2 seasons (1992–93), 12 years after initial applications of lime. Where lime (2.5 t/ha) was applied in 1992 to a previously unlimed soil, grain yield was increased by 19 and 46% respectively in the 2 seasons. However, the yield from these newly limed plots was well below the yields obtained from plots limed in 1980. Re-liming plots limed in 1980 resulted in further yield increases, with lime re-applied at 2.5 t/ha increasing yields by 12% in both seasons. Gypsum decreased grain yields on unlimed soil in the year of application but in the second year gave increases in yield. Whilst pH had changed little in the unlimed soil over the 12 years, the concentrations of extractable aluminium in the root zone increased substantially such that these concentrations far exceed levels which may affect acid-sensitive wheats. Liming at 2.5 t/ha did reduce the aluminium at 0–10 cm depth, but the concentrations at 10–20 cm depth (11.7 mg/kg) are likely to restrict grain yield. The data illustrate the progressive nature of soil acidification and the risk to wheat productivity through delaying treating this soil degradation problem.

Electromagnetic induction sensing of soil identifies constraints to the crop yields of north-eastern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. P. Dang ◽  
R. C. Dalal ◽  
M. J. Pringle ◽  
A. J. W. Biggs ◽  
S. Darr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Electromagnetic Induction ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Soil Constraints ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
On Farm

Salinity, sodicity, acidity, and phytotoxic concentrations of chloride (Cl–) in soil are major constraints to crop production in many soils of north-eastern Australia. Soil constraints vary both spatially across the landscape and vertically within the soil profile. Identification of the spatial variability of these constraints will allow farmers to tune management to the potential of the land, which will, in turn, bring economic benefit. For three cropping fields in Australia’s northern grains region, we used electromagnetic induction with an EM38, which measures apparent electrical conductivity of the soil (ECa) and soil sampling to identify potential management classes. Soil Cl– and soluble Na+ concentrations, EC of the saturated extract (ECse), and soil moisture were the principal determinants of the variation of ECa, measured both at the drained upper limit of moisture (UL) and at the lower limit (LL) of moisture extracted by the crop. Grain yield showed a strong negative relation with ECa at both UL and LL, although it was stronger for the latter. We arrive at a framework to estimate the monetary value of site-specific management options, through: (i) identification of potential management classes formed from ECa at LL; (ii) measurement of soil attributes generally associated with soil constraints in the region; (iii) grain yield monitoring; and (iv) simple on-farm experiments. Simple on-farm experiments suggested that, for constrained areas, matching fertiliser application to realistic yield potential, coupled to gypsum amelioration, could potentially benefit growers by AU$14–46/ha.year (fertiliser) and $207/ha.3 years (gypsum).

Herbage, grain and animal production from winter-grazed cereal crops

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (121) ◽  
pp. 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
PR Dann ◽  
A Axelsen ◽  
BS Dear ◽  
ER Williams ◽  
CBH Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Yield Components ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Cereal Crops ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Relative Prices ◽  
Grain Yield Components ◽  
One Year

In four experiments from 1975 to 1979, wheat or oat crops were grazed to a standard height of about 6 cm (and to 2 cm as well in 1975 and 1976) at various times during winter by sheep, and by cattle also in 1979. Nitrogen was applied to a portion of each plot at the end of grazing. The crops were then allowed to recover for grain production. Herbage and grain yields, grain yield components, grazing days and liveweight gain were recorded. In two years, grazing significantly depressed grain yield relative to that of the ungrazed control, by 25-79% depending on treatment. In all years more herbage and animal production were obtained from a July or August grazing than from a June grazing. The greatest number of sheep grazing days recorded was 3414/ha for hoggets grazing oats for August 1977. lsis wheat was generally inferior to oats for grazing and grain production. Nitrogen increased grain and hay yields in three years; this increase was not profitable for grain, but was profitable for hay in at least one year. The most profitable use of winter cereal crops depends strongly on the relative prices of meat, grain, and hay. Our data suggest relationships between animal, hay, and grain production, which may be useful for farmers wishing to decide probable best options for using grazing-grain crops.

scholarly journals Agronomic responses of grain sorghum to DMPP-treated urea on contrasting soil types in north-eastern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Lester ◽  
Michael J. Bell ◽  
Kerry L. Bell ◽  
Massimiliano De Antoni Migliorati ◽  
Clemens Scheer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitor ◽  
Grain Sorghum ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitors ◽  
Available N ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern

Grain sorghum grown in north-eastern Australia’s cropping region increasingly requires nitrogen (N) fertiliser to supplement the soil available N supply. The rates of N required can be high when fallows between crop seasons are short (higher cropping intensities) and when yield potentials are high. Fertiliser N is typically applied before or at crop sowing and is vulnerable to environmental loss in the period between application and significant crop N demand due to potentially intense rainfall events in the summer-dominant rainfall environment. Nitrification inhibitors added to urea can reduce certain gaseous loss pathways but the agronomic efficacy of these products has not been explored. Urea and urea coated with the nitrification inhibitor DMPP (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) were compared in sorghum crops grown at five research sites over consecutive summer sorghum growing seasons in south-east Queensland. Products were compared in terms of crop responses in dry matter, N uptake and grain yield, with DMPP found to produce only subtle increases on grain yield. There was no effect on dry matter or N uptake. Outcomes suggest any advantages from use of DMPP in this region are most significant in situations where higher fertiliser application rates (>80kgN/ha) are required.

Optimal management of fertiliser and stocking rate in temperate grazing systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel Mokany ◽  
Andrew D. Moore ◽  
Phillip Graham ◽  
Richard J. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Optimal Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Stocking Rates

Phosphorus (P) fertilisers are one of the key tools available for increasing pasture production and the profitability of grazing enterprises. However, recent rapid changes in fertiliser price have increased the importance of developing optimal management strategies for applying P fertiliser and setting stocking rates. We applied a novel combination of process-based grazing systems modelling and randomised cash flow analyses to examine how changes in fertiliser price affect optimal fertiliser application rates and stocking rates for sheep grazing systems in south-eastern Australia, simultaneously taking into account long-term economic viability and environmental sustainability. We used ‘GrassGro’, a grazing systems decision support tool, to simulate three sheep enterprise types (Merino wethers, Merino ewes, crossbred ewes) at two locations (Hamilton, Victoria; Bookham, New South Wales). Gross margins from each year simulated in GrassGro (1966–2007) were randomised 500 times and input to a cash flow analysis that identified the financially optimal stocking rate for a range of fertiliser applications and the financial risk frontiers (combinations of stocking rate and fertiliser input for which the enterprise becomes financially unviable). For all enterprises examined at both locations, the optimal combinations of stocking rate and fertiliser application rate did not vary markedly as fertiliser price changed. Regardless of enterprise type or location, the fertiliser application rate at which the highest gross margins were achieved provided the greatest range of stocking rates that were both financially viable and environmentally sustainable. Increases in fertiliser price reduced the combinations of stocking rate and fertiliser application rate that were viable in the long term, emphasising the importance of well informed grazing management decisions.

scholarly journals Using crop analysis in the precision nutrient supply system of maize

2012 ◽  
pp. 183-186
Author(s):  
Zoltán Izsáki
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Leaf Analysis ◽  
Yield Level ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
P Concentration ◽  
Maize Leaves ◽  
K Concentration

The effect of the N, P and K supplies of soil on the grain yield and N, P and K status of maize was studied in a long-term mineral fertilisation experiment between 2001 and 2008 and nutrient supply limit values were determined to plant analysis. Based on the interaction between the N concentrtion of maize leaves measured at the beginnig of tasseling and grain yield, the satisfactory limit value of N supply to reach 10–14 t ha-1 yield was between 2.0–4.0%. Leaf analysis at the beginning of tasselling indicated that better P and K supplies were associated with a higher P and K concentration in the maize leaves. Correlation analysis on the P concentration of the maize leaves and the grain yield showed that at a grain yield level of 10–14 t ha-1 a P concentration of 0.20–0.37% represented a satisfactory P supply level. The satisfactory K supply limit value to reach 10–14t ha-1 grain yield was 1.5–2.6%.

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