Crop yield responses to surface and subsoil applications of poultry litter and inorganic fertiliser in south-eastern Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Celestina ◽  
Jon Midwood ◽  
Stuart Sherriff ◽  
Sam Trengove ◽  
James Hunt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Positive Interaction ◽  
Deep Placement ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

In the high-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia, deep incorporation of organic matter has previously been reported to increase crop yields by improving access to subsoil water and nutrients, resulting from the amelioration of subsoil constraints. However, previous experiments did not separate the yield response resulting from nutrients contained in the amendment from yield response due to amelioration of subsoil constraints. In order to separate these effects, eight field experiments were conducted on a range of soil types across the medium- and high-rainfall zones of south-eastern Australia between 2014 and 2016. Grain yield and quality responses of a range of annual crops (canola, wheat, barley and lentil) to surface and deep placement of poultry litter and inorganic fertilisers with matched nutrition were assessed. Over 15 site × year combinations, there was no consistent, significant positive interaction between amendment and incorporation treatments necessary to demonstrate that deep placement of amendment (i.e. subsoil manuring) had advantages over surface application of the same amendment. Differences in crop yield in these experiments are attributed to nutrients (particularly nitrogen) supplied by the amendment, and not to the amelioration of subsoil constraints. Future research, including analysis of subsoil physicochemical properties and plant nutrient concentrations after treatment, is necessary to confirm the role of nitrogen and other nutrients in the crop response to subsoil manuring.

Crop responses to lime in long-term pasture-crop rotations in a high rainfall area in south-eastern Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Li ◽  
K. R. Helyar ◽  
M. K. Conyers ◽  
B. R. Cullis ◽  
P. D. Cregan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Permanent Pasture ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

A long-term trial, known as ‘managing acid soils through efficient rotations’ (MASTER), commenced in 1992 to develop and demonstrate a cropping system that is economically viable on the highly acid soils of the traditional permanent pasture region in south-eastern Australia, so that their fertility is sustained or improved. There were 2 permanent pasture systems and 2 pasture–crop rotations, each with and without lime. This paper reports the effect of lime on crop production over the first cycle (6 years). On annual pasture–crop rotations, lime significantly increased the dry matter production at anthesis and grain yields of wheat (cv. Dollarbird) compared with the unlimed treatments. Averaged across years from 1992 to 1997 (excluding the severe drought year 1994), wheat crops produced 1.6 t/ha more grain on the limed treatments than on the unlimed treatments (3.6 v. 2.0 t/ha). On perennial pasture–crop rotations, the lime effects varied with crops grown at each phase and year. For example, despite being tolerant of acidity, oats (cv. Yarran) responded to lime in 1996. Likewise, triticale (cv. Abacus) responded to lime in 1997. Wheat (cv. Dollarbird) that is moderately tolerant to acidity responded to lime in phase 6 from 1992 to 1997 excluding 1994 (3.5 v. 1.7 t/ha). Acid-tolerant wheat varieties, triticale, and narrow-leaf lupins are considered the most viable crops for the soil and climatic conditions encountered in this high rainfall (5000—800 mm per annum) area of south-eastern Australia.

Factors affecting production of inoculum of the blackleg fungus (Leptosphaeria maculans) in south-eastern Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Marcroft ◽  
S. J. Sprague ◽  
S. J. Pymer ◽  
P. A. Salisbury ◽  
B. J. Howlett
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategy ◽  
Leptosphaeria Maculans ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Blackleg Fungus ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The production of windborne ascospore inoculum of the blackleg fungus (Leptosphaeria maculans) was determined during 2000 and 2001 in 3 environments (Birchip, low rainfall; Wonwondah, medium rainfall; Lake Bolac, high rainfall) in Victoria. The weight of canola stubble (kg/ha) remaining on the soil surface in paddocks was estimated 6, 18, 30 and 42 months after harvest of the original canola crop. In all 3 environments only small amounts of stubble were present 18 months after harvest. Eighty percent of the 6-month-old stubble comprised stems and branches, with the remaining 20% being root material, while 42-month-old stubble consisted only of root material. Paddocks subjected to raking and burning contained only half the weight of stubble compared with paddocks that were harrowed. Where canola was harvested in January, even when no management strategy was used, 80% of subsequent stubble was no longer on the soil surface by July of that year. Pseudothecia from 6-month-old stubble from the high rainfall environment discharged significantly more ascospores than stubble of the same age from the medium rainfall environment, which in turn discharged more than stubble from the low rainfall environment. In all environments, paddocks containing 6-month-old canola stubble discharged 30-fold as many ascospores per hectare as older stubble paddocks.

Can nitrogen fertiliser and nitrification inhibitor management influence N2O losses from high rainfall cropping systems in South Eastern Australia?

2013 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Harris ◽  
Sally J. Officer ◽  
Patricia A. Hill ◽  
Roger D. Armstrong ◽  
Kirsten M. Fogarty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitor ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Integrating dual-purpose wheat and canola into high-rainfall livestock systems in south-eastern Australia. 2. Pasture and livestock production

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Dove ◽  
J. A. Kirkegaard ◽  
W. M. Kelman ◽  
S. J. Sprague ◽  
S. E. McDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Winter Canola ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Winter Temperatures ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Livestock Systems ◽  
South Eastern Australia

In south-eastern Australia, low winter temperatures often reduce pasture growth and thus winter herbage supply relative to livestock requirements. Grazing of vegetative grain crops in winter is one strategy that might overcome this feed gap. In a study with young sheep over two seasons near Canberra, ACT, we compared pasture-only grazing with three separate crop–livestock systems in which the sheep grazed long-season wheat, winter canola or a combination of these, for intervals over the period May–August. We measured forage biomass, sheep grazing days (SGD) and liveweight accumulated per ha. Crop-grazing treatments resulted in much more winter forage for grazing sheep (t DM ha–1): in 2010, one crop 2.5–3.0, two crops 3.5 v. pasture only 1; in 2011, one crop 2, two crops 3 v. pasture only 1.4. In the first season, grazing one crop resulted in ~2000 extra SGD ha–1 and the accumulation of more liveweight per ha than in the pasture-only treatment; grazing of two crops resulted in >3500 extra SGD ha–1. Equivalent values in the second, drier season were: one crop, ~1000 extra SGD ha–1; two crops, 2600 extra SGD ha–1. Spelling of pastures during crop grazing led to extra pasture growth, such that in each of the two seasons, 40% of the total benefit in extra SGD per ha came from the extra pasture. The results indicate that, like grazed wheat, grazed canola can provide valuable winter forage, especially when used together with wheat. The data also provide the first quantification of the effect of crop grazing on pasture spelling and subsequent pasture supply, and suggest value in the incorporation of grazing wheat and canola into grazing systems in the high-rainfall zone.

Longevity of wheat yield response to lime in south-eastern Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Coventry ◽  
W. J. Slattery ◽  
V. F. Burnett ◽  
G. W. Ganning
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Initial Application ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Phosphorus Fertiliser ◽  
Lime Application ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Summary. A long-term experiment in north-eastern Victoria has been regularly monitored for wheat yield responses to a range of lime and fertiliser treatments, and the soil sampled for acidity attributes. Substantial grain yield increases have been consistently obtained over a period of 12 years with a single lime application. Lime applied at 2.5 t/ha in 1980 was still providing yield increases of 24% with an acid-tolerant wheat (Matong, 1992 season) and 79% with an acid-sensitive wheat (Oxley, 1993 season) relative to no lime treatment. The 2 wheat cultivars responded differently to phosphorus fertiliser, with the acid-sensitive wheat less responsive to phosphorus fertiliser in the absence of lime. The use of a regular lime application applied as a fertiliser (125 kg lime/ha) with the wheat seed gave only a small grain yield increase (8% Matong, 16% Oxley), despite 1 t/ha of lime applied over the 12-year period. Liming the soil at a rate of 2.5 t/ha (1980) initially raised the soil pH by about 1.0 unit and removed most soluble aluminium (0–10 cm). However, after 12 years of crop–pasture rotation after the initial 2.5 t lime/ha treatment the soil pH had declined by 0.7 of a pH unit and exchangeable aluminium was substantially increased, almost to levels prior to the initial application of lime. Given the continued yield responsiveness obtained following the initial application of lime, this practice, rather than regular applications of small amounts of lime, is recommended for wheat production on strongly acidic (pHw < 5.5) soils in south-eastern Australia.

Subsoil constraints to crop production on neutral and alkaline soils in south-eastern Australia: a review of current knowledge and management strategies

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Adcock ◽  
A. M. McNeill ◽  
G. K. McDonald ◽  
R. D. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Alkaline Soils ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Deep Placement ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
The Impact ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Crop yield variability and productivity below potential yield on neutral and alkaline soils in the semiarid Mediterranean-type environments of south-eastern Australia have been attributed, in part, to variable rooting depth and incomplete soil water extraction caused by physical and chemical characteristics of soil horizons below the surface. In this review these characteristics are referred to as subsoil constraints. This document reviews current information concerning subsoil constraints typical of neutral and alkaline soils in south-eastern Australia, principally salinity, sodicity, dense soils with high penetration resistance, waterlogging, nutrient deficiencies and ion toxicities. The review focuses on information from Australia (published and unpublished), using overseas data only where no suitable Australian data is available. An assessment of the effectiveness of current management options to address subsoil constraints is provided. These options are broadly grouped into three categories: (i) amelioration strategies, such as deep ripping, gypsum application or the use of polyacrylamides to reduce sodicity and/or bulk density, deep placement of nutrients or organic matter to overcome subsoil nutrient deficiencies or the growing of ‘primer’ crops to naturally ameliorate the soil; (ii) breeding initiatives for increased crop tolerance to toxicities such as salt and boron; and (iii) avoidance through appropriate agronomic or agro-engineering solutions. The review highlights difficulties associated with identifying the impact of any single subsoil constraint to crop production on neutral and alkaline soils in south-eastern Australia, given that multiple constraints may be present. Difficulty in clearly ranking the relative effect of particular subsoil constraints on crop production (either between constraints or in relation to other edaphic and biological factors) limits current ability to develop targeted solutions designed to overcome these constraints. Furthermore, it is recognised that the task is complicated by spatial and temporal variability of soil physicochemical properties and nutrient availability, as well as other factors such as disease and drought stress. Nevertheless, knowledge of the relative importance of particular subsoil constraints to crop production, and an assessment of impact on crop productivity, are deemed critical to the development of potential management solutions for these neutral to alkaline soils.

scholarly journals High clay contents, dense soils, and spatial variability are the principal subsoil constraints to cropping the higher rainfall land in south-eastern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. MacEwan ◽  
D. M. Crawford ◽  
P. J. Newton ◽  
T. S. Clune
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Management Options ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
High Bulk Density ◽  
High Bulk ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Available soil information and unpublished data from soil survey indicate that high clay contents and high bulk density are the major subsoil constraints to crop growth in the high rainfall zone (HRZ) of south-eastern Australia. Seven high rainfall agroecological zones are proposed as sub-divisions of the region to focus future research and development. The HRZ is dominated by texture-contrast soils (69.9%) and soils with clay subsoil (89.4%) and high bulk density (mean 1.6 t/m3). Sodicity and acidity are also significant constraints to crop production in the HRZ. The physical limitations to root growth in the HRZ subsoils are best appreciated through the least-limiting water range concept and growth-limiting bulk densities. Management options and results of past research and intervention in soil loosening, drainage, raised beds, liming, and gypsum are reviewed. Climatic uncertainty raises questions about the future relevance of waterlogging as a constraint in the HRZ and confounds the development of reliable recommendations for engineering intervention.

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