Life Sciences Commons^™

Making Better Fertiliser Decisions For Cropping Systems In Western Australia. Soil Test – Crop Response Relationships And Critical Soil Test Values And Ranges, Geoff Anderson, Ross Brennan, Richard Bell, Wen Chen

Bulletins 4000 -

The better fertiliser decisions for cropping project (BFDC) (2009-2012) was completed to provide comprehensive information to improve fertiliser decisions for the cropping industry in Australia (Speirs et al. 2013a). The WA component provides interpretation of results from crop nutrient application experiments for the WA cropping system, and developed a tool for estimating nutrient losses from cropping systems soils.

The BFDC-WA project aims to use the 4R principles by producing a series of bulletins on nutrient management for the cropping system of WA.

Audit Of Wa Agricultural Lime Quality 2013, Chris Gazey

Bulletins 4000 -

Applying agricultural lime is the most economical way of ameliorating low soil pH in broadscale agriculture in Western Australia (WA). In WA, agricultural lime is usually limesand from coastal sand dunes, crushed limestone from coastal deposits or crushed dolomitic lime (usually marketed as dolomite) from old lake and inland drainage systems. Other sources are Cretaceous chalk and lake bed marls.

WA agriculture is well serviced by lime suppliers, although the quality of lime varies markedly around the State, and cost does not always reflect quality as measured by neutralising value and fineness. Neutralising value and particle size distribution (fineness) are …

Subsurface Compaction A Guide For Wa Farmers And Consultants, Stephen Davies, Alison Lacey

Bulletins 4000 -

For plants to grow in agricultural soils, roots and emerging shoots must be able to force their way through the soil. In soils of high strength, this growth is physically restricted. High strength soils may be due to natural soil characteristics and conditions or develop as a result of agricultural practices and may be in layers or throughout the soil profile.

In agriculture, high strength soils commonly occur as a result of compaction. Compaction of agricultural soils can be in the surface (often caused by stock trampling or rain drop splatter) or in the subsurface (usually in a layer at …

Soil Ph In Northern And Southern Areas Of The Wa Wheatbelt, Chris Gazey, Joel Andrew

Bulletins 4000 -

More than 80% of the topsoils sampled fall below the critical surface pHCaCl2 of 5.5 in the northern and southern wheatbelt study areas, with more in the south than the north. These results confirm soil acidity is a serious concern throughout the WA wheatbelt when considered in conjunction with the more intensive analysis of current soil pH throughout the Avon River Basin (2005–2008).

With low topsoil pH, it is likely that subsurface acidity is also a problem. For soil acidity to be managed, subsurface pH also needs to be known. In the Avon River Basin study, about half of the …

Survey Of Western Australian Agricultural Lime Sources, Chris Gazey, Dave Gartner

Bulletins 4000 -

As a service to WA wheatbelt farmers, to assist with cost effective management of soil acidity, a survey of agricultural lime availability and quality was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

The quality of agricultural lime surveyed varied widely between pits. High quality lime is available from limes and, limestone and dolomite sources. Twice as much of the lowest neutralising value lime surveyed would need to be applied compared to the highest to achieve the same increase in soil pH. Limes also varied in the distribution of particle sizes. Selecting limes with a high proportion of …

Tree Windbreaks In The Wheatbelt, Robert Sudmeyer, David Bicknell, Neil Coles

Bulletins 4000 -

Windbreaks comprising trees, or tree and shrub combinations, can offer many benefits on wheatbelt farms, particularly for protection of soil, stock, crops and pastures from damaging winds and erosion. Additional benefits include reduced evaporation from farm dams, reduced groundwater recharge, their use as nature conservation corridors and habitats, increased biodiversity including predators of crop and pasture pests, fire control, tree products and improved lifestyle and aesthetics.

In other areas and farming systems such as intensive horticulture, man-made windbreaks may be used, but their higher cost makes them unsuited for broadscale agriculture. Man-made windbreaks can be effective in reducing evaporative losses …

Annual Pasture Legume Options For Key Soil Types, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia, Grains Research & Development Corporation

All other publications

No abstract provided.

Field Pea In The Great Southern, Ian Pritchard, Rodger Beermier, Mark Seymour

All other publications

Semi-leafless field pea like Kaspa have lifted the benchmark set by the previous conventional varieties such as Parafield and Dunwa. Semi-leafless field pea have the same traits as conventional field pea: adaptation to a range of soil types; wide selection of weed control options (including crop topping); nitrogen input; disease break; and reduction in root lesion nematodes. Semi-leafless pea is easier to harvest and is less prone to pod shatter.

Successful Cropping In The High Rainfall Zone Of Western Australia : Crop Research And Extension In The Zone, Narelle Hill, Heping Zhang Dr., Tim Trezise, John Young, Natahan Moyes, Laurence Carslake, Neil C. Turner Dr, Walter Anderson, Michael Poole

Bulletins 4000 -

This manual is a review of all the relevant and current information relating to cropping systems in the high rainfall cropping zone (HRZ) of Western Australia. It functions partly as the final report summarising research results and extension activities and discusses recommendations and potential outcomes of two 5-year GRDC-funded projects (DAW 673 and CSP 302), that aimed to increase the productivity of southern high rainfall cropping systems.

Producing Pulses In The Northern Agricultural Region, Peter White, Martin Harries, Mark Seymour, Pam Burgess

Bulletins 4000 -

Pulses, like most other temperate crops, are ideally suited to environments with mild temperatures, adequate rainfall and free draining soils that have a deep uniform profile, a medium to fine texture and slightly acid to neutral pH (6.5-7.5). Pulses when grown on these soils and in these environments produce reliable yields, are relatively easy to manage and achieve good returns on investment.

Pulses can be grown very successfully in less ideal situations, but must then be managed carefully to ensure reliable yields. The different pulse species, and even different varieties of the same species, vary in how tolerant they are …

Subsurface Acidity, Mike Bolland, Chris Gazey, Amanda Miller, Dave Gartner, Julie-Anne Roche

Bulletins 4000 -

Productive agriculture increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in soil, which acidifies the soil.

Aluminium is a component of many soil constituents, including clays and oxides, and is also present on the surfaces of soil organic matter. As the concentration of hydrogen ions in soil increases, soil pH decreases, and aluminium starts to dissolve from the soil constituents, increasing the concentration of aluminium ions in soil solution.

As the concentration of aluminium ions in the solution increases, the aluminium in the soil solution becomes increasingly toxic to plant roots, reducing root growth. The smaller amounts of plant roots explore a …

Successful Field Pea Harvesting, Glen Riethmuller, Ian Pritchard

Bulletins 4000 -

Many thousands of hectares of field peas are harvested trouble free each year. Growers experience together with recent machinery innovations and modifications have solved the majority of harvesting difficulties. Optimum harvesting conditions are in a crop of uniform density on a level soil surface with the machine either working into or across the direction that the crop has been laid by the wind.

To make harvest easier the receival standard for moisture in pulses has been lifted to 14 per cent, which allows harvest to begin sooner when the crop is the range of 14 to 15 per cent moisture. …

Organic Wheat : A Production Guide, Steven Mccoy

Bulletins 4000 -

Many people believe that organic agriculture systems can only work in high rainfall regions. However, some of Australia’s most successful organic farmers are the experienced organic wheatbelt growers who produce cereal, pulse and oilseed crops in different regions and soil types across the country.

Wheat is the major organic cereal crop grown in Australia - predominantly noodle and breadmaking wheats for export markets.

Farming systems developed by modern organic wheat growers can differ significantly in concept, strategies and techniques from those used by conventional growers. Successful conversion to organic requires careful planning and integration of the whole farming system over …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2002 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Soil Acidity Research, Development and Extension Project has produced a summary of the activities, research results and recommendations each year and this book is the last in a series of seven.

The Department of Agriculture Western Australia, The University of Western Australia and CSIRO have supported the project with industry funds from The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).

The high level of funding for soil acidity research, development and extension comes to an end in June 2002. It is now time for the management of soil acidity to be part of all …

Profitable Canola Production In The Great Southern And Lakes District, Paul Carmody, Ashley Herbert

Bulletins 4000 -

The Canola industry has rapidly grown with a 10 fold increase in area sown in Western Australia over the four years from 1996-99.

The driving force behind this increase in area can be attributed to the successful adoption of weed control technology in Triazine Tolerant Canola.

By knowing the model of the limiting factors, which are usually; weed control, fertiliser practices, blackleg management, variety selection, seeding dates, seeding depths, insect control and swathing, we can make the right decisions and achieve the targeted profit.

To produce yield to potential, all factors need to be optimised, otherwise yields will be decreased …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2001 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

This book for 2001 again summarises the work being carried out by staff of The Integrated Soil Acidity Research, Development and Extension projects in Western Australia. These projects are based at Agriculture Western Australia, The University of Western Australia and CSIRO.

Several articles in this book are an indication that the current round of funding for this work is drawing to a close in June 2002. The articles reflect our increasing understanding of not only the effects of soil acidity but also the time required for current practices of surface applied lime to ameliorate acidity in both the surface and …

Dealing With A Dry Season, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

Farmers' approaches to adverse seasonal conditions whether they be frost, flood or low rainfall should be to acquire as much information as possible on the immediate agronomic and financial situations and make a judgement on the longer term implications for the following seasons. Once the information has been acquired, in consultation with advisers, it is necessary to construct and implement agronomic and business strategies to deal with individual situations.

The agronomic and stocking options for the dry season supplied in this booklet deal with questions and issues arising from the Year 2000 season, which has been characterised by a mid …

Pulse And Canola Frost Identification:The Back Pocket Guide, Craig White

Bulletins 4000 -

This field guide will help you identify the common symptoms of frost damage in pulse and canola crops. It also contains pictures of other plant symptoms often confused with frost damage in these crops.

Frost damage reduces crop yield and grain quality. Early identification of symptoms allows timely crop salvage decisions to be made.

Inspect pulse and canola crops between bud formation and during pod growth if right air temperature (recorded 1.2 m above ground) falls below 2 degrees celsius and there was a frost.

Check low lying, light coloured soil types and known frost prone areas first. Then check …

Profitable Canola Production In The South Coastal Region 2000, David Eksteen

Bulletins 4000 -

Why grow canola in the South Coast Region? Canola is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which also includes mustard, turnip, wild radish, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli. It is a winter growing oilseed that can be produced in most arable areas of Australia where winter crops are currently grown. Originally known as rapeseed using the species B. campestris, the species of B. napus have almost completely replaced this earlier species in all the areas where the crop is grown.

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2000 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

We have come a long way over the past three or four years in terms of both, the level of understanding and recognition of Soil Acidity as a major land degradation issue for the wheatbelt of Western Australia, and, in our actions to treat the problem.

During 1999 there were three very significant changes relating to acid soils in Western Australia.

• Lime use in WA increased by over 200,000 tonnes from 1998 to 1999 to a record 653,000 tonnes, which was double the amount applied in 1997.
• The Agricultural Lime Industry adopted a voluntary Lime Industry Code of Practice in …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1999 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

We all know we have to apply lime as part of our farming systems. This means that a huge amount of lime will be applied to soils which have never had lime applied before.

One of the effects of this is that we can now consider thinking about introducing acid-sensitive systems to soils, which previously would have been considered too acid.

The other side of liming is that the pH changes affect many soil properties. There is an element of uncertainty about whether unforeseen side effects will emerge on our fragile soils as a result of this new practice.

The …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1998 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

Recent yield responses by canola where lime has been applied to acidic soils are very encouraging. Two sites have shown that the yield increase in canola after lime was applied in the previous year would have easily paid for the total cost of purchase, transport and application of the lime.

This work was carried out to demonstrate the increased options that are likely to be available once producers are treating or managing soil acidity. Canola is becoming increasingly important as a cash value crop and a break crop allowing wider rotations.

Growers are pushing the limits of canola’s tolerance to …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1997 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

There is a lot of lime being spread in Western Australia – or is there?

In fact, the Australian Bureau of Statistics agricultural census paints a picture showing that we are still far short of the amount of lime that should be getting on to the ground.

For many years Western Australian soils acidified without significant production penalties. The soil pH was at values that were not affecting plant growth. However, over the last decade or so, large areas of soils have reached the point where production is being affected. In addition, we are now introducing plant species such as …

Managing For Stubble Retention, Linda Leonard

Bulletins 4000 -

One of the objectives of sustainable farming systems is to retain as much cover on the soil as possible – this helps to maintain soil structure and protects the soil from erosion.

Improving productivity, maintaining soil structure, and stabilising fragile soils are some of the desired aims of farming. Sound rotations, reduced tillage, effective use of herbicides, maintenance of ground cover and careful management of stock are part of the management process used in achieving these goals.

This Bulletin provides an introduction to stubble retention systems. Its purpose is to create an awareness of the benefits and principles of stubble …

Quantifying Loss Of Yield Potential Due To Leaf Disease., B A. Peters, R Loughman

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

To determine the impact of Septoria and barley yellow dwarf virus on wheat grown under the package approach on the south coast using different levels of fungicide and insecticide control on a susceptible variety of an appropriate maturity for early sowing.

Examine if there is any benefit for disease control of S. tritici from Baytan seed dressing. 92AL16.

Time of sowing and variety effects on the Septoria diseases of wheat. 92AL17.

Time of sowing effect on barley foliar diseases. 92AL19.

Evaluating variety mixtures to reduce Septoria using a range of lines. 92AL24.

Fungicides for control of Septoria nodorum of wheat. …

Development Of Procedures To Determine The Fertilizer Requirements Of Annual Pasture Legumes Grown In Cereal Cropping Systems., B. H. Paynter

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials 88ME67, 88SC17, 90ME1 and 90ME2

Location: Merredin

To determine the phosphate (P) fertilizer requirements of burr medic on marginally acidic, medium textured soils and yellow serradella on acidic, light textured soils.

Trials 89ME52, 89ME55 and 86ME61

Location: Merredin

Determine the response of yellow serradella and burr medic to residual phosphate and freshly applied phosphate.

Trials 89ME50, 89ME54, 88ME67, 88SC17, 89ME60

Location: Merredin.

To measure the influence of different levels of pasture productivity (generated by different levels of P supply) and the different pasture legumes on subsequent wheat crops.

Seed Phosphorus In Wheat And Lupins, B. H. Paynter, K. Adcock, R. W. Bell, Tim Pope

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90NO119

Seed P in wheat.

Location: Greenhills.

Design: 2 applied P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, sowing wheat (cv. Aroona) seed from 89N33 at 70 kg/ha on May 15, 1990.

Trial 90NO120

Seed P in wheat.

Location: York

Design: 2 applied from P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, 89N33 at 70 kg/ha on May 25, 1990.

Trial 90NO117

Seed P in lupins

Location: Greenhills.

Design: 2 applied P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, sowing lupins (cv. Gungurru) from 85BA35 at 100 kg/ha on May 15, 1990.

Trial 90NO118

Seed P in lupins.

Location: …

Pasture And Fodder Shrub Species For Deep Sandy Soils., Tim Wiley

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90MO64

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: Moora.

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand, moisture at depth pH 5.9 - 6.1 in CaC1^₂.

Trial 90MO65

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: West Gillingarra

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand, moisture at depth pH 5.9 - 6.0 in CaC1₂

Trial 90MO66

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: West Koojan

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand pH 5.8 - 5.9 in CaC1₂

Trial 89BA40

Tagasaste establishment trial

Location: Badgingarra Research Station.

Soil type: poor quality …

Performance Of Annual Legumes And Their Mixes Under Different Crop:Pasture Rotation., P. Evans

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 86KA64, 86KA65 and 86KA66

Performance of annual legumes and their mixtures under different crop:pasture rotations.

Seed reserves, especially in the 1:1 rotation treatment, are on average below 100 kg/ha and in many cases below 50 kg/ha for all three soil types. Because of this the 1991 season will be used to fertilize, control weeds, and apply a grazing management system to favour legume production and seed set. No crop will be sown in 1991.

Sub clover flowering, sequential sowings.

Location: Katanning

To provide seven different temperature and photoperiod regimes, eight cultivars of sub clover ranging in maturity from Nungarin …

Wheat Responses To Levels, Sources And Times Of Application Of Nitrogen., J. W. Bowden, S. J. Burgess, R. J. Lunt, Ian Fillery

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90M055

Associated work: 90NO112, 105,104.111, 90MO53, 54,56

Location: Dandaragan

This project characterizes the dynamics of nitrogen supply to a wheat crop at each of the sites on which various methods of making fertilizer recommendation were tested. It supposedly provides the "optimum" nitrogen fertilizer regime as well as detailed information on nitrogen supply and demand so that results can be made transferable to other situations.

Trial 90MO56

Related trials: 90NO104, 105, 111, 112; 90MO53, 54,55

Tactical nitrogen application for wheat

Location: Danaragan

This project compares tactical and strategic methods for determining nitrogen requirements of wheat. The tactical methods depend on …