scholarly journals A soil test for aluminium toxicity in acidic subsoils of yellow earths in Western Australia

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 875 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Carr ◽  
GSP Ritchie ◽  
WM Porter

Many of the yellow earths in the Western Australian wheatbelt have naturally acidic subsoils which can reduce the yield of wheat grown on them. Current methods of assessing soil acidity cannot identify which soils have subsoil acidity severe enough to restrict wheat yields. We conducted 53 field experiments at 34 sites in 5 regions over 3 years to determine the relationship between yield of wheat and several different indices for identifying subsoils with toxic concentrations of aluminium, Al. Initially, we identified that the concentration of aluminium, [All, in the soil solution and in 1 : 5 0.005 M KCl extracts of soil from the 15-25 cm layer was responsible for the majority of the decrease in wheat yield. The concentration of Al in a 1 : 5 0.005 M KCl extract in the 15-25 cm layer was well correlated with grain yield of wheat grown on yellow earth soils in the Merredin region, provided the soils had similar fertilizer treatments. The ratio [All : [Na] in a 1 : 5 0.005 M KCl extract was a better predictor than [All alone of grain yield of wheat grown on yellow earths in different regions and with different fertilizer practices. The three seasons had little effect on the correlation between yield and different soil indices. The correlations determined were strongly affected by regional differences, which were probably due to differing water supply and availability. The choice of toxicity index depended on the uniformity of fertilizer management practices within a region and it appeared that both ionic strength and calcium were important mitigating factors.

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minuka M. Weerasinghe ◽  
Peter S. Kettlewell ◽  
Ivan G. Grove ◽  
Martin C. Hare

Application of film antitranspirant to wheat during late stem extension reduces drought damage to yield, but the mechanism is unknown. Field experiments under rain shelters were conducted over 3 years to test the hypothesis that film antitranspirant applied before meiosis alleviates drought-induced losses of pollen viability, grain number and yield. The film antitranspirant di-1-p-menthene was applied at third-node stage, and meiosis occurred at the early boot stage, with a range of 11–16 days after spray application in different years. Irrigated, unsprayed plots were included under the rain-shelters, and pollen viability, measured in 2 years in these plots, averaged 95.3%. Drought reduced pollen viability to 80.1% in unirrigated, unsprayed plots, but only to 88.6% in unirrigated plots treated with film antitranspirant. Grain number and yield of irrigated plots, measured in all years, were 16 529 m–2 and 9.55 t ha–1, respectively, on average. These were reduced by drought to 11 410 m–2 and 6.31 t ha–1 in unirrigated, unsprayed plots, but only to 12 878 m–2 and 6.97 t ha–1 in unirrigated plots treated with film antitranspirant. Thus compared with unirrigated, unsprayed plots, antitranspirant gave a grain yield benefit of 0.66 t ha–1. Further work is needed to validate the pollen viability mechanism in different climatic zones and with a wide range of cultivars.


Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Scanlan ◽  
Ross F. Brennan ◽  
Mario F. D'Antuono ◽  
Gavin A. Sarre

Interactions between soil pH and phosphorus (P) for plant growth have been widely reported; however, most studies have been based on pasture species, and the agronomic importance of this interaction for acid-tolerant wheat in soils with near-sufficient levels of fertility is unclear. We conducted field experiments with wheat at two sites with acid soils where lime treatments that had been applied in the 6 years preceding the experiments caused significant changes to soil pH, extractable aluminium (Al), soil nutrients and exchangeable cations. Soil pH(CaCl2) at 0–10cm was 4.7 without lime and 6.2 with lime at Merredin, and 4.7 without lime and 6.5 with lime at Wongan Hills. A significant lime×P interaction (P<0.05) for grain yield was observed at both sites. At Merredin, this interaction was negative, i.e. the combined effect of soil pH and P was less than their additive effect; the difference between the dose–response curves without lime and with lime was greatest at 0kgPha–1 and the curves converged at 32kgPha–1. At Wongan Hills, the interaction was positive (combined effect greater than the additive effect), and lime application reduced grain yield. The lime×P interactions observed are agronomically important because different fertiliser P levels were required to maximise grain yield. A lime-induced reduction in Al phytotoxicity was the dominant mechanism for this interaction at Merredin. The negative grain yield response to lime at Wongan Hills was attributed to a combination of marginal soil potassium (K) supply and lime-induced reduction in soil K availability.


1990 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jari Peltonen ◽  
Tuomo Karvonen ◽  
Erkki Kivi

Interrelationships between climatic factors and spring wheat yield and quality were examined with 21 years field experiments. The formation of gluten was less at dry conditions (total precipitation under 50 mm) and total precipitation exceeded 130—140 mm. The optimum daily temperature for gluten production was some 15—17°C during grain filling. The gluten content decreased if daily minimum and maximum temperatures exceeded 11—12°C and 21—22°C, respectively. The effect of temperature and rainfall were not, however, significant in early maturing varieties. The climatic factors and grain yield did not correlate. Grain yield and protein yield had strong positive relationship, which was perhaps a consequence of supply and utilization of nitrogen. It is concluded that climatic factors affecting yield to quality ration in wheat may be excessive rains before heading and high temperature during grain filling. Interaction between weather and nitrogen are discussed to optimize correct timing of nitrogen fertilization for amount and quality of economic wheat yield.


2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rebbeck ◽  
C. Lynch ◽  
P. T. Hayman ◽  
V. O. Sadras

Delving is a farming practice involving the mixing of a deep clayey subsoil layer with a sandy topsoil. One of the many effects of this practice is to reduce soil albedo and increase water-holding capacity of the topsoil, thus increasing the potential for storage and release of heat and potential attenuation of the effects of radiative frost. At Keith, a frost-prone location of South Australia, we investigated the effect of management practices with putative capacity to reduce frost damage, with emphasis on delving. Three field experiments were established on Brown Sodosols with a water-repellent sand topsoil. In relation to crops in untreated control soil, delving increased wheat yield from 1.9 to 3.1 t/ha in 2003, and from 0.5 to 1.5 t/ha in 2004. This large delving effect contrasted with the minor effects of other treatments including soil rolling, sowing rate, row spacing, and cultivar mixture. Lack of significant interactions between treatments indicated a robust response to delving across a range of management practices. Topsoil and canopy-height minimum temperatures were consistently higher in the delved treatment. The average difference in canopy-height minimum temperature between delved and control treatments was 0.3–0.4°C, with a maximum of 1.6°C in 2003 and 1.2°C in 2004. A single, robust relationship between yield and frost damage fitted the data pooled across treatments and seasons. This, together with the temperature differential between treatments, and significant relationships between minimum canopy-height temperature around flowering and frost damage supported the conclusion that a substantial part of the yield gain attributable to delving was related to reduced frost damage.


2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shakeel AHMAD ◽  
Mirza HASANUZZAMAN

Two field experiments were conducted for two years (2000 and 2001) at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan. There were 15 treatment combinations for experiment-I having three plant densities, viz., one seedling hill-1 (PD1), two seedlings hill-1 (PD2) and three seedlings hill-1 (PD3) and five nitrogen rates, viz., 0, (N0); 50, (N50); 100, (N100); 150, (N150); and 200 (N200) kg N ha-1. Experiment-II also included 15 treatments having three plant densities, viz., one seedling hill-1 (PD1), two seedlings hill-1 (PD2) and three seedlings hill-1 (PD3) and five irrigation regimes, viz., 62.5 cm (I1), 77.5 cm (I2), 92.5 cm (I3), 107.5 cm (I4), and 122.5 cm (I5). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed with three repetitions. The results for experiment-I revealed that the highest biomass (1438 g m-2), grain yield (497 g m-2), crop growth rate (15.36 g m-2 d-1), net assimilation rate (4.24 g m-2 d-1) were observed in the treatment having combination of two seedlings hill-1 and 200 kg N ha-1 (PD2N200). The agronomic and economic nitrogen and PAR use efficiencies were also higher in this treatment. In case of experiment-II, the highest biomass and grain yield were obtained in case of treatment having combination of two seedlings hill-1 and 107.5 cm irrigation regime (PD2I107.5). The irrigation application based water productivity ranged from 0.36 kg mm-3 to 0.61 kg mm-1, irrigation plus precipitation based water productivity ranged from 0.32 kg mm-3 to 0.55 kg mm-3 and evapotranspiration based water productivity ranged from 0.65 kg mm-3 to 0.84 kg mm-3 among 15 treatments combination of plant density and irrigation regimes. This study concludes that for increasing the benefits for the resource-poor growers, the integration of crop management practices is an optimum strategy to substantially increase the resources use efficiency under irrigated semiarid environment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Riffkin ◽  
Trent Potter ◽  
Gavin Kearney

Area and production of canola (Brassica napus L.) in the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ) of southern Australia has increased significantly over the past decade. Varieties available to growers have not been bred specifically for the HRZ and are generally adapted to the drier regions of the cropping belt. Field experiments were conducted at Hamilton in south-west Victoria in 2005, 2006 and 2008 to identify canola traits and management suited to the HRZ of southern Australia. Nine varieties with different reported maturities (winter and spring types) were sown at either two times of sowing and/or under different nitrogen (N) fertiliser regimes. Dates of key phenological development were recorded, dry matter was determined at bud, flowering and maturity and grain yield and yield components were determined at harvest. Plant traits and climate data were assessed in relation to grain yield. Yields of the winter types were either significantly (P < 0.05) greater or not significantly less than the spring types in all 3 years and similar to those reported under experimental conditions in Europe. This was despite the winter types flowering up to 35 days later than the spring types and spring rainfall being approximately half that of the long-term average. In general, the winter types had greater early vigour, greater dry matter production at the bud, flowering and maturity stages and were taller than the spring types. Regression analysis showed positive relationships between grain yield and pod density and plant size (dry matter and plant height). Plant size was influenced by variety, time of sowing and N fertiliser application rates. Crops in the HRZ were able to sustain more seeds per pod at larger canopy sizes and pod densities than those achieved in the northern hemisphere. Despite the number of pods per g of dry matter at flowering being nearly double that reported in the UK, there was little apparent reduction in the number of seeds per pod. It is possible that higher solar radiation and warmer minimum temperatures in the HRZ of Australia provide conditions more favourable for growth before, and during grainfill. This indicates that different dry matter production and yield component targets may be appropriate for canola in this environment especially in more typical seasons. It is likely that growers will need to sow new, later maturing varieties earlier and with higher rates of N fertiliser than is current practice in Australia. This study indicates that winter types may have the potential to provide improvements to the yield of canola in the HRZ either through the direct importation of varieties from overseas or through the identification and incorporation of desired traits into existing material. It is recommended that a wider range of germplasm be assessed over a greater geographical area to identify traits and management practices to optimise phenology and canopy structure. This information can be used to help inform breeders on crop improvement priorities as well providing tailored management practices to maximise grain yields for this environment.


Weed Science ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 560-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine G. Afentouli ◽  
I. G. Eleftherohorinos

Field experiments were established in Greece from 1990 to 1993 to study the effect of littleseed and short-spiked canarygrass density on wheat and barley yield, as well as the influence of littleseed canarygrass removal time on wheat yield. Competitive ability of both canarygrass species in wheat was similar, though littleseed canarygrass showed faster growth rate and formed more panicles than short-spiked canarygrass. Grain yield of wheat was not significantly affected by the presence of 76 plants m−2 of either canarygrass species, but it was reduced by 36 to 39% by the presence of 304 canarygrass plants m−2. None of the canarygrass species at any density had any effect on grain yield of wheat when cold and dry conditions prevailed during the early stages of growth. Grain yield of barley was not affected by any density of either canarygrass species. Growth and consequently panicle number of both canarygrass species were severely reduced by the interference of barley. The littleseed canarygrass removal time study indicated that emergence of this weed was completed by the middle of February. Grain yield of wheat grown with 150 littleseed canarygrass plants m−2 was not affected even when these plants were removed early in April. However, the presence of these canarygrass plants until harvest reduced grain yield of wheat by 23 to 28%.


1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Aitken ◽  
T. Dickson ◽  
K. J. Hailes ◽  
P. W. Moody

Split-plot field experiments, with main plots consisting of various rates of calcitic lime and single rates of dolomite, gypsum, and calcium silicate, were conducted at each of 4 sites to determine the effect of band-applied magnesium (Mg) on maize yield. The sites were acidic with pH values of 4.5, 4.9, 5.0, and 6.1 and exchangeable Mg levels of 0.16, 0.10, 6.0, and 2.0 cmol(+)/kg, respectively. Magnesium significantly (P < 0.05) increased grain yield at the 2 low-Mg sites, both of which were strongly acidic and responsive to lime application, but the nature of the Mg × lime interaction was different at each of the 2 responsive sites. The absence of a response to Mg at lime rates ≥1 t/ha at one responsive site was attributed to the presence of small amounts of Mg in the calcitic lime and/or an improved root environment enabling better exploitation of the soil Mg. Supplying a readily soluble source of Mg in the fertiliser band also resulted in increased grain yield in the gypsum, dolomite, and calcium silicate treatments at the 2 Mg-responsive sites. When the initial soil pH was strongly acidic, exchangeable Mg levels increased with increasing lime rate, suggesting that the small quantities of Mg that occur in the majority of liming materials may be of importance with respect to Mg nutrition. In contrast, gypsum application exacerbated the Mg deficiency at one site. The relationship between grain yield response and soil Mg level across all sites indicated that above an exchangeable Mg level of 0.27 cmol(+)/kg there would be little likelihood of a response to applied Mg.


2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 839 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. Humphries ◽  
R. A. Latta ◽  
G. C. Auricht ◽  
W. D. Bellotti

Two field experiments in southern Australia investigated a farming system of over-cropping wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) into established lucerne (Medicago sativa subsp. L.) varieties of different winter activity ratings. The study was completed at Roseworthy, South Australia, and Katanning, Western Australia, between August 2000 and May 2003 in seasons receiving below average and average rainfall. Comparative lucerne persistence and biomass, wheat biomass, grain yield and protein contents, and soil water contents were measured. Wheat grain yield was reduced by 13–63% by over-cropping lucerne compared with wheat monoculture. Winter-dormant lucerne (winter activity Classes 0.5 and 2) reduced the yield penalty compared with winter-active varieties (Classes 6 and 10) in 2 of the 4 evaluations. The positive response to applying N at sowing in the second year of over-cropping wheat at Katanning was greatest in the most winter-dormant lucerne treatment (winter activity 0.5). Soil water contents were similar under the lucerne/wheat over-cropping and lucerne monoculture treatments irrespective of lucerne winter activity. Deficits of up to 43 mm at Roseworthy and 88 mm at Katanning were measured in the 0–200-cm soil profile at the start of the third summer of the study. The study shows that it can be more efficient in terms of land area to over-crop wheat into lucerne than to grow monocultures on separate parcels of land akin to phase farming. The improved productivity of over-cropping is associated with the separation of growth patterns of winter wheat and summer-active lucerne. This farming system offers great potential for improving sustainability and productivity in southern Australian cropping rotations.


1965 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Beveridge ◽  
R. H. Jarvis ◽  
W. J. Ridgman

1. The problem of when to apply nitrogenous top-dressings to winter wheat has nover been satisfactorily solved. Detailed field and glasshouse experiments on the effects of nitrogenous manuring on the development of wheat plants, and a number of other experiments involving the nitrogenous manuring of wheat are described and the results discussed.2. Partial regression coefficients of grain yield on individual components of yield are used to show how variable is the relationship between grain yield and the components of yield.3. It is concluded that field experiments are never likely to determine an optimum time for nitrogen top-dressing because of the unpredictable relationships between individual yield components and grain yield, and because of the variation in response to nitrogen introduced by seasonal and environmental factors.


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