Understanding crop growth on duplex soils.
Abstract
Trial 88EB18
Impeded early root growth.
Location: East Beverley Research Station.
A joint W ADA/CSIRO research effort is defining the physical, chemical and biological constraints to crop growth on duplex soil. With this information we will devise management practices to overcome the constraints. Currently research is focused on a duplex soil site at the East Beverley research annex. Using aerial photography and crop growth data from previous seasons we identified areas on the site where crops grow well or poorly. One of the factors implicated in the poor growth areas is impeded early root growth (see Belford et al. and Tennant et al., 1990 Experimental Summaries, this section). Here we describe the problem and outline possible causes.
Trial 88EB18
Growth and yield of wheat and lupin crops at East Beverley.
Location: East Beverley Research Station.
To measure the growth and yield of wheat and lupin crops in relation to waterlogging and other soil factors on the Duplex soil at East Beverley.
Trial 88EB18
Water use and water use efficiency of wheat and lupins at East Beverely.
Based on observations made in 1988 and 1989, poor and good crop growth are~s were identified. Several studies were undertaken on these areas to identify constraints to crop growth and to measure responses to ameliorative treatments. this report describes results of soil water measurements made to describe:
1. Water infiltration and water extraction patterns of wheat and lupins at poor and good growth areas.
2. Water use and water use efficiencies of wheat and lupins at poor and good growth areas.
3. Effects of treatments used to improve root penetration in the sand (Deep ripping) and to improve the permeability of the clay (Deep ripping and deep placement of gypsum) on water infiltration, extraction and use.
