Managing soil water repellence in the West Midlands Steve Davies, Giacomo Betti, Glenn McDonald, Craig Scanlan, Geoff Anderson

Managing Soil Water Repellence in the West Midlands Managing repellent sandy gravels Amelioration sand – modified one-way ploughing and long-term impacts Soil wetting agents – new opportunities 3M ha of gravel & gravelly sand soils (16%) Where affected repellence often severe Bauxitic in the SW

Sandy Gravel, Badgingarra l.s.d. (P<0.05) SWR from moderate to mild Repellence reduced by 65%

Sandy Gravel, Badgingarra Tillage increased early emergence by 60%

Sandy Gravel, Badgingarra Control Ploughed Images taken 30th Sept.

Sandy gravel, Moora 300 kg 39% 200 kg 26% 130 kg 16% 130 kg 16% ~15cm

Amelioration - modified one-way plough

Badgi. deep sand - repellence

Badgi. deep sand – establishment

Badgi. deep sand – grain yield

Longevity of amelioration - Moora Deep ripping & spading conducted in 2011

Soil amelioration

New opportunities for soil wetters Kojonup – loamy gravel Meckering – pale deep sand Control Wetter Wetter Control Banding wetters near the seed Some wetters are compatible with liquid nutrients & fungicides

Soil wetters – establishment Meckering – pale deep sand

Soil wetters – grain yield Meckering – pale deep sand Kojonup – loamy gravel l.s.d. (P=0.05) l.s.d. (P=0.10)

Conclusions Disc plough or shallow MBP sandy gravels Test soil wetters – some compatible with UAN/liquids; band near seed Amelioration benefits are lasting 5+ years resulting in high ROI’s

Acknowledgements DAW00244 Delivering enhanced strategies for water repellent soils in WA - GRDC Soil Constraints West Initiative Glenn McDonald, Grey Poulish, Derk Bakker, Trevor Bell, Liam Harte - DAFWA Richard Devlin, Rebecca Jenkinson, Vincent Gallucio – Living Farm Tim Boyes & Erin Cahill - AgVivo Lethlean, Morrell, Clifton, Snell, McAlpine