Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Western Australia, Series 4
Volume 9
Number 3 1968 Article 3
1-1-1968
Rates of superphosphate for cereal grain production in the under Rates of superphosphate for cereal grain production in the under 20 inch rainfall areas
20 inch rainfall areas
Walter Jacob Cox
Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4 Part of the Agricultural Economics Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, and the Comparative Nutrition Commons
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Cox, Walter Jacob (1968) "Rates of superphosphate for cereal grain production in the under 20 inch rainfall areas," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 9: No. 3, Article 3.
Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol9/iss3/3
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RATES OF SUPERPHOSPHATE FOR CEREAL GRAIN PRODUCTION IN THE UNDER-20 INCH
RAINFALL AREAS
By W . J . COX, B.Sc. ( A g r i c ) , Research Officer, Plant Research Division
EVERY year farmers use large quantities of superphosphate w i t h cereal crops to overcome the inherent phosphate deficiency of West Australian soils. The increase in the average rate used by farmers reflects the increasing amount of new land being cropped. Good seasons and favourable economic conditions may also have influenced super rates.
Superphosphate usage on crops and average rates, 1 9 5 9 - 1 9 6 7
Year ended March 31
1959 1961 ...
1963 ...
1965 ...
1967 ...
Area fertilised
acres
5,998,823 6,740,128 7,307,688 7,271,208 8,531,382
Super- phosphate
Total
Tons 276,209 317,591 348,693 357,513 436,834
Rate of application
lb per acre 103 106 107 110 115
The ideal rate for each situation depends primarily on—
• soil type
• previous super applications.
Influence of soil type
Although the soils of Western Australia are extremely variable they can be placed in five broad groups as a basis for super- phosphate recommendations.
A. RED-BROWN SANDY LOAMS (YORK GUM, JAM VEGETATION)—FIG. 1 The red-brown sandy loams with red brown sandy clay subsoils are typical of the Avon and Chapman Valleys as well as areas near Gnowangerup and Three Springs and Coorow. In the virgin state
these soils respond to 180 lb. per acre but after more than 1,250 lb. per acre of super- phosphate has been applied the rate can be reduced to about 60 lb. per acre.
B. LIGHT LAND (SCRUBPLAIN)—
FIG. 2
Large areas of scrubplain soil have been released during the last ten years.
Although in individual experiments yields
The results of 102 "Rate of Super- phosphate on W h e a t " trials in the 12 to 20 inch rainfall areas of the West Australian wheatbelt were analysed to determine the best rates of super ap- plication f o r the d i f f e r e n t soil types, rainfall zones and previous super his- tories. The trials were done between
1952 and 1966.
The ideal rates are highest for the mallee soils, then scrubplain, white- g u m , red-brown sandy loams and sal- mon g u m / g i m l e t soils. Rates can be lowered as the total previously applied super increases. No difference in re- quirement was found f o r the 12 to 16 inch and 16 to 20 inch rainfall areas.
It is believed that the same rates would be suited to oats and barley.
97
SUPER 120 FOR CROPPING
LB/AC 90
F i g . 1 . — T h e e f f e c t of previous superphosphate appli- cations on superphosphate requirements of cereal crops
g r o w n o n brown sand l o a m — Y o r k Gum soils
750 1000 1250 1500 PREVIOUS SUPER APPLIED L B / A C
have continued to increase with increas- ing rates up to 300 lb. per acre of super- phosphate the recommend rate on the average is 210 lb. per acre for virgin soils of this type. The rates can be gradually reduced as shown in Fig. 2.
C. LIGHT LAND (MALLEE)—FIG. 3 Mallee light land soils generally have sand or gravelly sand over clay at 3 to 24 inches below the surface. As for the previous soil group individual responses
have been obtained up to 300 lb. per acre on virgin soils. Rates should be reduced gradually as shown in Fig. 3 until "main- tenance" is reached around a total application of 2,000 lb. per acre.
D. HEAVY LAND (SALMON GUM/
GIMLET)—FIG. 4
The heavy red-brown clay-loams and clays are generally found in the central and Eastern wheatbelt. On virgin soils responses have been obtained to 180 lb. per
Fig. 2 . — T h e e f f e c t of previous superphosphate appli- cations o n superphosphate requirements of cereal crops
g r o w n o n l i g h t l a n d scrubplain soils
1000 1250 1500 PREVIOUS SUPER APPLIED L B / A C
98
SUPER FOR
CROPPING LB/AC
Fig. 3 . — T h e effect of previous superphosphate appli- cations on superphosphate requirements of cereal crops
grown on mallee soils
750 1000 1Z50 1500 1750 PREVIOUS SUPER APPLIED L B / A C
acre in seasons with a wet finish. Because dry conditions in spring can limit yields on these soils the average recommended rate is 150 lb. per acre. Rates can be reduced with increasing super history as shown in Fig. 4.
E. MEDIUM LAND (WHITE GUM)—
PIG. 5
The white gum soils are generally found on the wetter margins of the wheatbelt.
They are usually gritty or gravelly sandy
loams with tough sandy clay subsoils.
These soils have a high phosphate fixing capacity. On virgin soils at least 220 lb.
per acre should be applied, and the best rate drops slowly to 70 lb. per acre of superphosphate when 2,000 lb. of super has been applied previously.
Effect of superphosphate history
Phosphorus has a substantial residual value on many of the soils used for crop- ping and for this reason responses to
SUPER ' FOR CROPPING
l i / A C
Fig. 4 . — T h e effect of previous superphosphate appli- cations on superphosphate requirements of cereal crops
grown on salmon g u m — g i m l e t soils
750 1000 1250 1500 PREVIOUS SUPER APPLIED L 8 / A C
99
phosphorus decline after some years of super application. It follows from this that it is economic for the farmer to reduce the rate of superphosphate applied on paddocks of high previous superphos- phate application, to the rates indicated in Figures 1 to 5 for each of the major soil types. Where the maintenance rate is the superphosphate required to cover the decline in availability, loss by erosion and the uptake by the crop.
Each farmer should adjust his super- phosphate rates to fit in with the soil types and previous super history of the farm. In this way the highest net return from crops can be achieved.
The results presented in this article are averages from experimental sites and should be modified when applied to par- ticular situations. If high rates of super have been applied to land in recent years, lower rates would be recommended than indicated by these results. If lower rates or less frequent applications have been given, higher rates of super might be needed.
More detailed information of superphos- phate rates for the above soil types, and other soils not mentioned here, should be obtained from the nearest district office of the Department of Agriculture.
Acknowledgment
The 102 "Rate of Superphosphate on Wheat" trials which formed the basis of this article were carried out by officers of the Plant Research Division and the Wheat and Sheep Division working separ- ately or in collaboration. The author acknowledges the work of these officers which was reviewed at the outset of a further programme of research on phos- phorus in wheatbelt areas.
Reference
Teakle, L. J. H. & Cariss, H. G. (1943).—Super- phosphate requirements for growing wheat i n Western Australia. J. Agric. W. Aust.
20 (2nd Series): 1-28. March, 1943.
Cariss, H. G. & Teackle, L. J . H. (1944).—
F u r t h e r results of experiments at the Agricultural Research Stations with the phosphate requirements of t h e wheat crop.
J. Agric. W. Aust. 21 (2nd Series): 160-168 J u n e , 1944.
SUPER FOR CROPPING
LB/AC
Fig. 5.—The effect of previous superphosphate appli- cations on superphosphate requirements of cereal crops
grown on white gum soils
V - -°-„
* ° - = - o - o -
7S0 1000 12SQ 1500 17S0 PREVIOUS SUPER APPLIED LB / A C
100
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