Ins and Outs of Lime Incorporation in the West MidlandsStephen Davies, Chris Gazey, Anne Wilkins, Dave Gartner

Precision SoilTech

Bindi Bindi, Barley response 2014

1.06 t/ha 1.78 t/ha

Nil lime 1996Nil lime 1996

1.5 t/ha 2005 injected 2 t/ha lime 1996

2.00 t/ha

Data: C. Gazey; AgLime; Precision SoilTech

Incorporation or more Lime?

Esperance Downs Research Station – Repellent Duplex

D. Hall, DAFWA

2013 Badgingarra sandy gravel

Badgingarra sandy gravel

Topsoil pH less than 5.0 Subsoil pH = 4.8 or higher

Wheat grain yield 2013 season

Also:• Grain yield MBP 11%• Grain yield MBP + Lime 18%• Grain protein 1-1.5% higher• Screenings 0.5-1.0% lower• Kernel weight 1-3 mg heavier

Treatments applied once only in 2007

Barley grain yield 2014 season

Whole site deep ripped 2014

Grain yield response:• MBP or Lime 12% • MBP & Lime 38%• Paddock average 3.1 t/ha

Subsoiltarget

Topsoiltarget

• Limed once in 2007• 2 t/ha limesand• Knife point seeder 7-inch

row spacing, working 6-inches deep

Soil pH 2014

Ryegrass biomass 2014

Ryegrass biomass change:• Surface Lime 54%• Mouldboard plough 36%• MBP + Lime 75%

Openers on ripper tines

Incorporation depth = 20-26 cm

Wings on ripper tines

Incorporation depth = 20-25 cm

Grizzly deep digger

Incorporation depth = 20-25 cm

Grizzly offsets vs Spader

OFFSETS

Depth = 24-25 cm

SPADER

Depth = 28-35 cm

Modified blade plough

Incorporation Depth = 20-23 cm

Incorporation depth of other options

Regular deep ripping, standard offsets = 10-15 cm

Supporting your success

Modified One-way plough

Untreated = 6.6OWP = 3.3

MED

1) Know your pH profile to depth

2) Have a strategy top apply enough lime to fix & maintain the

pH profile

3) Assess whether the soil will be responsive to cultivation

4) Other constraints - water repellence, compaction, weeds?

5) Undecided about incorporation method? – keep liming!

6) Variable rate apply lime to major soil types if warranted

Incorporation or More Lime?

Fix the top… Line things up… Fix the bottom

GRDC Projects

DAW00204 & 244 Soil water repellence

DAW00236 Soil acidity

COGGO Project: Developing and testing innovative, practical and reliable methods for incorporating lime into acidic sandplain subsoils – West Midlands Group

NACC Projects: Demonstrating innovative practices for the amelioration of sub surface Acidity to improve soil health; 1412-05-01

Thanks to: Peter Negus; David Paish, Glen Riethmuller, Travis Hollins

Precision SoilTech