UPDATE TO NON WETTING SANDS 30 March 2003 SOIL TESTS RESULTS
As stated in earlier reports soil tests would be taken of the plots after harvest and before further applications are applied for the season 2003, the following results were recorded.
The control sample was taken alongside the road scrub area where applications of any fertiliser would not have been applied since the area had been opened up some 60 years ago.
The main interest at first will be the pH levels and the organic carbon levels
Results: sample Humusplus4 appl. pH (CaCi2) Organic Carbon
Control 1. NIL 5.9 0.49%
Plot 1. 2. 100 kgs per hect 6.5 0.61%
Plot 2. 3. 200 kgs per hect 6.2 0.64%
Plot 3. 4. 500 kgs per hect 6.5 0.75%
Plot 4. 5. 1000 kgs per hect 6.6 0.62%
The soil has a texture of 1.2 which is regarded as a light sand grey/brown in colour with a white to beige sand sub-soil.
This sand is basically low in all major elements including trace elements.
The complete independent soil tests are available on request.
The trials for 2003 will include an application of Humusplus4 (ACID-SPREAD) on each plot the same as 2002.
Plot 1. a further 100kgs per hect
Plot 2. “ 200kgs per hect
Plot 3. “ 500kgs per hect
Plot 4. “ 1000kgs per hect
The paddock will be sown with Triticale for this 2003 season.
Prognosis of trials so far:
The meeting held in October attracted some 25 interested parties from local and areas from Victoria and the South-east.
All were of the opinion that this soil is very hard to handle, with the year being very dry and heavy winds the trials stood up to all these pressures. To some present they would not have attempted to open up this type of soil as drift would have been the outcome.
The interesting thing noted was the moisture content in and around the root system as each plot was dug to inspect the root system depths, the total rainfall as in the report was 6.5 inches for the year.
It is clear that binding of the surface soil is taking place with good root structures from the cereal crop grown (barley) as indicated in the report photos of each plot.
The yields were encouraging as the plots produced an average above the district for similar type soils for the season.
The meeting discussed the fact that these non-wetting soils are also low in macro- nutrients and trace elements, with the development of these root structures heavier applications of fertiliser could be applied to improve yields.
For 2003 the plots will equally be applied with 160kgs of a nutrient balanced blend of phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, trace elements and nitrogen when sown, these will also be monitored in the soil tests for 2004 to note any improvement.
As these trials will continue for the next three years interesting things await the outcome as so far all aspects are encouraging to turn these non-wetting sands into productive soils.
The September crop inspection shows that the soil this season is receiving more moisture with good root structures in all the trial plots but again the 500kg site seems to be slightly ahead again in density. As inset photo indicates
2003 root structure in triticale note moisture change in soil this is with
humusplus4 at 500kgs per hectare. This season up to October the rainfall has been 11.5 inches and a cold winter compared to last season.
Introduction
In recent years agricultural departments have looked at the extent of the problem of non-wetting sands commonly called “oily sands” in the Southern parts of the Australian wheat belt of South Australia and Victoria which has also included the Western Australian acid sands.
Water penetration has been a a major problem for seed germination and reduced production, which have left these areas non viable for cereal growing and lacking adequate pasture cover to sustain animal grazing.
This issue has been addressed by private and government funding to try and resolve this problem. With limited results or expensive outcomes, the research continues to find a answer.
One major research which has been carried out in all states has been the introduction of “clay spreading” as a method of delving up sub soil clays and depositing them on top of the non-wetting sands to incorporate a CEC action to hold nutrients and moisture in the surface area to generate a root structure of cereals, grasses or pastures to build a viable top soil for future improved production.
This has proven to be successful in general terms where clay is economically available and the clay is of the valuable grade.
Where clay is not accessible and the distance uneconomical, wetting agents are used to sow down cover or cereal crops with limited success. These trial all have limitations. This report is to cover a new method of tackling this problem on non-wetting sands, to look at the cause in relation to the geological and mineralogical timer frame witch formed these deposits.
In most cases the sands are formed or deposited over calcium deposits or receded seabed’s, which have been covered with bankias, eucalypts wattles, scrub pine and mallee scrub a stunted surface root eucalypt. Most of these flora obtain their nutrient from atmospheric conditions and are drought resistant and have a allelopathic conditions (they excrete oils and resins from their roots or leaves to minimise competition for ground cover.)
The organic matter particles as they break down remain in the soil as water repellent residues quite possibly omitting positive cationic charge along with the amphonic enhancement of well worn silica particles that are predominant in this type of sand.
Trial Work
During this year (2002), Orgro Agricultural Services have been approached by clients with this problem of non-wetting sands, these clients have properties in the Lucerndales, Peake and Pinnaroo Mallee region of South Australia. This problem is wide spread through these areas and solutions are being sought.
Trial programs have been established in these areas to monitor the reaction of a Humic conditioner call HumusPlus4 a combination of Lignite and Cellulose.
The trials are based on different application rates to determine:
- Water absorption
- Seed germination
- Organic carbon levels
- Economic viability to clay spreading
These trials will be conducted over the next three years and evaluated on a yearly basis, with written reports available to the public.
Field days will be conducted on the trials at Peake during the years approx at the end of August each year and the current reports are available on our web site and written notice to interested parties. See current Report
Control glass trial continuing
In May 2002 a glass control trial was established to determine water penetration comparisons and seed germination on Schooner barley, also to monitor root growth using economical application rates of HumusPlus4 a soil conditioner.
Method of trial
The non-wetting sand from the Peake region was placed in a glass partitioned trial case above an inert medium to drain excess water from the plant.
The rate of HumusPlus4 was added and incorporated at 1000 kgs to the acre, no other fertiliser or material was added.
- The control had no material added
- 4 seeds of Schooner barley were placed at sowing depth on each side of the partition.
- Equal parts of water were applied equivalent to 40 mm of rain, first application.
- The photos are a visual of the control trial over 6 week period.
- The trial will continue till the plant is stressed, as there is no fertiliser applied.
Orgro Agricultural Services contacted a Consultant of petrology Geochempet Services, Dr Stan Joyce B.Sc (Hins) Ph.D. to prepare a brief report and investigate the surface of the sand particles of the control medium and enhanced medium with HumusPlus4, to see if any visual or chemical changes were notable.
The following report was prepared:
”The particles that have had HumusPlus4 added seem to attract water molecules more than repel, which could indicate a cationic exchange or positive charge taking place.”
Conclusion to date - March 2002:
The field trials and glass control trial are encouraging as to water penetration and changing structure, the germination rates in the glass control trial seem to indicate by the quick responce (7 days) that not only water but a energy of heat by contrast of Ph has improved the seed germination time in generally regarded cold sands.
This report is incomplete as to the total outcomes from these trials as the field trials will be conducted over a period of time, however if the outcomes to present are a indication then this product could have economical value as a soil conditioner in non-wetting sands.
Warren J Bailey - Soil Consultant
Geochempet Services, Maleny
Brief report on untreated and treated samples of an originally non-wetting sand.
Work Requested
Microscopic examination and photography to investigate the surfaces of sand grains in two samples of sand, respectively representing untreated sand (Sample 1) and sand which has been treated with a product called Humus Plus 4 (Sample 2)
Methods
The samples were inspected in a dry condition using simple binocular microscopy and in oil immersion mounts using high magnification, transmitted polarised light microscopy.
Results
Sand grains with both samples display quite thin and apparently incomplete coatings of a translucent brown, carbonaceous substance (plates 1 & 2). A larger amount of apparently the same carbonaceous substance is also present as discrete, smaller fragments in both sands.
No significant visual difference in the nature of the incomplete coatings on sand grains in the two samples was recognised, but it remains possible that the addition of Humus Plus 4 has produced some change in the wettability of the sand grains, for example by altering surface electron charges.
Non-Wetting sands trial on saturation using HumusPlus4 soil conditioner.
Report on Non-Wetting Sands Netherton, South Australia
INTERSTATE ENERGY GROUP. PO Box 1039, Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340. Ph. (03) 5367 0725, Fax. (03) 5367 0726.
© 2002 Copyright Maddingley Minerals. HumusPlus4 and OCCA are registered business names of Maddingley Minerals.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |