Trial update of Non WettingSands as at 18 August 2002

trial 102The trials were inspected on 18th of August 2002 to note progress.

The trials consist of 4 plots within a known area that has deep non wetting sands along Barney Rd off the main Peake to Coomandook Road.

 

Application rates for each plot

Humusplus4 applied at:
                                   Plot1    100 kgs per hectare
                                   Plot2    200 kgs per hectare
                                   Plot3    500 kgs per hectare
                                   Plot4  1000kgs per hectare
 

This photo show the plants root structure from all plots:
From the left  Plot 1, Plot 2 , Plot 3 and Plot 4.
Note: the Plots 1-2 show little difference with Plots 3-4 having a stronger root structure. The soil was removed from around the roots to expose moisture levels and depth of penetration.

 

 

The photos below show the plants root depth development.

Sample taken from Plot 2.

Sample taken from Plot 4, there is a definite difference in moisture penetration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This shot shows moisture penetration of Plot 4, note the moisture down to dry sand level

Note: The root structure from Plot 2 this is a lot thinner with only 200 kgs per hectare of HumusPlus4 compared to Plot 4 with 1000 kgs per hectare.

Trial Update as at Decembe r 3rd 2002

This part of the report is update results of trial carried out a Netherton South Australia during this cropping season and the field day held on the 16th October 2002.

Trial work

The principal basis of the trials as outlines in the first part of the report are:

  • Water absorption
  • Seed germination
  • Organic carbon levels
  • Economic viability to clay spreading
Water absorption

Samples of soil taken during the period of crop growth from the 4 plots indicated different levels of moisture along with root structure as the photos show in annex 1.
The moisture level in the soil varied with the density of the root ball.

Fig 1 100 kgs per hectare HumusPlus4 lighter root structure moisture level shallower

Fig 2 250 kgs per hectare slight increase in root ball and moisture

Fig 3 500 kgs per hectare strong increase also with a deeper level of moisture

Fig 4 1100 kgs per hectare a marked increase in root depth and moisture level

The trial plots were subjected to strong winds during the season and the crops were cut 3 times during the early part of the growing season.

The plots are situated on a sandy rise open to all elements, these oils are not traditionally cropped for fear of drift, even in a normal rainfall season these sandy rises have tendency to move a moisture cannot penetrate and the sand surface remains dry.

Seed germination: there was no difference in seed rate germination through the plots trials, however what was noted that germination was 3 days earlier than that with conventional fertilisers, this could be due to high bacterial activity in Carbonate12 which have high cfu readings and natural available protein.

Fig 5. Shows the crop density over the trial area, photo taken at field day 16th October 2002 with barley crop just coming into head estimated yield at this time was 5-6 bags per hectare above average for this soil type in the district for this drought season.

Fig 7 Shows the root comparisons and density of the crop in each individual trial plot. Looking from let at 100 kg to 1100 kgs on the right root structure are similar in this photo but crop thickness is quite varied. Also colour of the root mass noted as being darker in the 500 kg, 1000 kg plots indicating possible increase in organic carbon and micro activity.

Root Intensity plant structure at 500 kg per hectare of HumusPlus4
.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 6 Discussing plot comparisons at field day held 16th October 2002 with soil analyst from Orgro Agricultural Services representative Warren Bailey who is conducting the trials on behalf of Maddingley Minerals from Bacchus Marsh, there was a keen interest in this type of ongoing trial with a strong representation from a wide area in the Mallee and surrounding districts with indications that those present will trial HumusPlus4 and Carbonite12 in there light sandy country next season.

Once the crop is harvested yield results will be calculated and protein tested as nitrogen has been used in Carbonite12.

Organic Carbon levels

Soil tests will be taken of each plot and organic carbon and nutrient levels recorded before the plots are prepared for next seasons crop, the results will be posted on the web page along with this report. Copies of this report are available on request from Orgro Agriculture Services P.O Box 969 Brown Plains 4118.

Viability compared to clay spreading:

The question was put those are the field day after visiting the trial site, the comparison to clay spreading? Most indicated that it was to early to tell as clay spreading is conducted to last for 10 years and the cost spread over this period, as clay spreading trials have not yet reached this period this is still unproven, however if the nutrient input by HumusPlus4 improves nutrient and fertility over a 4 year period then the cost is justified by increased yields and long term fertility.

Summary of non wetting sands update 4/12/2002

There is clear evidence in the initial stages that HumusPlus4 has contributed to the soil moisture content and penetration in this type of non -wetting sands, the continuing of these types of trials over a period should indicate improved soil structure, nutrient holding capacity and improved crop yields.

The need to resolve the non-wetting sands issue is paramount to fertility in these areas, low rainfall reduces valuable pasture and cropping areas, by resolving moisture penetration and nutrient retention in low rainfall situations can only lead to more productive land use. As the year has been devoid of moisture with below average rainfalls throughout the district and also 75% of Australia this product has performed strongly under these conditions, only further work will prove the long term effect of this districts may indicated the introduction of this type of conditioner to various soils throughout Australia for moisture and nutrient retention, aeration of lays soils and a source of organic carbon and micro-activity.

Warren Bailey - Soil Analyst
Orgro Agricultural Services

Root comparisons - 5 and 12 weeks

Photo: 5 weeks after gemination.

Application rates from left to right - 100 kg, 200 kg, 500 kg and 1000 kg per acre.

 

 

The HumusPlus4 Acid spread was used as a soil conditioner because the soil was Non-Wetting and neutral and sown with Carbonite12 at 40 kgs per hectare with seed.

Photo left: shows results after 12 weeks from germination in same plots.

 

 

 

 

 

Comparison trial of root structures

Netherton trial plots South Australia

FIG 1.
Application of HumusPlus4 at 100 kgs per Hectare.

Note: Level of root mass, also sand colour below root mass, no organic matter present, plain sand.

FIG 2.
Application of HumusPlus4 at 250 kgs per Hectare.

Note: Root mass slightly increased still no
organic matter below root zone.
 
 
 
 
 
 

FIG 3.
Application of HumusPlus4 at 500 kgs per Hectare.

Note: Level of root mass increased, roots penetrating below main root mass into the plain sand.

FIG 4.
Application of HumusPlus4 at 1,100 kgs per Hectare.

Note: Root mass increased strongly, penetrating well into sand below main root mass..
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rainfall 2002 Netherton HumusPlus4 trial plots

 

Jan

Feb

March

April

May

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

1

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

2

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

2.5

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.25

 

 

13

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.25

 

1.5

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

0.5

1

0.5

8

9.5

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

0.5

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

1.25

1.5

10

 

 

 

 

5.75

1

1

 

0.5

0.5

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

5.75

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

1.5

 

 

14

 

1

 

9

 

5

6

 

 

 

15

19

1

 

 

 

2.5

1

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

8.75

 

 

 

5.75

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

1.25

 

19

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

1.75

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

0.5

1

 

1

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

0.25

0.5

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

25

 

 

 

2

 

0.5

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

4

4

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

4

7.5

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mm for month

34.5

2

25

15

29.25

23.25

38

20.25

23.75

15.5

Total. rainfall in mm

34.5

36.5

61.5

76.5

105.75

126.5

164.5

184.75

208

223.5

Total for 2001

11

23

71.5

87.25

123

148.75

183.25

240.25

336.25

370.5

Total for 2000

6

44.5

62

89.5

133

182.5

228

268

309

384.75

Total for 1999

15.25

55.75

97.5

109.5

140

171.75

203.75

234.75

262.25

302.25

Total for 1998

42

43.75

48.25

130.75

167

199

231.75

254.25

297.5

331.5

11.5.02 60 kg/ha Alroc No.3 and HumusPlus4 at varing rates - 100 kg, 250 kg, 500 kg, 1100 kg.

26/5/02 Disc Up

24.6.02 Sprayed 11t/ha treflur and 500 ml/ha spray seed

24.6.02 Seeded Schooner Barley with Carbonate12 and 1% Copper, 2% Zinc @ 40 kg/ha down tube.

 

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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.