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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 59(8)

The effect of repeated applications of phosphorus fertiliser on wheat yields in the Mallee from 1943 to 2006

R. A. Latta A C , I. Mock A and J. Smith B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Primary Industries, Walpeup, Vic. 3507, Australia.

B Department of Primary Industries, Horsham, Vic. 3400, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: Roy.Latta@dpi.vic.gov.au

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 59(8) 742-747 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR07321
Submitted: 31 August 2007  Accepted: 30 April 2008   Published: 29 July 2008

Abstract

A previous study in 1968 on this long-term experiment reported the cumulative effects of repeated applications of phosphorus (P) and found that residual effects of applied P resulted in increasing grain yields. A re-analysis of most of that dataset (1943–59) confirmed these results over six cycles of a 3-year rotation (fallow–wheat–oats) with superphosphate applied at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 kg P/ha. However, continuation of the experiment in the same plots with a 2-year rotation (fallow–wheat or pasture–wheat) found no further cumulative benefit of residual P on grain yields. Over four decades from 1962 to 2001, yields remained generally constant, after adjusting for growing-season rainfall, with the differences in yield between rates of applied superphosphate also remaining constant over the period. On average, adding 3 kg P/ha was estimated to increase yield by 0.45 t/ha (compared with 0 kg P/ha) and adding 6, 9, and 12 kg P/ha resulted in estimated step-wise yield increases of 0.10 t/ha, 0.10 t/ha, and 0.01 t/ha, respectively.

Additional keywords: long-term trial, cumulative effects.


Acknowledgments

We thank the staff at Mallee Research Station, Walpeup, for their efforts in the field over an extended period. This work was primarily funded by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.


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