Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > SR > SR08105
REVIEW
Contents Vol 47(1)

The effectiveness of deep placement of fertilisers is determined by crop species and edaphic conditions in Mediterranean-type environments: a review

Qifu Ma A B , Zed Rengel A and Terry Rose A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: qifuma@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

Australian Journal of Soil Research 47(1) 19-32 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR08105
Submitted: 28 April 2008  Accepted: 5 October 2008   Published: 18 February 2009

Abstract

Much of our knowledge of plant growth in response to soil nutrient supply comes from studies under homogeneous soil conditions. However, the adoption of reduced or nil tillage and shallow banding of fertilisers at the time of seeding causes spatially variable distribution and availability of soil nutrients in agricultural lands. Soil available nutrients, particularly the poorly mobile ones such as phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu), stratify within the fertilised topsoil. In water-limited environments where the topsoil is prone to drying, soil nutrient stratification may influence nutrient availability and plant uptake because of impeded root growth or reduced diffusion of immobile nutrients to the root surface, or more likely a combination of both factors. Placing fertilisers deeper in the soil profile could increase nutrient acquisition and utilisation by plants as fertiliser nutrients are in the moist soil for a longer part of the growing season. However, the effectiveness of deep placement of fertilisers may also be determined by soil texture, tillage, fertilising history, nutrient mobility, and crop species. In Mediterranean-type climates of southern Australia, a yield response of winter crops to deep fertiliser mostly occurs on infertile sandy soils in low rainfall regions. This contrasts with the responses of winter and summer crops in northern Australia on soils with optimum-to-high nutrients but subjected to rapid and frequent drying of topsoil because of high temperatures and high evaporation demand during the growing season. The pattern of nutrient accumulation by crop species (indeterminate v. determinate) and the mobility of mineral nutrients in the phloem would also modify the effectiveness of deep-placed nutrients under drought. The complexity of plant responses to subsoil nutrition may suggest that before adopting deep fertiliser practice in a paddock it is essential to understand the effects of edaphic and climatic conditions, soil management, and plant–soil interactions in order to achieve maximum yield benefit.

Additional keywords: soil nutrient heterogeneity, dry surface soil, subsoil nutrition, nutrient acquisition, crop growth, grain yield.


Acknowledgments

We thank Drs Bill Bowden and Ross Brennan for helpful comments on the manuscript. This project was funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australia.


References


Adcock D , Blacker T , Richter I , Wilhelm N (2005) Residual benefits of subsoil amelioration at Darke Peak. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2005 Summary’. pp. 124–125. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Adjetey JA, Campbell LC, Searle PGE, Saffigna P (1999) Studies on depth of placement of urea on nitrogen recovery in wheat grown on a red-brown earth in Australia. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 54, 227–232.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Alston AM (1976) Effects of depth of fertilizer placement on wheat grown under three water regimes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 27, 1–10.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Alston AM (1980) Response of wheat to deep placement of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers on a soil high in phosphorus in the surface layer. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 31, 13–24.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Bailey LD, Grant CA (1990) Fertilizer placement studies on calcareous and non-calcareous soils: growth, P-uptake, oil content and yield of Canadian rape. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 21, 2089–2104.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Barraclough PB (1989) Root growth, macro-nutrient uptake dynamics and soil fertility requirements of a high-yielding winter oilseed rape crop. Plant and Soil 119, 59–70.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Bell MJ , Moody PW , Harch GR , Want PW , Compton B (2005) Developing potassium fertilizer application strategies to address declining reserves in clay soils under rainfed cropping. In ‘POTOZ ’05, Second Workshop on Potassium in Australian Agriculture’. (Canpotex: Melbourne, Vic.)

Blum A, Johnson JW (1992) Transfer of water from roots into dry soil and the effect on wheat water relations and growth. Plant and Soil 145, 141–149.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Bolland MDA (1986) Residual value of phosphorus from superphosphate for wheat grown on soils of contrasting texture near Esperance, Western Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 26, 209–215.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Bolland MDA, Brennan RF (2006) Phosphorus, copper and zinc requirements of no-till wheat crops and methods of collecting soil samples for soil testing. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 1051–1059.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Bolland MDA, Jarvis RJ (1996) Effectiveness of different methods of applying superphosphate for lupins grown on sandplain soils. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 36, 707–715.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Bordoli JM, Mallarino AP (1998) Deep and shallow banding of phosphorus and potassium as alternatives to broadcast fertilization for no-till corn. Agronomy Journal 90, 27–33. open url image1

Borges R, Mallarino AP (2000) Grain yield, early growth, and nutrient uptake of no-till soybean as affected by phosphorus and potassium placement. Agronomy Journal 92, 380–388.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Borges R, Mallarino AP (2001) Deep banding phosphorus and potassium fertilizers for corn managed with ridge tillage. Soil Science Society of America Journal 65, 376–384.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Borges R, Mallarino AP (2003) Broadcast and deep-band placement of phosphorus and potassium for soybean managed with ridge tillage. Soil Science Society of America Journal 67, 1920–1927.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Brennan RF (1999) Lupin grain yields and fertiliser effectiveness are increased by banding manganese below the seed. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 39, 595–603.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Brennan RF (2001) Residual value of zinc fertiliser for production of wheat. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 541–549.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Brennan RF (2006) Long-term residual value of copper fertiliser for production of wheat grain. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 77–83.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Brennan RF, Bolland MDA (2006) Residual values of soil-applied zinc fertiliser for early vegetative growth of six crop species. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 1341–1347.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Brennan RF, Gartrell JW, Adcock KG (2001) Residual value of manganese fertiliser for lupin grain production. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 1187–1197.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Buah S, Polito TA, Killorn R (2000a) No-tillage corn response to placement of fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 31, 3121–3133.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Buah SSJ, Polito TA, Killorn R (2000b) No-tillage soybean response to banded and broadcast and direct and residual fertilizer phosphorus and potassium applications. Agronomy Journal 92, 657–662. open url image1

Caldwell MM, Manwaring JH, Richards JH (1998) Hydraulic lift: consequences of water efflux from the roots of plants. Oecologia 113, 151–161.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Casper BB , Cahill JF , Jackson RB (2000) Plant competition in spatially heterogeneous environments. In ‘The ecological consequences of environmental heterogeneity’. (Eds MJ Hutchings, EA John, AJA Stewart) pp. 111–130. (Blackwell Science: Oxford, UK)

Clements JC, White PF, Buirchell BJ (1993) The root morphology of Lupinus angustifolius in relation to other Lupinus species. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 44, 1367–1375.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Crabtree WL (1999) Deep placement of Mn fertiliser on a sandy soil increased grain yield and reduced split seed in Lupinus angustifolius. Plant and Soil 214, 9–14.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Crabtree WL, Robson AD, Ritchie GSP (1998) Drying of surface soil decreased Lupinus angustifolius root length and Mn uptake in a split-root experiment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 1119–1124.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Davenport D , Braun J , Growden B (2003) Deep placed nutrients at Edillilie. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2003 Summary’. p. 164. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Davenport D , Cordon N (2002) Deep placed nutrients at Edillilie. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2002 Summary’. pp. 125–126. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Day KJ, John EA, Hutchings MJ (2003) The effects of spatially heterogeneous nutrient supply on yield, intensity of competition and root placement patterns in Briza media and Festuca ovina. Functional Ecology 17, 454–463.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Deibert EJ, Hoag BK, Goos RJ (1985) Nitrogen fertilizer placement in no-tillage and conventional tillage systems with continuous spring wheat. Journal of Fertilizer Issues 2, 105–110. open url image1

Doudle S (2002) Subsoil nutrition demonstration at Buckleboo. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2002 Summary’. pp. 120–122. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Doudle S , Wilhelm N (2002a) Subsoil nutrition – what kind works, where and how deep does it need to be? In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2002 Summary’. pp. 115–119. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Doudle S , Wilhelm N (2002b) Trace element application methods on clay. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2002 Summary’. pp. 127–128. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Doudle S , Wilhelm N (2003) Subsoil nutrition – 2003 results. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2003 Summary’. pp. 112–115. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Doudle S , Wilhelm N , Frischke B (2002) Subsoil nutrition – engineering developments. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2002 Summary’. pp. 123–124. (South Australian Research and Development Institute)

Duiker SW, Beegle DB (2006) Soil fertility distributions in long-term no-till, chisel/disk and moldboard plow/disk systems. Soil & Tillage Research 88, 30–41.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Dunbabin V, Diggle A, Rengel Z (2003) Is there an optimal root architecture for nitrate capture in leaching environments? Plant, Cell & Environment 26, 835–844.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Dunbabin V, Rengel Z, Diggle A (2001a) The root growth response to heterogeneous nitrate supply differs for Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus pilosus. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 495–503.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Dunbabin V, Rengel Z, Diggle A (2001b) Lupinus angustifolius has a plastic uptake response to heterogeneously supplied nitrate while Lupinus pilosus does not. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 505–512.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Dunbabin VM, Diggle AJ, Rengel Z (2002a) Simulation of field data by a basic three-dimensional model of interactive root growth. Plant and Soil 239, 39–54.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Dunbabin VM, Diggle AJ, Rengel Z, van Hugten R (2002b) Modelling the interactions between water and nutrient uptake and root growth. Plant and Soil 239, 19–38.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Dunbabin VM, Rengel Z, Diggle AJ (2004) Simulating form and function of root systems: efficiency of nitrate uptake is dependent on root system architecture and the spatial and temporal variability of nitrate supply. Functional Ecology 18, 204–211.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Eck HV, Fanning C (1961) Placement of fertilizer in relation to soil moisture supply. Agronomy Journal 53, 335–338.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Egan J , Bunder R (1993) Fertilizer strategies for lupins. South Australian Field Crop Evaluation Program, Annual Report 1993, Adelaide. pp. 104–105.

Epstein E (1972) ‘Mineral nutrition of plants: principles and perspectives.’ (John Wiley and Sons, Inc.: London)

Forde B, Lorenzo H (2001) The nutritional control of root development. Plant and Soil 232, 51–68.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Frischke B , Doudle S (2003) Innovative deep nutrient application with fluid fertilisers. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2003 Summary’. pp. 116–117. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Gherardi M, Rengel Z (2003a) Deep banding improves residual effectiveness of manganese fertilizer for bauxite residue revegetation. Australian Journal of Soil Research 41, 1273–1282.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Gherardi M, Rengel Z (2003b) Deep placement of manganese fertiliser improves sustainability of lucerne growing on bauxite residue: A glasshouse study. Plant and Soil 257, 85–95.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Grewal HS, Graham RD (1999) Residual effects of subsoil zinc and oilseed rape genotype on the grain yield and distribution of zinc in wheat. Plant and Soil 207, 29–36.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Grewal HS, Lu Z, Graham RD (1997) Influence of subsoil zinc on dry matter production, seed yield and distribution of zinc in oilseed rape genotypes differing in zinc efficiency. Plant and Soil 192, 181–189.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Grundon NJ (1991) Copper deficiency of wheat: effects of soil water content and fertilizer placement on plant growth. Journal of Plant Nutrition 14, 499–509.
|  CAS | Crossref |
open url image1

Hamblin AP, Hamblin J (1985) Root characteristics of some temperate legume species and varieties on deep, free-draining entisols. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 36, 63–72.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Hannam RJ, Davies WJ, Graham RD, Riggs JL (1984) The effect of soil- and foliar-applied manganese in preventing the onset of manganese deficiency in Lupinus angustifolius. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 35, 529–538.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Hanway JJ, Weber CR (1971) Accumulation of N, P, and K by soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) plants. Agronomy Journal 63, 406–408.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Hartman MD, Nyborg M (1989) Effect of early growing season moisture stress on barley utilization of broadcast-incorporated and deep-banded urea. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 69, 381–390. open url image1

Hocking PJ (1994) Dry-matter production, mineral nutrient concentrations, and nutrient distribution and redistribution in irrigated wheat. Journal of Plant Nutrition 17, 1289–1308.
|  CAS | Crossref |
open url image1

Hocking PJ, Mason L (1993) Accumulation, distribution and redistribution of dry matter and mineral nutrients in fruits of canola (oilseed rape), and the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and windrowing. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 44, 1377–1388.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Hocking PJ, Mead JA, Good JA, Diffey SM (2003) The response of canola (Brassica napus L.) to tillage and fertiliser placement in contrasting environments in southern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 1323–1335.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Howard DD, Essington ME, Tyler DD (1999) Vertical phosphorus and potassium stratification in no-till cotton soils. Agronomy Journal 91, 266–269. open url image1

Huang B (1999) Water relations and root activities of Buchloe dactyloides and Zoysia japonica in response to localized soil drying. Plant and Soil 208, 179–186.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Hudak C, Stehouwer R, Johnson J (1989) An evaluation of K rate, placement and tillage systems for soybeans. Journal of Fertilizer Issues 6, 25–31. open url image1

Hutchings MJ, John EA (2004) The effects of environmental heterogeneity on root growth and root/shoot partitioning. Annals of Botany 94, 1–8.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Itoh S, Barber SA (1983) Phosphorus uptake by six plant species as related to root hairs. Agronomy Journal 75, 457–461. open url image1

Jackson GD (2000) Effects of nitrogen and sulfur on canola yield and nutrient uptake. Agronomy Journal 92, 644–649.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Jackson RB, Caldwell MM (1996) Integrating resource heterogeneity and plant plasticity: modelling nitrate and phosphate uptake in a patchy soil environment. Journal of Ecology 84, 891–903.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Jarvis RJ, Bolland MDA (1990) Placing superphosphate at different depths in the soil changes its effectiveness for wheat and lupin production. Fertilizer Research 22, 97–107.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Jarvis RJ, Bolland MDA (1991) Lupin grain yields and fertiliser effectiveness are increased by banding superphosphate below the seed. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 31, 357–366.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Lotfollahi M, Alston AM, McDonald GK (1997) Effect of nitrogen fertiliser placement on grain protein concentration of wheat under different water regimes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 48, 241–250.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Ma Q, Rengel Z, Bowden B (2007) Heterogeneous distribution of phosphorus and potassium in soil influences wheat growth and nutrient uptake. Plant and Soil 291, 301–309.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Mackay AD, Barber SA (1985a) Soil moisture effects on root growth and phosphorus uptake by corn. Agronomy Journal 77, 519–523. open url image1

Mackay AD, Barber SA (1985b) Soil moisture effects on potassium uptake by corn. Agronomy Journal 77, 524–527. open url image1

Mackay AD, Kladivko EJ, Barber SA, Griffith DR (1987) Phosphorus and potassium uptake in conservation tillage systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 51, 970–974.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Mallarino AP, Bordoli JM, Borges R (1999) Phosphorus and potassium placement effects on early growth and nutrient uptake of no-till corn and relationships with grain yield. Agronomy Journal 91, 37–45. open url image1

Mallarino AP, Murrell TS (1998) No-till corn grain yield responses to band applications of potassium. Better Crops with Plant Food 82, 4–6. open url image1

Marschner H (1995) ‘Mineral nutrition of higher plants.’ 2nd edn (Academic Press: London)

McConnell SG, Sander DH, Peterson GA (1986) Effect of fertilizer phosphorus placement depth on winter wheat yield. Soil Science Society of America Journal 50, 148–153. open url image1

McCutcheon J , Rzewnicki P (2001) Placement of P and K on corn. Special Circular. Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State University, Wooster, OH. pp. 80–81.

Mengel DB, Hawkins SE, Walker P (1988) Phosphorus and potassium placement for no-till and spring plowed corn. Journal of Fertilizer Issues 5, 31–36. open url image1

Morrison JE, Chichester FW (1994) Tillage system effects on soil and plant nutrient distributions on vertisols. Journal of Production Agriculture 7, 364–373. open url image1

Mullins GL, Burmester CH, Reeves DW (1997) Cotton response to in-row subsoiling and potassium fertilizer placement in Alabama. Soil & Tillage Research 40, 145–154.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Mullins GL , Reeves DW , Burmester CH (1993) Potassium uptake by cotton and changes in soil chemical properties resulting from the deep placement of dry fertilizer. In ‘Proceedings of Beltwide Cotton Conferences’. 10–14 January 1993, New Orleans, Louisiana. pp. 1319–1321. (National Cotton Council: Memphis, TN)

Mullins GL, Reeves DW, Burmester CH, Bryant HH (1994) In-row subsoiling and potassium placement effects on root growth and potassium content of cotton. Agronomy Journal 86, 136–139. open url image1

Nable RO, Webb MJ (1993) Further evidence that zinc is required throughout the root zone for optimal plant growth and development. Plant and Soil 150, 247–253.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

North GB, Nobel PS (1997) Root-soil contact for the desert succulent Agave deserti in wet and drying soil. New Phytologist 135, 21–29.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Nyborg M, Hennig AMF (1969) Field experiments with different placements of fertilizers for barley, flax and rapeseed. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 49, 79–88.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Oborny B (1994) Growth rules in clonal plants and predictability of the environment: a simulation study. Journal of Ecology 82, 341–351.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Perna JM , Menzies NW (2005) Root proliferation in concentrated potassium soil patches. In ‘POTOZ ’05, Second Workshop on Potassium in Australian Agriculture’. pp. 1–10. (Canpotex: Melbourne, Vic.)

Randall GW, Hoeft RG (1988) Placement methods for improved efficiency of P and K fertilizers: a review. Journal of Production Agriculture 1, 70–79. open url image1

Rao SC (1996) Evaluation of nitrification inhibitors and urea placement in no-tillage winter wheat. Agronomy Journal 88, 904–908.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Reeves DW, Mullins GL (1995) Subsoiling and potassium placement effects on water relations and yield of cotton. Agronomy Journal 87, 847–852.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Robinson D (1994) Tansley Review No. 73. The responses of plants to non-uniform supplies of nutrients. New Phytologist 127, 635–674.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Robinson D (1996) Variation, co-ordination and compensation in root systems in relation to soil variability. Plant and Soil 187, 57–66.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Robinson D, Hodge A, Griffiths BS, Fitter AH (1999) Plant root proliferation in nitrogen-rich patches confers competitive advantage. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 266, 431–435.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Robson AD, Longnecker NE, Osborne LD (1992) Effects of heterogeneous nutrient supply on root growth and nutrient uptake in relation to nutrient supply on duplex soils. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32, 879–886.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Robson AD , Taylor AC (1987) The effect of tillage on the chemical fertility of soil. In ‘Tillage—New directions in Australian agriculture’. (Eds PS Cornish, JE Pratley) pp. 308–317. (Inkata Press: Melbourne, Vic.)

Rose TJ, Rengel Z, Ma Q, Bowden JW (2007) Differential accumulation patterns of phosphorus and potassium by canola cultivars compared to wheat. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 170, 404–411.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Rose TJ, Rengel Z, Ma Q, Bowden JW (2008) Hydraulic lift by canola plants aids P and K uptake from dry topsoil. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 59, 38–45.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Rovira AD (1992) Dryland Mediterranean farming systems in Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32, 801–809.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Sander DH, Eghball B (1999) Planting date and phosphorus fertiliser effects on winter wheat. Agronomy Journal 91, 707–712. open url image1

Schenk MK, Barber SA (1979) Root characteristics of corn genotypes as related to P uptake. Agronomy Journal 71, 921–924.
|  CAS |
open url image1

Schultz JE (1975) Effect on wheat yield and grain phosphorus content of deep placement and foliar application of phosphate. In ‘Agricultural record’. pp. 51–53. (Department of Agriculture South Australia: Adelaide, S. Aust.)

Scott BJ (1973) The response of barrel medic pasture to topdressed and placed superphosphate in central western New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 13, 705–710.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Scott BJ, Carpenter DJ, Braysher BD, Cullis BR, Evans CM (2003) Phosphorus fertiliser placement for lupins in southern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 79–86.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Seiffert S, Kaselowsky J, Jungk A, Claassen N (1995) Observed and calculated potassium uptake by maize as affected by soil water content and bulk density. Agronomy Journal 87, 1070–1077. open url image1

Simpson JR, Lipsett J (1973) Effects of surface moisture supply on the subsoil nutritional requirements of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 24, 199–209.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Singh DK, Sale PWG, Routley RR (2005) Increasing phosphorus supply in subsurface soil in northern Australia: rationale for deep placement and the effects with various crops. Plant and Soil 269, 35–44.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Strong WM, Cooper JE (1980) Recovery of nitrogen by wheat from various depths in a cracking clay soil. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 20, 82–87.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Strong WM, Soper RJ (1974a) Phosphorus utilization by flax, wheat, rape and buckwheat from a band or pellet-like application. I. Reaction zone proliferation. Agronomy Journal 66, 597–601. open url image1

Strong WM, Soper RJ (1974b) Phosphorus utilization by flax, wheat, rape, and buckwheat from a band or pellet-like application. II. Influence of reaction zone phosphorus concentration and soil phosphorus supply. Agronomy Journal 66, 601–605. open url image1

Takahashi Y, Chinushi T, Nagumo Y, Nakano T, Ohyama T (1991) Effect of deep placement of controlled release nitrogen fertilizer coated urea on growth yield and nitrogen fixation of soybean plants. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 37, 223–232. open url image1

Takker PN , Walker CD (1993) The distribution and correction of zinc deficiency. In ‘Zinc in soils and plants’. (Ed. AD Robson) pp. 151–165. (Kluwer Academic Publishers: Dordrecht)

Teutsch CD, Sulc RM, Barta AL (2000) Banded phosphorus effects on alfalfa seedling growth and productivity after temporary waterlogging. Agronomy Journal 92, 48–54.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Trapeznikov VK, Ivanov II, Kudoyarova GR (2003) Effect of heterogeneous distribution of nutrients on root growth, ABA content and drought resistance of wheat plants. Plant and Soil 252, 207–214.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Tupper GR , Ebelhar MW (1994) Results of correcting subsoil problems. In ‘Proceedings of Beltwide Cotton Conferences’. 5–8 January 1994, San Diego, CA. pp. 1524–1526. (National Cotton Council: Memphis, TN)

Tupper GR , Ebelhar MW , Pringle HC (1993) Correcting subsoil nutrient problems with deep banding dry materials applicator-summary of results. In ‘Proceedings of Beltwide Cotton Conferences’. 10–14 January 1993, New Orleans, LA. pp. 1326–1329. (National Cotton Council: Memphis, TN)

Tupper GR , Pringle HC III , Ebelhar MW (1998) Effect of long term potassium rate and placement on cotton. In ‘Proceedings of Beltwide Cotton Conferences’. 5–9 January 1998, San Diego, CA. pp. 618–621. (National Cotton Council: Memphis, TN)

Valizadeh GR, Rengel Z, Rate AW (2003) Response of wheat genotypes efficient in P utilisation and genotypes responsive to P fertilisation to different P banding depths and watering regimes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54, 59–65.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Vyn T, Janovicek K, Bruulsema T (1999) Banded potash boosts no-till corn yield. Better Crops with Plant Food 83, 8–9. open url image1

Vyn TJ, Galic DM, Janovicek KJ (2002) Corn response to potassium placement in conservation tillage. Soil & Tillage Research 67, 159–169.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Vyn TJ, Janovicek KJ (2001) Potassium placement and tillage system effects on corn response following long-term no till. Agronomy Journal 93, 487–495. open url image1

Walton GH (1978) The effect of manganese on seed yield and the split seed disorder of sweet and bitter phenotypes of Lupinus angustifolius and L. cosentinii. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 29, 1177–1189.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Wan C, Xu W, Sosebee RE, Machado S, Archer T (2000) Hydraulic lift in drought-tolerant and -susceptible maize hybrids. Plant and Soil 219, 117–126.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

White J (2002) Potassium distribution in ferrosols and its influence on rain-fed crop production in the South Burnett region of Queensland. PhD Thesis, University of Queensland, Australia.

Wijesinghe DK, John EA, Beurskens S, Hutchings MJ (2001) Root system size and precision in nutrient foraging: responses to spatial pattern of nutrition supply in six herbaceous species. Journal of Ecology 89, 972–983.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Wilhelm NS (2005) Deep placement of nutrients—few excuses left not to recommend it. In ‘Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2005 Summary’ pp. 126–127. (South Australian Research and Development Institute: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)

Wuest SB, Cassman KG (1992) Effects of variations in soil water potential, depth of N placement, and cultivar on postanthesis N uptake by wheat. Plant and Soil 143, 45–53.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | open url image1

Wysocki D , Sirovatka N , Ott S (2005) Growth and nutrient uptake of winter canola at Pendleton, Oregon. In ‘2005 Dryland Agricultural Research Annual Report’. (Oregon State University: Corvallis, OR)

Yin XH, Vyn TJ (2002) Soybean responses to potassium placement and tillage alternatives following no-till. Agronomy Journal 94, 1367–1374. open url image1

Zegada-Lizarazu W, Iijima M (2004) Hydrogen stable isotope analysis of water acquisition ability of deep roots and hydraulic lift in sixteen food crop species. Plant Production Science 7, 427–434.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Zhang XK, Rengel Z (1999) Gradients of pH, ammonium, and phosphorus between the fertiliser band and wheat roots. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 365–373.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Zhang XK, Rengel Z (2002) Temporal dynamics of gradients of phosphorus, ammonium, pH, and electrical conductivity between a di-ammonium phosphate band and wheat roots. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 985–992.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1









Appendix 1. List of the references related to crop responses to deep-placed nutrients in Australia

APP, Ammonium polyphosphate


Appendix 1
Click to zoom