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Soil Amelioration and Lupin Nodulation

Key Messages

  • Lupins are a commonly grown nitrogen-fixing crop in the Facey Group region that are suited to a range of our soil types.
  • As soil amelioration techniques are becoming more widespread, a better understanding of its impacts on nodulation of nitrogen-fixing species is required.
  • This trial will investigate if soil amelioration alters the rate at which nodulation occurs in lupins.

Summary

This trial aims to investigate if various soil amelioration treatments effect the rate of nodulation in lupins. Soil amelioration techniques that will be investigated are and Discorden On-Pass Finisher, K-Line Speedtiller, Clay application at 250 t/ha to 25cm and a Reefinator H4. This will ensure better understanding of the impacts of various soil amelioration practices and nodulation in lupins and may lead to further trials with other nitrogen-fixing crops on recently ameliorated soils.

Lupins are best grown on acid to neutral sands and sandy loams. Approximately 14% of the arable land of South-West Australia is highly capable of lupin production. Lupin growth is restricted in duplex soils where sand is over a clay layer and in soils that are too sandy to hold water or nutrients. Clay crusts may also reduce plant emergence.

In addition, the rhizobium species that nodulate lupins persist in the W.A. acid soils for a long-time. The relationship between soil pH and nodulation rates is well-established. However soil amelioration techniques and nodulation rates in lupin crops is less well understood.

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FURTHER INFORMATION:

Project Start Date: February 2023

Project End Date: February 2024

Host Farmers: Alan Manton and Kelly Pearce

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Contact Us

Phone: (08) 9888 1223

Facey Group Inc
40 Wogolin Rd
Wickepin, WA 6370
Postal: PO Box 129,
Wickepin, WA 6370