Deeper ripping with topsoil slotting maintains medium term yield response in sandy soils

Authors

W. D. Parker, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, Geraldton, Western AustraliaFollow
B. Isbister, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, Geraldton, Western AustraliaFollow
Stephen Davies, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, Geraldton, Western AustraliaFollow
David Hall, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, Esperance, Western AustraliaFollow

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

11-2018

Conference Title

National Soil Science Conference

Place of Publication

Bridgewater

ISBN

978-0-646-99723-0 (epubl)

Keywords

Soil compaction, Deep ripping, Topsoil slotting, Sand

Disciplines

Agricultural Economics | Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Environmental Engineering | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Hydrology | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Soil Science | Sustainability

Abstract

Proceedings of the National Soil Science Conference, Canberra, ACT, 18 to 23 November 2018.

Soil Science Society of Australia Inc.

Compaction of agricultural soils through machinery traffic is estimated to cost Western Australiangrain growers $54/ha/year (Peterson, 2017). Sandy soils in WA wheatbelt are particularly susceptible; with their lack of clay and organic matter they are unable to self repair after damage.

Deep ripping is the most effective way of loosening soil hardpans. This practice has been used consistently by growers on sandplain soils for almost 30 years giving yield responses in the order of 30% over unripped soil, with ‘re-ripping’ occurring every 2 to 3 years. Since the inception of deep ripping in WA farm machinery has become larger and heavier which has increased the depth of the compaction layer. The ripping depth of 300mm is no longer sufficient to remove the hard pans that have been measured to 500mm in sandy soils throughout the northern WA wheatbelt.

The deep ripped sands re-compact under machinery traffic. Confining the machinery traffic to permanent traffic lanes in a Controlled Traffic Farming system, reduces the area of paddock wheeled, thereby maintaining ‘softer’ soils for longer. However yellow loamy sands can settle through the wetting and drying cycle to self-compact to high strength levels so deep ripping is required again. Organic material is known to assist in the stabilisation of soils to improve soil structure and may assist in reducing the self-settlement of the sandy soils

Recommended Citation

Parker, W D, Isbister, B, Davies, S, and Hall, D. (2018), Deeper ripping with topsoil slotting maintains medium term yield response in sandy soils, National Soil Science Conference, Bridgewater, pp.441-442.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/conf_papers/277