Optimising production of vetch on poor Mallee sands with fertilisers

Brian Dzoma¹, Nigel Wilhelm¹ and Peter Telfer²

¹SARDI Waite, ²SARDI Turretfield

Peer Review: Sjaan Davey (SARDI – Waite) and Fabio Arsego (SARDI – Port Lincoln)

Funded By: Grains Research and Development Corporation (DAS00169)

Project Title: Improving sustainable productivity and profitability of Mallee farming systems with a focus on soil improvements)

Key Messages

• Vetch productivity on poor sandhills can be improved even when phosphorus soil tests are moderate.
• High rates of urea under the seed were detrimental to vetch root and shoot biomass, nodules and grain production.
• Placing phosphorus deeper at sowing is beneficial for improved root and shoot biomass and grain yield