Soil sample results expected shortly
(Project: Hamilton Stubble Nutrient)
September 2007
SOIL samples from the new Hamilton Branch trial site at Dunkeld trial site are currently undergoing extensive analysis at CSIRO Plant Industry in Canberra and at the University of Queensland.
A total 118 samples are being examined for carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus levels as part of the Hamilton Branch research project investigating how different retained stubble systems influence the movement of nutrients.
CSIRO soil scientist, Dr Clive Kirkby was on-site in August fastidiously collecting the samples with assistance from DPI agronomist, Steve Holden.
Samples were collected from a total depth of 60cm and sub-sampled into increments from 0-10cm, 10-20cm, 20-30cm, 30-40cm and 40-60cm.
Back in the laboratory, Dr Kirkby has meticulously picked the samples clean, removing every last vestige of organic matter – and that includes plant material measuring less than 2mm!!
“One of the major aims of the project is to build up the soil’s reserves of relatively stable carbon, which is carbon that doesn’t disappear quickly following a management intervention such as cultivating,” Dr Kirkby said.
“We know that plant material, which contains about 40% carbon, decomposes rapidly following cultivation and releases most of its carbon as carbon dioxide which escapes to the atmosphere. If we leave any plant material in the soil samples when we test them, we could get a false impression of the soil’s true carbon reserves.”
Samples were then forwarded to the University of Queensland and results are expected within weeks.
This project has been made possible through funding provided by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme (NLP).
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