New canola online tool available
A new resource is available to grain growers and consultants to help interpret soil and tissue test results and manage nutrition in their canola crops.
The Critical nutrient levels for canola in Western Australia online tool was developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), with the support of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
For each crop nutrient, a table has been developed to highlight the likely yield impact of different soil or plant tissue test results on seed yield.
All major macro and micro nutrients are included in the tool. These include the macro nutrients phosphorous, sulphur, potassium and nitrogen, and the micro nutrients copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum and boron.
The tool also includes the main soil constraints found in WA including soil acidity, soil alkalinity, aluminium toxicity, sodicity, compaction and salinity.
A traffic light system has been used to indicate the urgency of addressing nutrient or soil constraint issues.
The traffic light chart quickly highlights whether nutrient levels in the soil or plant are likely to result in reduced seed yield and also estimates the severity of expected yield losses (Figure 1).
Where the traffic light shows a test result as red, this means yield losses of more than 25% are likely, meaning this particular issue needs addressing as a priority.
Where a test result is orange, yield loss between 15-25% are likely, yellow indicates 5-15% losses and green estimates less than 5% yield loss.
| Yield loss | >25% | 15-25% | 5-15% | <5% |
| Phosphorous 0-10cm soil test (mg/kg)(Colwell P) | <13 | 13-16 | 16-22 | >22 |
| Phosphorous in whole tops at seedling stage (%) | <0.27 | 0.27-0.35 | 0.35-0.4 | >0.4 |
| Phosphorous in whole tops at rosette stage (%) | <0.18 | 0.18-0.23 | 0.23-0.27 | >0.27 |
This content is not intended to replace professional paddock specific advice, but to help growers and consultants determine where best to target their fertiliser or soil amelioration investment to ensure good canola crop nutrition and to optimise crop potential and profit.
The web pages include a lot of general information about canola nutrition and the behaviour of each nutrient in soils and plants, as well as suggestions for remedial action.
There are also links to other information to help diagnose crop constraints and paddock management tools.
The critical levels have been developed by DPIRD staff, drawing on many research trials conducted over several years.
For more information contact Andrew Blake, Development Officer, Geraldton on +61 (0)8 9956 8564.