UQ00063 - Regional soil testing guidelines for the northern grains region

The national database "Making Better Fertiliser Decisions for Crops" has identified large gaps in knowledge regarding soil nutrient-yield response relationships for many of the crops grown in the GRDC Northern region, and for most of the nutrients, as well as the appropriate soil testing methodology to assess subsoil phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and Sulphur (S) status. This project aims to fill these gaps for the major crops in the region (sorghum, wheat and chickpea), by conducting trials from the Central Highlands in Qld to the southern Liverpool Plains in NSW including western areas of southern Qld and central and northern NSW. The project will generate soil test - plant response calibrations covering the above gaps in knowledge, with this project focussing on P, K and S soil test-crop response information, with the objective of better matching fertilizer inputs to meet crop demand while minimising nutrient losses.