Long term comparison of rotation and fallow management practices in the Victorian Mallee (MC14) - Walpeup

The MC14 experiment was established in 1985 to compare the long term effects of rotation and fallow management on wheat production in the Mallee. The agro-ecological context of this site is a rain-fed cropping system within the Mallee, which is a semi-arid (average 334 mm of annual rainfall) Mediterranean type environment. It is located within the Central Mallee land system on a plain landform (swale). The soil is a gradational calcareous earth known as a Calcarosol. There are two soil pits described for the MC14 experimental site, one completed on the experimental plots (Walpeup Site 4), and one completed on the dunes in the experimental plots (Walpeup Site 3).

MC14 sign at Walpeup - the sign reads 'Direct drill vs conventional cultivation expt.' (experiment)

Landscape visualisation

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Outputs

This site has provided measurement of yield of wheat in response to rotation and conservation tillage practice compared with conventional practice. This site was also used to assess the impact of management on root disease such as rhizoctonia root rot (Rhizoctonia soloni) and take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici). The MC14 site is also used regularly as a resource for postgraduate students and agricultural researchers within collaborative projects, where it provides a known history of management and rotation treatment. Scientific publications arising from this site are listed below.


Experimental Design

Since 1985, a total of 42 plots are sown each year on the MC14 site at Walpeup. Three replicates of each phase of each rotation are sown on plots 4.2 metres by 40 metres in size (refer figure below). Rotations included:

1. pasture - fallow - cereal
2. fallow - cereal
3. pasture - cereal

Each rotation is sown on a split plot with half chemical fallow and half mechanical fallow.

The wheat (cv. Yipti) is sown both using direct drill and conventional techniques.

Modifications to the original design are restricted to variation in length of the short fallow, although this does not compromise the overall integrity of the site.

W = Wheat	Fm = Mechanical fallow	DD = direct drill, sow wheat with narrow points and press wheels
P = Medic pasture	Fc = Chemical fallow	Cv = Conventionally sown wheat with standard points and harrows

Figure 1. Field lay out and site design of the MC14, Walpeup, Victoria. Example is for crops sown in 2010.

From 1985 to the present, regular sampling and analyses of various soil and plant properties has occurred annually. This includes grain yield and quality, emergence counts, biomass at anthesis and maturity, soil moisture at sowing and maturity (neutron probe) and sowing mineral-nitrogen. Soil pathology was collected from 1985 to 2006, and soil chloride was measured in 1990.


Related Publications

Bissett MJ and O’Leary GJ (1996) Effects of conservation tillage and rotation on water infiltration in two soils in south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research 34, 299-308. http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/84/paper/SR9960299.htm (external link)

Incerti M, Sale PWG and O’Leary GJ (1993a) Cropping practices in the Victorian Mallee 1. Effect of direct drilling and stubble retention on the water economy and yield of wheat. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 33, 877-883. http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/EA9930877.htm (external link)

Incerti M, Sale PWG and O’Leary GJ (1993b) Cropping practices in the Victorian Mallee 2. Effect of long fallows on the water economy and the yield of wheat. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 33, 885-894. http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/EA9930885.htm (external link)

O’Connell MG, O’Leary GJ and Incerti M (1995) Potential groundwater recharge from fallowing in north-west Victoria, Australia. Agricultural Water Management 29, 37-52.

O’Leary GJ and Incerti M (1995) A field comparison of three neutron moisture meters. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 35, 59-69.