Gerry Deguara Trial Progress

Region: Mackay

Who: Gerry Deguara

Location: North Eton

To compare the application of liquid fertilisers sub-surface against sub-surface application of granular fertilisers at the same rate

There is always a risk that fertilisers applied onto the top of the soil are subjected to greater loss pathways than fertilisers applied sub-surface. Liquid fertiliser supplied as Dunder is traditionally applied onto the surface of the soil with irrigation used to incorporate the fertiliser into the soil.

The grower wants to apply liquid fertiliser into the sub-surface of the soil at an approximate depth of 100mm. The rationale for this practice change is that nutrients will be more readily available to the plant and will also reduce the risk of being lost either by volatilisation or washed out of the paddock from heavy rainfall events or irrigation.