Technical annual report 2000-01
Dept. of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources technical annual report; Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources technical and annual report; Reports; PublicationNT; Technical bulletin (Northern Territory. Dept. of Primary Industry and Fisheries) ; no. 295
2001-10
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).
Date:2001-10
English
Agriculture -- Northern Territory -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Northern Territory -- Periodicals
Dept. of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Darwin
Technical bulletin (Northern Territory. Dept. of Primary Industry and Fisheries) ; no. 295
0158-2763
Check within Publication or with content Publisher.
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/223369
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/687151
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries 16 PROJECT: Examination of Varying Rates of Three Macro Elements for Peanuts on Ruby Blain soil Project Officers: C. Ham, S. Lucas and F. O'Gara Location: Douglas Daly Research Farm, Irrigation area, Circle 2 Objective: To examine the effects of low, medium and high rates of Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca) on kernel development, quality and yield. Background: Incomplete kernel development, initially observed during the shelling process, detrimentally affected the quality of the produce in the 1999 dry season trials. Whilst several causes could be surmised it is possible that this effect was either caused or exacerbated by: 1. Incorrect levels of nutrient applied. 2. Nutrient uptake was influenced by incorrect levels of other elements in the soil solution (possibly due to fertiliser placement). 3. Incorrect estimate of reserves in the sub soil resulting in inadequate levels of fertiliser applied. P and Ca play major roles in kernel development formation; high levels of one can affect uptake of the other. High levels of Mg are believed to be antagonistic to Ca uptake; however evidence is scarce. Peanuts are unique in that the developing pods actively adsorb nutrients from the surrounding soil solution (top 5 cm) rather than relying on translocation via the gynophore (peg). Hence nutrient imbalances at the surface are of concern. Fertiliser placement has been identified as critical in Queensland. The processes by which the plant absorbs these elements are intertwined; excessive levels of one element can limit the others. Soil type influences retention and uptake of these elements. It is important to note that the kernel blemish was not typical of Boron deficiency. Method: The trial is a complete randomised block design with four replicates. The data will be analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Treatments have been calculated so that there is a range of levels from critical to excessive levels in varying combinations. There is a nil fertiliser control (K, Ca and Mg only) and a maximum fertiliser control. The fertiliser was applied to the surface of the plot and incorporated by hand. Surface placement was deliberate to maximise the chance of creating imbalances. Other nutrients that were not under investigation were applied in adequate amounts.