Reproduced with kind permission from Farm Weekly.

FORMAL replicated trials just concluded in Western Australia have shown Maximus barley responding well to a seed-coated application of MaxSil, a potent, world class silicon-based plant nutrient.

The trials were at Corrigin, Beverly and Cadoux.

On non-limiting soils, the replicated trials yielded up to 13 per cent higher than control.

On acid soils they demonstrated a yield increase of 16.5pc and on salt affected soils they showed an increase of 25pc.

Application rates were low, averaging 3.75kg a hectare.

The farm trials at Kellerberrin also demonstrated an increase in both protein and weight allowing for some of the grain to be classified as malt quality.

In comparison, the crops produced in the untreated plots were sparse, unhealthy and low in protein and yield.

MaxSil managing director David Archer said the trials showed the use of the silicon fertiliser, as a low cost seed treatment, had enabled the production of a harvestable barley crop, some of it which was malt grade, in a saline-sodic soil in a dry year.

MaxSil sales agronomist Andrew Kennett said both trial plots at Kellerberrin containing normal and saline-sodic soils could be classed as inadequate for growing dryland crops, particularly in a dry year such as the 2023 season.

The rainfall for the season was 146mm, which compared to an average of 250mm.

At Kellerberrin, the barley was direct drilled in May 17 into dry, one hectare trial plots in two,100ha paddocks at a rate of 55 kilograms per hectare along with 55kg/ha of a compound fertiliser.

The paddocks had previously been scarified in late March.

The seed was coated with MaxSil at 5pc or 3kg/ha of the seeding rate.The paddocks received 21mm of rain two weeks after sowing.

By July 6, the plants were at a four-leaf tillering stage. In late July urea was broadcast at 50kg/ha.

“The MaxSil treated plants were reported to have a greater density with more tillers, root mass and a healthier foliage as visually observed through to harvest,” Mr Kennett said.

“Importantly a crop harvest was achieved in all MaxSil treated plots whereas in control areas plant density was sparse with noticeably more plant abiotic plant stress.”

Claire Stevens, who oversaw the trials on her family farm at Kellerberrin, said they were happy to continue using MaxSil after trialing it for three years given the response, low application rate and low cost involved.

Even after three years when eight hectares was seed coated in 2020 at 5pc “you can still see the difference” following an annual rotation of crop and pasture compared to the paddock that received no MaxSil treatment, she said. One was salt scalded and the other still had growth.

Without the use of MaxSil the salt scalded soil “is useless” for growing crops.

In the barley trial at Beverley in salt affected soil, a 2.5kg/ha application of MaxSil directly on to the seed produced an increased yield of 19.33pc and a 5kg/ha treatment a 30.38pc increase compared to the control plots.

Again the barley was dry sown and received 20mm of rain a fortnight later allowing for germination.

A higher 10kg/ha treatment directly onto the seed however produced a drop in yield of 8.83pc compared to the untreated control.

While the reason for this is yet to be determined Mr Kennett believed it may be due to an overdose of the silicon fertiliser on to the seed in dry conditions.

But Mr Archer said this would not alter the recommendation for applying 50-120kg/ha of MaxSil broadcast generally, across a range of crops, as opposed to direct application of the fertiliser treatment onto the seed as trialed at Beverley.

Mr Kennett said the trials had demonstrated the use of MaxSil, with its high amount of soluble plant available silicon, had enabled winter cereals to germinate in saline-sodic soil and establish a good root system and tillers to support a harvestable barley crop - in some instances with sufficient protein and weight to be classified as malting grade.

“MaxSil not only mitigates salt effects, but enhances plant integrity by increasing photosynthesis and maximising yield while preserving water moisture under dry conditions to produce a successful crop.”