Further tactics to minimise frost damage on the Eyre Peninsula

Previous frost work on the EP has been well received and has assisted in filling key agronomic knowledge gaps around frost mitigation in crop, however, it has been identified that further gaps in knowledge exist. This project will build on successful work and engagement already conducted on the EP through a number of mechanisms, including:

• Developing and extending tools available for frost management.
• Continued monitoring of soil amelioration sites for further understanding of the effects of amelioration on frost incidence.
• Various extension activities including field days and timely pre-season and post frost event workshop activities.

This project will be led and developed with AIR EP through involvement of local agronomists, researchers and growers ensuring a holistic and grower ready approach is demonstrated in the trials. This will help to ensure there is increased knowledge and confidence in frost identification and mitigation strategies, reducing potential losses to frost on the EP.

2024 trial site

Location: Near Hincks Conservation Park, Tooligie Hill

Trials: 

• Treatments have been sown across two frost risk zones (moderate frost risk and high frost risk). The medium and high frost risk trials were sown on 29 April – irrigated 250L per 18m² plot (TOS 1) and on 20 May 2024 (TOS 2). TOS 2 was not irrigated and so effective plant establishment was in June.
• The pulse trial has been sown with beans, lentils, peas (and canola).
• Temperature loggers have been situated in the two amelioration sites, in ripped /unripped/clayspread/spaded (by hand) at BoM height, canopy height and ground level.
• Temperature loggers were situated across the soil profile at 30, 20, 10, and 5cm depth and 10, 20, and 30 cm height (for a week or so) tracking heat of soil x air heat flow.

Results from the previous project:

Frost Tactics Final Report June 2024