Geoff Seavers
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Dr Geoff Seavers
IACR-Long Ashton Research Station
Department of Agricultural Sciences
University of Bristol
Long Ashton
Bristol
BS41 9AF
Email Address : geoff.seavers@bbsrc.ac.uk
Telephone : (+44) (0)1275 392181
Fax : (+44) (0)1275 394007
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The Electronic Rothamsted Archive
Copyright (C) Lawes Agricultural Trust 1994
This document gives a description of the Broadbalk Experiment and the data
which are available. I have only included page one the Introduction. You are
also able to request data (http://www.res.bbsrc.ac.uk/era/broadbalk_1.html)
Introduction
Yield Data 1844-1925
Yield Data 1926-1967
Yield Data 1968-
Soils Data
Weeds Data
Introduction
The first experimental crop of wheat was sown on Broadbalk in 1843 and
harvested in 1844. The aim of the experiment was to test the effect of
different organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on the yield of winter
wheat. For the first few years the treatments varied somewhat but in 1852 a
permanent scheme was established which has continued, with some minor
modifications, to today.
The experiment has had three main phases:
1. 1844-1925 Wheat was grown continuously, apart from occasional fallowing of
parts of the field
2. 1926-1967 The field was divided into five strips, which were fallowed in
turn. In 1956 Section I was divided into two;
IA was assigned to continuous wheat with weedkillers as required but no
fallows, while IB continued in the five year cycle.
In 1963 Section V was divided into two; VB was assigned to continuous wheat
with weedkillers, while VA continued in the five year cycle.
3. 1968- The field is now divided into ten sections, on some sections wheat is
grown continuously, while on others it is grown in rotation with other crops.
Grain and straw yields are recorded each year. Other data collected include
observations of weeds, pests and diseases and the results of chemical analyses
of crops and soils. Physical samples of crops and soils have been preserved.
A summary of the current treatments of the plots is given below:
1
D N4 P K
3
None
5
P K Mg
6
N1 P K Mg
7
N2 P K Mg
8
N3 P K Mg
9
N4 P K Mg
10
N2
11
N2 P
12
N2 P Na
13
N2 P K
14
N2 P 30 kg/ha Mg as kieserite
15
N5 P K Mg
16
N6 P K Mg
17
Even years: N1 in autumn, N3 in spring, 1/2 (P K Mg)
Odd years: N3 in spring, 1/2 (P K Mg)
18
Even years: N3 in spring, 1/2 (P K Mg)
Odd years: N1 in autumn, N3 in spring, 1/2 (P K Mg)
19
None (Castor meal to supply 96 kg N until 1988)
20
N2 K Mg
21
D N2
22
D
N1,N2,N3,N4,N5,N6 48, 96, 144, 192, 240, 288 kg/ha N as 'Nitram' (34.5% N)
P 35 kg/ha P as triple superphosphate
K 90 kg/ha K as sulphate of potash
Na 55 kg/ha Na as sulphate of soda
Mg (except Plot 14) 35 kg/ha Mg every third year as kieserite
D 35 t/ha Farmyard manure
The varieties of wheat grown on Broadbalk are as follows:
1844-1848
Old Red Lammas
1849-1852
Old Red Cluster
1853-1881
Red Rostock
1882-1899
Red Club
1900-1904
Squarehead's Master
1905 Giant Red
1906-1909
Squarehead's Master
1910 Browick Red
1911-1912
Little Joss
1913-1916
Squarehead's Master
1917-1928
Red Standard
1929 Squarehead's Master
1930-1939
Red Standard
1940-1941
Squarehead's Master
1942 Stand up
1943 Squarehead's Master
1944-1945
Red Standard
1946-1967
Squarehead's Master
1968-1978
Cappelle
1979-1984
Flanders
1985-1990
Brimstone
1991-1995
Apollo
1996-
Hereward
The most important change was in 1968 when shorter-strawed varieties were
introduced. This led to an increase in grain yields and a decrease in straw
yields. Squarehead's Master was grown on parts of some plots between 1987 and
1990, enabling a comparison to be made.
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