Case Studies

The Biomineral production system developed by Field Capacity has reduced Nitrogen inputs in banana production from 440 kg/ha to 40 kg/ha without impacting on yield.  This has also resulted in improved fruit quality, extended shelf life and increased fruit nutritional content.  Growers implementing these practices have also achieved greater profitability and improved soil health through higher soil organic carbon content which increased by as much as 40 t/ha in a single year. 

Pests and disease management in horticultural crops is often a major limitation, especially when growing tomatoes.  The production system developed by Field Capacity has resulted in reduced chemical intervention in tomato crops through increased plant resilience.  This has been achieved by minimizing the use of synthetic Nitrogen, the application of beneficial bacteria and increased plant mineral uptake.  Growers implementing such systems are achieving greater yield, shelf life, product demand, nutrient and water use efficiency as well as profitability when compared with the recommended district practice.

A farm-based field investigation carried out by VegetablesWA found that the grower was able to increase the nutrient use efficiency and profitability of sweetcorn production through the implementation of a Biomineral program when compared with the accepted conventional practice.  The results achieved in the field reflected those recorded by DPIRD in a replicated trial carried out at the Carnarvon Research Facility, demonstrating how the results from this research can easily translate to practice change.

A hay production system implemented  on a cattle station in the remote Gascoyne region of Western Australia demonstrated that it was possible to reduce fertilizer inputs by two thirds when compared to recommended practices, without compromising yield or quality. An assessment of soil tests taken before the crop was sown and after it was harvested concluded that the soil organic carbon content increased by more than 35%.  It was also confirmed that the Biomineral production system deployed by Field Capacity was the most cost-effective way to produce hay in this location, presenting a whole of supply chain solution to the carbon neutral objectives (CN30) of the meat and livestock industry through reduced emissions from fertilizer and freight as well as increased soil carbon levels.

A replicated field trial conducted in Pingelly, Western Australia assessed the effect of a biological inoculant on the performance of a range of fertilizer strategies used to produce wheat. This investigation found that the use of the inoculant resulted in increased  germination rate,  yield, soil organic carbon levels, grain weight and quality as well as profitability.  It  also concluded that the use of the inoculant was optimized when applied in combination with a Biomineral fertilizer and that it increased the yield of the conventional fertilizer treatment when compared with the untreated control.  This demonstrates the application of these systems in broad acre agriculture.

The production systems developed by Field Capacity generate significant amounts of soil organic carbon which not only increase soil health and productivity but also present viable carbon farming opportunities to either offset agricultural emissions or provide an alternative source of income through carbon trading. 

Field Capacity provides an integrated service in the development and delivery of carbon farming projects.

The Biomineral approach has been successfully integrated into large scale land rehabilitation projects for the mining and civil construction industries.  This has resulted in the rapid establishment of ground cover due to improved water retention and soil health.  Sites undergoing this form of tailored rehabilitation have been recognised for robust erosion control their potential offset GHG emissions as a result of carbon sequestration capacity.