Evaluating Wood Vinegar for Sustainable Wheat Production

Our ongoing Riverina project evaluates wood vinegar's impact on wheat yield and soil health, combining field and controlled pot trials to provide science-backed evidence for sustainable farming.

5/8/20241 min read

We are currently investigating the effects of wood vinegar (pyroligneous acid) as a sustainable agricultural input for wheat production in the Riverina region, Australia.

Wood vinegar has been reported to improve crop performance, influence soil microbial activity, and support plant growth across various agricultural systems. However, its effectiveness under field-scale wheat production conditions in the Riverina climate has not yet been systematically evaluated.

This project aims to determine whether wood vinegar application can improve wheat yield, crop performance, and selected soil condition indicators while contributing to more sustainable farming practices.

This project combines field and controlled experimental approaches to generate practical and scientifically robust outcomes.

Field Trial – Harefield, Riverina

A field trial is currently underway to evaluate the effects of wood vinegar application on wheat growth, crop vigour, yield performance, and selected indicators of soil condition under commercial farming conditions.

Pot Trial – Wagga Wagga, Riverina

A controlled pot trial is being conducted in parallel to further investigate plant responses to wood vinegar under managed conditions. This study will provide additional insight into growth responses, plant health, and interactions between wheat and soil.

Project Objectives

  • Evaluate the effect of wood vinegar application on wheat growth and yield.

  • Assess changes in selected soil condition indicators following treatment.

  • Compare plant responses under field and controlled conditions.

  • Generate evidence to support practical adoption of wood vinegar in wheat production systems.

Project Locations: Harefield and Wagga Wagga


Project Status: Ongoing