• The application of 40kg/ha at sowing resulted in significant yield responses from all products over the control where only starter fertiliser was applied.
• Fertilisers banded at sowing generally resulted in higher yields and grain N recovery than top dress applications, while the inverse was true for grain protein levels.
• Low grain protein levels (<10.5%) for all treatments and application timings generally indiates that yield was not optimised due to the limited nitrogen supply.
• There were no significant responses found from the use of inhibitors in this trial.

• There were good dry matter responses to starter fertilisers at either 16 or 32 kg/ha of P although only certain treatments gave a significant dry matter inrease when raising P rate from 16 to 32 kg/ha. The best dry matter response was from Gree Top which supplied all the nutrients lacking in the soil test report.
• Potassium seed burn was not apparent possibly due to the relatively wet conditions.
• Both DAP and Gree Top grew over 70 kg DM/ha/kg P at the lower rate of 80 kg/ha, which supplied 16 kg/ha of P.
• Only Green Top, Croplift and Superfect+Mo increased yields with increasing rate of application indicating they supplied the lacking nutrient required to make use of the extra P available.

• There were adequate levels of phosphorus in the soil profile, but we still saw a response to phosphorus fertiliser.
• There were some differences within different products at the 12 kg P rate - with sulfur enhances products delivering a better outcome.
• Other additive to phosphorus fertilisers delivered no additional benefits.

• Time of sowing is more important than seeding system.
• Depth control on disc seeding systems can affect crop establishment.
• In this trial the knife-point press wheel seeding system out yielded the single disc seeding system.

• The trial at Dalwallinu suffered from low soil temperature after sowing.
• Disease was not a larege problem at this trial as the level of inoculum would have been very low.
• Bird damage accounts for some of the large standard deviaitons in the Genesis 90.

• Combined results from the sowing date and disease management trials indicated PBA Blitz and PBA Greenfield were more severely affected by ascochyta blight than previously observed relative to other varieties. This has resulted in a drop in their disease ratings relative to other varieties.

• Early break to the season triggers a very early canola sowing time (22 March) in a time of sowing trial at Minnipa.
• Disappointing yields and no stand out varieties in time of sowing 1 (TOS1) at Minnipa missing the full potential for early sowing due to shattering and mice damage.
• Exceptional yields in TOS2 Clearfield trial at Minnipa where Hyola 571 CL, Pioneer 44Y84 CL and Pioneer 43C80 CL all exceeded 2.5 t/ha.
• ATR Stingray, CB Junee HT and ATR Snapper are the highest yielding TOS2 TT lines at Minnipa.
• Hybrids Hyola 571 CL, Pioneer 45Y82 CL and Pioneer 44Y84 CL shine in the Clearfield trial at Witera yielding above 2 t/ha.
• ATR Cobbler, ATR Stingray and Tanami are the best performing TT lines at Witera.
• Oil content in canola is above 42% across all trials.

Diuron appears to be safe when applied pre-sowing of lupins at label rates, as there was no difference in yield between the Simazine alone and Diuron alone treatments.

 

• Winter habit canola was successfully sown in spring 2011, grazed over summer and harvested for grain in 2012.
• Grazing over summer increased grain yield compared to no grazing. Ungrazed yield was 1.9 t/ha, grazed was 2.7 t/ha. Taurus sown at the conventional time (April) yielded 2.3t/ha. 
• Number of grazings had a small effect on yield. Grazing twice produced the best result, yielding 0.1t/ha more than grazing once and 0.2t/ha more than grazing three times. Although there was a yield penalty by grazing 3 times compared to two times, the third grazing supplied an additional 1t/ha of high quality feed at the beginning of May.
• Heavy grazing reduced yield compared to light grazing irrespective of the number of times it was grazed. However the reduction in yield was small and the heavy grazing produced 4t/ha of feed compared to 1.4 t/ha when lightly grazed. 
• Applying nitrogen over summer has no yield benefits except for multiple (3) heavy grazings. In this case yield went from 2.0 t/ha to 2.7 t/ha

Glyphosat, Trifluralin and diflufenican residues, plus glyphosate metabolite AMPA are frequently detected at agronomically significant levels at the start of the winter cropping season.

The risk to soil biological processes is generally minor when herbicides are used at label rates and sufficient time is given for them to dissipate before re application.

Further research is needed to define critical thresholds for glyphosate, trifluralin and diflufenican and AMPA and the potential impacxts to soil function and crop production.

• Stubble height did not affect fallow efficiency at Weethallee following the 2013 or 2014 harvests.
• Stubble height during the 2014 fallow did not impact on 2015 crop yields.
• Leaving higher stubbles may reduce harvest cost but may also cause issues during fallow sprays and sowing. Individual producers need to target a stubble height that best suits their equipment and techniquies.

• Pasture species were out competed when sown with Fathom barley.
• Even when pasture species were sown as monocultures weed competition reduced biomass production in winter and summer.
• Fathom barley produced the most dry matter and the vetches and peas performed comparatively well.

• Simulated dry sowing was not shown to have any detrimental effect on Zn fertiliser use efficiency.

• Commercial granular and liquid monoammonium phosphate fertilizers enriched with zinc were incubated under dry and wet conditions to test the effects of dry sowing on fertilizer diffusion, lability, and subsequent availability to wheat (Tritium aestivum L. ‘Axe’) plants in the growth chamber using isotopic techniques.
• Fertilizer incubated in dry soil tended to have a much greater lability than in wet soil, but diffusion was limited.
• The restricted diffusion during the incubation did not negatively impact nutrient availability to plants subsequently grown in the growth chamber, however, and simulated dry sowing was not shown to have a detrimental effect on fertilizer efficiency.

• Dry sowing before the break limits the possibility of broad spectrum herbicide control of early germinating weeds.
• Annual ryegrass is very competitive if it emerges before or with the crop. Delaying sowing until the first flush of weed seedlings have emerged to allow an effective knockdown with a broad spectrum herbicide is pivotal when sowing into paddocks with a high ryegrass seed bank
• The seed rate and consequently the plant density will most likely not create conditions where the rapid early growth of Revenue will out compete the germinating ryegrass. In this case, the density of plants does not play a significant role in the outcome of weed suppression.
• Application of IBS herbicides (Sakura, Avadex Xtra) lose weed kill effectiveness with extended periods of hot weather and minimal rainfall.

 

• The dry sowing treatment had lower crop establishment in all treatments compared to sowing into moist soil.
• No additional herbicide was found in the row after rain for the dry time of sowing.
• For the moist soil sowing treatment there was a greater concentration of herbicide in the inter-row as indicated by the reduced growth of ryegrass.

• Annual medics are widely grown on neutral to alkaline soils that commonly contain high levels of boron in the subsoil that reduce plant growth.
• Boron tolerant barrel, strand and disc medic cultivars exist, but all spineless burr medic cultivars are intolerant of high boron levels.
• A cohort of boron tolerant spineless burr medics have been developed and entered field evaluation trials at Minnipa and Roseworthy in 2019.

• Novel legume species and genotypes have the potential to reduce feed gaps and provide other farming systems and livestock benefits in low to medium rainfall regions of southern Australia.
• The five-year large scale grazing systems trial established at Minnipa in 2018 is the main livestock field site for the national Dryland Legume Pasture Systems project. Five annual legume species are being tested.
• The priority for this trial in 2018 was to optimise seed set given the poor seasonal conditions, and therefore no grazing was undertaken in the establishment year, but instead will commence with sufficient pasture growth in 2019 to determine the best legume option for livestock production. 

• 2007 results showed two varieties experienced statistically significant yield penalty from mowing when medium maturing varieties were mowed at growth stage 30 (given appropriate crop management).
• Early sowing thought to be very critical to minimizing yield penalty from grazing - to be researched .
• Crop management will be different for both graze/grain versus pure grain crops - to be researched.
• Grazing crops gives pastures a chance to establish and grow at optimal growth rates during winter.
• Sheep can be used to selectively graze weeds - to be researched.

• Project aimed to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Biomass production was greater at the earlier sowing date.
• Feed tests are important to determine feed quality.
• There were no yield differences between the two times of sowing.
   

Most varieties showed a significant reduction in biomass protein levels following grazing. This was particularly the case for Monstress triticale.

• Second year of a 3-year project funded by SAGIT and managed by SARDI.
• Project aims to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Trial site waterlogging resulted in variable results, interpret results with caution.
• Feed test results appear to vary between varieties and varieties at different times of sowing, indicating the importance of feed tests.
• Conventional canola varieties dry matter (DM) production was greater at time of sowing (TOS) 1 compared to TOS 2. Grain yield differences were not measured between varieties or TOS.
• There was a significant difference in DM production between the Triazine Tolerant varieties and TOS. Average grain yield was greater at TOS 2, than TOS 1.
• Greater DM was removed at TOS 1 compared to TOS 2 for Clearfield canola. Hyola 970 CL showed a significant difference in grain yield between TOS, with TOS 1 having a greater yield compared to TOS 2.

• Initial year of a new 3-year project funded by SAGIT and managed by SARDI.
• Project aims to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Trial site waterlogging resulted in high variability and confounding results, which should be interpreted with caution.
• Difference in feed test results were measured within a variety at different TOS and grazing dates, indicating the importance of getting feed quality tested.
• Dry matter production was low, maximum production recorded was Conventional 434 kg/ha, Triazine Tolerant 357 kg/ha and Clearfield 589 kg/ha.
• Conventional and Clearfield canola grain yields did not vary between TOS or varieties. • Triazine tolerant varieties had higher yields at TOS 1 and Hyola 750TT was the highest yielding TT variety.

DBA Vittaroi had higher grain protein than DBA Aurora under similar N management

Both varieties lodged where a PGR was not applied

Sowing rate did not affect yield or grains per head.

Graind per head averaged 2.1g or 2.1 t/ha per 100 heads/m2

• The presence of ryegrass reduced grain yields by 25%.
• Reduced sowing rates did not affect the grain yield or quality of new or standard durum varieties.
• A split application of nitrogen at GS31 and GS37 produced a significantly higher yield, 1.3t/ha.
• Growth regulants did not improve grain yield.

• Durum varieties (CaparoiA, DBA AuroraA, DBA LillaroiA and JandaroiA) displayed differential grain quality and yield responses to time of sowing (TOS) and nitrogen (N) management. Increased screenings (>5%) were the most common cause of quality downgrades.
• DBA AuroraA, due to increased risk of screenings (>5%) in part because of reduced grain size, would appear to offer less flexibility in terms of agronomic management, specifically delayed sowing and N management.
• The newly released Northern Durum breeding program variety DBA LillaroiA appears to offer excellent grain size and grain stability, achieving low screenings from a delayed sowing and high N rates.
• Results also highlight the need to sow varieties within recommended sowing windows. An earlier than recommended sowing date of May 19 for the Liverpool Plains resulted in yield losses of ~25% averaged across N treatments for earlier maturing varieties such as JandaroiA and DBA LillaroiA, with possible grain quality implications (e.g. increased screenings).

• Durum varieties displayed differential grain quality and yield responses to time of sowing (TOS) and nitrogen (N) management.
• DBA AuroraA appears to offer good yield potential, but exhibits an increased risk of screenings with increasing rates of N application at sowing or when N is applied before stem elongation (GS31). It also appears to have an increased potential for lower grain protein concentrations (GPC) due to yield dilution under high yielding situations.
• A strategy involving a split application of N at sowing and either GS31 or GS39, could reduce the potential for screening issues in DBA AuroraA while maintaining adequate GPC.
• Findings from this experiment further highlight the need to sow appropriate variety maturity types within their recommended sowing windows.
   

• A good farming system will utilise two to three with varying maturities, to spread risk
• Sowing varieties inside their recommended window is essential and will maximise yield and reduce screenings. 
• Storing summer fallow moisture is the key to producing good yields in these short finishing seasons. 
• In the 2009 season, quick maturing varieties and earlier sowing dates produced the best yields across the region.

• Delayed sowing provided no advantage over early sowing in reducing ryegrass plant or head number.
• In two out of three seasons, later sown crops were lower yielding and did not provide as good crop competition allowing ryegrass head number to increase.
• Sowing time had no effect on the performance of pre-emergent herbicides for ryegrass control.

• The early break to the 2015 season meant soil moisture and rainfall conditions were similar between ToS 1 and 2 and there was little variation in annual ryegrass control among preemergent herbicides tested.
• Grain yield and quality were not affected by pre-emergent herbicide; however, there was a 0.7 t/ha yield penalty for the later ToS.
• Over two seasons of research ryegrass seed set was greater when sowing was delayed.

The early break to the 2014 season meant soil moisture and rainfall conditions were similar between ToS 1 and 2 and there was little variation in annual ryegrass control among pre-emergent herbicides tested. Grain yield and quality were not affected by pre-emergent herbicide however, there was a 1.22 t/ha yield penalty for the later ToS

1. Preliminary results show better yields and slightly improved grain quality from the earliest sowing date (25 July).
2. There was a difference in plant phenology and physiology between the two early sowing dates (25 July and 16 August).

• Forrest was the highest yielding variety for the 9 April sowing date (Table 6). Shorter season varieties were not able to capture the yield benefits of this time of sowing.  Plant densities of 60 and 120 plants/m2 did not influence the grain yield or quality of wheat when sown on the 9th and 23rd April.
• Magenta was the highest ranked variety when sown on 23 April, however other long-mid maturing varieties also compared favourably.
• Mace , the most widely grown variety in the state, maximised yield at the 12 May sowing time.  It out yielded all other varieties at this sowing date.
• There was no influence of sowing time and plant density on the screenings which were below 5% for all varieties at all sowing times.

Canola Grain Yield at Pindar

All varieties apart from Stingray were able to yield the same or higher from the 9th April sowing opportunity.

As expected the shorter seasoned varieties were not able to capitalise on the 9th April sowing as the longer season varieties.    Grain yield declined with delayed sowing for longer season canola varieties.

Growers may not see a flat yield response for early sowings as an issue.  Instead, the early sowing window allows them to get crop out of the ground and reduces the risk of dry spells leading to a lack of future sowing opportunities.   However pests (eg Diamondback moth) and diseases (such as Sclerotinia), depending on rainfall zone and soil type, need to be factored into decisions about very early sowing windows.

The success of very early sowing depends heavily on soil type, soil moisture and temperature. Growers need to assess the conditions they face in the lead into each season closely before embarking on very early sowing, especially when using hybrid seed with high seed costs.

• If sowing before 20 April, winter wheats (Wedgetail, Wylah, Whistler, Osprey) are at lower risk of stem frost damage than slow maturing spring wheats.
• Keep spring wheats within 507 days of their opitmal sowing date.
• Be prepared tgo back-up imidacloprid treated seed with foliar insecticides if aphids are persisting in autumn.

• Two trials with first wheat sown during mid-April 2014 showed no difference in grain yield or quality as a result of being grown on 22.5cm or 30cm row spacings.
• Crops grown on a 37.5cm row spacing were 5-6% lower yielding than crops on the 30cm spacing.
• Although these are single-year results, they indicate that yield advantages of a narrow spacing (22.5cm) over 30cm, measured with later-sown wheat crops, may not be apparent when wheat crops are sown early (during mid-April).
• Trends suggesting higher dry matter (DM) produciton with a narrow row spacing, which were observed with later-sown crops, were still apparent in these earlier-sown crops; however, this did not translate to higher grain yields.

• Two wheat trials sown during mid-April 2015 showed no difference in grain yield or quality as a result of being grown on 22.5cm, 30cm and 37.5cm row spacings, when averaged across four varieties.
• Although crops grown on a 22.5cm row spacing produced more dry matter (DM), this did not correspond to increased yield.
• The results were identical to that seen with wheat sown in mid-April 2014.
• There were no differences in yields of the four wheat varieties, although Bolac produced higher screenings than the other three varieties in both trials.
• There was no difference in the overall water use efficiency (WUE) between narrow and wide row spacing, although calculated water losses (soil evaporation, drainage or unused water) were greater with wide spacing than the narrow spacing.

• Four wheat trials sown during mid-April 2014 and 2015 showed no difference in grain yield or qualityas a result of being grown on 22.5cm, 30cm and 37.5cm row spacings, when averaged across four varieties (Bolac/Kiora, Lancer, Trojan and EGA Wedgetail).
• The 2016 trial sown during mid-April again showed no difference in yield between 22.5cm and 30cm row spacings, however yields were significantly less with the widest row spacing (37.5cm).
• Trial yields in 2016 were 1.5t/ha higher than 2014 and 2015 (3–4.25t/ha), with the higher yield potential likely to be a key factor in the poor performance of the widest row spacing (37.5cm).
• The Riverine Plains Water Use Efficiency (WUE) project (2009–13) showed that when crops weresown in the traditional sowing window, the 22.5cm spacing was more successful than the 30cm spacing, except in drier years with lower yield potential (2.5–3.0t/ha).
• In the three years (2014–16) of trialling row spacing on early-sown crops, crops grown on a 22.5cm row spacing produced more dry matter (DM) than crops grown on wider rows. However, the 2016 trial was the first to show a yield disadvantage to the widest
row spacing (37.5cm) when sown early.
• As a result of lower yields, the 37.5cm row spacing gave significantly poorer water use efficiency (WUE) than 30cm row spacing, with a greater proportion of calculated water losses (soil evaporation, drainage or unused water).
• A barley row spacing trial, sown at the same time alongside the wheat, provided some usefulcomparative observations during 2016, with La Trobe barley producing higher DM and yields thanwheat with a harvest index (HI) of approximately 50% compared with wheat at 40%.

Winter wheat cultivars Wedgetail and Rosella sown on 1 April were higher yielding than LRPB Scout sown on 6 May.

Reducing plant density to 50 plants/ m² did not reduce the ability of winter wheats to compete with a simulated weed population (tame oats) when sown on 1 April

Winter wheat sown early produced more dry matter for grazing than spring wheats sown in May.

• Highest yields in 2015 came from early sown (9 April) spring cultivars (with 8mm of irrigation for emergence).
• Winter wheats Wedgetail and RAC2341, sown 9 April, yielded more than Scout sown in the normal sowing window (8 May).
• Reducing plant density in early sown slow-developing wheats did not influence yield in either the presence or absence of weeds but did result in greater weed growth.

• New winter genotypes had different phenology responses compared with current commercial genotypes.

• Frost significantly affected phenology and grain yield responses in 2017.

• The highest grain yields were achieved through various sowing date × variety combinations.

• Best management practice is matching varietal phenology with sowing date, however, pre-flowering phases had a significant influence on grain yield responses.
 

• Despite the significant effect of seasonal conditions in 2019, grain yields of >5.5 t/ha were achieved, highlighting the opportunity for early sown winter wheats in grain-only systems. • Differences in phenology and yield responses across sowing dates suggest cultivar
performance can be manipulated by sowing time and can vary across environments. • New winter and long season spring types with consistent yield performance provide alternative early sowing options for growers in southern NSW.

• Disease pressure Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), and Zymoseptoria triticii is going to restrict sowing of susceptible varieties earlier than mid-May in the South East High Rainfall Zone.
• Growers who wish to sow early (dual purpose crops) should select BYDV resistant varieties (eg.Manning), and use resistant cultivars, fungicides and grazing to manage Zymoseptoria triticii.
• The photoperiod (daylength) requirements of Trojan increase its suitability to earlier time of sowing compared with other spring cultivars

• Disease pressure - Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), and Zymoseptoria triticii is going to restrict sowing of susceptible varieties earlier than mid-May in the South East High Rainfall Zone.
• Growers who wish to sow early (dual purpose crops) should select BYDV resistant varieties (eg. Manning), and use grazing/fungicides to manage Zymoseptoria triticii.
• The photoperiod (daylength) requirements of Trojan increase its suitability to earlier time of sowing compared with other spring cultivars.

The effects of plant density (50, 125, 200 plants/m2) on growth and grain yield of early sown wheat were evaluated. Early in the growing season the low density plots looked very sparse but by September had largely caught up whereas the highest density plots looked visually good during early tillering but later in the season tillers were visually thinner and prone to lodging.

• The highest yielding spring wheat was Scepter sown on the 4th of May and 16th of March at 1.98 t/ha and 1.82 t/ha, respectively.
• The winter wheat varieties yielded between 0.82 – 1.33 t/ha, with no variety consistently outperforming another.
• 2017 conditions at Booleroo were unfavourable for winter wheats, further data across seasons and locations will be continued in 2018 and 2019.

• An early sown cereal crop provides a green paddock of feed when regenerating or sown legume pastures are establishing, and avoids the cost and labour of handfeeding.
• In low to medium rainfall areas, barley and oat crops best tolerate grazing. They have better forage value and their ability to recover lessens production penalties. Grazed wheat varieties are likely to suffer grain yield and quality penalties. Dual purpose winter varieties are generally not suitable.
• In low rainfall areas, it is best to graze well before stem elongation for better crop recovery.

Pasture improvement in the western wheatbelt has the potential to be very profitable practice. The level of
financial success from pasture improvement is strongly correlated to a farmer’s agronomic and livestock
husbandry skills. It is advisable to take the time to develop:
• A physical plan, to improve pastures and livestock, with the assistance of your District Agronomist and
Livestock Officer;
• Gross margin budgets for sowing the pasture and the livestock enterprise, with the assistance of your
District Agronomist and Livestock Officer;
• An incisive whole farm budget, to produce an economic picture that extends over a 5 year period, with the assistance of your accountant.

• Summary of 2 seasons esperiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.4 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on September Dry matter (DM) (3.1 t/ha); Seed yield (1.1 t/ha) or N % in DM (3% N) or N in the seed (3.55%).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.8) or on oil yield .

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary 1994 experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.3 mg/kg.

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 20 mg/kg

• B fertiliser had no effect on September Dry matter (DM) (2.9 t/ha); Seed yield (1.2 t/ha) or N % in DM (3% N) or N in the seed (3.50%).

• B had no effect on %oil (43.1) or on oil yield (515 kg/ha) .

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser decreased seedling density (71 to 48).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 24 mg/kg B nil; 31 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.62 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.32 t/ha  &  increased N % in DM (by 0.46%) and  N in the seed (0.33% increase).

• B had decreased %oil (1.2% decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 142 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.7 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 1..1 mg/kg.

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 30 mg/kg B nil; 36 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.35 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by .27 t/ha  &  increased N % in DM (by 0.26%) and  N in the seed (0.33% increase).

• B had decreased %oil (1.63% decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 128 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0..4 mg/kg.

• B decreased seedling density (53 to 38).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 15 mg/kg B nil; 19 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.48 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.32 t/ha  &  increased N % in DM (by 0.3%) and  N in the seed (0.12% increase).

• B had decreased %oil (0.59% decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 144 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1995 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0..4 mg/kg.

• B decreased seedling per sq. metre (50 to 39).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 17 mg/kg B nil; 22 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.40 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.2 t/ha  &  had no effect 0n N % in DM  and  N in the seed.

• B had decreased %oil (1.4 % decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 100 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1996 : summary of 2  experiment 

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 & 0.7 mg/kg.

• B application decreased seedling per square metre (63 to 48).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 27 mg/kg B nil; 36 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.21 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.137 t/ha  &  had no effect 0n N % in DM  and  N in the seed.

• B had decreased %oil (0.58 % decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 70 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• B application (Borax) decrease seedling emergence (57 to 42)

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 22 mg/kg B nil; 27 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.37 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.17 t/ha  &  had no effect 0n N % in DM  and  N in the seed.

• B had decreased %oil (0.29 % decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 90 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.37 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser decreased seedling density (67 to 41).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 28 mg/kg B nil; 36 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.62 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.29 t/ha  &  increased N % in DM (by 0.43%) and  N in the seed (0.11% increase).

• B had decreased %oil (0.5% decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 124 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.37 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1996 : summary of 2  experiment 

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 & 0.7 mg/kg.

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 27 mg/kg B nil; 36 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.7 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.217 t/ha  &  had no effect 0n N % in DM  and  N in the seed.

• B had decreased %oil (0.8 % decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 100 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (55-56 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 19 -23 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.43 t/ha); Seed yield (1.23 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.0 % N) or N in the seed (3.45 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.52) or on oil yield (535 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.6 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.3 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (55-56 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 15 -19 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.8 t/ha); Seed yield (1.23 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.4 % N) or N in the seed (3.65 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.52) or on oil yield (485 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.3 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.5 mg/kg.

• Planr density were not effected by B fertiliser (55 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 21 -25 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.84 t/ha); Seed yield (1.2 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.2 % N) or N in the seed (3.54%).

• B had no effect on %oil (43.8) or on oil yield (510 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.5 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.5 mg/kg.

• Planr density were not effected by B fertiliser (55 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 21 -25 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.84 t/ha); Seed yield (1.2 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.2 % N) or N in the seed (3.54%).

• B had no effect on %oil (43.8) or on oil yield (510 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.5 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of 2 seasons experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.94 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.5 t/ha); Seed yield (1.71 t/ha) or N % in DM (3% N) or N in the seed (4%).

• B had no effect on %oil (40.8) or on oil yield (680 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of o.9 was adequate

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of 2 seasons experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.4 mg/kg.

• Plant B concentration 20 -23 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.5 t/ha); Seed yield (1.71 t/ha) or N % in DM (3% N) or N in the seed (4%).

• B had no effect on %oil (40.8) or on oil yield (680 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of o.9 was adequate

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 mg/kg.

• Planr density were not effected by B fertiliser (53 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 21 -24  mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.3 t/ha); Seed yield (1.0 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.0 % N) or N in the seed (4.30%).

• B had no effect on %oil (38.8) or on oil yield (350 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.5 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  2 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.3 mg/kg.

• Planr density were not effected by B fertiliser (53 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 18 -21   mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.9 t/ha); Seed yield (2.23 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.0 % N) or N in the seed (3.60 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.8) or on oil yield (950 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.3 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (64 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 22 -27 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.1 t/ha); Seed yield (1.73 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.0 % N) or N in the seed (3.5 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (44.2) or on oil yield (750 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (71-66 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 29 -33 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.63 t/ha); Seed yield (1.2 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.4 % N) or N in the seed (3.55 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.5) or on oil yield (500 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (55 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 23 -27 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.4 t/ha); Seed yield (1.43 t/ha) or N % in DM (2.9 % N) or N in the seed (4.0 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (40.0) or on oil yield (540 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.6 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of 2 experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.4 mg/kg.

• Plant B concentrations 20 -23 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (4.76 t/ha); Seed yield (1.23 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.2 % N) or N in the seed (4%).

• B had no effect on %oil (44.8) or on oil yield (580 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.4 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.4 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (56 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 15 -18 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.1 t/ha); Seed yield (1.73 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.4 % N) or N in the seed (3.45 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (44.52) or on oil yield (775 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  2 experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.8 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (70-65 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 31 -36 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.0 t/ha); Seed yield (1.02 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.3 % N) or N in the seed (3.6 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (41.9) or on oil yield (420 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.8 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  2 experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (59-56 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 26 -30 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (2.0 t/ha); Seed yield (1.55 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.43 % N) or N in the seed (3.6 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (41.9) or on oil yield (650 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of 3 seasons esperiments mainly located in the Yuna & Badgingarra region

• Boron (B) deficiency frequently occurs on soils that are low in organic carbon (C) (<1.0% organic C), pH (soil pHCa <5.0), and clay content (<5% clay). Acid sands with these soil properties are common in south-western Australia (SWA). Moreover, hot calcium chloride (CaCl2) extractable B levels are commonly marginal in the acid sands of SWA. This study examined the effects of soluble and slow release soil-applied B fertilizer and foliar B sprays on crops most likely to respond to B fertilizer on these soils, canola (oil-seed rape, Brassica napus L.) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.).

  At 25 sites over three years, canola was grown with (0.34 kg ha-1) or without B applied as borax [sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na2B4O7·10H2O) 11% B], and this was followed by nine experiments with B rates [0, 0.55, 1.1 kg ha−1, applied as borax or calcium borate (ulexite, NaCaB5O6(OH)6·5(H2O), 13% B] and foliar sprays (0.1% solution of solubor, 23% B) in 2000–2001. A further five sites of B rates and sources experiments were carried out with lupin in 2000–2001. Finally, foliar B sprays (5% B w/v as a phenolic complex) at flowering were tested on seven sites in farmers’ canola crops for seed yield increases. No seed yield increases to soil-applied B were found while foliar B application at flowering increased canola seed yield in only one season across seven locations. By contrast, borax fertilizer drilled with the seed at sowing decreased canola seed yield in nine of 34-farm sites, and decreased lupin yield in two of five trials. Toxicity from drilled boron fertilizer decreased yield could be explained by decreases in plant density (by 22–40%) to values lower than required for optimum seed yield. Seedling emergence was decreased by borax applied at sowing but less so by calcium borate. Foliar B spray application never reduced seed yield due to toxicity effects.

   

  Boron fertilizer drilled with the seed increased the B concentration in plant dry matter at early to mid-flowering. Boron application decreased the oil concentration of grain of canola at four sites. The oil yield of canola was significantly decreased at seven sites.

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

A field trial was undertaken at Kinnabulla (VIC) in 2019 to investigate combinations of sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control brome grass in barley. Spartacus CL barley was used in this trial to enable the use of Intervix® for post-emergence control of brome grass. In 2019, the trial site received 181 mm rainfall during the growing season (April-October), which was 23% lower than the long-term average for the site. However in December 2018, the site received a heavy downpour of 199 mm, which created good growing conditions for barley crop grown in 2019. In this trial, barley seeding rate did not have a significant effect on either yield (P=0.213), brome panicles/m2 at maturity (P=0.889) or brome seed set/m2 (P=0.409). This lack of effect of crop seed rate on the number of brome panicles and seed set could be related to the high plant available water during the crop and weed life-cycle or due to Spartacus being a less competitive barley cultivar due to its erect architecture. Time of sowing had a significant effect on brome panicles/m2 at maturity and brome seed set/m2. TOS 2 had a lower brome panicle density at maturity than TOS 1 across all herbicide strategies, which was most likely due to low pre-sowing weed kill in TOS 1 as brome grass had not yet germinated. However, brome population that had germinated after the opening rains was killed by glyphosate application prior to seeding barley in TOS 2. As the numbers of panicles were lower in TOS 2, brome seed set was also reduced in TOS2 relative to TOS 1. Herbicide strategy had a significant effect on barley grain yield. As the herbicides reduced the impact of brome on barley, its yield increased from 3.24 t/ha in the knockdown treatment (NIL), to 3.72 t/ha in the pre-emergent herbicides only and to 3.96 t/ha when the pre-emergent herbicides were followed by post-emergent Intervix. Somewhat surprisingly, TOS 2 produced higher yields than TOS 1 across all the treatments, with the greatest difference being 0.46 t/ha in the Nil herbicide treatments. However, the yield difference between the two times of sowing decreased when more effective herbicides were used (0.08t/ha difference between TOS 1 and 2 in pre-emergent only and 0.04t/ha difference when pre-emergent herbicides followed by Intervix). Higher barley grain yield in the later sown crop is most likely due to a significantly greater weed density in barley in TOS 1 than in TOS 2, as large numbers of early germinating brome plants were controlled with glyphosate knockdown in TOS 2. TOS 1 also experienced a mild frost during flowering, resulting in patchy frost damage. Furthermore, May 23 (TOS 2) sowing date still falls within the optimum sowing window for Spartacus, which is an early maturity variety, and TOS 1 on April 29 was earlier than optimum for this variety.

A field trial was undertaken in 2019 to investigate combinations of faba bean sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide (P=0.012). The 3 week delay in seeding faba beans had no impact on ARG plant density, as shown by the similar ARG density in the simazine + trifluralin treatment. However, POST clethodim and butroxydim had much greater efficacy in the 2nd time of sowing (TOS 2) than in the TOS 1. The same trend was evident in ARG seed set when crop seeding was delayed. In the Simazine + Trifluralin (IBS) treatment there was only an 8% reduction in ARG seed production when seeding was delayed. However, Simazine + Trifluralin (IBS) fb Clethodim had a 62% reduction in ARG seed production in TOS 2 than in TOS 1. ARG seed production was also strongly influenced by faba bean seed rate (P<0.001). The high faba bean seed rate had 43% less ARG seed set compared to the low faba bean seed rate. This result indicates that faba beans can be highly competitive with ARG at the high seed rate. Faba bean grain yield was significantly influenced by crop seed rate (P<0.001), with the high seed rate yielding 14% and 30% higher than the medium and low seed rates, respectively. Herbicide treatment had a significant effect on faba bean grain yield. When POST clethodim was applied after the Simazine + Trifluralin IBS (1.55 t/ha), faba bean grain yield improved by 43% to 2.211 t/ha. Crop yield responses to herbicides treatments were consistent with their efficacy on ARG, which highlights the sensitivity of faba bean grain yield to weed competition. This study has shown that at high plant density, faba beans can provide a significant suppression of ARG. However, faba beans were very intolerant to weeds as shown by the large yield losses. Higher seed rates, are important to both increase competitiveness of faba beans in suppressing ARG, and to also maintain grain yield. However, fungal disease management would need to be monitored and managed effectively.

A field trial was undertaken at Washpool in 2019 to investigate combinations of wheat sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was 2249 ± 284 seeds/m2. There was no evidence at this site of any reduction in ryegrass infestation in wheat by delaying sowing by three weeks between TOS 1 (77plants/m2) and TOS (74plants/m2). This result suggests the Washpool ARG population likely has a high level of seed dormancy, reducing the rate of ryegrass germination after the opening rainfall events. Herbicide treatment had a significant influence on ARG plant density (P<0.001). Boxer gold and Sakura + Avadex reduced ARG plant density by 45% and 73% from the untreated control (125 ARG plants/m2). Wheat was much more competitive against ARG when it was sown early. This was made evident by the large increase in ARG seed production when seeding was delayed. When averaged across all other treatments TOS 1 produced 1634 ARG seeds/m2, which was 73% lower than 5974 ARG seeds/m2 produced in TOS 2 (P=0.013). Wheat seed rate had a significant influence on ARG seed production (P=0.005), with the high wheat seed rate supressing ARG seed production by 37% when compared to the lowest wheat seed rate (100 seeds/m2). Wheat grain yield at this site was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.001), seed rate (P=0.001), herbicide treatments (P=0.001), and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicides (P=0.011). Wheat was much more tolerant to ryegrass competition when sown early (TOS 1) as shown by the small increase in grain yield in herbicide treated plots. In contrast, there was a significant increase in wheat grain yield in herbicide treatments in TOS 2. The results of this study clearly show that delayed sowing of wheat allows for greater seed set by ryegrass and is also associated with a large yield penalty.

• Plants grown in small pots containing Mn deficient calcareous (pH 8.5, 80% CaCO3) sand collected from Wangary, S.A with 0-50 ppm added Mn in growth room at 15°C.
• Plants harvested at approx. 4 weeks (early tillering). Also 30 wheat cultivars were screened at Wangary using plant breeders' plots (4 rows x 5 m) with a split plot application of foliar MnSO (1 kg/ha ).
• Effects of seed soaking were evaluated for wheat and barley by soaking for 6 h with 1.5% MnSO4 prior to sowing.
• Without Mn, all cultivars showed no differences in growth and Mn uptake at 4 weeks (pots) but significant differences at 8 weeks in the field. With Mn supplied either in soil or on seed large cultivar differences were apparent at 4 weeks.
• Conclude that use of Mn efficient varieties coupled with a suitable seed Mn content will lessen the need for Mn fertilisers.

• Blackleg infection of flowers, pods, branches and upper stems can be collectively termed as upper canopy infection (UCI).

• Early flowering of canola increases the risk of UCI.

• Fungicide can reduce disease levels and increase grain yield, but does not provide full disease control.

• Matching sowing date and varietal phenology so that flowering occurs in late winter will reduce UCI.

Responses to cutting treatments in Mackellar wheat and Breakwell triticale were examined in an early sowing (March).  Frost damage was severe and both uncut treatments produced significantly lower grain yields being at mid flowering (Breakwell) and late ear emergence (Mackellar) at the time of the frosts.  Grain yields did not tend to correlate with the number of ears per m2 or grain weight.  However for both varieties the higher yields of cut treatments related to the number of grains per ear.

• Summary of  2 experiments

• Soil extractable Cu was 0.23 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by Cu or N fertiliser (29-36 plants/m of row2)

• Plant B concentrations 26 -30 mg/kg.

• Cu fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (2.0 t/ha); Seed yield (1.55 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.43 % N) or N in the seed (3.6 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (41.9) or on oil yield (650 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• La Trobe and Compass displayed the best combination of yield and quality traits for achieving malt specification.
• The environment, or experiment site, had a greater effect on yield than variety, nitrogen (N) rate or sowing rate. Low rainfall at Condobolin resulted in significantly lower yields than at Parkes.
• The sowing rate did not significantly affect yield above 150 plants/m2 at Condobolin or Parkes.
• Nitrogen (N) applications, in the absence of adequate rainfall, can have a negative effect on yield.

• Yield was reduced by dry and hot conditions during flowering for both times of sowing.
• Spitfire yielded highest in time of sowing 1 (1.55t/ha) and Condo yelded highest in time of sowing 2 (1.15t/ha).
• The nil nirtogen treatment yield highest (1.01 t/ha); increasing nitrogen rate decreased grain yield for both times of sowing.

• Averaged across sowing densities Djakal, N005A-80 and P176-2 yielded the highest with 3.7 t/ha, 3.8 t/ha and 3.9 t/ha respectively, while SnowyA achieved a significantly lower grain yield of 3.2 t/ha.
• Grain yield of Djakal and N005A-80 did not vary significantly between target sowing densities. Both varieties maintained high yields even at the lowest target sowing density (15 plants/m2).
• Lodging was exacerbated at higher sowing densities for all varieties except P176-2, which was consistently low across all sowing densities.
• The length of time to maturity did not vary significantly between target sowing densities for SnowyA, N005A-80 or P176-2. However, Djakal’s maturity length was extended by 4 days at the 60 plants/m2 sowing density when compared with the three lower target plant densities.

The effects of plant density (50, 125, 200 plants/m2) on growth and grain yield of early sown (March) wheat were evaluated. Early in the growing season the low density plots looked very sparse but by September had largely caught up. The trial was severely frosted at ear emergence and during flowering and average yields were only 0.5 t/ha. Yields tended to increase from 50 through to 200 plants/m2 with the highest density producing significantly greater yields than for 50 plants/m2 density. There were no differences in number of grains per ear or grain weight but there were significantly higher ears per m2 at the 200 plants/m2 density. July sown plots avoided some of the frost damage and grain yields were significantly higher.

Wheat plant density was significantly affected by the planting arrangement (P=0.027) and the herbicide treatment (P<0.001). The Ribbon seeder system had the highest wheat density (196 plants/m2) as compared to the knife-point system (180 plants/m2) and the Zero row spacing (177 plants/m2). Wheat plant density in the inter-row space in the Zero row spacing treatment was reduced by Treflan + Avadex and Boxer Gold. Annual ryegrass plant density was only affected by the herbicide treatments (P<0.001). Pre-emergent herbicide activity was much lower than expected (24-29% efficacy) and is likely to be due to extremely dry soil conditions at the site (decile 1 growing season). Similarly, the reduction in ryegrass spike density by the herbicides relative to the untreated control was low and ranged from 6 to 24%. There was no significant reduction in ryegrass seed production by the herbicide treatment, which was surprising because Sakura and Boxer Gold did reduce ryegrass spike density. Ryegrass was able to produce 18-20,000 seeds/m2 in different herbicide treatments, which highlights the poor efficacy of pre-emergent herbicide in dry conditions. Herbicide treatments had a significant effect on wheat grain yield with Sakura producing the highest yield (2.31 t/ha), closely followed by Boxer Gold (2.13 t/ha). Sakura and Boxer Gold treatments increased wheat grain yield by 29% and 19% compared to the untreated control, respectively.  These results show that ryegrass was quite competitive against wheat under the dry conditions experienced in 2018. The treatment of Sakura ($40/ha) increased wheat yield by 0.5 t/ha compared to the untreated control, which would have improved the gross margin by $150/ha.

• Sowing wheat 75mm deep compared to 40mm deep reduced crop establishment by up to 62% and wheat yield by up to 24%.
• Within the same variety small seed was much more sensitive to deep sowing than large seed.
• Corack and Mace were the least sensitive varieties to deep sowing in terms of yield.
• Growers should endeavour to use seed larger than 35 g/thousand seeds, especially if sowing into stressful conditions.

• Yield responses to seeding density and nitrogen rate varied between the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

• BannisterA achieved the highest grain yields and had consistent grain quality in both years compared with other varieties.

• In 2017 the new milling variety KowariA had a yield advantage over benchmark variety MitikaA, and had a more stable grain quality at higher seeding and nitrogen rates.
 

• There was no significant interaction between sowing time and phosphorus (P) in response in 2014 and 2015.
• Both sites and years responded positively to P fertiliser with 10kg P/ha achieving a relative yield of 88% and 97% in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
• Further research is required to determine if winter canola requires less applied P than slow spring phenology types (due to teh longer vegetative phase to accumulate biomass by flowering. 

• Increased nitrogen application rates equated to increased grain yield.
• Eary sowing had a grain yield advantage of 0.74t/ha averaged accross all varieties and nitrogen application rates.
• Corack was the highest yielding variety in this trial.
• Splittimg nitrogen application in the second time of sowing increased grain yield. 
• Grain protein concentration increased as nitrogen application rates increased.
• The highest protiens occured at the maximum nitrogen rate of 160kg/ha in Lancer, EGA_Gregory and SPitfire from the 12th May sowing. 

• In 2019, the highest yields came from sowing in late March due to the dry spring conditions and only mild frosts at Wallendbeen.
• Nuseed Diamond was the highest yielding variety from all sowing dates. The highest yield was from the late March  sowing date.
• The winter varieties were lower yielding than the spring types, with yields declining from later sowing dates.
• Open pollinated triazine tolerant varieties were generally lower yielding than the hybrid Clearfield® varieties with similar phenology.

• Grain yeild was maximised by matching variety phenology with the correct sowing time to target the optimal flowring period.
• Early maturing spring types sown on 16 April suffered frost damage and reduced grain yeild as a result of higher moistuer and heat stress conditions at flowering. 
• The highest yielding variety was Sunvale (6.3t/ha) sown on 16 April.
• Beckon sown on 7 May yielded 6.2t/ha and Condo swn on 28 May yielded 4.9t/ha

• The variety Beckom sown on 5 May yielded highest (5.67 t/ha).
• Grain yield reductions up to 4t/ha occured when varieties were not sown at the correct time (due to flowering throughout August - September frost events).
• Greatest yield losses occured when quick maturing varieties were sown early rather than longer season varieties sown late.
• Winter wheats and very long springs spring wheats performed better in 2015 than 2014, presumably due to less aphid pressure (BYDV) in 2015. 
• Grain yield was maximised when winter wheats were sown early (mid-April) or mid to mid-fast varieties were sown in teh first week of May. If spring conditions had been favourable, the winter whaets may have outperformed the mid to mid-fast varities when sown in late May.
• Screening increased as sowing was delayed. 

• The highest grain yields were attained from mid May sowing accross all barley varieties.
• Longer-season varieties were high yielding in the 2016.
• Oxford acheived the highest grain yield for both sowing dates.
• Lodging was prevalent in 2016, significantly reducing grain yield oil susceptible varieties in the first sowing.

• For all varieties, the middle sowing date (4 December) resulted in higher grain yields than the early (11 November) or late (23 December) sowing dates.
• Varieties, N005A-80 and BidgeeA consistently achieved the highest seed protein concentrations.
• Varieties, SnowyA and BidgeeA achieved consistent seed protein concentrations across the three sowing dates, while later sowing dates reduced the seed protein of Djakal, N005A-80 and P176-2 varieties.

• The later sown canola resulted in greatly reduced yields and lower oil contents.
• Aphid pressure was moderate from flowering to podding but no spray was applied.

• Cooler spring temperatures and excellent plant available soil moisture, favoured the yield potential of longer season and mid maturing wheat varieties in 2016.
• The mid–late and mid-season bread wheat varieties SuntimeA, LRPB FlankerA, SuntopA, BeckomA, MitchA and EGA GregoryA all performed well from an April 27 sowing date (SD1) with yields >6.5 t/ha. The new long-season spring type SunmaxA, likewise achieved ~6.5 t/ha.
• The longer season bread wheat varieties LRPB KittyhawkA and SunlambA also demonstrated their yield potential, achieving yields >6 t/ha for SD1.
• Varieties that performed well across the three sowing dates included EGA GregoryA, MitchA, LRPB FlankerA, SuntopA and BeckomA.
• The new mid-fast season variety LRPB ReliantA yielded well from a main season and delayed sowing date.
• Warm autumn temperatures resulted in many spring wheat entries, particularly the more temperature responsive cultivars, reaching anthesis faster (days from effective SD to anthesis) for SD1 compared with SD2. LRPB LancerA for example was ~9 days faster to reach anthesis for SD1 vs SD2.
• The advanced durum line AGT D043 performed well, achieving yields comparable to the best performing durum DBA AuroraA and bread wheats from a main season sowing date.

• Grain yield was highest from the early sowing date (17 April) .
• Pioneer 44Y89 (CL) was the higest yielding variety.
• The early sowing treatments grew more total biomass and had a higher harvest index than the two later sowing dates.
• Pioneer 44Y89 (CL) had a better harvest index than all other varities in this experiment.

• It is critical to match sowing time with yield varietal phenology to optimise yield potential
• Longer-season varieties were high yielding in 2016 due to the extended grain filling period due to adequate soil moisture and mild spring temperatures
• There is a range of newer varieties with varied phenology with high yield potential 

• Sowing canola early highlights the inherent differences in phenology.

• Slow-developing varieties maintained consistent yield across all sowing dates (late March to late April), whereas fast-developing varieties achieved their highest yield from late April sowing.

• Early flowering (from sowing fast-developing varieties early) reduced yield potential and exposed those treatments to greater disease pressure.