Grain & Graze sub-tropical perennial grass variety trials

2004
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) Geoff Moore (Department of Agriculture)
Brianna Peake (Liebe Group)
Year(s) 2004
Contributor Liebe Group
Trial location(s) Pithara, WA
Grain & Graze sub-tropical perennial grass variety trials locations
Aims

To determine the suitability of a range of sub-tropical perennial grasses to the medium rainfall zone of the NAR.

Key messages
  • Germination of half the species at each trial site was above 33 plants/m2.
  • Although most of the speices achieved this good germination many of the plants have now died or are looking very water stressed.
  • On visual assessment, both Rhodes species and Signal grass have experienced the highest survival rates and are looking the least water stressed.
  • The grasses would benefit greatly from a summer rainfall event.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments
  • Technically reviewed by Geoff Moore.

Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Other crop: Grasses
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
  • Crop: Variety
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Pithara 2004

Sow date 25 August 2004
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 7m x 3.6m
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

super:potash 3:1 @ 200 kg/ha at sowing

Herbicide

Knockdown – Roundup @ 2 L/ha

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Establishment plants (plants/m2)
1 Bambatsi 8.1
2 Callide 39.3
3 Green Panic 51.1
4 Katambora 45.9
5 Lucerne Spring 42.2
6 Premier Digit 12.6
7 Signal grass 47.4
8 Siratro 3
9 Splenda setaria 5.2
10 Strickland finger 10.4
11 TWG Autumn 38.5

Establishment plants plants/m2


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Pithara, WA 0 - 10cm Sandy loam
Pithara, WA 10 - 30cm Sandy loam
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Pithara, WA Sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Pithara, WA Calcarosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Pithara WA
2004 346.5mm
2003 372.6mm
2002 327.6mm
2001 383.9mm
2000 461.5mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Pithara WA

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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2004 trial report



Trial last modified: 26-11-2019 15:29pm AEST