Managing wheat yield and quality risks through plant density and nitrogen

2012
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Melanie Kupsch (DAFWA)
Anne Smith (DAFWA)
Christine Zaicou-Kunesch (DAFWA)
Year(s) 2012
Contributor Liebe Group
Trial location(s) East Dalwallinu, WA
Managing wheat yield and quality risks through plant density and nitrogen locations
Aims

The objective of this research is to determine the value of agronomic management (plant density and nitrogen) on production of quality grain for profitable wheat systems. Increasing plant density is a useful tool to increase the competitiveness of a crop against weeds, however, how will this influence grain yield and quality for the new wheat varieties.

Key messages

Increasing plant density is a tool to improve a crop’s competitiveness against weeds. This strategy did not adversely affect the yield of the varieties at the Liebe Main Trial Site in 2012. 

Nitrogen treatments did not significantly influence crop yield however, did influence grain protein. The soil nitrogen levels and season are likely to have influenced this result. Soil testing and understanding the crops requirements as the season unfolds are useful strategies to manage crop performance economically.


The environment is likely to have had the bigger influence on the performance of the varieties than plant density or nitrogen. Growing season rainfall for 2012 was lower than average and disease patches (likely Rhizoctonia) were evident at the trial. The water use efficiency at the site was 13 kg/mm given growing season rainfall (April to October) was 133mm (plus 34mm in January) and grain yields of 1.98 t/ha across whole trial.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAW00218
Trial funding source DAFWA
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Appreciate the support of the Liebe Group with trial planning and preparation. DAFWA’s technical services team for terrific trial management. GRDC and DAFWA jointly support this research aiming to improve profitability of wheat production through the Wheat Agronomy Project DAW 218.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Sowing: Rate
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

East Dalwallinu 2012

Sow date 22 May 2012
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 20m x 1.54m
Plot replication 3
Paddock history 2009 wheat, 2010 wheat, 2011 canola
Fertiliser

22/5/12: 100 kg/ha Agstar Extra, 25 kg/ha Muriate of Potash

Herbicide

22/5/12: 100 mL/ha Dominex, 118 g/ha Sakura,

13/7/12: 1 L/ha Hasten, 1 L/ha Decision;

23/7/12: 700 mL/ha Barracuda, 2.5 g/ha Ally

Insecticide

22/5/12: 200 mL/ha Talstar

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha)
1 Cobra 14 kg N/ha 13.5 1.67
2 Cobra 30 kg N/ha 13.7 1.87
3 Cobra 60 kg N/ha 14.7 1.7
4 Cobra 90 kg N/ha 14.8 1.93
5 Cobra 105 plants/m2 1.76
6 Cobra 169 plants/m2 1.68
7 Cobra 210 plants/m2 1.65
8 Cobra 266 plants/m2 1.72
9 Corack 14 kg N/ha 12.4 2.06
10 Corack 30 kg N/ha 13 2.15
11 Corack 60 kg N/ha 13.6 2.2
12 Corack 90 kg N/ha 14.7 2
13 Corack 138 plants/m2 2.18
14 Corack 199 plants/m2 2.15
15 Corack 207 plants/m2 2.07
16 Corack 88 plants/m2 2.09
17 Mace 14 kg N/ha 11.9 2.16
18 Mace 30 kg N/ha 12.7 2.13
19 Mace 60 kg N/ha 13.1 2.06
20 Mace 90 kg N/ha 14.3 1.92
21 Mace 100 plants/m2 2
22 Mace 176 plants/m2 2.05
23 Mace 198 plants/m2 2.1
24 Mace 292 plants/m2 2.16

Grain yield t/ha


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Protein %


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
East Dalwallinu, WA 0 - 10cm Loamy Clay 5.40 0.09
East Dalwallinu, WA 10 - 30cm Loamy Clay
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
East Dalwallinu, WA Loamy clay
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
East Dalwallinu, WA Kandosol
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 East Dalwallinu WA
2012 309.7mm
2011 288.9mm
2010 265.3mm
2009 286.5mm
2008 314.0mm
2007 276.0mm
2006 277.8mm
2005 242.3mm
2004 259.5mm
2003 282.6mm
2002 232.5mm
2001 266.2mm
2000 340.9mm
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

East Dalwallinu WA 2012


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 133mm

Derived climate information

East Dalwallinu 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

2012 trial report