Investigating stubble management systems to reduce dependence on stubble burning in HRZ region of Southern Australia

2007
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Sam Cockayne (SFS)
Renick Peries (DPI)
Gary Sheppard (SFS)
Rohan Wardle (SFS)
Year(s) 2007
Contributor Southern Farming Systems
Trial location(s) Inverleigh, VIC
Investigating stubble management systems to reduce dependence on stubble burning in HRZ region of Southern Australia locations
Aims

The key aims of this project have been to develop agronomic guidelines and seeding technology solutions which can allow for increased stubble retention practices, thereby reducing the dependence on burning.

Key messages

On average, the surface retained treatments appeared to yield marginally better across this site. There appeared to be no difference in grain quality between treatments. There appeared to be no significant levels of insect pest or predator numbers in either the assessed standing stubble or the burnt treatment at the crop early emergence stage. There was however twice as many beneficial species in the stubble retained treatment. Insects that were present included both beneficial and harmful earwigs at very low levels, spiders and carabid beetles (that were of importance). Soil water data at crop anthesis indicates that the higher yielding treatments experienced lower soil moisture levels to 60cm, reflecting a possible increase in transpiration from greater crop biomass. Plant available water in the burnt and wider row treatments was higher, but not significantly different.

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

Special thanks to the property owners Andrew and Katie Stoney for allowing SFS to conduct this trial, and to the various Inverleigh branch coordinators who organized key extension events to tell the story about stubble retention practices to more than 300 visitors during the life (so far) of this principle research site. Thanks also to Paul Horne and Jessica Page from IPM Technologies for undertaking insect observations. Thanks also to Renick Peries for undertaking soil sampling and providing interpretation and guidance over the past three years at this site.


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

Method

Crop type Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Harvest: Method
  • Soil Preparation: Tillage
  • Sowing: Row Spacing
  • Stubble: Management
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Inverleigh 2007

Sow date 19 May 2007
Harvest date 8 December 2007
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 4
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Treatment 1
Oil (%) Insect incidence (%) Establishment plants (plants/m2) Grain yield (t/ha) Weeds (plants/m2)
1 ATR Summit Wide rows (16") 40.98 NR 25.75 1.25 0.47
2 ATR Summit Standing stubble 41.53 12.5 41 1.43 0.09
3 ATR Summit Scratch Till 42.9 NR 33 1.33 0.22
4 ATR Summit Harvest to row spacing height 41.8 NR 40.5 1.4 0.16
5 ATR Summit Harvest Low 41.55 NR 35 1.3 0.34
6 ATR Summit Cellulose digestor 42 NR 35 1.43 0.16
7 ATR Summit Burn 41.8 8.5 36 1.33 0.28

Grain yield t/ha


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Establishment plants plants/m2


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Insect incidence %


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Oil %


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Weeds plants/m2


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Inverleigh, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Inverleigh, VIC Sodosol
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 Inverleigh VIC
2007 455.4mm
2006 467.8mm
2005 491.2mm
2004 438.6mm
2003 416.4mm
2002 399.6mm
2001 472.4mm
2000 448.5mm
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.

Inverleigh VIC

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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 last modified: 24-01-2023 12:57pm AEST