Optimal plant density and the effect of grazing on grain yield of early sown wheat

2007
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Brett Davey (SFS/TIAR)
Geoff Dean (SFS/TIAR)
Simon Munford (DPIW)
Year(s) 2007
Contributor Southern Farming Systems
Trial location(s) Epping Forest, TAS
Optimal plant density and the effect of grazing on grain yield of early sown wheat locations
Aims

To compare grain yields of early sown wheat with grazed (cut) wheat sown at the same time and that sown at a more traditional time, May. A further aim was to compare a commercial plant density for dual purpose and grain‐only production with reduced rates comparable to that used for early sowing in the UK.

Key messages

There was no significant difference in the grain yield from cut and uncut early sown Mackellar wheat and May sown wheat, all sown at 200 plants/m2. Early sown uncut wheat at a density of 50 plants/m2 yielded significantly lower than 125 and 200 plants/m2. With lower plant densities and cutting treatments imposed, there were less tillers and ears/m2, however this resulted in reduced soil water usage and more moisture being available for grain fill. Plant height was significantly greater with the highest plant density in early sown wheat and the incidence of lodging was significantly greater for this treatment.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source Grain & Graze
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Tom and Philip Osborne


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

Method

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

Epping Forest 2007

Sow rate or Target density Multiple - please see report
Sow date 12 April 2007 2nd:25-5-07
Harvest date 15 January 2008
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Treatment 1
Grain yield (t/ha) Establishment plants (plants/m2)
1 Mackellar May sowing/uncut, 200 plants/m2 8.37 200
2 Mackellar April sowing/uncut, 50 plants/m2 7.17 50
3 Mackellar April sowing/uncut, 200 plants/m2 8.14 200
4 Mackellar April sowing/uncut, 125 plants/m2 7.99 125
5 Mackellar April sowing/cut, 200 plants/m2 8.14 200

Grain yield t/ha


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Establishment plants plants/m2


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Epping Forest, TAS Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Epping Forest, TAS 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 Epping Forest TAS
2007 196.3mm
2006 199.4mm
2005 214.9mm
2004 208.3mm
2003 244.8mm
2002 282.5mm
2001 388.1mm
2000 519.3mm
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.

Epping Forest TAS

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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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

2007 trial report



Trial last modified: 24-01-2023 12:52pm AEST