Performance of canola under no-till full stubble retention (NTSR) using different drill opener and row spacings at Coreen

2011

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nick Poole (FAR Australia)
Tracey Wylie (FAR Australia)
Year(s) 2011
Contributor Riverine Plains
Trial location(s) Coreen, NSW
Performance of canola under no-till full stubble retention (NTSR) using different drill opener and row spacings at Coreen locations
Aims

To evaluate the performance of different drill openers at a range or row spacings in canola following wheat to improve water use efficiency (WUE) in no-till cropping and stubble retention systems in spatially and temporally variable conditions in the Riverine Plains.

Key messages
  • Canola following two years of wheat yielded 2.08t/ha despite establishing 50% fewer plants than canola grown during 2009, which yielded 1.59t/ha. The higher yield achieved during 2011 was attributed to more stored soil moisture at sowing. 
  • The higher biomass produced with the narrower row spacing (22.5cm) did not translate into higher grain yield with the same yield achieved across the narrowest (22.5cm) and widest (37.5cm) row spacings.
  • About 102-122kg nitrogen/ha was removed in aboveground biomass (straw and grain). There was no statistical difference in nitrogen off-take between the 22.5cm and 37.5cm row spacings.  
Lead research organisation Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Host research organisation Riverine Plains
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program National Water Use Efficiency Initiative
Acknowledgments

Hanrahan Family


Other trial partners FAR Australia
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Sowing: Method
  • Sowing: Row Spacing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Coreen 2011

Sow rate or Target density 2.1kg/ha
Sow date 3 May 2011
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 44m x 3m
Plot replication 4
Fertiliser

170kg/ha SuPerfect + host farmer paddock management

Herbicide

host farmer paddock management

Insecticide

host farmer paddock management

Fungicide

host farmer paddock management

Other trial notes

Improved water use efficiency (WUE) in no-till cropping and stubble retention systems in spatially and temporally variable conditions in the Riverine Plains

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Harvest index (value) Grain yield (t/ha) Transpiration efficiency (kg/ha/mm) Oil (%) Total water use (mm) Establishment plants (plants/m2)
1 Disc Opener 9" row spacing 19.2 2.24 9.61 42.5 7.5 29
2 Disc Opener 12" row spacing 20.9 1.85 10.45 42.6 6.1 28
3 Disc Opener 15" row spacing 22.4 2.22 11.18 43 7.4 31
4 Tine Opener 9" row spacing 21.5 2.16 10.73 42.9 7.2 36
5 Tine Opener 12" row spacing 21.3 1.83 10.66 42.4 6.1 33
6 Tine Opener 15" row spacing 23.6 2.18 11.78 42.7 7.3 20

Grain yield t/ha


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Establishment plants plants/m2


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Harvest index value


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Oil %


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Total water use mm


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Transpiration efficiency kg/ha/mm


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Coreen, NSW Clay loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Coreen, NSW 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 Coreen NSW
2011 602.1mm
2010 628.9mm
2009 561.6mm
2008 538.6mm
2007 513.5mm
2006 507.9mm
2005 546.3mm
2004 516.5mm
2003 526.1mm
2002 505.4mm
2001 517.9mm
2000 518.6mm
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

Coreen NSW 2011


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 187mm

Derived climate information

Coreen NSW

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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: 03-09-2019 11:14am AEST