Researcher(s) |
John Small (CWFS) |
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Year(s) | 2014 |
Contributor | Central West Farming Systems |
Trial location(s) |
Alectown, NSW
Gunning Gap, NSW Lake Cargelligo, NSW Tullamore, NSW Ungarie, NSW |
CWFS are conducting trials at its regional sites that - investigate the impact of different stubble treatments imposed towards the end of the fallow have on nitrogen response (applied as urea) in wheat yield and quality - evaluate the widely used advisor/farmer benchmark of 20 kg actual N required per tonne of expected yield.
• During 2014 stubble treatments imposed late in fallow generally had no impact on N response. • During 2014 generally farmers in the absence of frost or unusual rainfall events during the season were able to reliably predict final yield before sowing. Where a site was N responsive, an N fertilizer rate of 20kg actual nitrogen/ha/per tonne of expected yield produced the most profitable result. • During 2014 split N applications only improved yield and protein at Nyngan which experienced a well above average growing season rainfall. • During 2014 split N applications would have possibly reduced risk at two sites, Lake Cargelligo and Ungarie where a decision not to apply the final 1/3 topdressing may have been made due to soil moisture and rainfall outlook. • The benchmark of 20kg/ha of actual N per tonne of expected grain yield assumes unrealistic N recover rates from soil and fertilizer but never the less it continues to be a widely used “number” during the commercial decision making process to topdress crops.
Lead research organisation |
Grains Research and Development Corporation |
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Host research organisation |
Central West Farming Systems |
Trial funding source | GRDC CWF00018 |
Related program |
Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble |
Acknowledgments |
CWFS would like to acknowledge the support provided by the co-operating farmers, without their in-kind support the trials would not have been possible. The help from Matt McRae, Walkers Ag N Vet, Forbes at the Gunning Gap site, Greg Brooke, NSW DPI at The Nyngan site and Scott Boyd, GOA, Dubbo at the Tullamore site is also acknowledged. The authors also thanks Neil Fettell for his support in compiling this report. |
Other trial partners | Not specified |
Crop type | Cereal (Grain): Wheat |
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Treatment type(s) |
|
Trial type | Experimental |
Trial design | Blocked |
Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
---|---|
Sow date | Not specified |
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Fertiliser | Not specified |
Soil amelioration | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
Cultivation treatment imposed with offset discs. Stubble conditions at 9 April was 100mm high standing stubble in the 2013 crop rows, ground between the rows was generally bare. Available N to 120cm across the repilcates varied from 33 to 53kg/ha. 0-10cm Cowell P values varied from 31 to 44 across the replicates with the 10-30cm varying from 6 to 8. Predicta B tests for crown rot rated the 3 replicates differently 1 replicate at high risk, 1 at low risk and 1 below detectables levels.&l |
Sow rate or Target density | 35kg/ha |
---|---|
Sow date | 14 May 2014 |
Harvest date | 20 November 2014 |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | 3 |
Fertiliser |
63kg/ha MAP fertilizer into moist seedbed. |
Soil amelioration |
14/3/2014: Stubble treatments imposed. Burning treatment were difficult to impose due to lack of ground cover due to baling. In a commerical situation the paddock would not have been able to carry a fire at this time. |
Other trial notes |
Cultivation treatment imposed with offset discs. Stubble conditions at 9 April was 100mm high standing stubble in the 2013 crop rows, ground between the rows was generally bare. Available N to 120cm across the repilcates varied from 33 to 53kg/ha. 0-10cm Cowell P values varied from 31 to 44 across the replicates with the 10-30cm varying from 6 to 8. Predicta B tests for crown rot rated the 3 replicates differently 1 replicate at high risk, 1 at low risk and 1 below detectables levels.&l |
Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
---|---|
Sow date | Not specified |
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Fertiliser | Not specified |
Soil amelioration | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
Cultivation treatment imposed with offset discs. Stubble conditions at 9 April was 100mm high standing stubble in the 2013 crop rows, ground between the rows was generally bare. Available N to 120cm across the repilcates varied from 33 to 53kg/ha. 0-10cm Cowell P values varied from 31 to 44 across the replicates with the 10-30cm varying from 6 to 8. Predicta B tests for crown rot rated the 3 replicates differently 1 replicate at high risk, 1 at low risk and 1 below detectables levels.&l |
Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
---|---|
Sow date | Not specified |
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Fertiliser | Not specified |
Soil amelioration | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
Cultivation treatment imposed with offset discs. Stubble conditions at 9 April was 100mm high standing stubble in the 2013 crop rows, ground between the rows was generally bare. Available N to 120cm across the repilcates varied from 33 to 53kg/ha. 0-10cm Cowell P values varied from 31 to 44 across the replicates with the 10-30cm varying from 6 to 8. Predicta B tests for crown rot rated the 3 replicates differently 1 replicate at high risk, 1 at low risk and 1 below detectables levels.&l |
Sow rate or Target density | Not specified |
---|---|
Sow date | Not specified |
Harvest date | Not specified |
Plot size | Not specified |
Plot replication | Not specified |
Fertiliser | Not specified |
Soil amelioration | Not specified |
Other trial notes |
Cultivation treatment imposed with offset discs. Stubble conditions at 9 April was 100mm high standing stubble in the 2013 crop rows, ground between the rows was generally bare. Available N to 120cm across the repilcates varied from 33 to 53kg/ha. 0-10cm Cowell P values varied from 31 to 44 across the replicates with the 10-30cm varying from 6 to 8. Predicta B tests for crown rot rated the 3 replicates differently 1 replicate at high risk, 1 at low risk and 1 below detectables levels.&l |
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.