Early seeding - a climate change adaptation method in the North Eastern (NE) Agricultural Region of Western Australia (WA).

2015

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Christine Zaicou-Kunesch
Year(s) 2015
Contributor Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Trial location(s) Pindar, WA
Further information View external link
Early seeding - a climate change adaptation method in the North Eastern (NE) Agricultural Region of Western Australia (WA). locations
Aims

Compare the yield responses of canola varieties sown at three sowing dates (9 April, 23 April and 12 May).

Key messages

Canola Grain Yield at Pindar

All varieties apart from Stingray were able to yield the same or higher from the 9th April sowing opportunity.

As expected the shorter seasoned varieties were not able to capitalise on the 9th April sowing as the longer season varieties.    Grain yield declined with delayed sowing for longer season canola varieties.

Growers may not see a flat yield response for early sowings as an issue.  Instead, the early sowing window allows them to get crop out of the ground and reduces the risk of dry spells leading to a lack of future sowing opportunities.   However pests (eg Diamondback moth) and diseases (such as Sclerotinia), depending on rainfall zone and soil type, need to be factored into decisions about very early sowing windows.

The success of very early sowing depends heavily on soil type, soil moisture and temperature. Growers need to assess the conditions they face in the lead into each season closely before embarking on very early sowing, especially when using hybrid seed with high seed costs.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source DAFWA DAW00253
Trial funding source GRDC DAW00253
Related program Tactical Break Crop Agronomy
Acknowledgments

Financial support for this trial has been provided by the Grains Research and Development Corporation's Regional Cropping Solutions Network in Western Australia. Yield Prophet reporting managed by Richard Quinlan at PlanFarm. DAFWA's research support unit for trial managment and Melaine Kupsch for data management. Appreciation of the Yuna Farm Improvement Group and the Batten family for access to trials site and field day events.


Other trial partners Mullewa Dryland Farming Initiative, Plan Farm Pty Ltd
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Type
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Pindar 2015

Sow rate or Target density 60 and 120 plants/m2
Sowing machinery

7 row cone seeder

Sow date 9 April 2015 9th April, 23rd April and 12th May 2015
Harvest date November 2015
Plot size 1.54m x 10m
Plot replication 3
Fungicide

n/a

Soil amelioration

nil

Seed treatment nil
Inoculant nil
Tillage Minimum tillage
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

@T1: Time of sowing 1 (09-04-2015) @T2: Time of sowing 2 (23-04-2015) @T3: Time of sowing 3 (12-05-2015)
# Variety
Canola yield (t/ha) Predicted Yield (t/ha) Predicted Yield (t/ha) Canola yield (t/ha) Canola yield (t/ha) Predicted Yield (t/ha)
1 ATR-Bonito 1.32 1.8 2 1.26 1.06 2
1 ATR-Bonito 1.69 2.2 2.4 1.52 1.16 2.2
1 ATR-Bonito 1.62 2.2 2.4 1.37 0.79 2.3
2 Pacific Seeds Hyola 450TT 1.95 2.5 2.5 1.57 1.01 1.9
2 Pacific Seeds Hyola 450TT 0.74 1.8 2 1.28 0.52 2
2 Pacific Seeds Hyola 450TT 1.2 2.2 2.4 1.23 0.83 2.2
3 Pacific Seeds Hyola 559TT
3 Pacific Seeds Hyola 559TT
3 Pacific Seeds Hyola 559TT
4 Pacific Seeds Hyola 650TT
4 Pacific Seeds Hyola 650TT
4 Pacific Seeds Hyola 650TT
5 ATR-Stingray
5 ATR-Stingray
5 ATR-Stingray
6 ATR-Wahoo
6 ATR-Wahoo
6 ATR-Wahoo

Canola yield t/ha


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Predicted Yield t/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Pindar, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Pindar, 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 Pindar WA
2015 277.3mm
2014 242.7mm
2013 235.9mm
2012 239.5mm
2011 310.3mm
2010 219.9mm
2009 248.1mm
2008 270.9mm
2007 199.2mm
2006 236.6mm
2005 260.2mm
2004 249.3mm
2003 262.0mm
2002 225.4mm
2001 228.3mm
2000 280.0mm
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.

Pindar 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 last modified: 31-07-2017 12:27pm AEST