Furrow formation and inter-row compaction (FFIC) for improved wheat production in water-limited environments of the wheatbelt of WA

2015

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Callum Wesley (DAFWA)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Trial location(s) Merredin, WA
Southern Cross, WA
Furrow formation and inter-row compaction (FFIC) for improved  wheat production in water-limited environments of the wheatbelt  of WA locations
Aims

To test the effect of compacted inter-rows on water harvesting, production and profitability in a low rainfall wheatbelt environment.

Key messages

Very little differences were found in the experimental trials with and without inter-row compaction in 2015 due to localised seasonal conditions. However, another site at Southern Cross where inter-row compaction was used with barley resulted in grain yields up to 2.5t/ha. There was also an indication from black plastic over inter-rows at Southern Cross, that water harvesting can potentially double wheat grain yields from 0.8 t/ha to 1.6 t/ha. The latter highlights that the benefits of compacted inter-rows could potentially be maximised using a water-harvesting, spray-on polymer on the compacted inter-row.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAW00254
Related program Regional Cropping Solutions Network
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Properties: Compaction
Trial type
Trial design

Merredin 2015

Sow rate or Target density 43 seeds/m2 (1.634 kg/ha new Bonito canola (pickled with Cruser + Maximal) seed weight 3.814 g/1000)
Sowing machinery

Points 50mm wide steel, chamfered “V” Agmaster press wheels set at 4 kg/cm width (probably should have been 2 kg/cm).

Sow date 14 May 2015
Harvest date 3 November 2015
Plot size 2.5m x 20m
Plot replication 4
Fertiliser

50 kg/ha Agras (16.1%N, 9.1%P, 14.3%S, 0.5%Ca, 0.06%Zn) 3 cm below the seed, based on soil tests.

Southern Cross 2015

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sowing machinery Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Meredin results

# Treatment 1
Plant density (plants/m2) Canola yield (t/ha)
1 Control @ 300mm spacing 19.1 0.814
2 Control @ 375mm spacing 19.7 0.752
3 Control @ 460mm spacing 19.6 0.853
4 Furrow formation @ 300mm spacing 12.8 0.737
5 Furrow formation @ 375mm spacing 12.3 0.769
6 Furrow formation @ 460mm spacing 7 0.75
7 Control 300mm alternate 16.2 0.778
8 Furrow formation @ 300mm alternate 7.1 0.763

Canola yield t/ha


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Plant density plants/m2


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Trial results Southern Cross results

# Treatment 1
Plant density (plants/m2) Canola yield (t/ha)
1 Control @ 300mm spacing 19.1 0.814
2 Control @ 375mm spacing 19.7 0.752
3 Control @ 460mm spacing 19.6 0.853
4 Furrow formation @ 300mm spacing 12.8 0.737
5 Furrow formation @ 375mm spacing 12.3 0.769
6 Furrow formation @ 460mm spacing 7 0.75
7 Control 300mm alternate 16.2 0.778
8 Furrow formation @ 300mm alternate 7.1 0.763

Canola yield t/ha


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Plant density plants/m2


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Merredin, WA Not specified
Southern Cross, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Merredin, WA Sodosol
Southern Cross, WA Hydrosol
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 Merredin WA Southern Cross WA
2015 426.1mm549.0mm
2014 408.2mm543.0mm
2013 440.9mm540.4mm
2012 436.2mm551.7mm
2011 410.7mm504.0mm
2010 388.4mm470.8mm
2009 426.0mm526.4mm
2008 409.6mm545.9mm
2007 377.6mm521.7mm
2006 426.3mm552.0mm
2005 386.1mm548.2mm
2004 418.5mm567.7mm
2003 426.3mm545.8mm
2002 366.4mm477.2mm
2001 411.5mm501.8mm
2000 425.5mm540.9mm
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.

Merredin WA

Southern Cross WA

Merredin WA

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Southern Cross 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 report and links

2015 trial report



Trial last modified: 05-12-2019 15:09pm AEST