Brome grass seed retention declines over harvest

2014

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Chris Davies (DEDJTR)
Sam Kleemann (University of Adelaide)
Chris Korte (DEDJTR)
Michael Moodie (MSF)
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc.
Trial location(s) Ouyen, VIC
Brome grass seed retention declines over harvest locations
Aims

To quantify how much brome grass seed was retained on plants at different times of harvest.

Key messages
  • On average for the three harvest dates there were 12 brome grass plants/m2, over 1000 brome grass seeds/m2 and 88 seeds per brome plant.
  • The proportion of brome grass seed retained above the 15 cm harvest height was 59, 38 and 30% for the measurements on 7 November, 21 November and 5 December 2014 respectively.
  • Harvesting the crop on these dates, combined with HWSC would potentially result in 41, 62 and 70% of brome grass seed being added to the seed bank, and possibly more if seeds above 15 cm were dislodged in the harvesting operation.
  • These measurements indicate insufficient brome grass seed is retained above harvest height, especially with later harvests, to expect control techniques such as seed carts and seed destructors to be effective on their own. However, when used as part of an integrated weed management program, these techniques will undoubtedly assist in achieving brome grass control.
  • Research is continuing with MSF and the University of Adelaide to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of brome grass control approaches.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC MSF00003
Trial funding source Mallee CMA
Related program Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble
Acknowledgments

Funding for the experiment was provided by GRDC and DEDJTR as part of the GRDC project “Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble in the Mallee” and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (Mallee CMA) as part of the “Sustainable Brome grass management for no-till farming in the Central Mallee project”. Mr Brent Morrish of Ouyen is acknowledged for providing the experimental site for the reported measurements.


Other trial partners Mallee Sustainable Farming
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Harvest: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Ouyen 2014

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

This trial showed that the potential effectiveness HWSC tactics declines over harvest with the proportion of the brome seeds returning to the seedbank increasing from approximately 40% to 70% over a one month harvest duration. These results indicate that insufficient brome grass seed is retained above harvest height, especially with later harvests, to expect HWSC techniques to be effective on their own. However, when used as part of an integrated weed management program, these techniques will undoubtedly assist in achieving brome grass control. Research is continuing with MSF and the University of Adelaide to evaluate the effectiveness of a range of integrated brome grass control approaches.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Broome grass seed <15cm (%) Broome grass seed >15cm (%) Broome grass seed on soil (%)
1 0 days after barley maturity 7.8 58.5 33.7
2 14 days after barley maturity 6.6 38.4 54.6
3 28 days after barley maturity 4.8 29.9 65.3

Broome grass seed >15cm %


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Broome grass seed <15cm %


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Broome grass seed on soil %


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Ouyen, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Ouyen, VIC Calcarosol
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 Ouyen VIC
2014 224.2mm
2013 207.4mm
2012 264.3mm
2011 371.0mm
2010 293.0mm
2009 254.8mm
2008 246.7mm
2007 297.4mm
2006 241.4mm
2005 243.5mm
2004 212.8mm
2003 245.0mm
2002 215.8mm
2001 291.7mm
2000 326.1mm
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.

Ouyen VIC

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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

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 20-06-2019 15:20pm AEST