Stubble management to improve crop yield

2014

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Mick Brady (DEDJTR)
Chris Davies (DEDJTR)
Chris Korte (DEDJTR)
Dave Monks (DEDJTR)
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc.
Trial location(s) Ouyen, VIC
Stubble management to improve crop yield locations
Aims

Over recent seasons adoption of stubble retention has plateaued in the Mallee and some growers are reducing the area of stubble retained until the next growing season. An experiment was undertaken to identify potential improvements in stubble management so this trend could be reversed. The experiment examined how different amounts and types of stubble impact on subsequent water availability and crop yield.

Key messages
  • For different 2013 treatments, the amount of stubble ranged from 2.4 to 4.0 t DM/ha at harvest and from 1.6 to 3.0 t DM/ha at the subsequent sowing. The only statistically significant effect of 2013 treatments on 2014 pre sowing stubble was a difference between wheat and vetch stubble, 2.7 t DM/ha and 2.0 t DM/ha, respectively, reflecting faster breakdown of vetch than wheat stubble.
  • Despite significant differences in the amount and types of stubble generated in 2013, and remaining at sowing in 2014, there was no statistically significant effect of 2013 treatments on 2014 soil moisture at sowing or 2014 crop yields.
  • There were significant differences between crop types in 2014. Significantly more wheat plants established than canola (49 and 15 plants/m2 respectively) and wheat had a significantly higher grain yield than canola (1.2 and 0.3 t/ha respectively). Both wheat and canola were affected by the dry spring and associated frosts, plus canola had poor establishment.
  • Research conducted previously at Walpeup in the 1980s found that maintaining 2 t/ha stubble increased the amount of water stored in the soil at sowing, at depth 0–140 cm, by 16 mm in 1 year of 3. This increase in soil water availability was not reflected in increased crop yield.
  • The recent experiment at Ouyen, together with the previous research at Walpeup, indicate that Mallee crop yields are unlikely to be increased by retaining higher levels of stubble, although there can be benefits of reduced soil erosion.
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”. Mr Dean and Jarrod Munro of Ouyen are acknowledged for providing the experimental site. Debra Partington is acknowledged for providing statistical analysis.


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

Method

Crop types Oilseed: Canola Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Stubble: Management
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Ouyen 2014 Canola

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 4.8m x 15m
Plot replication 5
Other trial notes

The experiment was located at Ouyen using 4.8m by 15m plots, replicated in five blocks. In 2013 different stubbles were generated. In 2014 wheat and canola were grown on the range of stubble treatments. Growing season rainfall at the site was 147.8 mm in 2013 and 115.6 mm in 2014. In 2013 plots were sown in either Mace wheat or Rasina vetch, each at two fertiliser rates – High input of fertiliser (20kg/ha of N & 6kg/ha of P followed by 20kg/ha of N top-dressed) and Low input of fertiliser (2.7 kg/ha of N & 6kg/ha of P). To further generate differences in stubble, the crops were harvested at two heights in 2013 (<15 cm and >30 cm above the ground). Measurements in 2013 included post-harvest stubbles. In 2014 plots were sown in either Corack wheat or 43C80 Clearfield canola. In 2014 measurements included pre-sowing stubbles, soil moisture and grain yields.

Ouyen 2014 Wheat

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

The experiment was located at Ouyen using 4.8m by 15m plots, replicated in five blocks. In 2013 different stubbles were generated. In 2014 wheat and canola were grown on the range of stubble treatments. Growing season rainfall at the site was 147.8 mm in 2013 and 115.6 mm in 2014. In 2013 plots were sown in either Mace wheat or Rasina vetch, each at two fertiliser rates – High input of fertiliser (20kg/ha of N & 6kg/ha of P followed by 20kg/ha of N top-dressed) and Low input of fertiliser (2.7 kg/ha of N & 6kg/ha of P). To further generate differences in stubble, the crops were harvested at two heights in 2013 (<15 cm and >30 cm above the ground). Measurements in 2013 included post-harvest stubbles. In 2014 plots were sown in either Corack wheat or 43C80 Clearfield canola. In 2014 measurements included pre-sowing stubbles, soil moisture and grain yields.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
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 Tenosol
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 231.1mm
2013 205.2mm
2012 250.8mm
2011 382.1mm
2010 291.2mm
2009 236.3mm
2008 236.3mm
2007 285.4mm
2006 257.2mm
2005 292.0mm
2004 236.4mm
2003 242.4mm
2002 205.8mm
2001 290.2mm
2000 314.0mm
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

Ouyen VIC 2014


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 147.8mm

Derived climate information

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 last modified: 06-08-2019 07:54am AEST