Early sowing and the interaction with row spacing and variety in first wheat crops under full stubble retention

2014

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Nick Poole (FAR Australia)
Michael Straight (FAR Australia)
Tracey Wylie (FAR Australia)
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Riverine Plains
Trial location(s) Barooga, NSW
Yarrawonga, VIC
Early sowing and the interaction with row spacing and variety in first wheat crops under full stubble retention locations
Aims

To investigate the interaction between early sowing and row spacing in first wheat under full stubble retention.

Key messages
  • Two trials with first wheat sown during mid-April 2014 showed no difference in grain yield or quality as a result of being grown on 22.5cm or 30cm row spacings.
  • Crops grown on a 37.5cm row spacing were 5-6% lower yielding than crops on the 30cm spacing.
  • Although these are single-year results, they indicate that yield advantages of a narrow spacing (22.5cm) over 30cm, measured with later-sown wheat crops, may not be apparent when wheat crops are sown early (during mid-April).
  • Trends suggesting higher dry matter (DM) produciton with a narrow row spacing, which were observed with later-sown crops, were still apparent in these earlier-sown crops; however, this did not translate to higher grain yields.
Lead research organisation Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble
Acknowledgments

Thanks to the farmer co-operators, J and S Bruce (Barooga, NSW) and Telewonga Pty Ltd (Yarrawonga, Vic).


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Variety
  • Sowing: Row Spacing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Blocked

Barooga 2014

Sow date 16 April 2014
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

70kg/ha MAP at sowing + host farmer paddock management

Herbicide

host farmer paddock management

Insecticide

host farmer paddock management

Fungicide

host farmer paddock management

Other trial notes

GSR (Apr-Oct)

Barooga 2014

Sow date 16 April 2014
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

70kg/ha MAP at sowing + host farmer paddock management

Herbicide

host farmer paddock management

Insecticide

host farmer paddock management

Fungicide

host farmer paddock management

Other trial notes Not specified

Yarrawonga 2014

Sow date 17 April 2014
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

70kg/ha MAP at sowing + host farmer paddock management

Herbicide

host farmer paddock management

Insecticide

host farmer paddock management

Fungicide

host farmer paddock management

Other trial notes

GSR (Apr-Oct)

Yarrawonga 2014

Sow date 17 April 2014
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

70kg/ha MAP at sowing + host farmer paddock management

Herbicide

host farmer paddock management

Insecticide

host farmer paddock management

Fungicide

host farmer paddock management

Other trial notes Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Effect of row spacing on crop growth and water use at Barooga in 2014

# Treatment 1
Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Total water use (mm) Anthesis biomass (t/ha) Hectolitre weight (kg/hL) Screenings (%) Dry matter biomass (kg DM/ha) Transpiration efficiency (kg/ha/mm)
1 9" row spacing 11.8 3.85 187.7 9.1 77.5 2.8 10320 18.1
2 12" row spacing 11.9 3.98 176.6 8.6 78.9 2.7 9710 20
3 15" row spacing 11.8 3.78 174.5 8.4 79.2 2.6 9600 19

Grain yield t/ha


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Anthesis biomass t/ha


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Dry matter biomass kg DM/ha


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Hectolitre weight kg/hL


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Total water use mm


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Transpiration efficiency kg/ha/mm


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Trial results Effect of variety on crop growth at Barooga in 2014

# Variety
Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Anthesis biomass (t/ha) Hectolitre weight (kg/hL) Screenings (%)
1 Bolac 11.2 4.14 9.3 79.9 3.4
2 Eaglehawk 12.4 3.27 8.2 78.5 3.2
3 Lancer 12 4.02 8.6 80.2 2.2
4 Wedgetail 11.9 4.05 8.7 75.5 2

Grain yield t/ha


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Anthesis biomass t/ha


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Hectolitre weight kg/hL


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Trial results Table 1

# Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Total water use (mm) Anthesis biomass (t/ha) Hectolitre weight (kg/hL) Screenings (%) Dry matter biomass (kg DM/ha) Transpiration efficiency (kg/ha/mm)
1 9" row spacing 12.1 4.49 211.7 10 74.6 6.8 11.64 18.8
2 12" row spacing 12.2 4.55 186.9 9.2 75.9 7 10.28 21.4
3 15" row spacing 12.4 4.27 184.3 8.5 75.9 7.1 10.14 20.4

Grain yield t/ha


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Anthesis biomass t/ha


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Dry matter biomass kg DM/ha


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Hectolitre weight kg/hL


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Total water use mm


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Transpiration efficiency kg/ha/mm


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Trial results Effect of variety on crop growth at Yarrawonga in 2014

# Variety
Protein (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Anthesis biomass (t/ha) Hectolitre weight (kg/hL) Screenings (%)
1 Bolac 12.4 4.01 9.9 72.6 11.5
2 Eaglehawk 12.1 4.22 9.1 76.4 10.8
3 Lance 12.4 4.73 8.7 79.5 2.6
4 Wedgetail 12.2 4.79 9.3 73.3 3

Grain yield t/ha


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Anthesis biomass t/ha


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Hectolitre weight kg/hL


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Barooga, NSW Not specified
Yarrawonga, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Barooga, NSW Sodosol
Yarrawonga, VIC Sodosol
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 Barooga NSW Yarrawonga VIC
2014 391.6mm586.7mm
2013 376.3mm573.0mm
2012 448.9mm589.8mm
2011 506.4mm592.9mm
2010 503.2mm605.2mm
2009 389.4mm562.9mm
2008 374.7mm560.4mm
2007 347.0mm538.8mm
2006 370.6mm557.8mm
2005 427.4mm583.2mm
2004 396.7mm557.7mm
2003 422.2mm547.9mm
2002 374.0mm524.2mm
2001 389.0mm511.4mm
2000 402.1mm461.9mm
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

Barooga NSW 2014


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 348mm

Barooga NSW 2014


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 348mm

Yarrawonga VIC 2014


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 372.8mm

Yarrawonga VIC 2014


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 372.8mm

Derived climate information

Barooga VIC

Yarrawonga VIC

Barooga VIC

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Yarrawonga 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: 29-08-2019 15:16pm AEST