Early sowing of wheat

2015

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Kelly Angel (BCG)
James Hunt (CSIRO)
Nick Poole (FAR Australia)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Berriwillock, VIC
Further information View external link
Early sowing of wheat locations
Aims

To compare the yield performance of several slow-developing winter wheat cultivars (requiring vernalisation) with spring wheat cultivars (photoperiod sensitive) at different plant densities, in the presence or absence of weeds.

Key messages
  • Highest yields in 2015 came from early sown (9 April) spring cultivars (with 8mm of irrigation for emergence).
  • Winter wheats Wedgetail and RAC2341, sown 9 April, yielded more than Scout sown in the normal sowing window (8 May).
  • Reducing plant density in early sown slow-developing wheats did not influence yield in either the presence or absence of weeds but did result in greater weed growth.
Lead research organisation Birchip Cropping Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC CSP00178
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the GRDC as part of ‘Increasing yields and reducing risk through early sowing in the southern grain region’ (CSP00178). 


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Sowing: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Berriwillock 2015

Sow rate or Target density 50 and 150 plants/m²
Sowing machinery

Knife points, press wheels, 30cm row spacing

Sow date 9 April 2015 9 April 2015 (TOS 1) and 8 May 2015 (TOS 2)
Harvest date 12 November 2015 12 November 2015
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Granulock Supreme Z @ 50kg/ha at sowing 90kg/ha urea (40kg N/ha) top-dressed (GS30)

Herbicide

Pre-sowing -  Sakura® @ 118g/ha (weed free plots only)

In-crop - Velocity® @ 500ml/ha + Lontrel Advanced @ 50ml/ha

Insecticide

Pests were controlled to best management practice.

Fungicide

Diseases were controlled to best management practice.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

@T1: @T2:
# Variety
Protein (%) Screenings (%) Grain yield (t/ha) Grain yield (t/ha) Protein (%) Screenings (%)
1 Scout 13.7 5.8 1.78 1.09 14.7 9.5
1 Scout 13.8 7.4 1.68 0.98 15.6 6.5
2 Kiora 14.7 3.5 1.57 0.99 14.9 6.1
2 Kiora 14 14.3 1.51 0.87 15.5 13.3
3 RAC2641 14.5 5.9 1.44 0.99 15.8 6.5
3 RAC2641 15.3 5.6 1.4 0.7 15.2 6.7
4 Bolac
4 Bolac
5 Lancer
5 Lancer
6 Wedgetail
6 Wedgetail

Grain yield t/ha


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Protein %


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Screenings %


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Berriwillock, VIC 0 - 10cm Sandy clay loam 10.10 15.00 42.00 1.10
Berriwillock, VIC 0 - 70cm Sandy clay loam 10.10 15.00 42.00 1.10
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Berriwillock, VIC Sandy clay loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Berriwillock, 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 Berriwillock VIC
2015 401.2mm
2014 438.3mm
2013 450.6mm
2012 493.2mm
2011 568.5mm
2010 486.4mm
2009 412.6mm
2008 382.4mm
2007 385.4mm
2006 416.7mm
2005 481.5mm
2004 406.0mm
2003 418.4mm
2002 370.0mm
2001 427.7mm
2000 434.6mm
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

Berriwillock VIC 2015


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 241mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 141mm

Derived climate information

Berriwillock 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

2015 trial report