Sowing direction and row spacing for brome grass management in the Mallee

2016

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Kelly Angel (BCG)
Year(s) 2016
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Jil JIl, VIC
Further information View external link
Sowing direction and row spacing for brome grass management in the Mallee locations
Aims

To determine if sowing direction and row spacing can be used to reduce grass weed populations, growth and seed set, and their impact on crop performance in the Mallee.

Key messages
  • Light interception at midday was significantly higher under east-west sowing compared with north-south.
  • It is plausible that sowing direction may influence weed seed set.
  • To establish a competitive crop against weeds and maximise yields, growers should aim for the narrowest row spacing to suit their system.
Lead research organisation Birchip Cropping Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC CWF00020
Related program Overdependence on Agrochemicals
Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the GRDC as part of the Overdependence on Agrochemicals project (CWF00020).


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

Method

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

Jil JIl 2016

Sow rate or Target density 130 plants/m²
Sowing machinery

Knife points, press wheels

Sow date 5 May 2016
Harvest date 15 December 2016
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Paddock history 2015 grazing with late chemical fallow
Fertiliser

Granulock Supreme Z @ 70kg/ha at sowing
Urea @ 70kg/ha at GS32

Herbicide

Weed free plots only (IBS)
Sentry™ @ 40g/ha*
Trifluralin @ 1.5L/ha
Avadex® Xtra @ 2L/ha
Weed free plots only (in-crop)
Intervix® 600mL/ha
(weed free plots only)
Liase® 2%
Hasten™ 1%

 

*Note: Sentry is not registered for pre-emergent use in Clearfield Plus (two gene) cereals and as such is not an endorsed use pattern by BCG, but purely done for trial management purposes. Any use of Sentry contrary to label guidelines are the user’s responsibility including residue control, environmental safeguards, and resistance management.

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

@T1: @T2:
# Treatment 1
Grain yield (t/ha) Head abundance (heads/m2) Weed biomass (t/ha) Weed biomass (t/ha)
1 225 3.8 260.3 0.09 1.09
1 305 3.6 248.3 0.16 1.4
1 380 3.5 226.3 0.11 2.16
2
2
2
3
3
3

Grain yield t/ha


Loading

Head abundance heads/m2


Loading

Weed biomass t/ha


Loading
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Jil JIl, VIC Sandy clay loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Jil JIl, 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 Jil JIl VIC
2016 805.5mm
2015 795.0mm
2014 809.4mm
2013 799.1mm
2012 827.0mm
2011 850.6mm
2010 853.5mm
2009 810.2mm
2008 802.1mm
2007 809.8mm
2006 814.0mm
2005 848.9mm
2004 795.2mm
2003 821.3mm
2002 792.0mm
2001 801.4mm
2000 744.9mm
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

Loading

Climate

Jil JIl VIC 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 480.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 373mm

Derived climate information

Jil JIl VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
Loading
Loading
Loading

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.