Reducing risk in canola

2015

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Leigh Davis (SARDI)
Andrew Ware (SARDI)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
Reducing risk in canola locations
Aims

To address the issues of canola being a high risk crop in low rainfall areas two experiments were established in 2015, at Minnipa (upper Eyre Peninsula) and Ouyen (Victorian Mallee). Only Minnipa results are reported here.

This trial is part of the GRDC funded Optimising Canola Profitability Project currently underway across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia (CSP00187).

Key messages
  • Canola can be an expensive crop to grow.
  • Yields can be maximised by planting early in low rainfall environments.
  • Retained seed from open-pollinated varieties has the potential to match yields of some hybrid varieties.
  • Delaying nitrogen application until stem elongation (bolting) was not as effective as applying at seeding or early post-emergence.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial funding source GRDC CSP00187
Related program Optimised Canola Profitability Project
Acknowledgments

Thank you to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) for providing the funding. Thank you to Minnipa Agricultural Centre for providing the land to the trials. ATR Stingray is a registered variety of Nuseed Pty Ltd. Hyola 450TT is a registered variety of Pacific Seeds. Michael Moodie, Moodie Agronomy, Mildura and Dr Therese McBeath, CSIRO, Adelaide, for their direction and input towards the design and input of this trial.


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

Method

Crop type Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Timing
  • Sowing: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2015

Sowing machinery

A 29 mm rainfall event occurred between 16-19 April, which resulted in the fixed date seeding (21 April) being planted into moist soil, with the soil drying slightly by the season opening sowing time (6 May). A base application of 100 kg/ha of single superphosphate at seeding helped cover phosphorous and sulphur requirements. All nitrogen applications were able to be made at the correct growth stage with rainfall following shortly after to wash them into the soil.

Sow date 21 April 2015 2 x time of sowing: 21 April and 6 May 2015
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

The trial received 100 kg/ha of single superphosphate at sowing and then received 150 kg/ha urea (69 kg/ha nitrogen), applied either drilled below the seed at seeding, or broadcast around 3 weeks after emergence, or once the stem had started to elongate (bolting) or at the start of flowering.  

Herbicide

800 ml/ha Atrazine (500 g/L a.i), 90 ml/ha Verdict and 1.0% Kwicken was applied to control weeds.

Insecticide

Multiple products were used during the season to control insects.

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
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Rudosol
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 Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA
2015 321.8mm
2014 374.5mm
2013 309.1mm
2012 331.2mm
2011 372.1mm
2010 355.3mm
2009 367.4mm
2008 310.4mm
2007 330.8mm
2006 342.9mm
2005 316.5mm
2004 323.7mm
2003 305.0mm
2002 305.7mm
2001 303.3mm
2000 332.8mm
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

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA 2015


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 325mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 241mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 333mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 258mm

Derived climate information

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

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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: 08-10-2019 14:38pm AEST