Seeding rate by row spacing for barley grass management

2016

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Amanda Cook (SARDI)
Year(s) 2016
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
Seeding rate by row spacing for barley grass management locations
Aims

To investigate the potential non-chemical options for managing barley grass in a crop is increasing crop competition by reducing row spacing and increasing sowing rate.

Key messages
  • Reducing row spacing to 18 cm from 30 cm increased grain yield of wheat by more than 0.5 t/ha in 2015 and 2016.
  • Increasing seeding rate also increased grain yield in 2015 and 2016.
  • Late grassy weed dry matter was 65% lower, and barley grass weed seed set was 57% lower, with a higher seeding rate.
  • 18 cm row spacing had 42% lower grass weed dry matter than 30 cm row spacing.
  • Single row or spread row seeding boots showed little differences in plant establishment, grain yield and quality or grass weed competition.
Lead research organisation Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC CWF00020
Related program Overdependence on agrochemicals
Acknowledgments

Thank you to Sue Budarick, Tegan Watts and Katrina Brands for doing the weed counts. Funded by the GRDC Overdependence on Agrochemicals project (CWF00020).


Other trial partners Upper North Farming Systems
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

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

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2016

Sow rate or Target density 60, 120 or 240 plants/m2
Sowing machinery

single row Harrington point vs Atom Jet spread row seeding boot with press wheels

Sow date 18 May 2016
Harvest date 4 November 2016
Plot size 20m x 2m
Plot replication 4
Fertiliser

60 kg/ha of 18:20:0:0

Herbicide

The trial was sprayed on 16 May with a knockdown of 1.5 L/ha of glyphosate, 1.5 L/ha of trifluralin and 80 ml/ha of carfentrazone-ethyl. and broad-leaved weeds were controlled on 24 August after sampling.

Insecticide

An insecticide was sprayed on 22 June

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
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA 0 - 10cm 7.80 33.00 151.00
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA 0 - 30cm 7.80 33.00 151.00
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA 0 - 90cm 7.80 33.00 151.00
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Red sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA 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 Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA
2016 352.2mm
2015 325.1mm
2014 380.2mm
2013 318.6mm
2012 337.2mm
2011 388.8mm
2010 396.3mm
2009 412.6mm
2008 331.8mm
2007 318.9mm
2006 336.6mm
2005 302.5mm
2004 301.7mm
2003 306.6mm
2002 294.7mm
2001 356.7mm
2000 384.8mm
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 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 325mm
Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 241mm
Rainfall trial total (mm) 391mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 268mm

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 report and links

2016 trial report



Trial last modified: 08-10-2019 14:49pm AEST