Wheat canopy architecture to enhance resource use efficiency and yield in the high rainfall area

2016
CC BY 4.0

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Jens Berger (CSIRO)
Heping Zhang (CSIRO)
Year(s) 2016
Contributor West Midlands Group
Trial location(s) Moora, WA
Wheat canopy architecture to enhance resource use efficiency and yield in the high rainfall area locations
Aims

To test whether we can increase radiation use efficiency and yield in wheat by changing architecture (floppy vs. erect leaves).

Key messages

This is the first experiment to evaluate the effect of canopy architecture on wheat yield in Australia. The results show that leaf erectness appears to be an important trait for wheat in Western Australia. Erect leaves allow greater light penetration into the lower canopy.  As a result a larger leaf area and longer duration of greenness is maintained in the canopy over time (Fig. 2), both of which could increase photosynthesis and improve yield (Fig. 3). More data across a wide range of environments are needed to prove the hypothesis, and test other effects on weed competition and disease incidence. We will continue to evaluate this hypothesis with WMG in 2017, and look to broaden our evaluation with future projects beyond that.

Lead research organisation Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Host research organisation West Midlands Group
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

GRDC


Other trial partners Not specified
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Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Management systems: Canopy Management
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Moora 2016

Sow rate or Target density 60-70 kg/ha
Sow date 6 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

Agras 80kg/ha+50 kg/ha urea at sowing, 80L/ha pf UAN on 15 July. 100 kg Urea at stem elongation.

Herbicide

At sowing, 2 L/ha Spreeseed, 1.5L/ha Treflan,100g/ha Sakura, 200 ml/ha of Dominex, and 200 ml/ha of  Lorsban; 800 ml/ha Velocity, 300 ml/ha Prosaro on 15 June 2016

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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
Moora, WA Yellow sands
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Moora, WA Tenosol
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 Moora WA
2016 102.8mm
2015 105.1mm
2014 88.5mm
2013 118.8mm
2012 138.2mm
2011 107.4mm
2010 102.0mm
2009 113.9mm
2008 120.4mm
2007 84.7mm
2006 113.8mm
2005 97.1mm
2004 75.7mm
2003 96.1mm
2002 77.2mm
2001 56.4mm
2000 110.9mm
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

Moora WA 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 365mm

Derived climate information

Moora WA

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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: 23-07-2019 14:56pm AEST