Timing of nitrogen in low rainfall canola

2013

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Bob French
Mark Seymour
Year(s) 2013
Contributor Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Trial location(s) Merredin, WA
Timing of nitrogen in low rainfall canola locations
Aims

Aim; To investigate the response to changing the nitrogen rate and changing the time of application.  Canola yield and oil will be measured and RR hybrids will be compared with open-pollinated TT types (OP TT).

Previous trial results suggest that as long as nitrogen is applied within 8 weeks of sowing, there is no yield penalty. 

How canola responds to nitrogen applied later than 8 weeks has not been widely researched.  Similarly how new generation canola such as RoundupReady (RR) hybrids respond to nitrogen has not been widely tested, particularly in low and medium rainfall areas.  This trial is one of a series of 13 timing of nitrogen experiments DAFWA conducted in 2013.

Key messages
  • Canola responded to N applied as late as 12 weeks after seeding but not as much as to N applied at 4 or 8 weeks.  Hyola 404 RR and CB Telfer responded similarly in terms of yield.
  • Nitrogen reduced oil %, and late N reduced it more than early N.  Oil was more sensitive to applied N in CB Telfer than in Hyola 404 RR.
  • Grain yield continued to respond to 100 kg N/ha but the highest gross margin was at 75 kg/ha in Hyola 404 RR and at 100 kg/ha in CB Telfer.
Lead research organisation Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAW00227
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This trial is one of a series conducted throughout WA as part of the GRDC/DAFWA co-funded project “Tactical Break Crop Agronomy in Western Australia”.  Thanks to Matt Harrod of the Merredin RSU for trial management.  Laurie Maiolo (DAFWA. Merredin) provided technical assistance to ensure all treatments and measurements occurred in a timely and accurate fashion.


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

Method

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

Merredin 2013

Sow rate or Target density 30 plants/m²
Sow date 3 May 2013
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

Fertiliser (kg/ha): 50 kg/ha of double super at seeding, 120 kg/ha of Muriate of Potash and 400 kg/ha of gypsum (17% Ca, 14% S) topdressed over whole site 4 weeks after seeding

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
Merredin, WA Sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Merredin, WA Sodosol
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 Merredin WA
2013 440.9mm
2012 436.2mm
2011 410.7mm
2010 388.4mm
2009 426.0mm
2008 409.6mm
2007 377.6mm
2006 426.3mm
2005 386.1mm
2004 418.5mm
2003 426.3mm
2002 366.4mm
2001 411.5mm
2000 425.5mm
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

Merredin WA 2013


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 193mm

Derived climate information

Merredin 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 last modified: 28-05-2019 12:03pm AEST