Investigation of canola establishment methods at Yuna using farm scale machinery

2016

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) Jason Batten (YFIG)
Belinda Eastough (Elders Ltd)
Brady Green (Elders Ltd)
Year(s) 2016
Contributor North East Farming Futures
Trial location(s) , WA
Investigation of canola establishment methods at Yuna using farm scale machinery locations
Aims

To determine the canola establishment success of four different seeding bars at three different seeding depths in the Northern WA wheatbelt using farmer scale machinery.

Key messages

The main points to emerge from this farmer scale research are:

  1. Depth: You can chase moisture to 3cm in good conditions but to achieve 25 plants/m2 you may need to increase your seeding rate.
  2. Seeding Bars: There were large statistical differences in plant establishment between bars and between depths. The ability to achieve precise seed placement with different machines allows flexibility in adapting your seeding rate to the current seeding conditions if you know your seed size, germination percentage and establishment percentage achieved by your bar.
  3. Although plant numbers ranged from 20 plants/m2 to 40 plants/m2, there was no statistical difference in yield, so you need to aim for 20-25 plants/m2 to increase your chances of successful establishment in marginal conditions.
Lead research organisation North East Farming Futures
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Thanks to Coggo Funding, Martin Harries DAFWA, Peter Bostock Pioneer Seeds, CSBP, McIntosh & Son, Geraldton.


Other trial partners Elders Ltd
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Sowing: Method
  • Sowing: Placement
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

2016

Sow rate or Target density 1.8 kg/ha (219,800 seeds/kg, 99% germination)
Sowing machinery

Seeding Equipment Treatments

  1. DBS bar single chute, row spacing 305 mm
  2. Modified DBS with splitters and wide press wheel, row spacing 305 mm
  3. C2 seeding bar, row spacing 305mm
  4. JD Bar, row spacing 381mm

Seed Depth Treatments

  1. 1.0cm scratched in, normal seeding depth
  2. 3.0cm seeding into damp soil
  3. 5cm chasing moisture
Sow date 31 May 2016
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 2
Fertiliser

Drilled at seeding with 70kg/ha Agstar.
Applied post 100 l/ha Flexi NS.

Pesticide
  • Knockdown – 2L glyphosate 450 + 150ml Ecopar + Li700 0.3% + ammonium sulphate

14th May (site dirty with button grass, radish, dgs and capeweed, germinated early April)

  • Knockdown – 1L Sprayseed 30 th May (seeded on 31 st )
  • Post em – 
  1. Plantsheild 0.9/kg/ha
  2. Plantsheild 0.9kg/ha
  3. Alphacypermethrin 200 @ 200/ml ha (high levels of budworm)
  4. Reglone @ 1.5/l ha + oil 1%
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Canola yield (t/ha)
1 Seeded @ 1cm DBS single chute seeding bar 1.5
2 Seeded @ 1cm Modified DBS 1.26
3 Seeded @ 1cm C2 Bar 1.34
4 Seeded @ 1cm JD Bar 1.44
5 Seeded @ 3cm DBS single chute seeding bar 1.35
6 Seeded @ 3cm Modified DBS 1.43
7 Seeded @ 3cm C2 Bar 1.48
8 Seeded @ 3cm JD Bar 1.41
9 Seeded @ 5cm DBS single chute seeding bar 1.35
10 Seeded @ 5cm Modified DBS 1.46
11 Seeded @ 5cm C2 Bar 1.14
12 Seeded @ 5cm JD Bar 1.29

Canola yield t/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
, WA 0 - 10cm 5.60 16.00 92.00 0.32
, WA 30 - 50cm 6.20 2.00 79.00 0.16
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
, WA Yellow sands
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
, 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 WA
2016 139.9mm
2015 175.0mm
2014 137.8mm
2013 133.4mm
2012 121.8mm
2011 189.6mm
2010 137.4mm
2009 133.4mm
2008 167.6mm
2007 134.9mm
2006 143.8mm
2005 140.1mm
2004 136.1mm
2003 139.1mm
2002 147.8mm
2001 122.8mm
2000 164.3mm
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

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

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: 25-05-2020 10:04am AEST