Seed size, sowing rate and phosphorus in barley: do your sums before you sow

2017

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Louisa Ferrier (BCG)
Year(s) 2017
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Curyo, VIC
Further information View external link
Seed size, sowing rate and phosphorus in barley: do your sums before you sow locations
Aims

To assess the impact of small and large seed size sown to target plant density and kg/ha with different P rates on barley yield and quality.

Key messages
  • Growers should check the grain weight, germination of retained seed and calibrate accordingly to achieve consistent plant establishment from season to season.
  • Correct seeder calibration amounted to a 0.3t/ha yield or $60/ha gain.
  • If phosphorus (P) soil reserves are low, consider increasing P fertiliser rates to achieve optimal yields.
Lead research organisation Birchip Cropping Group
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC BWD00024
Related program Maintaining profitable farming systems with retained stubble
Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the GRDC as part of the ‘Maintaining profitable farming systems in retained stubble’ project (BWD00024) and BCG members through their membership.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Barley
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Sowing: Rate
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Curyo 2017

Sow rate or Target density 130 plants/m2
Sowing machinery

Knife points, press wheels, 30cm row spacing

Sow date 11 May 2017
Harvest date 12 November 2017
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

June 1 Urea @ 90kg/ha
August 6 Urea @ 60kg/ha

Herbicide

June 15 Velocity® @ 670mL/ha + MPCA LVE® @ 400mL/ha+ Hasten 0.5%

Insecticide

September 9 Lorsban® @ 600mL/ha

Fungicide

June 22 Propiconazole® @ 300mL/ha
August 6 Prosaro® @ 300mL/ha + BS100 0.25%

Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Grain yield (t/ha) Establishment plants (plants/m2) Retention (%)
1 Calibrated seeding rates Small seed @ 51kg/ha 4.9 125 94.7
2 Calibrated seeding rates Large seed @ 90kg/ha 4.9 112 94.7
3 'Uncalibrated' seeding rates Large seed @ 51kg/ha 4.6 66 95
4 'Uncalibrated' seeding rates Small seed @ 90kg/ha 5 201 93.6

Grain yield t/ha


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Establishment plants plants/m2


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Retention %


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Curyo, VIC 0 - 10cm sandy loam 18.00
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Curyo, VIC Sandy loam
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Curyo, VIC 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 Curyo VIC
2017 691.3mm
2016 699.7mm
2015 665.5mm
2014 666.8mm
2013 659.2mm
2012 700.7mm
2011 731.3mm
2010 725.4mm
2009 656.4mm
2008 647.7mm
2007 680.3mm
2006 682.6mm
2005 715.6mm
2004 679.0mm
2003 696.5mm
2002 654.5mm
2001 675.2mm
2000 649.0mm
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

Curyo VIC 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall trial total (mm) 297mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 215mm

Derived climate information

Curyo VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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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: 05-07-2019 13:35pm AEST