The effect of sowing rate on the performance of wheat in the Forbes and Parkes districts

2004
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Ken Motley (NSW DPI)
Andrew Rice (Ivey ATP)
Karen Roberts (NSW DPI)
Year(s) 2004
Contributor Central West Farming Systems
Trial location(s) Forbes, NSW
Parkes, NSW
The effect of sowing rate on the performance of wheat in the Forbes and Parkes districts locations
Aims

To report on the effect of sowing rate on the performance of wheat in the Forbes and Parkes districts

Key messages
  • Harvest results (grain yield and quality) are more closely related to plant density than sowing rates.
  • Plant density can vary by over 50% for any given sowing rate. Correct sowing rate calculations that take into account seed size, germination % and expected emergence losses are needed to achieve target densities.
  • A target density of 120 plants/m2 is suggested as a good compromise for achieving good yield and quality in the local area.
Lead research organisation Central West Farming Systems
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

The trial sites were supported by the Grain Growers Association and GRDC. Greg Gibson (NSW DPI), Sharon Taylor and Allan L’Estrange (CWFS) provided invaluable technical assistance. The data was analysed by Helen Nicol (consulting statistician). Thanks to the 2004 trial cooperators Bill Scott, Kim and Wendy Muffett, Geoff McCallum, and the cooperators in the other years.


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

Method

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

Forbes 2004

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Parkes 2004

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
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
Forbes, NSW Not specified
Parkes, NSW Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Forbes, NSW Sodosol
Parkes, NSW 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 Forbes NSW Parkes NSW
2004 400.0mm614.0mm
2003 380.2mm551.7mm
2002 419.8mm560.8mm
2001 487.8mm569.1mm
2000 471.2mm489.9mm
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

Derived climate information

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

Forbes NSW

Parkes NSW

Forbes NSW

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Parkes NSW

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 report and links

2004 trial report



Trial last modified: 06-08-2019 07:54am AEST