To test whether disturbance seeding systems overcome water repellence in non-wetting gravels and other soil health issues over time.
Key messages
Three seeding systems, disc (slot), tyne and tyne-after cultivation were tested over two seasons in a paddock with a long history of minimal soil disturbance. Soil water repellence, plant establishment and yield were compared.
In the wet 2016 season, the effect of soil water repellence was minimal and soil disturbance caused by disc, tyne or tyne-after-cultivation did not significantly affect plant establishment or yield.
In the dry 2017 season, plant establishment and yield of field peas was higher in the disc seeder treatment than the tyne or tyne-after-cultivation treatment.
Lead research organisation
Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Host research organisation
N/A
Trial funding source
GRDC
Related program
N/A
Acknowledgments
South Coast NRM, Brad Wood and the Wood family – Beau Valley Farms, Dr Margaret Roper – CSIRO researcher, Glenn McDonald – Soil researcher, Chris Gazey –Soil scientist, Jeremy Lemon – Senior DPIRD Agronomist, Alice Butler – DPIRD Development Officer Grains R & D.
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Tillage to 15cm depth immediately before tyne seeding
41
Emergence plants plants/m2
Trial results 2017: Field Peas
#
Treatment 1
Plant density (plants/m2)
1
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Nil disturbance treatment
25
2
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Tyne seeder treatment
20
3
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Tillage to 15cm soil depth immediately prior to tyne seeding
17
Plant density plants/m2
Trial results Grain Yield
#
Treatment 1
Growing season
Crop type
Grain yield (kg/ha)
1
█
Slot seeder (Disc)
2016
Canola
1.96
2
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Tyne seeder
2016
Canola
1.96
3
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Tyne seeder post cultivation
2016
Canola
2.04
4
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Slot seeder (Disc)
2017
Field peas
1.49
5
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Tyne seeder
2017
Field peas
1.15
6
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Tyne seeder post cultivation
2017
Field peas
1.08
Grain yield kg/ha
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.
Kendenup WA
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.
