Optimising sulphur and nitrogen nutrition in canola

2017

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Kate Coffey
Nick Poole
Cassandra Schefe
Michael Straight
Year(s) 2017
Contributor Riverine Plains
Trial location(s) Howlong, NSW
Optimising sulphur and nitrogen nutrition in canola locations
Aims

This project aims to determine if nitrogen supply is limiting uptake of sulphur in canola crops grown in the Riverine Plains region and whether sulphur uptake and yield is increased in canola when nitrogen is available in non-limiting quantities.
The 2017 project trial assessed the response to nitrogen and sulphur in canola crops of the Riverine Plains by determining:
• the influence of nitrogen and sulphur application on canola tissue content, yield and oil
• the fluctuation in nitrogen and sulphur content and nitrogen:sulphur ratio in the plant from stem elongation (GS31) to harvest (GS99)
• the optimum available soil nitrogen level for the region’s canola crops at varying sulphur application rates.

Key messages

• At the Howlong site, applied nitrogen gave a yield and dry matter (DM) response, however there was no sulphur response.
• The Yarrawonga site showed a clear response to applied sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N), despite high soil sulphur levels. This suggests canola roots may not be effectively exploring the soil profile to access soil sulphur.
• The Yarrawonga site had an optimum sulphur application rate of 20kg S/ha, with yield penalties measured with sulphur rates above and below this optimal rate.
• The dry finish to the season caused significant challenges during 2017. This trial will be repeated at two sites during 2018 to understand how variable the responses to sulphur are likely to be during different seasonal conditions.

Lead research organisation Riverine Plains
Host research organisation Riverine Plains
Trial funding source GRDC RPI00013
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Riverine Plains Inc acknowledges the investment made by the GRDC to the Optimising crop nutrition in canola in the southern region of NSW (RPI00013) project. We also thank trial contractors FAR Australia and our farmer co-operators, the Cummins family, Yarrawonga and the Trevethan family, Howlong.


Other trial partners FAR Australia
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 Blocked

Howlong 2017

Sow date 24 April 2017
Harvest date 22 November 2017
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Plant growth characteristics at Howlong in 2017

@T1: @T2: @T3: @T4: @T5:
# Treatment 1
Yield (t/ha) Oil (%) Protein (%) Crop vigour (1-9) Dry matter (t/ha) Nitrogen Content (kg N/ha) Sulphur content (kg S/ha) Nitrogen Content (kg N/ha) Sulphur content (kg S/ha) Dry matter (t/ha) Green leaf retention (1-100) Green leaf retention (1-100)
1 UTC 2.54 48.1 16.2 7 3.01 65 17 118 34 13.23 65 40
1 UTC 2.46 47.9 16.2 7 3 68 12 103 38 13.12 68 38
1 UTC 2.68 48 16.5 - - - 61 43
1 UTC 2.46 48.2 16.4 - - - 70 40
1 40N:0S 2.69 47.6 16.8 7 3.06 114 19 156 48 14.9 68 40
1 40N:10S 2.9 47.5 16.8 - - - 73 43
2 40N:20S 2.84 47.4 16.8 - - - 70 45
2 40N:30S 2.66 47.7 16.4 8 3.53 111 22 148 61 13.77 70 40
2 80N:0S 2.91 48 16.5 7 4.49 181 27 165 47 15.13 71 40
2 80N:10S 2.84 47.6 16.9 - - - 70 40
2 80N:20S 3.04 47.8 16.8 - - - 71 43
2 80N:30S 2.84 47.3 16.9 7 3.93 121 26 207 56 16.08 70 43
3 160N:0S 2.83 47.5 16.8 7 3.9 167 25 192 42 15.63 71 48
3 160N:10S 3.01 47.4 16.7 - - - 70 40
3 160N:20S 2.82 47.7 16.7 - - - 66 45
3 160N:30S 2.77 47.5 16.8 7 3.64 154 25 219 63 16.85 70 38
3 240N:0S 2.77 47.3 17.1 7 3.51 151 19 239 41 17.3 70 40
3 240N:10S 2.9 47.4 16.8 - - - 70 43
4 240N:20S 2.99 47.1 16.9 - - - 70 45
4 240N:30S 2.75 47.3 16.8 8 3.53 155 23 261 65 18.12 69 38
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Crop vigour 1-9


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Dry matter t/ha


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Green leaf retention 1-100


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Nitrogen Content kg N/ha


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Oil %


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Protein %


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Sulphur content kg S/ha


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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
Howlong, NSW 0 - 90cm 146.81
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Howlong, NSW Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Howlong, 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 Howlong NSW
2017 450.1mm
2016 488.9mm
2015 433.1mm
2014 393.4mm
2013 378.2mm
2012 475.2mm
2011 519.6mm
2010 515.8mm
2009 417.1mm
2008 403.7mm
2007 355.5mm
2006 364.0mm
2005 406.2mm
2004 308.4mm
2003 250.1mm
2002 228.4mm
2001 312.0mm
2000 386.9mm
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

Howlong NSW 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 272.8mm

Derived climate information

Howlong NSW

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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: 29-08-2019 11:34am AEST