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) Yarrawonga, VIC
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 Randomised,Replicated

Yarrawonga 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 Table 1

@T1: @T2: @T3: @T4: @T5:
# Treatment 1
Oil (%) Yield (t/ha) 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 47.3 1.53 16 5.8 3.26 61 16 42 18 6.72 60 43.8
1 UTC 47.1 1.49 16.6 5 3.16 53 12 41 24 5.58 57.5 40
1 UTC 47.3 1.7 16 - - - 58.8 43.8
1 UTC 47.8 1.32 15.8 - - - 53.8 41.3
1 40N:0S 46.7 1.98 16.4 5.5 2.4 55 11 55 25 8.44 65 43.8
1 40N:10S 47.4 1.95 16.2 - - - 65 50
2 40N:20S 46.1 2.16 16.6 - - - 67.5 50
2 40N:30S 47.1 2.13 16.3 5.3 4.17 109 29 69 59 10.3 66.3 43.8
2 80N:0S 45.5 2.45 17.9 5.3 3.89 119 13 81 41 9.65 66.3 42.5
2 80N:10S 46.1 2.74 17 - - - 72.5 53.8
2 80N:20S 45.9 2.58 17.4 - - - 73.8 51.3
2 80N:30S 46.2 2.58 17.4 5.3 4.68 131 28 97 47 11.5 72.5 47.5
3 160N:0S 42.9 2.42 20.3 5.3 3.79 179 13 103 30 11.51 81.3 60
3 160N:10S 43 2.63 20.2 - - - 80 58.8
3 160N:20S 43.4 3.11 20.2 5 - - 82.5 58.8
3 160N:30S 41.5 2.54 21.2 - 4.2 167 23 119 53 11.24 80 63.8
3 240N:0S 41.9 2.96 20.8 5.3 4.4 175 15 130 26 10.35 77.5 57.5
3 240N:10S 40.8 2.92 21.4 - - - 80 63.8
4 240N:20S 41.7 2.97 21.3 - - - 78.8 60
4 240N:30S 40 2.82 22.6 5 4.37 201 26 152 51 12.45 80 60
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
9
9
9
9
9
9
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
16
16
17
17
17
17
17
17
18
18
18
18
18
18
19
19
19
19
19
19
20
20
20
20
20
20

Crop vigour 1-9


Loading

Dry matter t/ha


Loading

Green leaf retention 1-100


Loading

Nitrogen Content kg N/ha


Loading

Oil %


Loading

Protein %


Loading

Sulphur content kg S/ha


Loading

Yield t/ha


Loading
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Yarrawonga, VIC 0 - 90cm 69.75
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Yarrawonga, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Yarrawonga, VIC 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 Yarrawonga VIC
2017 308.1mm
2016 356.6mm
2015 343.7mm
2014 349.4mm
2013 370.4mm
2012 415.5mm
2011 434.4mm
2010 450.5mm
2009 407.9mm
2008 433.2mm
2007 406.1mm
2006 400.2mm
2005 423.0mm
2004 424.2mm
2003 455.2mm
2002 444.1mm
2001 460.4mm
2000 473.0mm
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

Loading

Climate

Yarrawonga VIC 2017


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg gsr (mm) 270.4mm

Derived climate information

Yarrawonga VIC

Loading
Loading
Loading

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: 19-12-2018 13:22pm AEST