Re-evaluating seed colour change in canola to improve harvest management decisions

2016

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Rob Bambach (NSW DPI)
Michael Dal Santo (NSW DPI)
Rick Graham (NSW DPI)
Jan Hosking (NSW DPI)
Stephen Morphett (NSW DPI)
Jim Perfrement (NSW DPI)
Year(s) 2016
Contributor Department of Primary Industries NSW
Trial location(s) Tamworth Agricultural Institute, NSW
Further information View external link
Re-evaluating seed colour change in canola to improve harvest management decisions locations
Aims

To re-evaluate seed colour change in canola to improve harvest management decisions. 

Key messages
  • Seed colour change (SCC) is slower to develop on branches compared with primary stems, with the primary stem only contributing ~22% of grain yield.
  • Relying solely on SCC on the primary stem can underestimate overall seed development on the plant, negatively affecting seed size, oil concentration and yield potential.
  • Windrowing earlier than 40% SCC on the primary stem was shown to reduce yield by up to 36% and oil concentration by 6.5%.
  • Results clearly demonstrated the penalties associated with an early windrow timing, before 40–60% SCC on the primary stem, and the benefit of delayed windrow timings related to SCC, with yield optimised at the upper end of current industry guidelines.
  • Ideally, SCC should be measured on a whole plant basis, not based solely on the primary stem, as branches contribute a large proportion of grain yield. There is also a further need for a clear definition as to what constitutes actual SCC in order to develop robust industry guidelines around windrow timing.
Tamworth Agricultural Institute NSW 2016

A replicated split plot design was used in each experiment, with windrow timing as the main plot and variety randomised within the treatment timing plots.

Lead research organisation Department of Primary Industries NSW
Host research organisation Department of Primary Industries NSW
Trial funding source GRDC CSP00187
Trial funding source DPI NSW
Related program Optimised Canola Profitability Project
Acknowledgments

This experiment was part of the project Optimised canola profitability (CSP00187), with joint investment by NSW DPI and GRDC, which is a collaborative project between NSW DPI, CSIRO and GRDC, in partnership with SARDI, CSU, MSF and BCG. Rohan Brill from NSW DPI is gratefully acknowledged for experiment design and for developing the research questions, technical guidance and protocol development; Dr Neroli Graham is thanked for biometric support.


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

Method

Crop type Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Variety
  • Harvest: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated

Tamworth Agricultural Institute 2016

Sow rate or Target density Plant population: ~30 plants/m2
Sow date 6 May 2016
Harvest date Windrow timings were conducted at 2-3 day intervals (i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from the com
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Plot randomisation yes
Fertiliser

60 kg/ha Granulock Z Extra treated with Intake® (500 g/L Flutriafol at 200 mL/ha) and 360 kg/ha urea (160 kg N/ha) side banded at planting

Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Northern grains Research Results 2017, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/ngrt-results
 

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
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Tamworth Agricultural Institute, NSW 0 - 120cm 58.00
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Tamworth Agricultural Institute, NSW Vertisol
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Tamworth Agricultural Institute, NSW Vertosol
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 Tamworth Agricultural Institute NSW
2016 794.7mm
2015 788.3mm
2014 788.1mm
2013 780.3mm
2012 774.5mm
2011 772.8mm
2010 799.1mm
2009 784.3mm
2008 792.0mm
2007 788.5mm
2006 790.3mm
2005 797.4mm
2004 799.1mm
2003 800.0mm
2002 781.0mm
2001 777.0mm
2000 747.4mm
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

Tamworth Agricultural Institute NSW 2016


Observed climate information

Rainfall avg ann (mm) 671.5mm
Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 524mm

Derived climate information

Tamworth Agricultural Institute NSW

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: 08-06-2023 09:22am AEST