1. Home ::  
  2. Trial Search

Agronomic response of sorghum varieties to nitrogen management – Terry Hie Hie 2014–15

2014 - 2015

Important note

The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (July 2016). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that the information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the currency of the information with the appropriate officer of NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development or the user’s independent adviser. The product trade names in this publication are supplied on the understanding that no preference between equivalent products is intended and that the inclusion of a product name does not imply endorsement by the department over any equivalent product from another manufacturer. Recognising that some of the information in this document is provided by third parties, the State of New South Wales, the author and the publisher take no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of any information included in the document provided by third parties.

Research organisation
Funding sources
Department of Primary Industries NSW
<abbr title='Grains Research and Development Corporation'>GRDC</abbr> <abbr title='Department of Primary Industries (New South Wales)'>DPI NSW</abbr>

Trial details

Researcher(s) Peter Formann (NSW DPI)
Rick Graham (NSW DPI)
Year(s) 2014 - 2015
Contributor Department of Primary Industries NSW
Trial location(s) Terry Hie Hie, NSW
Further information View external link
Agronomic response of sorghum varieties to nitrogen management – Terry Hie Hie 2014–15 locations
Aims

To determine the agronomic response of sorghum to N management, to help develop more robust soil test/crop response guidelines. 

Key messages
  • Although plant available water (PAW) at sowing was ~47 mm (0–120 cm), timely in-crop rainfall of 257 mm improved yield potential.
  • If yield and subsequently fertiliser decisions were made on PAW at sowing and a low input approach to nitrogen (N) application was taken, as per the nil treatment in this experiment (42 kg/ha of Granulock Z), 0.9 t/ha or 20% of yield potential would have been lost, compared with the optimum N response rate (120 kg N/ha).
  • Significantly, even at modest levels of N application (e.g. 40–80 kg N/ha), grain yield was increased by 0.56 t/ha or 13% over the nil N treatment.
  • Although maximum yield was achieved at 11.1% grain protein content (GPC), the rate of grain yield increase per unit of additional N declined at GPC >10%. Importantly, results from this experiment did show that yield was compromised by N deficiency when GPC was <9%.
  • Results from this experiment highlight the need to consider yield potential in terms of targeted yields and hence N requirements. Importantly, if N inputs are limited then yield potential can be negatively affected.
     
Lead research organisation Department of Primary Industries NSW
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC UQ00063
Trial funding source DPI NSW
Related program MPCNII – Regional soil testing for the Northern Grains Region
Acknowledgments

This research was co-funded by the GRDC and NSW DPI as part of the collaborative GRDC, University of Queensland/NSW DPI project UQ00063: MPCNII – Regional soil testing for the Northern Grains Region. We thank Dr Neroli Graham (NSW DPI) for statistical analyses. Technical assistance provided by Nicole Carrigan, Peter Perfrement and Michael Dal Santo (all NSW DPI), is gratefully acknowledged. Thanks to the Ledingham family for hosting the site and to Gavin McDouall, HMAg for his assistance.
Other trial partners Co-operator: Michael Ledingham
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Sorghum
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop : Variety
  • Fertiliser : Rate
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Terry Hie Hie 2014

Sow rate or Target density 30,000 plants/ha
Sowing machinery

Monosem double disc precision planter with single skip row configuration
Sow date 2 October 2014
Harvest date 4 March 2015
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 6
Fertiliser

42 kg/ha Granulock Z extra applied at planting 
Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Northern grains Research Results 2016, 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
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Terry Hie Hie, NSW Vertisol
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Terry Hie Hie, NSW Chromosol
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 Terry Hie Hie NSW
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000

Climate

Terry Hie Hie NSW 2014

Observed climate information

Rainfall trial gsr (mm) 257.5mm

Derived climate information

Terry Hie Hie NSW

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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 report and links

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 19-10-2023 15:16pm AEST