70 kg/ha Gusto Gold (Summit Fertilisers Australia, N – 10.2%, P- 13.1%, K- 12%, S- 7.6%, Cu- 0.07%, Zn- 0.14% and Mn- 0.01%) treated with 300ml ha-1 Impact (250 g/L Flutriafol, Cheminova Australia) was  drilled 3cm below the seed to minimise contact with the germinating canola seed with  100kg/ha of Urea (Summit Fertilisers Australia, N – 46%) broadcast evenly on the soil surface immediately after seeding. At the 4-6 leaf stage of the canola, 100L/ha of urea and ammonium nitrate liquid fertiliser (UAN) (Summit fertilisers Australia) (N- 32%) was evenly sprayed across the site to maintain growth. 

Immediately prior to seeding, all experimental areas were treated with 1.5L ha–1 Roundup Ultramax (Glyphosate 540  g/L, Sinochem Australia) and 150ml ha–1 Lontrel (Clopyralid 750g/L, DowAgrosciences Australia) to control all germinated weeds.  Each plot was sub plotted with a no additional weed control for competition assessments on weed growth and weed free treatment to assess the effect of factorial combinations on the canola growth and light interception. The weed free treatment was maintained using 1 L/ha Kerb (500 g/L Propyzamide, Dow AgroSciences Australia) incorporated by sowing (IBS), 1.1 kg/ha Atradex (900g/kg Atrazine, Nufarm Australia Limited) IBS followed by 1.1 kg/ha of Atradex and 500 mL/ha Select (240g/L Clethodim, Sumitomo Chemical Australia) applied at the 4-6 leaf stage of the canola

1L of Cruiser Opti [210 g/L Thiamethoxam 37.5 g/L Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Syngenta Australia] applied per 100 kg of seed . 

400 mL/100 kg Maxim XL [25 g/L Fludioxonil 10 g/L Metalaxyl-M Syngenta Australia] applied per 100 kg of seed .