Which wheats for when? Western Australia

2018

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Jeremy Curry (DPIRDWA)
Dion Nicol (DPIRDWA)
Brenda Shackley (DPIRDWA)
Christine Zaicou-Kunesch (DPIRDWA)
Year(s) 2018
Contributor Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA
Trial location(s) Gibson, WA
Katanning, WA
Merredin, WA
Mullewa, WA
Further information View external link
Which wheats for when? Western Australia locations
Aims

To determine the appropriate sowing time by variety combination to maximise the grain yield and quality of wheat in different environments in Western Australia.

Key messages

Match the maturity of a variety with sowing date to maximise biomass accumulation, flowering during the optimum time and maximise grain yield potential: – “If sowing early, sow long, or don’t sow wheat at all”.

  • There is an opportunity cost and yield penalty of sowing short-mid season varieties too early (early to late April) in the central and southern production zones, similar to sowing mid-long season varieties too late.
  • If sowing mid-April in the northern, eastern and southern wheatbelt without frost risk sow mid-long season varieties. If sowing in late May sow short-mid season wheats.
  • If sowing in areas of frost risk in the northern, eastern and southern wheatbelt, don’t sow wheat in April, in early May sow mid-long season varieties in areas of low to moderate frost risk and sow areas of severe frost risk in late May to mid-long varieties.
  • Highest yields at all sites have typically been achieved by mid-long maturing varieties sown from late April onwards, and short-mid maturing varieties sown in mid-May. At moderate to severe frost prone sites and with disease pressure, however, delaying sowing of mid-long maturities into mid-May, and the use of winter/long wheats when sowing in early to late April, is essential to minimise frost and disease risk.
Lead research organisation Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAW00249
Trial funding source DPIRD WA
Related program Tactical wheat agronomy for the west
Acknowledgments

The research undertaken as part of this project is made possible by the significant contributions of growers through both trial cooperation and GRDC investment. The authors would like to thank them for their continued support. This research is also co-funded by DPIRD.  Sincere thanks to the Critch family for the provision of land at Mullewa, to the Geraldton, Merredin, Katanning and Esperance RSUs for the management of trials and for the technical support of Melanie Kupsch, Bruce Haig, Ashleigh Donnison, Rod Bowey and Helen Cooper.

Paper reviewed by: Dr Ben Biddulph


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Crop: Variety
  • Sowing: Timing
Trial type
Trial design

Gibson 2018

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

References:

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C. and Curry, J. (2016). Early sown wheat – opportunities and risks. 2016 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 29-30 Feb 2016.

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C., Curry, J., and Nicol, D. (2017). Capturing early sowing opportunities for wheat in WA. 2017 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 27-28 Feb 2017.

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C., Curry, J., and Nicol, D. (2018). Capturing the best sowing opportunities for wheat in WA. 2017 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 26-27 Feb 2018.

Katanning 2018

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

References:

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C. and Curry, J. (2016). Early sown wheat – opportunities and risks. 2016 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 29-30 Feb 2016.

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C., Curry, J., and Nicol, D. (2017). Capturing early sowing opportunities for wheat in WA. 2017 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 27-28 Feb 2017.

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C., Curry, J., and Nicol, D. (2018). Capturing the best sowing opportunities for wheat in WA. 2017 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 26-27 Feb 2018.

Merredin 2018

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

References:

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C. and Curry, J. (2016). Early sown wheat – opportunities and risks. 2016 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 29-30 Feb 2016.

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C., Curry, J., and Nicol, D. (2017). Capturing early sowing opportunities for wheat in WA. 2017 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 27-28 Feb 2017.

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C., Curry, J., and Nicol, D. (2018). Capturing the best sowing opportunities for wheat in WA. 2017 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 26-27 Feb 2018.

Mullewa 2018

Sow date Multiple - please see report
Harvest date Unknown
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Other trial notes

References:

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C. and Curry, J. (2016). Early sown wheat – opportunities and risks. 2016 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 29-30 Feb 2016.

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C., Curry, J., and Nicol, D. (2017). Capturing early sowing opportunities for wheat in WA. 2017 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 27-28 Feb 2017.

Shackley, B., Zaicou-Kunesch, C., Curry, J., and Nicol, D. (2018). Capturing the best sowing opportunities for wheat in WA. 2017 GRDC WA Grains Research Update, Perth, WA, 26-27 Feb 2018.

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
Gibson, WA Not specified
Katanning, WA Not specified
Merredin, WA Not specified
Mullewa, WA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Gibson, WA Sodosol
Katanning, WA Sodosol
Merredin, WA Sodosol
Mullewa, WA Tenosol
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 Gibson WA Katanning WA Merredin WA Mullewa WA
2018 315.0mm557.2mm234.4mm187.9mm
2017 342.9mm582.0mm248.0mm195.3mm
2016 335.4mm583.2mm278.6mm175.7mm
2015 311.5mm559.5mm259.4mm223.8mm
2014 284.1mm563.1mm244.0mm186.8mm
2013 343.1mm578.9mm289.7mm178.5mm
2012 337.8mm577.8mm267.1mm177.8mm
2011 302.3mm583.6mm238.3mm256.7mm
2010 298.6mm549.3mm210.1mm176.4mm
2009 344.3mm575.5mm236.2mm191.0mm
2008 305.3mm575.3mm227.8mm227.2mm
2007 321.0mm560.7mm198.3mm166.1mm
2006 270.3mm561.6mm255.2mm183.2mm
2005 289.1mm587.0mm234.1mm204.0mm
2004 308.0mm566.2mm253.3mm188.2mm
2003 320.6mm569.0mm257.3mm182.7mm
2002 261.8mm567.3mm202.4mm176.6mm
2001 267.8mm544.9mm250.0mm170.8mm
2000 320.7mm561.4mm268.0mm213.1mm
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

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Gibson WA

Katanning WA

Merredin WA

Mullewa WA

Gibson WA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Katanning WA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Merredin WA

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Mullewa WA

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

2018 trial report

2018 trial report



Trial last modified: 20-12-2022 09:52am AEST