The effect of irrigation management on wheat grain yield, grain quality and water use efficiency

2015

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Chris Dawe (NSW DPI)
Brian Dunn (NSW DPI)
Tina Dunn (NSW DPI)
Craig Hodges (NSW DPI)
Year(s) 2015
Contributor Department of Primary Industries NSW
Trial location(s) Leeton, NSW
Further information View external link
The effect of irrigation management on wheat grain yield, grain quality and water use efficiency locations
Aims

This experiment investigated the irrigation water requirements of a wheat crop and the impact of irrigation intensity and water ponding on grain yield, grain quality, water use and water use efficiency. 

Key messages
  • In 2015, two spring irrigations produced the highest wheat grain yield (7.61 t/ha), but one irrigation provided the highest water use efficiency (1.7 t/ML).
  • Ponding irrigation water for 48 hours to induce waterlogging did not reduce grain yield in this experiment, but increased water use and reduced water use efficiency by 25%.
  • If the number of spring irrigations is limited, it is important to find a balance between irrigating before significant moisture stress occurs and ensuring adequate moisture is available during flowering.
     
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAN00198
Trial funding source DPI NSW
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This research is a part of the ‘Southern irrigated cereal and canola varieties achieving target yields project’, DAN00198, 2014–17, jointly funded by NSW DPI and GRDC.


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
  • Irrigation: Rate
  • Irrigation: Timing
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Leeton 2015

Sow rate or Target density 85 kg/ha seed
Sowing machinery

18 May (disc drill at 18 cm row spacing)

Sow date 18 May 2015
Harvest date none specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication 4
Fertiliser

Sowing fertiliser: Diammonium phosphate (DAP) @ 175 kg/ha sown with seed

Topdressed nitrogen: 21 July (Z30) – before 10 mm rain

Herbicide

Axial @ 300 mL/ha;
Precept @ 1 L/ha

Other trial notes

This research paper is an extract from the publication Southern NSW Research Results 2015, available at
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre-crops/guides/publications/southern-nsw-research-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
Leeton, NSW Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Leeton, NSW 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 Leeton NSW
2015 58.4mm
2014 57.8mm
2013 107.5mm
2012 189.7mm
2011 168.7mm
2010 81.7mm
2009 22.9mm
2008 30.1mm
2007 23.6mm
2006 11.2mm
2005 39.9mm
2004 23.1mm
2003 56.3mm
2002 33.9mm
2001 205.8mm
2000 325.5mm
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.

Leeton NSW

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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

2015 trial report



Trial last modified: 20-10-2023 08:12am AEST