Improving the early management of dry sown cereal crops

2019

Research organisaton
Funding source
South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT)

Trial details

Researcher(s) Amanda Cook
Contact email Amanda.cook@sa.gov.au
Contact phone 0427270154
Year(s) 2019
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Cungena, SA
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
Streaky Bay, SA
Related trials
Improving the early management of dry sown cereal crops locations
Aims

With larger seeding programs, increased summer weed control to conserve soil moisture and more variable autumn rainfall patterns, many growers Australia wide are continuing to dry-sow. More traditionally, growers may have previously ‘dabbled a little’ in dry-sowing and are observing with interest the successes and failures of dry-sowing systems.

On upper Eyre Peninsula in 2017 and 2018, seed was placed in the soil for many weeks with limited soil moisture; some seed still germinated but the delayed plant emergence often resulted in a lower plant establishment. This raised questions by EP farmers and consultants about the soil factors which influence seed germination and establishment.

Research trials were established in 2019 to assess the impact of management on seed germination and establishment on three different soil types in field trials and pot experiments; a red loam [Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC)] and two grey calcareous soils (Cungena and Streaky Bay) for:

  • Impact of fertiliser type (P and N) and fertiliser placement,
  • Impact of practices, herbicides and seed dressings.

 

This article reports on field trials undertaken in 2019 at three sites.

Key messages
  • At Streaky Bay and Cungena in 2019, establishment was similar with dry sowing or sowing at the break, and at Minnipa establishment was better with dry sowing.
  • There was a yield penalty if no fertiliser had been applied at Minnipa.
  • Dry sowing increased grain yield at Minnipa by 0.2 t/ha compared to waiting for the break in the season.
  • Dry sowing at Streaky Bay and Cungena reduced grain yield, by 0.7 and 0.3 t/ha respectively, compared to waiting for the break and sowing into a moist soil bed.
  • All three sites showed a decrease in early dry matter with dry sowing.
  • The herbicides and fungicides evaluated in the trial did not impact on plant establishment when dry sowing.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT)
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This research was funded by SAGIT through the ‘Improving the early management of dry sown cereal crops’ (S419). Sincere thanks to SAGIT and their extremely valuable input into regional South Australian research and researchers. Thank you to Phil and Jan Wheaton, Myles and Kylie Tomney and MAC for having field trials on their property. Thank you to Katrina Brands, Steve Jeffs and Bradley Hutchings for field work and processing samples.


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

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Application Method
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Fertiliser: Type
  • Sowing: Dry sown
  • Sowing: Sown into moisture
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Cungena 2019

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sowing machinery Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2019

Sow rate or Target density 72 kg/ha
Sowing machinery

A small plot seeder on 25.5cm row spacing or 10 inch. 

Harrignton points and press wheels where present and used

Sow date 15 April 2019 15th April 2019 in Minnipa, 17th April 2020 in Cungena and 18th April in streaky bay
Harvest date Unknown
Plot size 12m x 2m
Plot replication 3
Fertiliser

DAP

Streaky Bay 2019

Sow rate or Target density Not specified
Sowing machinery Not specified
Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser Not specified
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
Cungena, SA Not specified
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Red loam
Streaky Bay, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Cungena, SA Calcarosol
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Calcarosol
Streaky Bay, SA
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 Cungena SA Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA Streaky Bay SA
2019 129.1mm299.2mm94.7mm
2018 148.0mm317.5mm105.3mm
2017 148.0mm364.0mm110.0mm
2016 146.9mm332.8mm123.8mm
2015 109.6mm297.6mm94.2mm
2014 146.9mm359.2mm119.5mm
2013 126.1mm293.9mm104.9mm
2012 118.2mm327.9mm99.4mm
2011 147.6mm370.8mm122.5mm
2010 142.4mm361.5mm108.5mm
2009 158.1mm368.6mm120.8mm
2008 126.1mm286.4mm103.0mm
2007 109.4mm291.5mm82.1mm
2006 141.9mm325.4mm94.0mm
2005 133.9mm292.1mm105.3mm
2004 134.2mm289.8mm107.8mm
2003 132.8mm302.0mm111.2mm
2002 106.0mm301.6mm96.4mm
2001 124.7mm343.8mm101.9mm
2000 129.5mm351.6mm105.1mm
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

Loading

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.

Cungena SA

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

Streaky Bay SA

Cungena SA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

Loading
Loading
Loading

Streaky Bay SA

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

2019 trial report



Trial last modified: 19-05-2023 14:42pm AEST