Nitrogen Use Efficiency – Plant population x nitrogen interaction trial (Peechelba East)

2020

Research organisaton
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) Damian Jones
Ben Morris
Nick Poole
Tom Price
Year(s) 2020
Contributor Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia
Trial location(s) Peechelba East, VIC
Nitrogen Use Efficiency – Plant population x nitrogen interaction trial (Peechelba East) locations
Aims

To evaluate the influence of plant population on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), dry matter production, grain yield and harvest index in grain maize.

Key messages
  • The average grain yield (header harvest) of the trial was 16.33t/ha with an uneconomic trend for higher yields if N rate and seedrate was increased.
  • Plants populations of 80,000, 93,333 and 102,222 gave no statistical difference in grain yield, grown in a maize-on-maize rotation position.
  • There was a trend suggesting a response to nitrogen at higher plant populations, but this was not significant. Highest yields were associated with N uptake at harvest of 400 – 450kg N/ha.
  • Grain maize established on grain maize stubble in 2020/21 was approximately 1 t/ha lower yielding than the trial in the same paddock in 2019/20 when grain maize was established in oaten hay stubble.
  • Comparing the two seasons there was a significant reduction in yield last season when the population was reduced from approximately 92,000 to 79,287 plants/ha. There was no difference in this experiment with maize grown on maize stubbles.
  • In terms of profitability using the yields generated, the highest margin was generated with approximately 80,000 plants/ha and 230kg N/ha applied as fertigation.
  • The additional cost of N ($1.74kg/N and seed required for 17t/ha in this trial exceeded the value of 0.7t/ha grain maize valued at $210/ha, hence lowest N rate and seedrate were most cost effective.
  • Last season with slightly higher yields it was the 92,000plants/ha with 297kg N/ha was most profitable.
Lead research organisation Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia
Host research organisation Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia
Trial funding source GRDC FAR1906-003RTX
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Irrigated Cropping Council
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Maize
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
  • Sowing: Rate
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Randomised,Replicated,Blocked

Peechelba East 2020

Sow rate or Target density 80,000 plants/ha, 93,333 plants/ha and 102,222 plants/ha
Sow date 4 November 2020
Harvest date 6 May 2021
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Please find treatment information in Table 1 on the first page of the attached trial report.

Other trial notes

Previous Crop: Grain Maize
Variety: Pioneer Hybrid 1756
Irrigation Type: Overhead pivot

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
Peechelba East, VIC Loam over clay
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Peechelba East, VIC Chromosol
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.

Peechelba East VIC

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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

2020 trial report



Trial last modified: 17-03-2022 09:58am AEST