Irrigation Discussion Group Focus Paddock - Faba Bean Seeding Rates

2022

Research organisatons
Funding source

Trial details

Researcher(s) N/A
Contact email charlie.aves@irrigatedcroppingcouncil.com.au
Contact phone +61416400979
Year(s) 2022
Contributor Irrigated Cropping Council
Trial location(s) Howlong, NSW
Irrigation Discussion Group Focus Paddock - Faba Bean Seeding Rates locations
Aims

To demonstrate that higher seeding rates in irrigated beans provides higher yields and compares the economics of irrigated beans to irrigated canola and wheat.

Key messages
  • A local Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia research trial has shown that higher planting densities in irrigated faba beans are correlated to higher yields. Faba beans are not regularly grown in local irrigation systems, so in 2022, a demonstration was sown to test and discuss the results with the Riverine Plains Irrigation Discussion Group.
  • The site received very high levels of rainfall (decile 10) and did not require irrigation.  The high rainfall caused severe disease and waterlogging, which dramatically reduced podding and yield potential. The highest yield of 0.98t/ha was the paddock treatment, Amberley sown at 26 plants/m2.
  • Farmers were interested in the gross margin performance of beans compared to other irrigated crops.  Economic analysis of the 2022 season showed that faba beans in the region were less profitable and in some cases unprofitable compared to canola and wheat. This was mainly due to disease impacting faba bean yields. Even though faba beans can have good returns, there is a risk of low or negative returns in high rainfall years.
  • Dry matter measurements indicate that between 134kg N/ha and 190kg N/ha was fixed by the faba bean crop, which will benefit the next two to three years’ crop production. The value of 190kgN/ha at current urea prices is $413/ha.
Howlong NSW 2022

Treatment

Seeding rate kg/ha*

Control: Bendoc

22 plants/m2

150

1: Bendoc

25 plants/m2

170

2: Bendoc

29 plants/m2

200

3: Amberley 25 plants/m2

235

4: Paddock Amberley

 

170

Lead research organisation Irrigated Cropping Council
Host research organisation Riverine Plains
Trial funding source GRDC ICF1906-002RTX
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Riverine Plains would like to thank the Trevethan family who hosted this trial and provided the economic analysis. Riverine Plains would also like to thank Seednet for supplying some of the Amberley seed for the trial.


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

Method

Crop type Grain Legume: Faba beans
Treatment type(s)
  • Sowing: Rate
Trial type Demonstration
Trial design Unreplicated

Howlong 2022

Sow date 22 April 2022
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size 24m x 1000m
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Treatment 1
Grain yield (t/ha) Total nitrogen fixed (kg N/ha) Establishment plants (plants/m2) Dry matter (t/ha)
1 Bendoc 150kg/ha 0.68 190.4 21 11.9
2 Bendoc 170kg/ha 0.71 25
3 Bendoc 200kg/ha 0.26 134.4 29 8.4
4 Amberley 235kg/ha 0.64 172.8 40 10.8
5 Amberley 170kg/ha 0.98 26

Grain yield t/ha


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Dry matter t/ha


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Establishment plants plants/m2


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Total nitrogen fixed kg N/ha


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Site Depth Type pH EC P K N A OC CAT
Howlong, NSW 0 - 10cm Clay Loam 5.90 39.00 240.00
Howlong, NSW 0 - 30cm 101.60
Howlong, NSW 0 - 60cm 123.70
Howlong, NSW 30 - 60cm 22.10
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Howlong, NSW Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Howlong, NSW Sodosol
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.

Howlong NSW

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.

Event Date Type Effect
Rainfall

The site received very high levels of rainfall (decile 10) and did not require irrigation.  The high rainfall caused severe disease and waterlogging, which dramatically reduced podding and yield potential.

01-10-2022 High rainfall 75%


Trial last modified: 23-05-2023 14:23pm AEST