| Researcher(s) |
Felicity Pritchard Ashley Wallace |
|---|---|
| Contact email | ashley.wallace@agriculture.vic.gov.au |
| Contact phone | 0429 935 400 |
| Year(s) | 2024 - 2025 |
| Contributor | Agriculture Victoria |
| Trial location(s) |
Douglas, VIC
Kalkee, VIC Minyip, VIC |
To identify optimal plant densities to maximise productivity of canola in the Wimmera.
• Modern hybrid canola compensated strongly for lower plant densities through increased yield per plant.
• Field establishment was often below target, especially where the autumn break was delayed and seed remained in dry soil for two to three weeks before germination.
• Very low densities, below about 10 to 12 plants/m2, increased yield risk, particularly where seasonal conditions limited canopy development.
• Plant densities of about 20 to 30 plants/m2 supported high yield potential in most situations tested.
• The upper end of this range is the safer target where establishment risk is high or seasonal conditions are likely to limit crop compensation.
| Lead research organisation |
Agriculture Victoria |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation |
Agriculture Victoria |
| Trial funding source | GRDC DJP2204-006RTX |
| Trial funding source | AgVic |
| Related program | N/A |
| Acknowledgments |
Research supported by GRDC and Agriculture Victoria |
| Other trial partners | Wimmera Catchment Management Authority |
| Crop type | Oilseed: Canola |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Experimental |
| Trial design | Replicated |
| Sow rate or Target density | Variable depending on treatment (range 10-80 pl/m2) |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
Knife-point tyne with press wheel seeder. |
| Sow date | 9 May 2024 |
| Harvest date | Unknown |
| Trial design method | RCBD Randomised Complete Block Design |
| Total plots | 24 |
| Plot size | 10m x 1.5m |
| Plot replication | 4 |
| Plot randomisation | Y |
| Fertiliser |
80 kg/ha MAP +2.5% Zn at sowing |
| Herbicide |
Glyphosate and Propyzamide pre-sowing, glyphosate, glufosinate, quizalofop ethyl and clopyralid planned post-emergent |
| Insecticide |
Chlorpyrifos post-emergent |
| Fungicide |
Fludioxonil and pydiflumetofen |
| Pesticide |
Slug, snail and mouse bait |
| Seed treatment | Poncho® Plus and ILeVO |
| Sow rate or Target density | Variable depending on treatment (range 10-80 pl/m2) |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
Knife-point tyne with press wheel seeder. |
| Sow date | 15 May 2025 |
| Harvest date | Not specified |
| Trial design method | RCBD Randomised Complete Block Design |
| Total plots | 24 |
| Plot size | 10m x 1.5m |
| Plot replication | 4 |
| Plot randomisation | Y |
| Fertiliser |
80 kg/ha MAP +2.5% Zn at sowing |
| Herbicide |
Glyphosate and Paraquat pre-sowing, propyzamide post sowing, glyphosate, glufosinate, quizalofop ethyl and clopyralid planned post-emergent |
| Insecticide |
Chlorpyrifos post sowing |
| Fungicide |
Fludioxonil and pydiflumetofen |
| Pesticide |
Slug, snail and mouse bait |
| Seed treatment | Poncho® Plus and ILeVO |
| Sow rate or Target density | Variable depending on treatment (range 10-80 pl/m2) |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
Knife-point tyne with press wheel seeder. |
| Sow date | 14 May 2024 |
| Harvest date | Unknown |
| Trial design method | RCBD Randomised Complete Block Design |
| Total plots | 24 |
| Plot size | 10m x 1.5m |
| Plot replication | 4 |
| Plot randomisation | Y |
| Fertiliser |
80 kg/ha MAP +2.5% Zn at sowing |
| Herbicide |
Glyphosate and Propyzamide pre-sowing, glyphosate, glufosinate, quizalofop ethyl and clopyralid planned post-emergent |
| Insecticide |
Chlorpyrifos post-emergent |
| Fungicide |
Fludioxonil and pydiflumetofen |
| Pesticide |
Slug, snail and mouse bait |
| Seed treatment | Poncho® Plus and ILeVO |
| Sow rate or Target density | Variable depending on treatment (range 10-80 pl/m2) |
|---|---|
| Sowing machinery |
Knife-point tyne with press wheel seeder. |
| Sow date | 29 May 2025 |
| Harvest date | Not specified |
| Trial design method | RCBD Randomised Complete Block Design |
| Total plots | 24 |
| Plot size | 10m x 1.5m |
| Plot replication | 4 |
| Plot randomisation | Y |
| Fertiliser |
80 kg/ha MAP +2.5% Zn at sowing |
| Herbicide |
Glyphosate pre-sowing, glyphosate, glufosinate, quizalofop ethyl and clopyralid planned post-emergent |
| Insecticide |
Chlorpyrifos post sowing |
| Fungicide |
Fludioxonil and pydiflumetofen |
| Pesticide |
Slug, snail and mouse bait |
| Seed treatment | Poncho® Plus and ILeVO |
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.
