Impact of Sowing Depth on Early Sown Canola Establishment and Yield

2025

Research organisation

Funding source

<abbr title='Grains Research and Development Corporation'>GRDC</abbr>

Trial details

Researcher(s)	Daenia Dundon Chris O'Callaghan
Contact email	admin@liebegroup.org.au
Year(s)	2025
Contributor	Liebe Group
Trial location(s)	Pithara, WA

Impact of Sowing Depth on Early Sown Canola Establishment and Yield locations

Aims

To further investigate the risks and rewards of sowing canola very early, and how seeding depth can impact establishment, growth and yield.

Key messages

Hunter was the top performing canola variety in this trial this season.
There was no benefit to sowing in mid-March compared to early April, and whilst there was no penalty either, it does increase the risk of plant mortality with higher temperatures at this time.
Shallow sowing improved plant numbers and final yields compared to deeper sowing.

Lead research organisation	N/A
Host research organisation	N/A
Trial funding source	GRDC LIE2505-001SAX
Related program	N/A
Acknowledgments	Thank you to the McIlroys for hosting the site and Living Farm for seeding and managing the trial. This trial is a GRDC investment through the National Grower Network, Project Code LIE2505-001SAX. Thanks to Nuseed, Pioneer Seeds, Brendon McAlpine and Dylan Hirsch for supplying seed.
Other trial partners	Not specified

Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type	Oilseed: Canola
Treatment type(s)	Crop : Variety Sowing : Placement Sowing : Timing
Trial type	Unknown
Trial design	Replicated

Pithara 2025

Sow rate or Target density	Emu: 2.3 kg/ha, Hunter: 3 kg/ha, PY525G: 2.64 kg/ha, Target plant density: 40 plants/m2
Sow date	TOS 1 -18/03/2025 TOS 2 - 08/04/2025
Harvest date	5 December 2025
Plot size	10m x 2m
Plot replication	4
Fertiliser	Seeding: 100 kg/ha MacroPro Extra (with Impact), 40 kg/ha SOA 17/06/2025: 20 L/ha UAN 17/07/2025: 150 L/ha UAN
Pesticide	Pre-Sowing IBS (18/3 & 8/4): 1.5 L/ha Weedmaster DST, 2 L/ha Treflan, 1 L/ha Rustler, 800 mL/ha Chlorpyrifos 500, 150 mL/ha Bifenthrin 100EC 07/05/2025: 1.5 L/ha Weedmaster DST 17/06/2025: 1.5 L/ha Weedmaster DST

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
Pithara, WA	Sandy loam

Derived trial site soil information

Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS

Trial site	Soil order
Pithara, WA	Kandosol

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.

Pithara WA

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