• Analysis of wheat crops sown after rice harvest in the Murray Irrigation Ltd districts (MIL) found that increasing yields required different management depending on soil type and irrigation layout.
• Four management factors that limit winter crop yields were identified: waterlogging, late season water stress, under-fertilisation and low soil pH.
• In the MIL districts alone, increasing wheat yields after rice from the current median to the 80th percentile would result in an additional 20,000–30,000 tonnes per annum ($4–6 million at $200/t).
• If all rice areas were sown to wheat after harvest every year and 80th percentile yields achieved, an additional 128,000–138,000 tonnes of wheat would be produced ($26–$28 million at $200/t).

• This trial is a large-scale experiment, the data collected provides an indication of treatment effects and demonstrates benefits and pitfalls of adopting these subsoil acidity management methods on a large-scale. The small plot trials are more accurate and provided detailed statistical analysis of the impact of different treatments.
• Further years of research and analysis from this site and other sites will confirm these findings.

• High-pressure injection shows promise as an alternative method for applying fertiliser into the soil.
• Deep banding fluid fertilisers with extra long knife points is another option which also showed promise.
• This research is still in its early days.

Field peas can respond to the use of rhizobia innoculants.

Response to inoculant was positive at this site over the untreated, however, there was no differences between inoculant types

Chickpeas need to be inoculated in paddocks which have not had chickpeas before.

The season was too dry to see the benefits of inoculating legume seed with rhizobia.

For key messages please see the attached trial report.

• Annual medic had lower levels of soil N (kg/ha) remaining in the soil post-harvest compared to balansa clover and subterranean clover at Sherwood.
• Annual ryegrass establishment was greater in crops following wheat, compared to crops following a pasture break crop.
• Overall pasture biomass production was greater at Bordertown compared to Sherwood.
• Wheat yields at Sherwood were greater following balansa clover and subterranean clover, compared to following canola and cereals options, wheat, barley and oats.
• Grain barleys Compass and Rosalind have demonstrated a capacity to produce biomass as a forage or hay option; feed tests need to be considered to ensure they are as favourable as forage options for livestock production. 

• Research funded by the GRDC- SARDI Bilateral Research Agreement.
• Focus on ‘Integrated Farming Systems in the Medium Rainfall Zone’.
• Three field components, long-term rotational trials, targeted agronomic trials and focus paddocks.

• Sow chickpea crops between standing wheat rows.
• Sow the following wheat crop directly over the row of the chickpea crop from the previous year.
• Keep wheat stubble intact and do not spread it across the soil surface.
• This will maximise yield of both chickpea and wheat crops and reduce the incidence of crown rot in the wheat phase of the rotation sequence.
   

• Insect prest pressure was generally low in Victoria and Southern NSW for 2001.
• There was no significant yield differences between the different pest control treatments, with the site mean being 4.92t/ha.
• Selective insecticides promote and encourage beneficial species which can be useful in combating harmful pest species attacking crops.

Insecticide sprays are effective in controlling crop pests, but do not always provide yield benefits.

These trials demonstrate that certain crop species and cultivars such as barley, oats and grazing wheat, can
suppress weeds effectively at standard establishment rates. This may be due to their ability to compete
effectively with weeds for valuable resources, or their potential to exhibit allelopathic effects associated either
with the crop or remaining residues following harvest.

• The seed catcher treatment reduced the ryegrass seed bank from 2007 most effectively
• Delaying sowing in 2008 from the 29th May until the 6th June decreased the ryegrass population by 55%.

• A combination of chemical and non-chemical weed control strategies can extend the life of herbicides and improve the sustainability of intensive cropping systems.
• Windrow burning, crop topping and chaff carts are options which can reduce the ryegrass seed bank without any yield penalty.
• Cutting a cereal crop for hay for one year can significantly decrease ryegrass levels in the following crop.

• An integrated weed management (IWM) approach was used incorporating integrated Harrington Seed Destructor (iHSD), herbicide, hand picking, crop rotation and early grazing opportunities
• After seven years wild radish numbers were controlled on paddocks that previously had high densities 
• Between 2018 and 2020 the radish population was reduced by 71%

• Integrated weed management is the best approach for long-term control of herbicide resistant annual ryegrass.
• The most effective cultural control method trialled was mouldboard ploughing which was significantly better than stubble.burning or direct sowing into retained stubble in terms of in crop weed numbers.
• Sakura + Avadex Xtra IBS herbicide regime achieved the best control of annual ryegrass later into the season.
• Crop establishment, wheat yield and grain quality were not affected by the choice of weed control method in this trial.

• Pre-emergent weed control with Sakura reduced annual ryegrass populations by 85-97% compared to the control

• Combining Sakura pre-em with Boxer Gold at GS11 resulted in 97% weed control 180 days after sowing

• Sakura provides robust pre-em weed grass control and can be used as one element of an integrated weed management approach

• Other practices that can form part of an IWM strategy include paddock selection, cultural control, grazing, land fallowing and chemical rotation

• Continuous cropping and a reliance on pre-sowing weed control measures is not an effective way to manage herbicide resistant annual ryegrass over the long term.
• The increase in weed numbers over time can be limited by adopting an intensive and high cost herbicide strategy, but this will not deplete the seed bank.
• Increasing annual ryegrass density was associated with decreased grain yield.

• The use of Lucerne in the Upper Wimmera catchment and similar areas can be extended away from traditional areas such as river and creek flats.
• Introduction of lucerne into grazing systems lengthens the period of available green feed and can allow for enterprise change such as adding a lamb finishing operation to the farm business.
• Sowing time of lucerne is best suited to late winter.
• Soil testing is important to test for nutrient deficiencies and pH prior to lucerne establishment. Adequate lime and fertiliser should be applied to address deficiencies prior to establishment. Attention must be paid to ensuring that aluminium levels are suitable for lucerne production prior to sowing.
• A sub soil pH test should be taken to ensure that there are no acidity or aluminium toxicity issues at depth which could affect the lucerne plants as their roots penetrate the sub soil.
• Weed control is of critical importance before and during the establishment phase of lucerne pastures.
• Sowing depth of lucerne is important to allow an even germination. Care should be taken not to sow seed too deeply. The seed should be covered by 1 – 2 cm of soil, ensuring good soil contact.
• Control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds is of critical importance during the life of the lucerne stand if maximum production is to be achieved.
• A suitable fertiliser regime including the use of potash needs to be applied to replace nutrients removed by the lucerne system.
• Lucerne pastures can produce high quality hay which can enhance the farm’s production system if kept on farm.

Herbicide strategy 1 (HS1), which was based on atrazine pre-sowing followed by clethodim (Select) post-emergence reduced ryegrass plant density relative to the untreated control by 57%. However, use of propyzamide pre-sowing, followed by atrazine and Select + Factor (HS 2) increased ryegrass control to 77%. Canola variety had a significant effect on ryegrass spike density (P=0.002). When averaged across the sowing dates and herbicide strategies, ryegrass growing in HyTTec Trophy produced 52 spikes/m2 as compared to 78 spikes/m2 in Bonito (33% reduction). HyTTec Trophy is a new hybrid triazine tolerant variety from Nuseed, which is known for high early vigour. Herbicide strategies also had a significant effect on ryegrass spike density (P<0.001). Ryegrass grown without any selective herbicide treatment (control – HS3) produced 128 spikes/m2 as compared to 40 spikes/m2 in HS1 and 29 spikes/m2 in HS2. This works out to 69% reduction in HS1 relative to the control and 78% reduction in HS2. Herbicide strategies had the largest effect on canola yield (P<0.001). HS1 and 2 produced canola yield of around 0.8 t/ha, which was almost 50% greater than the yield obtained in the control.

Inter row sowing in no-till systems works well and can increase crop profits for wheat, lentils and canola.

Inter row sowing in no-till systems works well and can increase crop profits for wheat, lentils and canola.

Inter row sowing in no-till systems works well and can increase crop profits for wheat, lentils and canola.

Inter row sowing in no-till systems works well and can increase crop profits for wheat, lentils and canola.

• Positive yield responses from the control of yellow leaf spot (YLS) were recorded despite disease levels not exceeding 10% on the top three leaves in this wheat-on-wheat rotation position.
• For the second year in succession there was a significant yield increase (0.12t/ha mean of two fungicide products) from two fungicide applications made at the late tillering stage and the second node stage (GS25 and GS32).
• The yield response from two fungicides corresponded to significantly better disease control than the untreated control and increased the crop canopy greeness.
• Although single fungicide timings produced little or no evidence of YLS control, significant yield increases were measure (0.13-0.14t/ha).
• Nitrogen timing (application of 40kg N/ha at either tillering (GS22) or first node stage (GS31)) had no significant effects on disease levels, yield or quality.

• The level of yellow leaf spot (YLS) control achieved with fungicides applied at tillering (GS22) and third node stage (GS31) in wheat-on-wheat was poor (less than 50% in most assessments).
• Fungicide applied at the third node stage (GS33) was more effective at preventing YLS infection on the top three leaves of the crop than when applied at tillering (GS22).
• Fungicide applied at the third node stage (GS33) generated a significant (0.44t/ha) yield increase over the untreated crop, whereas the equivalent fungicide applied at tillering (GS22) gave no yield benefit.
• Applying fungicide at both tillering (GS22) and third node stage (GS33) offered no advantage over a single application at GS33.
• Nitrogen application at tillering or first node had no effect on yield.
• There was no significant difference in product performance between Tilt and Prosaro.

Plant growth regulators significantly reduced the yield and quality of Gairdner malting barley, irrespective of which fungicide programme was employed.

• Nitrogen applications increased yield, manily through increased tillering.
• Increased plant density reduced yield.
• Spartacus CL and Fathom had the highest yield at optimum nitrogen and plant density.
• Compass and Commander were the least responsive to nitrogen applications.

• In a low-yielding situation at Coreen, Victoria (< 2.5t/ha) following a dry spring, plant growth regulator (PGR) application lead to a significatn yield reduction (0.14t/ha) in early-sown first wheat.
• PGR application significantly reduced crop height in both trials, but did not reduce crop canopy biomass, suggesting that crop biomass was redistrubuted, not recuced.
• The addition of extra nitrogen, over and above farm standard significantly increased grain protein but not yield
• PGR application significantly reduced the normalised difference vegetative index readings taken with Greenseeker, particularly where applicaiton was superimposed on lower amount of applied nitrogen.

• The negative effect of water repellence management at this site is at odds with other work in this project. In both years we have observed a lower grain yield in the banded wetter, mouldboard ploughing and spading treatments than in the control at this site.
• However, the average yield response to mouldboard ploughing and spading was 550 to 600 kg/ha over 28 sites.
• For further details please see the attached trial report.

• Severity of root rot of barley and wheat in farmers fields caused by Rhizoctonia was inversely correlated with crop Zn status.
• Zn was the only nutrient correlated with the severity of Rhizoctonia.
• Zn deficient plants were more susceptible to Rhizoctonia.
• 2.5 kg Zn/ha halved the area suffering from bare patch.

• A factorial pot experiment involving four rates of soil-applied Mn (0, 0.75, 7.5 and 75 mg Mn/pot), four levels of CCN (0, 93, 186 and 372 second stage juveniles per pot) and 12 replicates of one Hordeum vulgare cv. 'Clipper' plant per pot was carried out.
• Four replicates were harvested 28, 73 and 192 days after sowing and each plant was assessed at harvest for growth, Mn content and level of CCN infection • Several plant growth parameters were measured non-destructively during growth.
• Resistance (ability of the pathogen to reproduce on the host) was not influenced by Mn nutrition of the host and equal numbers of nematodes invaded and developed to maturity on all plants despite Mn treatments resulting in plant Mn levels which ranged from severely deficient (0 Mn rate) and deficient (low Mn rate) to adequate (two highest Mn rates).
• However, tolerance (endurance of disease without severe losses in yield or quality) was considerably reduced by the combination of low Mn supply and higher levels of CCN.
• Plant height was reduced by increasing CCN numbers only at the two lowest Mn rates.
• These trends were typical of those observed in all plant growth parameters measured in the final two harvests including dry and fresh weight of roots and tops and total dry weight of grain produced per plant. Maturity was delayed in the severely affected plants.

In a high yielding trial (5-6 t/ha), Baudin barley gave small responses to fungicide (mean 2- 4%), compared to Gairdner which gave no response.

Despite an exceptionally dry growing season (GSR Apr – Nov 235mm) first cereal barley averaged 3.6 t/ha, with Gairdner giving a mean yield of 3.50t/ha and Baudin 3.71t/ha. As a consequence of the season, disease did not develop in this trial (irrespective of variety susceptibility), meaning that it was not possible to examine the interaction between nitrogen timing and fungicide requirement.

The later maturing feed wheat Mackellar was significantly lower yield than the earlier AH category variety Chara, with mean yields of 2.35 and 2.52 t/ha respectively. Much of this difference was due to the poor performance of Mackellar under the seedbed nitrogen application, since when compared at the later nitrogen timing alone, the mean yields were 2.55 and 2.60t/ha for Mackellar and Chara respectively. Fertilising with upfront nitrogen had less detrimental effect on yield with an early maturing variety with lower tillering capacity than it did with later maturing wheat (Mackellar) that had a longer tillering window.

In a decile 1 growing season, with no rainfall in October, barley yielded between 1-1.5 t/ha. Baudin averaged 1.38 t/ha, with the experimental low protein barley VB0229 averaging 1.31 t/ha. Both were superior to Gairdner, which as a result of poorer establishment, averaged only 1.02 t/ha.

Dry sowing resulted in the poorest weed control at seeding and as a consequence this treatment was the weediest later in the year.

• Spray-seed drift during shielded spraying damaged the lupin plants in this trial.
• Lupins yielded well when sown in rows 50cm apart.

• Zinc deficiency occurs on many heavy textured soils in the cereal areas of Queensland.
• Zinc deficiency is greater after long fallows and much reduced in double crop systems .
• In linseed zinc deficiency has been associated with potassium, manganese and occasionally phosphorus deficiency. But in wheat only zinc deficiency has been recognised.
• Zinc foliar sprays are thought to be the best solution.
• The positive effect of double cropping is thought to relate to root factors.

Soil biota hold the key to sustainable crop production via impacts on processes like suppression of disease outbreaks and the cycling of essential nutrients.

1. In dryland conditions, planting in February increased yield of dryland mungbeans by 475 kg/ha over December planting.
2. Irrigation treatments increased mungbean yields by a maximum of 298 kg/ha and 653 kg/ha (planted in February and December respectively).
3. Application of water during mid pod-fill increased grain yield in the December planting but not the February planting.

Intercropping lentil and canola resulted in increased grain productivity at Wudinna, 2019. Intercrop combinations did not over-yield at Warnertown, 2019. Intercropping warrant exploring in low rainfall environments and their potential ancillary benefits, such as increasing groundcover on erosionprone soils, nitrogen fixation, and fodder production as a secondary end use benefit.

The success of break crops to increase wheat production in the Eastern Wheatbelt is dependent on firstly addressing any physical and chemical soil constraints to crop production and where the previous land use is a chemical fallow. In this situation, the grain yield of lupin, chickpea, lentil and field pea was 0.97-1.42 t/ha 0.67-1.1 t/ha, 0.3-0.97 t/ha, and 1.2 t/ha respectively in a below average season. The yield of wheat following legume break crops tended to be higher than either canola or wheat planted in the remaining paddock area. The profitability of double break-crop sequences was negative in many of the sequences evaluated in this study compared to a positive profit for continuous wheat. The profitability of double break-crop sequences can be improved by the inclusion of high value legumes as the second break-crop, but further work is required to lower the risk of growing these species of crops.The yield of wheat following legume break crops tended to be higher than either canola or wheat planted in the remaining paddock area. The profitability of double break-crop sequences was negative in many of the sequences evaluated in this study compared to a positive profit for continuous wheat. The profitability of double break-crop sequences can be improved by the inclusion of high value legumes as the second break-crop, but further work is required to lower the risk of growing these species of crops.

• The results presented in this report are from the first year of a three-year study that investigates the effect of break-crop sequences on wheat grain yield. The site was selected due to its high background levels of ryegrass control, and crop rotation treatments have been designed around weed control as the main rotational factor.
• Grain yield was relatively low compared to the growing season rainfall of 253 mm. Grain yield was affected by severe frost that occurred during grain fill.
• This project will continue with the second crop in rotation for the 2017 season, followed by wheat across all plots in 2018 to assess the benefit of a stacked rotation for subsequent wheat grain yield.

The trial will be going into its 3rd year in 2018 and all trial plots will be sown into wheat. The aim is to determine the difference in grain yield for wheat following a range of single or double break crop rotations, compared to continuous wheat. The site was established in 2016 on a paddock that had very high level of ryegrass that was affecting crop production. This area around this trial has been in pasture for 2017 as the comparison farmer solution for the issue.

There were no yield penalties or benefits associated with using either a growth regulant or the osmoprotectant.

• Hybrid choice and plant population had a significant impact on the yield of sorghum with irrigation. MR Buster yielded significantly higher than the other hybrids evaluated, while the higher population rates of 100,000 and 150,000 plants/ha yielded higher compared with the lower planting rates.
• The development and yield potential of the late season heads was compromised, and therefore the later developing sorghum did not take full advantage of the greater soil moisture of the intensive irrigation rate.

Conclusions

The experiment showed there are considerable productivity gains to be made by growers by selecting the right hybrid and plant population when irrigating sorghum. Irrigation management can significantly influence the growth of sorghum hybrids, affecting plant height, and grain development. Population did have an effect on yield during the trial with the higher planting populations of 100,000 & 150,000 plant/ha resulting in significantly higher yields than the 50,000 & 75,000 plants/ha. The higher plant numbers took advantage of the high plant available water from the irrigation treatments. 

In this trial, burning significantly outyielded six other stubble retention treatments at this site in 2006. Whilst grain quality had little influence on classification in the 2006 drought, the economics of burning showed more that a $100/ha Gross Margin benefit.

On average, the surface retained treatments appeared to yield marginally better across this site. There appeared to be no difference in grain quality between treatments. There appeared to be no significant levels of insect pest or predator numbers in either the assessed standing stubble or the burnt treatment at the crop early emergence stage. There was however twice as many beneficial species in the stubble retained treatment. Insects that were present included both beneficial and harmful earwigs at very low levels, spiders and carabid beetles (that were of importance). Soil water data at crop anthesis indicates that the higher yielding treatments experienced lower soil moisture levels to 60cm, reflecting a possible increase in transpiration from greater crop biomass. Plant available water in the burnt and wider row treatments was higher, but not significantly different.

• In the 2008 season, the two treatments with the poorest plant establishment counts (stubble burning and incorporation) yielded significantly more than the remainder of the standing stubble treatments.
• Incorporation yielded on average 2.4t/ha for the three seasons, 0.2t/ha  greater than standing stubble and cellulose digester, but was not a more profitable option. 
• For the duration of this project, the gross marging outputs suggested that burning was the least profiatble, with all other treatments comparable, with a $300/ha return. With this outcome in a series of dry years, farmers should use what tools they know work best for them in a profitable and sustainable manner to manag crop stubbles in the future. 

• Understanding key drivers and processes in controlling awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona), feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata), fleabane (Conzya bonariensis L), windmill grass (Chloris truncata) and sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L).
• Investigating the impact on weed control of pupae busting and the potential impact of removing this tillage operation.
• Demonstration of integrated weed management principles, including controlling ‘escape’ weeds and the impact on seed set, to encourage industry to adopt the research outputs.
• Glyphosate resistance is emerging in cotton farming systems.

The efficacy of Select (clethodim) and Aramo (tepraloxydim) in controlling ryegrass was investigated using water of different qualities (rainwater, dam water, hard water and UAN). It appears that Select is less efficient in controlling ryegrass when mixed with hard water, however further trial work is necessary to verify this.

• Canola in rotation reduced Rhizoctonia inoculum levels and increased following cereal yields.
• Fluid fertiliser increased plant dry matter and yield on highly calcareous grey soils.
• A barley/vetch brown manure increased soil mineral nitrogen and this appears to have exacerbated Rhizoctonia disease symptoms on a following barley crop.
• Added carbon (10 t/ha/yr) has increased microbial respiration and microbial nitrogen.

• Differences in C input (dry matter production plus any additions) between the treatments were 24 t/ha at Minnipa, and 31 t/ha at
• Poochera over the last two seasons.
• Wheat at Minnipa produced between 0.5 t/ha of stubble in a poor season (2008) and 8.8 t/ha in a good season (2009).
• Doubling the seeding rate of wheat at Minnipa produced 1.4 t/ha extra stubble compared to the wheat control in 2009.
• Barley and vetch brown manures produced the lowest dry matter at both sites.

• The effectiveness of the Gamma sensor appears to depend on the geology of the area being surveyed.
• The Gamma sensor appeared to have very good correlations with clay % on the tertiary sediments, but further work is required on the Padthaway formation.

The main points to emerge from this farmer scale research are:

Depth: You can chase moisture to 3cm in good conditions but to achieve 25 plants/m2 you may need to increase your seeding rate.

Seeding Bars: There were large statistical differences in plant establishment between bars and between depths. The ability to achieve precise seed placement with different machines allows flexibility in adapting your seeding rate to the current seeding conditions if you know your seed size, germination percentage and establishment percentage achieved by your bar.

Although plant numbers ranged from 20 plants/m2 to 40 plants/m2, there was no statistical difference in yield, so you need to aim for 20-25 plants/m2 to increase your chances of successful establishment in marginal conditions.

The data collected showed that even at the early stages of growth, there was no evidence of altered N uptake rates in the field experiments as a result of the amendments supplied with the urea.

The 2006 field trials have again shown that there is a place for new carrier products of root nodule bacteria in our systems, which could be of great benefit to the farmer. These new products in most cases performed as well as the traditional peat slurry carrier. The introduction of these new products offers producers an opportunity to choose the type of delivery system which best suits their business and budget.

• Corresponding to the biomass assessments, the compaction of the Trafficked zone had a notable effect on the crop performance.
• As a comparison of all sites there was an increase of grain yield of between 18 and 46% of the zero traffic area above the paddock assessments.

• Corresponding to the biomass assessments, the compaction of the Trafficked zone had a notable effect on the crop performance.
• As a comparison of all sites there was an increase of grain yield of between 18 and 46% of the zero traffic area above the paddock assessments.

• Corresponding to the biomass assessments, the compaction of the Trafficked zone had a notable effect on the crop performance.
• As a comparison of all sites there was an increase of grain yield of between 18 and 46% of the zero traffic area above the paddock assessments.

This demonstration has highlighted the impact poor nozzle selection can have on herbicide efficacy. Generally all post emergent herbicide applications are made with the one nozzle type, as a result, less than optimal weed control may occur. It was found that selecting a nozzle with a fine droplet pattern and good coverage gave best results for contact herbicides (Brodal and Bromoxynil) and for those poorly translocated within plants (Group A herbicides). For LVE MCPA, which moves readily through the plant, coverage is not essential allowing larger droplet size nozzles to be used without losing efficacy. This is important for preventing drift, as phenoxy herbicides such as LVE MCPA are susceptible to drift. Understanding how herbicides work will allow for better nozzle selection and more cost effective weed control.

This demonstration has highlighted the impact poor nozzle selection can have on herbicide efficacy. Generally all post emergent herbicide applications are made with the one nozzle type, as a result, less than optimal weed control may occur. It was found that selecting a nozzle with a fine droplet pattern and good coverage gave best results for contact herbicides (Brodal and Bromoxynil) and for those poorly translocated within plants (Group A herbicides). For LVE MCPA, which moves readily through the plant, coverage is not essential allowing larger droplet size nozzles to be used without losing efficacy. This is important for preventing drift, as phenoxy herbicides such as LVE MCPA are susceptible to drift. Understanding how herbicides work will allow for better nozzle selection and more cost effective weed control.

This trial sight was chosen as a typical regional soil type and had had a representative cropping rotation. Unfortunately the soil phosphorus levels (Colwell P) show that this site was possibly not phosphorus responsive as required for the purposes of this trial.
Adequate winter and late spring rains resulted in average grain yields. The trial was never moisture stressed and high grain protein levels indicate that the trial was not stressed for nitrogen. Visually it was difficult to pick any differences between treatments during the growing season.

When topdressing nitrogen late in the season with a view to protein increase, consideration should be given to lower volatility nitrogen products when the likelihood of follow up rainfall is low. This trial supported their use by demonstrating significant protein increases, although this was confounded by significant production increases in response to 30 kgN/ha as granular urea.

Urea applied at 200 kgN / ha recorded significant yield increases over all treatments. Applications of straight urea at DC61 and or DC65 were unable to significantly increase grain protein when compared to specialty products.

All treatment gave significant responses to grain protein as compared to the control. 

• These data demonstrate a significant yield response to teh application of 20kg P/ha when compared to teh control. There were no yield differences to the various treatments. 
• The trial was moisture stressed in late spring but moderate grain protein levels indicate that the trial was not stressed for nitrogen. 
• Visually it was difficult to pick up any differences between treatments, however the poor growth control was very evident throughout the growing season and the Airseeder treatment appeared to lack early vigour, but at the end of the season this was not apparent. 
• The application of zinc as either foliar or as fertiliser at sowing (Granulock Supreme Z treatments) did not result in additional yield. 
• The liquid treatments did not prove to have any significant benefit over the solids fertilizer products; contradicting results from SFS Mininera trials in 2007 where liquid fertilisers proved to have distinct advantages as conpared to solids. 

• Early zinc uptake can be increased when zinc is applied as soil spray, seed coat or granular fertiliser but this does not necessarily increase yield.
• Products differ markedly in price per kg of elemental zinc so carefully consider your choice to get best value for money.
• Make sure choice of application method fits your farming system: for example if you are no-till then soil spray inefficient as not worked into root zone, foliar spray too late if you have zinc deficient soil as yield losses will already have occurred.
• Some products have short term benefits (seed coats and foliar sprays) and some longer term benefits.

There was no difference in wheat grain yield between the different phosphorus treatments in trial. The dry spring in 2007 resulted in considerably lower yields than expected due to a combination of severe frosts and moisture stress, delayed flowering and crop maturity. (There was substantial flowering “in the head” and failure of heads to fully grain fill.) There was also visual differences in growth across the trial (“patchiness”) that was evident in the high co-effeciency of variation (CV = 35.7).

Linseed is not new to Western Australia or the Great Southern region as it was grown in the Boyup Brook region from the 1940’s to the 1960’s. It was grown for fibre and milled at the Boyup Brook Flax Mill. Linseed (flax) Linum usitatissimum is a niche product and has the potential to offer an alternative revenue steam for producers outside of the traditional crop. Demand for Linseed has recently shifted to a health food. Linseed has several uses, it can be crushed for Linseed oil which is a rich source of linolic acid and Omega 3 fatty acid and the remaining linseed meal can then be used as livestock feed or it can also be eaten as a whole seed or ground.

Linseed also has agronomic benefits as a potential break crop that provides a disease break, the opportunity for alternative weed management strategies, provides an insect pest break and can be effective in reducing some soil borne root diseases and soil borne pathogens namely root lesion nematodes. Canadian research has demonstrated that cereal yields were higher when planted on linseed stubble compared to wheat stubble.

The aim of the project is to investigate agronomic packages which support the introduction and scale up of commercial cultivation of Linseed in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.

Consistent supply with volume is imperative to develop a market that has the ability to realise the full value of Linseed produced. Also, in order for growers to take up production it is important they have a full agronomic package available to grow the crop successfully. Finally, Linseed needs to generate an equivalent return per hectare of alternative rotational crops such as canola in order to expand into the rotation.

The key objectives of this project are:  

A: To determine if Linseed can be successfully grown under dryland farming conditions in the Great Southern region of Western Australia with the potential to scale up to commercial cultivation.

B: To determine if any investment is required into machinery and infrastructure by growers to grow linseed.

C: To develop basic agronomic guidelines to grow linseed in WA.

D: To assess the yield potential of two commercially available linseed varieties grown under dryland conditions in WA, Croxton and Bilton.

The project was conducted over two years in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 the trials were conducted in small plots across three sites. In 2020 the trials were conducted as producer demonstration sites utilising grower machinery and large-scale plots.

In 2019 three sites were located across the Great Southern Region of Western Australia covering a variety of soil types, climates, paddock histories and growing conditions. The trials sites were in the shires of Darkan, Wagin and Kojonup. The trials involved growing two commercially available varieties Croxton and Glenelg over three times of sowing (TOS) 10 to 14 days apart at three seeding rates (SR): 35, 40 and 45 kg/ha and applying three top dressed nitrogen application rates (low, optimal and high) 40, 80 and 120 units N/ha.

Over the three trial sites, the seeding rates and nitrogen application rates trialed did not consistently result in significant differences in grain yield or oil quantity and quality. Time of sowing had the greatest impact, with the earliest time of sowing generally resulting in higher grain yields. Glenelg on average had a higher grain yield and oil quantity, with Croxton having the highest oil quality.

Trial Site

Average Site Yield

t/ha

Darkan

0.562

Wagin

0.914

Kojonup

0.998

Table 1: Average Site Yields in 2019 (Below average rainfall)

The Darkan site plant counts were the highest, however this was not reflected in the yield. Darkan was the lowest yielding of the three sites. This may be due to the below average rainfall and lack of finishing rains experienced on the non-wetting forest gravel soils at this trial site. Kojonup and Wagin on average achieved nearly double the yield of the Darkan site despite lower plant counts and early plant disease.

In 2020 four demonstration/bulk up sites were established across the Great Southern Region covering a range of soil types, rainfall, rotations and growing conditions. The four sites were located in Katanning, Wagin, Darkan and Kojonup.

The methodology in the second year of the project was to bulk up the Linseed seed for future commercial production and to also integrate high level variety comparisons between the two varieties being utilized in the project Bilton and Croxton. Two sites, Wagin and Darkan, incorporated replicated plot treatments as a variety trial with the other 2 sites being predominantly bulk up sites.

The key outcome of any variety demonstration is the final yield result. Due to operational difficulties within the demonstration some yield data is not available however the key findings from the data available was:

• Bilton yielded on average 0.95 MT/Ha and 85% of Canola
• Croxton yielded on average 0.86 MT/Ha and 72% of Canola.
• Bilton out yielded Croxton on both sites.

The seasonal conditions may have contributed to Bilton out yielding Croxton. Bilton is a slightly shorter maturing variety and the below average rainfall received in 2020 is expected to have favoured shorter season varieties.

The project has successfully set in the place the ability for growers in the Great Southern region to scale up production of Linseed and demonstrated its ability to fit within the current rotations with the additional benefit of assisting in the long-term management of soil borne root pathogens.

However, for the scale up of the commercial cultivation of Linseed there is the requirement for beyond farm gate systems to be in place before producers will scale up production. An active market to determine a fair price, storage and handling facilities off farm to enable harvested grain to be stored before delivery to consumers, supply chains in place which enable efficient delivery of the grain anywhere around the world and long-term buyers/processors who will receive the grain year in year out. There is still a lot of process to be put in place before Linseed production will scale up to a considerable level.          

Grower adoption beyond the project has continued with over 60 Ha planted in southern WA in 2021 across 4 growers. Confidence in the supply chain beyond the farm gate remains as the major obstacle stopping increased uptake and requires addressing before increased production can be expected.

• Chelated iron applied to the soil before sowing increased active iron in leaves by 42% and dry matter by up to 46% early in the season.
• The 9% increase in grain yield following iron application to soil was not significant.
• Foliar iron had no significant on activeFe, leaf colour or photosynthesis.
• Lime induced iron chlorosis was suspected.

• Iron deficiency is common on rendzinas, peats and coastal calcareous sands in the south east of South Australia .
• Symptoms of deficiency are much greater in wetter than dry years when little deficiency is apparent.
• In field pea the symptoms show up at about the fourth or sixth node stage when the young leaves and growing tip become yellow.
• Soluble ferrous sulphate should be sprayed on to peas at the onset of symptoms.

Response in barley seems to be variety dependent.

Early plant height reduction was noted in all varieties treated with Moddus Evo but had no effect on lodging.

Commander barley saw a yield increase with the use of Moddus Evo, but LatTrobe did not respond.

Off label high rates of triazole fungicides have to produced any PGR effects to date.

Trial average was 6.3 t/ha

The trial ws affected by lodging as a result of 50 mm of rain and high winds in mid September

Spartacus CL was the highest yielding variety at 7.65 t/ha

The trial did not receive a fungicide application, and did have high levels of leaf disease (SFNB and to a lesser degree scald). However higher levels of leaf disease  and loss of green leaf did not necessarily result in yield loss.

• An unregistered product was found that reduced plant height and lodging but did so at the cost of yield.
• Rates of the PGR need to be tested to determine if lower rates can achieve a crop height reduction with no impact on yield.
• Timing of a PGR application appears to be at green bud stage for the effective reduction in plant height.

• Wider row spacing will decrease yield but the decrease was not significant until large changes were made.
• Canola yields prove to be stable despite different plant populations but seasonal differences could change the outcome.

• Trial yields averaged 4.03 t/ha
• The performance of the various herbicide groups ranged from 3.2 t/ha  for the triazine tolerant varieties, 4.5 t/ha for the Clearfields, 4.6 t/ha for the conventionals and 4.8 t/ha for the Roundup Ready varieties.
• The early-mid to mid maturity varieties tended to be the highest yielding from an April 18th sowing.

• Third and final year of trials for the GRDC funded project ‘Southern Irrigated Cereal and Canola Achieving Target yields’ (DAN00198).
• Wheat and canola dual purpose trials were established at Bool Lagoon under irrigation.
• Seasonal conditions dictated the use of the dual purpose crops.
• Due to inundation trial results must be interpreted with caution.
• Variety specific agronomy packages will be developed from data collected over the duration of this project.

• Winter canola had greater DM production compared to spring canola.
• Time of sowing significantly influenced canola grain yields.
• Grazing Manning did not result in a yield penalty, but grazing Trojan wheat did; need to be careful not to graze outside of the “safe” grazing window.

Irrigated durum wheat can meet DR1 specification

The nitrogen requirement is approximately 50 kg N/t 

Growing durum wheat on a pulse stubble has both disease and nitrogen management benefits

No PGR tested had any effect at reducing lodging

Excessive vegetative growth and rainfall resulted in all plots lodging, making measurement of plant height impossible without causing damage to the plants.

 

Bannister had the highest grain yields with 9.00 t/ha.

Grazing did impact on yield in Bannister, but not Durack or Yallara.

Additional N above the control did not increase grain yields. Based on the trial results, Bannister nitrogen requirement was 25 kg N/t, whereas Yallara and Durack required 35 kg N/t.

Dry matter harvested (simulated grazing) at around GS31 ranged between 0.81 and 0.99 t/ha (NS)

Population had no effect on yield. Populations as low as 130 plants/m2 had similar yields to that of 180 plants/m2.

Plant establishment varies greatly with conditions post sowing. The long term average for cereals at the ICC Trial Block is 70%, but colder soil temperatures and soil moisture can see establishment fall to 50%.

Irrigation in spring did not improve yield or grain quality of the chickpea and lentil varieties tested

Drainage was the key to preventing crop damage rather than irrigation timing

 

Drainage rather and irrigation technology was the key to maximising yields

Drainage is the key to successful irrigated pulses. The subsurface drip irrigation without beds resulted in prolonged soil waterlogging which impacted establishment and plant survival in spring.

- In 2015, only varietal differences were observed
- There were no significant effects on yield of fungicide management or plant growth regulator treatments
- Adjusting nitrogen management didn’t have an impact on yield; this was a common observation across both trials and farmer paddocks in 2014.

Fertiliser treatments aimed at increasing phosphorus efficiency did not improve yield but the trial site is not responsive to P.

Added potassium did not see any increase in yield, once again the site has adequate K supply (> 600 ppm Kcolwell).

Copper applied as a foliar spray at booting resulted in decreased yields demonstrating the potential toxic effects an excessive supply of a particular trace element can create.

Trial yields averaged 8.5 t/ha

LPB Trojan was the highest yielding variety at 10.25 t/ha.

Mid-late maturity was the predominant maturity in the top 20 highest yielding varieties.

• Site experienced extended dry conditions after seeding due to late follow up rain.
• SACOA will continue local soil surfactant research and evaluations in 2004.

• No significant difference between treatments but interesting trend supporting combined use of protectant fungicides with soil surfactancts, delivered on furrow rather than on fertiliser (this is not a registered pattern of use).
• Warrants further investigation in 2005.