• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser decreased seedling density (71 to 48).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 24 mg/kg B nil; 31 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.62 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.32 t/ha  &  increased N % in DM (by 0.46%) and  N in the seed (0.33% increase).

• B had decreased %oil (1.2% decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 142 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.7 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 1..1 mg/kg.

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 30 mg/kg B nil; 36 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.35 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by .27 t/ha  &  increased N % in DM (by 0.26%) and  N in the seed (0.33% increase).

• B had decreased %oil (1.63% decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 128 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0..4 mg/kg.

• B decreased seedling density (53 to 38).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 15 mg/kg B nil; 19 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.48 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.32 t/ha  &  increased N % in DM (by 0.3%) and  N in the seed (0.12% increase).

• B had decreased %oil (0.59% decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 144 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1995 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0..4 mg/kg.

• B decreased seedling per sq. metre (50 to 39).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 17 mg/kg B nil; 22 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.40 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.2 t/ha  &  had no effect 0n N % in DM  and  N in the seed.

• B had decreased %oil (1.4 % decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 100 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1996 : summary of 2  experiment 

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 & 0.7 mg/kg.

• B application decreased seedling per square metre (63 to 48).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 27 mg/kg B nil; 36 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.21 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.137 t/ha  &  had no effect 0n N % in DM  and  N in the seed.

• B had decreased %oil (0.58 % decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 70 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• B application (Borax) decrease seedling emergence (57 to 42)

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 22 mg/kg B nil; 27 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.37 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.17 t/ha  &  had no effect 0n N % in DM  and  N in the seed.

• B had decreased %oil (0.29 % decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 90 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1994 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.37 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser decreased seedling density (67 to 41).

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 28 mg/kg B nil; 36 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.62 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.29 t/ha  &  increased N % in DM (by 0.43%) and  N in the seed (0.11% increase).

• B had decreased %oil (0.5% decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 124 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.37 soil extractable B.

• Summary 1996 : summary of 2  experiment 

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 & 0.7 mg/kg.

• B concentration in dry matter (DM) 27 mg/kg B nil; 36 mg B kg for highest B application

• B fertiliser decreased the  September Dry matter (DM) by 0.7 t/ha; decreased Seed yield by 0.217 t/ha  &  had no effect 0n N % in DM  and  N in the seed.

• B had decreased %oil (0.8 % decrease in Oil%) & decreased oil yield by 100 kg/ha .

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required for the site with 0.40 soil extractable B.

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (55-56 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 19 -23 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.43 t/ha); Seed yield (1.23 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.0 % N) or N in the seed (3.45 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.52) or on oil yield (535 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.6 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.3 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (55-56 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 15 -19 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.8 t/ha); Seed yield (1.23 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.4 % N) or N in the seed (3.65 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.52) or on oil yield (485 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.3 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.5 mg/kg.

• Planr density were not effected by B fertiliser (55 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 21 -25 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.84 t/ha); Seed yield (1.2 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.2 % N) or N in the seed (3.54%).

• B had no effect on %oil (43.8) or on oil yield (510 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.5 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.5 mg/kg.

• Planr density were not effected by B fertiliser (55 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 21 -25 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.84 t/ha); Seed yield (1.2 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.2 % N) or N in the seed (3.54%).

• B had no effect on %oil (43.8) or on oil yield (510 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.5 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of 2 seasons experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.94 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.5 t/ha); Seed yield (1.71 t/ha) or N % in DM (3% N) or N in the seed (4%).

• B had no effect on %oil (40.8) or on oil yield (680 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of o.9 was adequate

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of 2 seasons experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.4 mg/kg.

• Plant B concentration 20 -23 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.5 t/ha); Seed yield (1.71 t/ha) or N % in DM (3% N) or N in the seed (4%).

• B had no effect on %oil (40.8) or on oil yield (680 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of o.9 was adequate

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 mg/kg.

• Planr density were not effected by B fertiliser (53 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 21 -24  mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.3 t/ha); Seed yield (1.0 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.0 % N) or N in the seed (4.30%).

• B had no effect on %oil (38.8) or on oil yield (350 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.5 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  2 experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.3 mg/kg.

• Planr density were not effected by B fertiliser (53 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 18 -21   mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.9 t/ha); Seed yield (2.23 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.0 % N) or N in the seed (3.60 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.8) or on oil yield (950 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.3 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (64 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 22 -27 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.1 t/ha); Seed yield (1.73 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.0 % N) or N in the seed (3.5 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (44.2) or on oil yield (750 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (71-66 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 29 -33 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.63 t/ha); Seed yield (1.2 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.4 % N) or N in the seed (3.55 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (42.5) or on oil yield (500 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.6 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (55 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 23 -27 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.4 t/ha); Seed yield (1.43 t/ha) or N % in DM (2.9 % N) or N in the seed (4.0 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (40.0) or on oil yield (540 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.6 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of 2 experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.4 mg/kg.

• Plant B concentrations 20 -23 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (4.76 t/ha); Seed yield (1.23 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.2 % N) or N in the seed (4%).

• B had no effect on %oil (44.8) or on oil yield (580 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.4 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of   experiment

• Soil extractable B was 0.4 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (56 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 15 -18 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (5.1 t/ha); Seed yield (1.73 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.4 % N) or N in the seed (3.45 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (44.52) or on oil yield (775 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  2 experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.8 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (70-65 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 31 -36 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (3.0 t/ha); Seed yield (1.02 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.3 % N) or N in the seed (3.6 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (41.9) or on oil yield (420 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.8 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of  2 experiments

• Soil extractable B was 0.7 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by B fertiliser (59-56 plants/m2)

• Plant B concentrations 26 -30 mg/kg.

• B fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (2.0 t/ha); Seed yield (1.55 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.43 % N) or N in the seed (3.6 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (41.9) or on oil yield (650 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• Summary of 3 seasons esperiments mainly located in the Yuna & Badgingarra region

• Boron (B) deficiency frequently occurs on soils that are low in organic carbon (C) (<1.0% organic C), pH (soil pHCa <5.0), and clay content (<5% clay). Acid sands with these soil properties are common in south-western Australia (SWA). Moreover, hot calcium chloride (CaCl2) extractable B levels are commonly marginal in the acid sands of SWA. This study examined the effects of soluble and slow release soil-applied B fertilizer and foliar B sprays on crops most likely to respond to B fertilizer on these soils, canola (oil-seed rape, Brassica napus L.) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.).

  At 25 sites over three years, canola was grown with (0.34 kg ha-1) or without B applied as borax [sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na2B4O7·10H2O) 11% B], and this was followed by nine experiments with B rates [0, 0.55, 1.1 kg ha−1, applied as borax or calcium borate (ulexite, NaCaB5O6(OH)6·5(H2O), 13% B] and foliar sprays (0.1% solution of solubor, 23% B) in 2000–2001. A further five sites of B rates and sources experiments were carried out with lupin in 2000–2001. Finally, foliar B sprays (5% B w/v as a phenolic complex) at flowering were tested on seven sites in farmers’ canola crops for seed yield increases. No seed yield increases to soil-applied B were found while foliar B application at flowering increased canola seed yield in only one season across seven locations. By contrast, borax fertilizer drilled with the seed at sowing decreased canola seed yield in nine of 34-farm sites, and decreased lupin yield in two of five trials. Toxicity from drilled boron fertilizer decreased yield could be explained by decreases in plant density (by 22–40%) to values lower than required for optimum seed yield. Seedling emergence was decreased by borax applied at sowing but less so by calcium borate. Foliar B spray application never reduced seed yield due to toxicity effects.

   

  Boron fertilizer drilled with the seed increased the B concentration in plant dry matter at early to mid-flowering. Boron application decreased the oil concentration of grain of canola at four sites. The oil yield of canola was significantly decreased at seven sites.

  Notwithstanding the marginal B levels on acid sands of the SWA region, care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola and lupin; with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

A field trial was undertaken at Kinnabulla (VIC) in 2019 to investigate combinations of sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control brome grass in barley. Spartacus CL barley was used in this trial to enable the use of Intervix® for post-emergence control of brome grass. In 2019, the trial site received 181 mm rainfall during the growing season (April-October), which was 23% lower than the long-term average for the site. However in December 2018, the site received a heavy downpour of 199 mm, which created good growing conditions for barley crop grown in 2019. In this trial, barley seeding rate did not have a significant effect on either yield (P=0.213), brome panicles/m2 at maturity (P=0.889) or brome seed set/m2 (P=0.409). This lack of effect of crop seed rate on the number of brome panicles and seed set could be related to the high plant available water during the crop and weed life-cycle or due to Spartacus being a less competitive barley cultivar due to its erect architecture. Time of sowing had a significant effect on brome panicles/m2 at maturity and brome seed set/m2. TOS 2 had a lower brome panicle density at maturity than TOS 1 across all herbicide strategies, which was most likely due to low pre-sowing weed kill in TOS 1 as brome grass had not yet germinated. However, brome population that had germinated after the opening rains was killed by glyphosate application prior to seeding barley in TOS 2. As the numbers of panicles were lower in TOS 2, brome seed set was also reduced in TOS2 relative to TOS 1. Herbicide strategy had a significant effect on barley grain yield. As the herbicides reduced the impact of brome on barley, its yield increased from 3.24 t/ha in the knockdown treatment (NIL), to 3.72 t/ha in the pre-emergent herbicides only and to 3.96 t/ha when the pre-emergent herbicides were followed by post-emergent Intervix. Somewhat surprisingly, TOS 2 produced higher yields than TOS 1 across all the treatments, with the greatest difference being 0.46 t/ha in the Nil herbicide treatments. However, the yield difference between the two times of sowing decreased when more effective herbicides were used (0.08t/ha difference between TOS 1 and 2 in pre-emergent only and 0.04t/ha difference when pre-emergent herbicides followed by Intervix). Higher barley grain yield in the later sown crop is most likely due to a significantly greater weed density in barley in TOS 1 than in TOS 2, as large numbers of early germinating brome plants were controlled with glyphosate knockdown in TOS 2. TOS 1 also experienced a mild frost during flowering, resulting in patchy frost damage. Furthermore, May 23 (TOS 2) sowing date still falls within the optimum sowing window for Spartacus, which is an early maturity variety, and TOS 1 on April 29 was earlier than optimum for this variety.

A field trial was undertaken in 2019 to investigate combinations of faba bean sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide (P=0.012). The 3 week delay in seeding faba beans had no impact on ARG plant density, as shown by the similar ARG density in the simazine + trifluralin treatment. However, POST clethodim and butroxydim had much greater efficacy in the 2nd time of sowing (TOS 2) than in the TOS 1. The same trend was evident in ARG seed set when crop seeding was delayed. In the Simazine + Trifluralin (IBS) treatment there was only an 8% reduction in ARG seed production when seeding was delayed. However, Simazine + Trifluralin (IBS) fb Clethodim had a 62% reduction in ARG seed production in TOS 2 than in TOS 1. ARG seed production was also strongly influenced by faba bean seed rate (P<0.001). The high faba bean seed rate had 43% less ARG seed set compared to the low faba bean seed rate. This result indicates that faba beans can be highly competitive with ARG at the high seed rate. Faba bean grain yield was significantly influenced by crop seed rate (P<0.001), with the high seed rate yielding 14% and 30% higher than the medium and low seed rates, respectively. Herbicide treatment had a significant effect on faba bean grain yield. When POST clethodim was applied after the Simazine + Trifluralin IBS (1.55 t/ha), faba bean grain yield improved by 43% to 2.211 t/ha. Crop yield responses to herbicides treatments were consistent with their efficacy on ARG, which highlights the sensitivity of faba bean grain yield to weed competition. This study has shown that at high plant density, faba beans can provide a significant suppression of ARG. However, faba beans were very intolerant to weeds as shown by the large yield losses. Higher seed rates, are important to both increase competitiveness of faba beans in suppressing ARG, and to also maintain grain yield. However, fungal disease management would need to be monitored and managed effectively.

A field trial was undertaken at Washpool in 2019 to investigate combinations of wheat sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was 2249 ± 284 seeds/m2. There was no evidence at this site of any reduction in ryegrass infestation in wheat by delaying sowing by three weeks between TOS 1 (77plants/m2) and TOS (74plants/m2). This result suggests the Washpool ARG population likely has a high level of seed dormancy, reducing the rate of ryegrass germination after the opening rainfall events. Herbicide treatment had a significant influence on ARG plant density (P<0.001). Boxer gold and Sakura + Avadex reduced ARG plant density by 45% and 73% from the untreated control (125 ARG plants/m2). Wheat was much more competitive against ARG when it was sown early. This was made evident by the large increase in ARG seed production when seeding was delayed. When averaged across all other treatments TOS 1 produced 1634 ARG seeds/m2, which was 73% lower than 5974 ARG seeds/m2 produced in TOS 2 (P=0.013). Wheat seed rate had a significant influence on ARG seed production (P=0.005), with the high wheat seed rate supressing ARG seed production by 37% when compared to the lowest wheat seed rate (100 seeds/m2). Wheat grain yield at this site was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.001), seed rate (P=0.001), herbicide treatments (P=0.001), and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicides (P=0.011). Wheat was much more tolerant to ryegrass competition when sown early (TOS 1) as shown by the small increase in grain yield in herbicide treated plots. In contrast, there was a significant increase in wheat grain yield in herbicide treatments in TOS 2. The results of this study clearly show that delayed sowing of wheat allows for greater seed set by ryegrass and is also associated with a large yield penalty.

• Plants grown in small pots containing Mn deficient calcareous (pH 8.5, 80% CaCO3) sand collected from Wangary, S.A with 0-50 ppm added Mn in growth room at 15°C.
• Plants harvested at approx. 4 weeks (early tillering). Also 30 wheat cultivars were screened at Wangary using plant breeders' plots (4 rows x 5 m) with a split plot application of foliar MnSO (1 kg/ha ).
• Effects of seed soaking were evaluated for wheat and barley by soaking for 6 h with 1.5% MnSO4 prior to sowing.
• Without Mn, all cultivars showed no differences in growth and Mn uptake at 4 weeks (pots) but significant differences at 8 weeks in the field. With Mn supplied either in soil or on seed large cultivar differences were apparent at 4 weeks.
• Conclude that use of Mn efficient varieties coupled with a suitable seed Mn content will lessen the need for Mn fertilisers.

• Blackleg infection of flowers, pods, branches and upper stems can be collectively termed as upper canopy infection (UCI).

• Early flowering of canola increases the risk of UCI.

• Fungicide can reduce disease levels and increase grain yield, but does not provide full disease control.

• Matching sowing date and varietal phenology so that flowering occurs in late winter will reduce UCI.

Responses to cutting treatments in Mackellar wheat and Breakwell triticale were examined in an early sowing (March).  Frost damage was severe and both uncut treatments produced significantly lower grain yields being at mid flowering (Breakwell) and late ear emergence (Mackellar) at the time of the frosts.  Grain yields did not tend to correlate with the number of ears per m2 or grain weight.  However for both varieties the higher yields of cut treatments related to the number of grains per ear.

• Summary of  2 experiments

• Soil extractable Cu was 0.23 mg/kg.

• Plant density were not effected by Cu or N fertiliser (29-36 plants/m of row2)

• Plant B concentrations 26 -30 mg/kg.

• Cu fertiliser had no effect on seedling density; September Dry matter (DM) (2.0 t/ha); Seed yield (1.55 t/ha) or N % in DM (3.43 % N) or N in the seed (3.6 %).

• B had no effect on %oil (41.9) or on oil yield (650 kg/ha).

• Soil extractable B Hot CaCl2 of 0.7 was adequate

  Care needs to be taken on use of borax fertilizer as toxicity was induced in canola with 0.34 to 1 kg B ha−1(3-10 kg borax ha−1) at sowing depressing seed yield, mostly by decreasing plant density. Rather than making general recommendation for B fertilizer application based on 0.01M CaCl2 soil extractable B, soil and plant analysis should be used to diagnose B deficiency and B fertilizer use limited to calcium borate or foliar borax rather than soil-applied borax on low B sands.

• Boron not required

• La Trobe and Compass displayed the best combination of yield and quality traits for achieving malt specification.
• The environment, or experiment site, had a greater effect on yield than variety, nitrogen (N) rate or sowing rate. Low rainfall at Condobolin resulted in significantly lower yields than at Parkes.
• The sowing rate did not significantly affect yield above 150 plants/m2 at Condobolin or Parkes.
• Nitrogen (N) applications, in the absence of adequate rainfall, can have a negative effect on yield.

• Yield was reduced by dry and hot conditions during flowering for both times of sowing.
• Spitfire yielded highest in time of sowing 1 (1.55t/ha) and Condo yelded highest in time of sowing 2 (1.15t/ha).
• The nil nirtogen treatment yield highest (1.01 t/ha); increasing nitrogen rate decreased grain yield for both times of sowing.

• Averaged across sowing densities Djakal, N005A-80 and P176-2 yielded the highest with 3.7 t/ha, 3.8 t/ha and 3.9 t/ha respectively, while SnowyA achieved a significantly lower grain yield of 3.2 t/ha.
• Grain yield of Djakal and N005A-80 did not vary significantly between target sowing densities. Both varieties maintained high yields even at the lowest target sowing density (15 plants/m2).
• Lodging was exacerbated at higher sowing densities for all varieties except P176-2, which was consistently low across all sowing densities.
• The length of time to maturity did not vary significantly between target sowing densities for SnowyA, N005A-80 or P176-2. However, Djakal’s maturity length was extended by 4 days at the 60 plants/m2 sowing density when compared with the three lower target plant densities.

The effects of plant density (50, 125, 200 plants/m2) on growth and grain yield of early sown (March) wheat were evaluated. Early in the growing season the low density plots looked very sparse but by September had largely caught up. The trial was severely frosted at ear emergence and during flowering and average yields were only 0.5 t/ha. Yields tended to increase from 50 through to 200 plants/m2 with the highest density producing significantly greater yields than for 50 plants/m2 density. There were no differences in number of grains per ear or grain weight but there were significantly higher ears per m2 at the 200 plants/m2 density. July sown plots avoided some of the frost damage and grain yields were significantly higher.

Wheat plant density was significantly affected by the planting arrangement (P=0.027) and the herbicide treatment (P<0.001). The Ribbon seeder system had the highest wheat density (196 plants/m2) as compared to the knife-point system (180 plants/m2) and the Zero row spacing (177 plants/m2). Wheat plant density in the inter-row space in the Zero row spacing treatment was reduced by Treflan + Avadex and Boxer Gold. Annual ryegrass plant density was only affected by the herbicide treatments (P<0.001). Pre-emergent herbicide activity was much lower than expected (24-29% efficacy) and is likely to be due to extremely dry soil conditions at the site (decile 1 growing season). Similarly, the reduction in ryegrass spike density by the herbicides relative to the untreated control was low and ranged from 6 to 24%. There was no significant reduction in ryegrass seed production by the herbicide treatment, which was surprising because Sakura and Boxer Gold did reduce ryegrass spike density. Ryegrass was able to produce 18-20,000 seeds/m2 in different herbicide treatments, which highlights the poor efficacy of pre-emergent herbicide in dry conditions. Herbicide treatments had a significant effect on wheat grain yield with Sakura producing the highest yield (2.31 t/ha), closely followed by Boxer Gold (2.13 t/ha). Sakura and Boxer Gold treatments increased wheat grain yield by 29% and 19% compared to the untreated control, respectively.  These results show that ryegrass was quite competitive against wheat under the dry conditions experienced in 2018. The treatment of Sakura ($40/ha) increased wheat yield by 0.5 t/ha compared to the untreated control, which would have improved the gross margin by $150/ha.

• Sowing wheat 75mm deep compared to 40mm deep reduced crop establishment by up to 62% and wheat yield by up to 24%.
• Within the same variety small seed was much more sensitive to deep sowing than large seed.
• Corack and Mace were the least sensitive varieties to deep sowing in terms of yield.
• Growers should endeavour to use seed larger than 35 g/thousand seeds, especially if sowing into stressful conditions.

• Yield responses to seeding density and nitrogen rate varied between the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

• BannisterA achieved the highest grain yields and had consistent grain quality in both years compared with other varieties.

• In 2017 the new milling variety KowariA had a yield advantage over benchmark variety MitikaA, and had a more stable grain quality at higher seeding and nitrogen rates.
 

• There was no significant interaction between sowing time and phosphorus (P) in response in 2014 and 2015.
• Both sites and years responded positively to P fertiliser with 10kg P/ha achieving a relative yield of 88% and 97% in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
• Further research is required to determine if winter canola requires less applied P than slow spring phenology types (due to teh longer vegetative phase to accumulate biomass by flowering. 

• Increased nitrogen application rates equated to increased grain yield.
• Eary sowing had a grain yield advantage of 0.74t/ha averaged accross all varieties and nitrogen application rates.
• Corack was the highest yielding variety in this trial.
• Splittimg nitrogen application in the second time of sowing increased grain yield. 
• Grain protein concentration increased as nitrogen application rates increased.
• The highest protiens occured at the maximum nitrogen rate of 160kg/ha in Lancer, EGA_Gregory and SPitfire from the 12th May sowing. 

• In 2019, the highest yields came from sowing in late March due to the dry spring conditions and only mild frosts at Wallendbeen.
• Nuseed Diamond was the highest yielding variety from all sowing dates. The highest yield was from the late March  sowing date.
• The winter varieties were lower yielding than the spring types, with yields declining from later sowing dates.
• Open pollinated triazine tolerant varieties were generally lower yielding than the hybrid Clearfield® varieties with similar phenology.

• Grain yeild was maximised by matching variety phenology with the correct sowing time to target the optimal flowring period.
• Early maturing spring types sown on 16 April suffered frost damage and reduced grain yeild as a result of higher moistuer and heat stress conditions at flowering. 
• The highest yielding variety was Sunvale (6.3t/ha) sown on 16 April.
• Beckon sown on 7 May yielded 6.2t/ha and Condo swn on 28 May yielded 4.9t/ha

• The variety Beckom sown on 5 May yielded highest (5.67 t/ha).
• Grain yield reductions up to 4t/ha occured when varieties were not sown at the correct time (due to flowering throughout August - September frost events).
• Greatest yield losses occured when quick maturing varieties were sown early rather than longer season varieties sown late.
• Winter wheats and very long springs spring wheats performed better in 2015 than 2014, presumably due to less aphid pressure (BYDV) in 2015. 
• Grain yield was maximised when winter wheats were sown early (mid-April) or mid to mid-fast varieties were sown in teh first week of May. If spring conditions had been favourable, the winter whaets may have outperformed the mid to mid-fast varities when sown in late May.
• Screening increased as sowing was delayed. 

• The highest grain yields were attained from mid May sowing accross all barley varieties.
• Longer-season varieties were high yielding in the 2016.
• Oxford acheived the highest grain yield for both sowing dates.
• Lodging was prevalent in 2016, significantly reducing grain yield oil susceptible varieties in the first sowing.

• For all varieties, the middle sowing date (4 December) resulted in higher grain yields than the early (11 November) or late (23 December) sowing dates.
• Varieties, N005A-80 and BidgeeA consistently achieved the highest seed protein concentrations.
• Varieties, SnowyA and BidgeeA achieved consistent seed protein concentrations across the three sowing dates, while later sowing dates reduced the seed protein of Djakal, N005A-80 and P176-2 varieties.

• The later sown canola resulted in greatly reduced yields and lower oil contents.
• Aphid pressure was moderate from flowering to podding but no spray was applied.

• Cooler spring temperatures and excellent plant available soil moisture, favoured the yield potential of longer season and mid maturing wheat varieties in 2016.
• The mid–late and mid-season bread wheat varieties SuntimeA, LRPB FlankerA, SuntopA, BeckomA, MitchA and EGA GregoryA all performed well from an April 27 sowing date (SD1) with yields >6.5 t/ha. The new long-season spring type SunmaxA, likewise achieved ~6.5 t/ha.
• The longer season bread wheat varieties LRPB KittyhawkA and SunlambA also demonstrated their yield potential, achieving yields >6 t/ha for SD1.
• Varieties that performed well across the three sowing dates included EGA GregoryA, MitchA, LRPB FlankerA, SuntopA and BeckomA.
• The new mid-fast season variety LRPB ReliantA yielded well from a main season and delayed sowing date.
• Warm autumn temperatures resulted in many spring wheat entries, particularly the more temperature responsive cultivars, reaching anthesis faster (days from effective SD to anthesis) for SD1 compared with SD2. LRPB LancerA for example was ~9 days faster to reach anthesis for SD1 vs SD2.
• The advanced durum line AGT D043 performed well, achieving yields comparable to the best performing durum DBA AuroraA and bread wheats from a main season sowing date.

• Grain yield was highest from the early sowing date (17 April) .
• Pioneer 44Y89 (CL) was the higest yielding variety.
• The early sowing treatments grew more total biomass and had a higher harvest index than the two later sowing dates.
• Pioneer 44Y89 (CL) had a better harvest index than all other varities in this experiment.

• It is critical to match sowing time with yield varietal phenology to optimise yield potential
• Longer-season varieties were high yielding in 2016 due to the extended grain filling period due to adequate soil moisture and mild spring temperatures
• There is a range of newer varieties with varied phenology with high yield potential 

• Sowing canola early highlights the inherent differences in phenology.

• Slow-developing varieties maintained consistent yield across all sowing dates (late March to late April), whereas fast-developing varieties achieved their highest yield from late April sowing.

• Early flowering (from sowing fast-developing varieties early) reduced yield potential and exposed those treatments to greater disease pressure.

• Early sowing exacerbated phenological differences between the varieties.
• The spread of days to reach 50% flowering within each time of sowing (TOS) varied by 35, 26 and 14 days in TOS 1, TOS 2 and TOS 3 respectively.
• The highest yield was acheived by Nuseed GT-50 (3.9 t/ha) sown on 1 May.
• Hyola 600RR was the highest yielding variety when averaged across all sowing dates.
• The sowing time had a neglible impact on grain yield. 
• The biomass at 50% flowering was greatest in TOS 2 (9.92 t/ha) followed by TOS 1 (7.93 t/ha) and TOS 3 (9.23 t/ha).
• There was strong correlation between biomass at maturity and grain yield, i.e. a higher biomass produced a higher yield.  

• Frost and terminal drought were key determining factors on barley grain yield and development at Condobolin in 2017.
• Selecting sowing date and varietal phenology maximised grain yield by timing flowering for the first week of September at Condobolin.
• Grain plumpness, as indicated by screenings and retention, can be adversely affected by late sowing dates in the absence of spring rainfall.

• Slower maturing varieties had the highest yields in 2016, uncharacteristic of long-term yield trends in central west NSW, where weather conditions typically favour shorter-season varieties.
• While anthesis date is a important contributor to yield, high rainfall and a long grain filling period diluted this association and was confounded by lodging, secondary tillering and waterlogging events.
• Highest yields were attained from the second sowing date (mid May), while late sowing dates suffered yield penalties due to poor plant establishment from waterlogging.  

Key findings

 Sowing time had a huge effect on grain yield.

 Delaying sowing time reduced grain yield, TOS 1 yielded 4.84 t/ha and TOS 2 yielded 3.55 t/ha.

 Suntop was the highest yielding variety, 4.47 t/ha.

 Lancer was the lowest yielding variety, 3.73 t/ha.

 Given profitability and return on investment 40 kg N/ha at sowing was the ideal rate of nitrogenSowing time had a huge effect on grain yield.

Delaying sowing time reduced grain yield in all varieties across all nitrogen treatments.The effect of nitrogen varied between the two sowing times. The ideal target rate of nitrogen, given profitability and return on investment was 40 kg N/ha.

Key findings:

• Sowing time had a huge effect on yield.
• Delaying sowing time reduced grain yield in all varieties across all nitrogen treatments. 
• Given profitability and return on investment 40 kg N/ha at sowing was the ideal rate of nitrogen.

• The combination of extra stored water (20mm) and early sowing (17 April) resulted in the highest grain yield in this experiment.
• Early sowing without extra stored water gave a higher yield than late sowing (4 May), regardless of teh irrigation treatment at the later sowing date.
• The extra grain yield from early sowing and irrigation was due to increased biomass accumulation and imprved harvest index.
• Oil concentration was low overall, but was higher from the early sowing (33.6%) than th elater sowing (30.5%).

• LBP10 - 0018 was the highest yielding variety sown on the 30th April (2.09 t/ha)
• Emu Rock was the highest yeilding variety sown on 22 May (1.72 t/ha) and 11 June (0.89 t/ha)
• Emu rock was the highest yielding variety (1.49 t/ha) when averaged accross all sowing times.
• Dry conditions during September and October contributed to the lower average yields in the 22 May  and 11 June sowing times

A field trial was undertaken at Mallala in 2019 to investigate combinations of wheat sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control brome grass. The average seedbank of brome grass at this site was 2877 ± 406 seeds/m2. The two week delay in sowing reduced average in-crop brome density from 567 plants/m2 to 352 plants/m2 (38%). Even though the reduction in brome density at Mallala was significant, it was a much lower reduction than that observed in the trial at Riverton (82% reduction). This difference in brome grass density with delayed sowing at these two sites highlights the large differences in seed dormancy between the populations of this weed species. Brome grass panicle density was significantly affected by wheat seed rate (P=0.039), and herbicide treatment (P<0.001) but not by the time of sowing (P=0.152). Increasing seed rate of wheat suppressed brome grass growth and reduced its panicle density. As wheat density increased from 100 seeds/m2 (low) to the highest seed rate (200 seeds/m2 – high) brome panicle density was reduced by 39%. These results support previous findings that higher crop density can be an important part of an integrated weed management program. Wheat grain yield increased consistently with the increase in seed rate or crop density. This trend correlates well with the improved suppression of brome grass panicle density observed in the trial. Not only did higher wheat density achieve superior weed suppression, it also provided a significant increase in grain yield. Herbicide treatments also had a highly significant effect on brome grass panicle density. However, there was no interaction herbicides and TOS or seed rate. This indicates that herbicides performed similarly in both times of sowing and the three seed rates. Sakura + Avadex significantly reduced panicle density as compared to Treflan + Avadex and Intercept (Clearfield technology) was used after pre-emergent Treflan + Avadex, it prevented brome plants from producing panicles (3 panicles/m2). Herbicide treatments had a large and significant effect on grain yield of wheat at Mallala (Figure 5). This is not surprising considering the high weed density present at the site and high competitive ability of brome grass. The treatment of Treflan + Avadex produced only 1.11 t/ha, which was significantly lower than the more expensive pre-emergent herbicide mixture of Sakura + Avadex (1.81 t/ha). However, when Intercept post-emergence herbicide was used, wheat yield increased further to 2.63 t/ha. In this trial, integration of Clearfield technology with pre-emergent herbicides not only prevented brome grass seed set as shown but the panicle density, it also delivered the highest grain yields.

A field trial was undertaken at Riverton in 2019 to investigate combinations of wheat sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control brome grass. The average seedbank of brome grass at the site was 1863 ± 303 seeds/m2. Brome grass at this site was effectively controlled (>80%) by delaying sowing by 2 weeks, with treatment effects from herbicide and wheat seed rate treatment only being significant in the early sown plots, where brome grass density was high. These results clearly indicate that brome grass population present at this site has very low seed dormancy and germinates readily after the season opening rains and can be effectively controlled with a knockdown herbicide. Wheat grain yield results reflected the level of brome grass control with herbicide and wheat seed rate treatments improving yields significantly as brome suppression improved. These treatments did not have a significant effect on yield when sowing was delayed because brome was effectively controlled by the knockdown herbicides. In the early sown crop when brome grass was controlled effectively with Intercept®, the 2 week delay in sowing caused a 9% reduction in wheat yield.

• There were large weed control benefits of delayed sowing of barley at Minnipa. However, when a highly effective pre-emergent herbicide was applied the benefit of delayed sowing was negligible.
• In barley a three week delay in sowing time did not significantly reduce grain yield as it did in the previous year in wheat. Lower yield penalty in barley from delayed sowing may be related to its earlier maturity and more competitive nature compared to wheat.

 

A field trial was undertaken at Minnipa in 2019 to investigate combinations of barley sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was 4168 ± 411 seeds/m2. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide (P<0.001). There was a large impact of the 3 week delay in seeding barley on ARG plant density. This was particularly evident in the untreated control in which ARG density decreased from 676 plants/m2 in TOS 1 to 379 plants/m2 in TOS 2. This large reduction in ARG density due to delayed sowing is most likely related to rainfall events in early May, which would have caused weed emergence. Pre-emergence herbicides had higher efficacy in TOS 2 where the density of ARG plants had been reduced by the delay in seeding. This trend held through the season in the untreated control in which ARG spike density decreased from 306 spikes/m2 in TOS 1 to 199 spikes/m2 in TOS 2. In the trifluralin treatment, ARG produced 5078 seeds/m2 in TOS 2 as compared to 9192 seeds/m2 in TOS 1, a 45% reduction in ARG seed production. Unlike wheat in 2018, barley grain yield at Minnipa was not significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.644). However, seed rate (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and had a significant effect on barley grain yield. As stated earlier, there were large benefits of delayed sowing on weed control. In barley a three week delay did not significantly reduce grain yield as it had in the previous year in wheat. Lower yield penalty in barley from delayed sowing may be related to its earlier maturity than wheat.

Barley grain yield as significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.025), seed rate (P<0.001) and the herbicide treatment (P<0.001). The delay of 4 weeks between the two sowing dates caused 22% (0.69 t/ha) reduction in grain yield or 25 kg/ha/day. Averaged over the two sowing dates and three seed rates, Boxer Gold treatment (2.996 t/ha) produced significantly greater barley grain yield than Treflan (2.634 t/ha) and the control (2.648 t/ha). Barley sown early (TOS 1) at high seed rate and sprayed with Boxer Gold produced 3.6 t/ha grain yield as compared to later sown crop (TOS 2) at low seed rate but treated with the same herbicide which produced 2.4 t/ha.

General application of Sakura + Avadex over the whole trial site provided good control of ARG. As a result, follow-up application of Boxer Gold @ 1.5 L/ha or 2 L/ha at GS 11 (1-leaf stage) did not significantly reduce ARG plant density.  Post-emergence application of Boxer Gold at 1.5 or 2 L/ha after pre-emergence Sakura + Avadex extended the period of weed control, which reduced spike density of ARG (P=0.02). At both sowing times, increase in wheat plant density from 100 to 200 plants/m2 reduced ARG spike density by 44%. Delayed sowing at this site reduced the competitive ability of wheat against ARG. Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, ARG produced 234 spikes/m2 in TOS 2 as compared to 75 spikes/m2 in TOS 1 (68% reduction in TOS 1). Additional post-emergence application of Boxer Gold significantly increased wheat grain yield (P=0.008) compared to the baseline treatment of Sakura + Avadex. Wheat yield increased by 9% or 0.4 t/ha with the additional post-emergence treatment of Boxer Gold as compared to Sakura + Avadex treatment alone. Wheat grain yield was also significantly affected by wheat seed rate (P<0.001). Wheat grain yield increased from 4.6 t/ha at the density of 100 plants/m2 to the maximum of 5.48 t/ha at the seed rate of 200 plants/m2. This yield gain of 0.9 t/ha clearly indicates that early sowing, wheat density of 200 plants/m2 and effective use of herbicides can have a large influence on the profitability of wheat in the HRZ.

Wheat grain yield at Minnipa was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.002), seed rate (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide treatments (P<0.001). Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, wheat produced grain yield of 1.67 t/ha in TOS 1 as compared to 1.06 t/ha in TOS 2. There were large benefits of delayed sowing on weed control. However, these benefits came at a significant cost in wheat grain yield.

The trial site at Mallala was infested with a large seedbank of group A resistant brome grass, which made weed control in canola very difficult. Furthermore, the trial site experienced drought like conditions for most of the growing season which reduced the efficacy of atrazine. Even though the two-week delay in sowing reduced brome grass density from 927 plants/m2 in TOS 1 to 704 plants/m2 in TOS 2 (25%), this difference was not statistically significant.  However, the herbicide treatments (P=0.005) and the interaction between sowing date and herbicides (P=0.006) had a significant effect on brome grass plant density. Herbicide performance at the site was negatively affected by dry conditions and group A resistance in brome grass. As a result, even the best treatment combinations had more than 300 panicles/m2, which could lead to a large seed set in brome grass. When averaged across the sowing time, seed rate and herbicides, HyTTec Trophy produced 38% higher grain yield than Bonito. This difference in variety performance is consistent with superior crop establishment in HyTTec Trophy than Bonito. As a result of herbicide resistance in brome grass, yield increase in the Verdict treatment compared to the control (atrazine POST) was non-significant. However, use of clethodim increased yield by 61% compared to the control, which was statistically significant.

Barley plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.025) and crop seed rate (P=0.002).  Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, the first time of sowing (TOS 1) had barley density of 125 plants/m2 compared to 82 plants/m2 in TOS 2, which was related to dry soil conditions after sowing in TOS 2. Brome grass plant density was significantly affected by the time of sowing (P=0.018) and the herbicide treatments (P<0.001).  The 4-week delay in sowing between TOS 1 and TOS 2, allowed greater emergence of brome grass seedlings before the sowing of the TOS 2.  Consequently, barley sown at TOS 2 had 48% lower brome grass infestation (107.9 plants/m2) than in TOS 1 (207 plants/m2). As expected, herbicide treatments had a significant (P<0.001) effect on brome grass density. When averaged across the sowing time and seed rates, the treatment of Treflan + Avadex was only moderately effective and reduced brome grass density by 36% (173 plants/m2) relative to the untreated control (271 plants/m2). In contrast, the same pre-emergent treatment (Treflan + Avadex) followed by Intervix reduced brome grass density by 90% (28 plants/m2). When averaged across seed rates and herbicide treatments, the time of sowing barley had a significant effect on its grain yield (P=0.011). TOS 1 produced 940 kg/ha greater barley grain yield than TOS 2. The post-emergence application of Intervix to the crop treated with Treflan + Avadex further increased barley grain yield by 872 kg/ha. These results are consistent with the trends in brome grass density and panicle production. The untreated control plots produced 40% lower grain yield than the Intervix treatment, which completely controlled brome grass. These results highlight the strong competitive ability of brome grass in cereals.

The average seedbank of ARG at the site was 3932 ± 270 seeds/m2. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide (P<0.001). The delay in seeding from TOS 1 to TOS 2 (16 weeks) caused a large reduction in ARG plant density. This was particularly evident in the untreated control in which ARG density decreased from 825 plants/m2 in TOS 1 to 31 plants/m2 in TOS 2 (96% reduction). This large reduction in ARG density due to delayed sowing is most likely related to an effective knockdown herbicide treatment after most ARG had emerged before TOS 2. Herbicide treatments reduced ARG plant density significantly in TOS 1, however herbicide effect on ARG plant density in TOS 2 was non-significant, possibly due to a much lower ARG density. While the delay in sowing significantly reduced ARG plant density (P<0.001), it did not significantly reduce ARG seed spikes (P=0.495). This result indicates that despite low ARG plant numbers in TOS 2, faba beans failed to compete effectively with ARG and suppress its growth. As a result, even at a relatively low density ARG was able to produce a large amount of seed for future infestations. Faba bean grain yield at Frances was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.033), seed rate (P<0.003), and herbicide treatment (P<0.001). Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, faba beans produced grain yield of 1.34 t/ha in TOS 1 as compared to 1.81 t/ha in TOS 2. Superior faba bean grain yield in TOS 2 In 2018 at Frances is most likely due to the reduction in ARG plant density.

• There was no difference in grain yield (t/ha) between the early season variety (Trojan) and the later varieties (Mace and Scepter) sown 13 days later.

• In 2016 sowing Mace and Scepter earlier on 13 May reduced grain protein by 0.3% compared to sowing it thirteen days later.

• For the later sowing on 26 May, Mace and Scepter had similar grain yield, however, protein was higher for Scepter.
• When sown early, Trojan had higher protein than Mace and Scepter.

A field trial was undertaken at Frances in 2019 to investigate combinations of barley sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was quite low (472 ± 143 seeds/m2), which was reflected in low plant density at the site. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.037), and herbicide treatment (P=0.009). There was a 37% reduction in ARG plant density between TOS 1 (20 plants/m2) and TOS 2 (13 plants/m2). Herbicide treatment had a significant effect on ARG plant density, with Boxer Gold showing lower efficacy on ARG than Treflan and Boxer Gold + Treflan. Unlike ARG plant density, ARG spike density was not influenced by time of sowing (P=0.171). ARG spike density was significantly influenced by barley seed rate (P=0.016), herbicide treatment (P=0.01) and the interaction between TOS and herbicide treatment (P=0.019). ARG spike density was 34% and 40% lower in medium and high seed rates respectively when compared to the low seed rate. These results suggest an improvement in ARG suppression from increasing barley competiveness with increased seed rate. Barley grain yield at the site averaged 6.6 t/ha. Herbicide treatment had a small (4-6%), but significant effect (P=0.009) on grain yield with Boxer Gold < Treflan ≤ Boxer Gold + Treflan for barley yield.

In this trial, there has been a positive response to phosphorus fertiliser applied at 9kg/ha at sowing and a positive response to nitrogen fertiliser applied at 20kg/ha. There has been a negative response to applied nitrogen both at sowing and top-dressing at higher than 20kg N/ha rates, which can be attributed to low growing season rainfall (GSR), which has occurred through prolonged periods over the course of the trial.

• Evidence from this trial indicates that further investigation of fluid fungicides banded at sowing for crown rot management is warranted.
• Many treatments decreased crown rot incidence early in the season and in these treatments, the plants had increased vegetative bulk later in the season.
• Fungicide application reduced levels of crown rot DNA in the crop at maturity.
• Expression of crown rot symptoms in durum wheat and bread wheat were different, depending on the treatment applied

• The early growth of the sub-tropical grasses (panic grass, Rhodes grass) was slow and they appeared to have cold stress.  The seedlings were cold stress with all three TOS and they took a while to recover.
• An interesting observation was that the surrounding paddock was sown to a sub-tropical grass mix (Gatton panic and Rhodes grass) just before the 3rd time of sowing, however the early growth of the perennial seedlings in the paddock was superior to the small plot trials.  Gatton panic is apomictic (i.e. all plants are essentially clones), so any difference must be due to the environment.  In this case, the markedly stronger early growth and less cold damage maybe due to the improved nutrition from the fertilizer applied at seeding. 
• To evaluate whether there was a nutrient deficiency an application of fertilizer - 150 kg/ha of DAP plus 100 kg/ha of MOP was applied to half of each rep in mid-December in a split plot design.  Subsequently there has been little rainfall, so no opportunity to measure a response.
• By mid-February there was not a substantial difference between the three times of sowing for Rhodes grass and Gatton panic which makes sense as in effect the sub-tropical grasses all emerged in early to mid-September for all three TOS.  The only species to emerge in any numbers before the third TOS was perennial veldt grass. However, by mid-February about 35-40% of the veldt grass plants had died and many more plants were highly stressed and may die over summer –autumn.  Sowing veldt grass in late winter – early spring with the sub-tropical grasses may not work in that persistence over summer may be poor.  Perennial veldt grass is a C3 so does not have the same soil temperature requirements as the sub-tropical grasses (C4).  An autumn sowing may be more successful for veldt grass.
• The results from the TOS at Eneabba in 2012 suggest little or no advantage in early sowing of sub-tropical grasses in early August.  The optimum sowing window appears to be late August with more flexibility with Rhodes grass than Gatton panic for early sowing. 

Sowing into moist soil improved crop emergence compared to dry soil, but did not increase yield.

Under low and variable ryegrass pressure, herbicides did not reduce overall ryegrass density, but did reduce inter-row ryegrass density.

There was no difference in efficacy between the 1.5L/ha and 3.0L/ha of TriflurX®.

• High operational speed reduced sowing depth of both disc and tyne openers.
• Counts of unsprayed (nil) annual ryegrass were greater for the tyne machine than the disc seeder at 8km/h and 14km/h.
• Within the applied herbicide treatments herbicide efficacy was fairly high. 
• all standing stubble and poor seed placement at 8km/h and 10km/h by the tyne machine severely affected crop establishment.
• At 14km/h the discs ability to penetrate the soil was greatly reduced, impacting sowing depth.
• Barley yields were higher for the disc sown treatments than the tyne sown treatments.

A combination of fertiliser inputs and irrigation can rapidly breakdownincorporated cereal stubble and allow sowing 4 weeks later. Getting the balance of fertiliser, in particular N rates, to ensure rapid breakdown, but creating neither N deficiency or excessive N remains elusive.

Measuring soil organic carbon following incorporation is giving mixed results as to the ability to increase soil OC via incorporation with fertiliser

Burning the stubble gave greater yield and oil content

There were no differences in medic regeneration in wheat stubbles either harvested at two heights, left standing or rolled.

Although there was a very late break to the season, cooler conditions through September and October
maintained good yields. There was a long period during flowering in October where no significant rainfall
fell. This limited yield potential and caused quite variable results. Annuello (at 3.0t/ha) (mid season
maturity), Whistler (at 3.0t/ha) (winter wheat) and Ventura (2.9t/ha) (short season maturity) were the highest
yielding varieties. While the long season varieties (like Rosella and Arrivato) were the lowest yielding

• Field peas have proven to be the most reliable pulse option on the upper Eyre Peninsula with yields remaining the most stable across seasons.
• Under favourable conditions there is potential for alternative pulse crops to be successful.
• Paddock selection, soil type, time of sowing, pulse agronomy, marketing and storage options all need careful consideration when looking at growing alternative pulse crops.
• New varietal options offer earlier maturity as well as improvements in harvestability, disease resistance and herbicide tolerance over older commercial standards, aiding production and profitability.
• Higher value alternatives, such as lentils, may be a high risk option and pulse crops better suited to the region could still prove to be the most profitable option in the long term.

• This and other research demonstrates that it is possible to improve crop establishment and productivity on water repellent soils using modified furrow sowing techniques.
• Banded wetting agents are helpful with early dry or partially dry sowing before opening rains but show less benefit later in the sowing program when there has already been rain and the soil has started to wet up more (see Banded wetting agent paper WMG 2012 research annual). In very erodible conditions with high wind erosion risk the use of this strategy may be safer than the options with winged points or boots due to less soil disturbance and release of root anchorage for existing plant cover. Optimal wetting agents for WMG areas still need identification.
• Winged points and winged-paired row systems perform better than knife points under certain soil conditions but the benefits are variable and in some sowing conditions may provide little benefit. Further research is required. Winged points look most attractive when shallow moist soil can be ‘delved’ to the seed zone to provide early establishment (as in the winged knife point on the gravelly sand with shallow moisture).
• Simple approaches like sowing next to or at a shallow angle across the previous year’s crop row and broadcast spreading a portion of the seed in front of the seeding tynes are relatively simple approaches that can provide establishment benefits.
•  

The dry September limited yields at this site, yields were about on par with the district, there was no difference between treatments at flowering or at any stage of growth. Available soil sulphur (S) at sowing was 55 kg/ha (taken to a depth of 35cm) and with a yield of 1.5 t/ha maximum, only 38kg S was required for the crop. This crop had enough soil sulphur already supplied before additional sulphur was applied.

• A single slug baiting was ineffective at controlling slug populations.
• Direct drilling into a heavy cereal stubble from a previous crop can result in significant slug damage to canola, even with a single baiting.
• Cereal stubble removal by burning, will significantly reduce the amount of slug damage.
• Cultivation prior to sowing will have a positive effect on reducing slug numbers and damage to canola.
• An integrated pest management approach is required to control slugs effectively. Each treatment alone does not adequately control slug populations.

There has been widespread use of continuous cereal in the Mallee over the past decade, and with many drought years throughout this period fertiliser inputs have generally been greater than crop demand. As a consequence, soil phosphoruslevels are often well above the critical level. By identifying soils and conditions where continuous cereal systems perform best and where inputs can be most effectively targeted, there is an opportunity to reduce input costs and increase profitability. This trial used PA methods to identify soil types for targeted soil sampling to achieve a greater understanding of soil phosphorus levels in different soil zones. Yield mapping was then used to identify if and where fertiliser applied to the crop impacted grain yield.

Key findings:

• Increasing levels of inoculum (oospores/ plant) of Phytophthora medicaginis (P. med) was strongly correlated with the decreasing yield of Yorker, a moderately resistant chickpea variety.
• An inoculum level of 660 oospores/plant (PreDicta B >5000 P. med copies/g soil) at sowing significantly reduced yield compared with lower inoculum levels under both dryland and irrigated conditions.
• These findings provide further evidence that the PreDicta B P. med test will be a useful tool for growers to determine their risk of Phytophthora root rot before sowing chickpeas.
• Note: the SARDI PreDicta B test for Phytophthora medicaginis is under development and is not yet available commercially.

Summary

P.med inoculum level, PRR disease and yield

Can the P.med DNA soil test predict the risk of Phytophthora root rot?  Based on the results of this trial with Yorker (MR) and the 2014 Tamworth trial with Sonali (S), the answer is YES.  For Yorker significant yield loss can be expected with starting (pre-sow sampling) inoculum levels above ca 3000 P.med DNA sequences/g soil (ca 130 oospores/plant). However, these values may need to be interpreted with some caution as seasonal conditions will modify outcomes, for instance in a dry season less disease may develop from the same amount of inoculum.

As Phytophthora can reproduce rapidly and cause new infections over a relatively short period there was concern that under PRR conducive conditions (a wet season), that low initial levels of inoculum could catch up to high initial levels as cause similar disease severity and yield loss.  The 2015 season was wet but not very wet, under these conditions there was separation in the disease and yields of the low and high inoculum treatments.

P.med DNA detection in commercial in paddocks and disease risk determination

These second season of detection capability results for the soil P.med DNA test were again generally promising, with most samples with positive and negative P.med DNA results corresponding to expected P.med isolation results.  However, results for some samples indicate that further work is required to a) identify what factors may contribute to false negative results and b) determine if false positives are due to the presence of dead or inactive P.med DNA

The DNA result for a soil sample from a paddock can only provide an indication of inoculum concentration and disease risk for the areas of the paddock which were sampled.  Therefore, the spread and locations of sampling across a paddock will affect how representative DNA results are for a paddock.  Because of the risk of rapid PRR disease buildup following wet conditions it may be appropriate to treat a negative Predicta B® test result as indicating a low risk rather than a nil risk, as the pathogen could still be in areas of the paddock that were not sampled and so still cause PRR and reduce yield. 

Work in 2016 will evaluate maximising the probability of detecting P. med by targeting those areas of the paddock where P.med is more likely to occur.  The pathogen thrives in high soil moisture contents and so often occurs in low lying regions of paddocks where pooling following rain may occur.  The pathogen also carries over from season to season on infected chickpea volunteers, lucerne and, native medics.  Including low lying areas and weedy areas of paddocks during PreDicta B® soil sampling may provide the best strategy to detecting P. med and so identifying a paddocks disease risk of PRR in chickpea.

• Grain yield was highest (5.8 t/ha) from Revenue and loest from Bass. Dry matter produciton was greatest from the barley lines as with the later sowing there was isufficient time for the other cereals to catch up.
• New barley germplasm from France is later flowering and has considerable potential for early sowing in the most frost prone areas of Tasmania. Both lines appear to possess some water logging tolerance.

• Grain yield was highest for Revenue and Endeavour (5.4 and 5.1 t/ha respectively) and lowest from Barley Z and Henley. Dry matter production was lowest from Revenue as with the water-logged conditions no third cut was taken.
• Winter barley germplasm is late flowering and may have considerable potential for early sowing in the more frost prone areas of Tasmania.
• There appears to be a strong interaction between grazing/cutting and water-logging with the additional stress of water-logging leading to poorer recovery after cutting.

• Bolta Balansa (3.2 t/ha DM), Lightening Persian (3.30 t/ha DM) and Elite II Berseem (2.94 t/ha DM) produced the highest amounts of DM at Dunkeld. 
• The site was somewhat a rundown pasture site, which go very wet in winter, and this did not favour Arrowleaf type cloers.
• Elite II provided good initial dry matter early - but then only provided extra dry matter with late rains. Persian clover only provided extra dry matter with late rain also.
• The Balansa clovers had superior growth in these conditions, with Bolta being the longer season type, providing more dry matter.

Application of DAP fertiliser at time of sowing improves yield in barley. Application of additional nitrogen lifts yields further, and improves protein levels in the grain. Results suggest efficiencies in nitrogen application can be achieved with placement in the root zone compared to surface application. Further work needs to be undertaken to better understand the process. 

Winter and spring wheat, barley, triticale and oat lines were evaluated for fodder dry matter production and grain yield. The two barley varieties and a spring wheat produced the highest dry matter (DM) in the first cut. However their recovery was poor and DM production from the second cut was significantly lower than for all other material.

• Two trials were conducted to compare dry matter production and subsequent grain yield from cereal crops. In one trial four cereal crop species wheat (Mackellar), barley (Urambie), triticale (Breakwell), and oats (Bass) were compared. With a longer vegetative period, a second DM cut was able to be taken from Bass oats and consequently total DM production was significantly higher than from Mackellar which in turn produced significantly more DM than Breakwell and Urambie. Grain yield was significantly higher from Breakwell (9.4 t/ha).
• In a second trial, 7 wheat varieties and breeding lines were compared. There were statistically no differences in DM production between the wheats. The CSIRO line 95102.1 and Alberic were the highest grain producers.

Mackellar wheat showed the most potential as a dual purpose crop with the highest grain yield and DM production comparable to all other varieties except Bass. The latter produced the most fodder but the lowest grain yield. There was no significant difference in DM
production between Mackellar, Breakwell, Urambie and Franklin however there was a large difference in when this was produced. Franklin barley (and a Chinese line) were far more vigorous early whereas the later developing varieties, in particular Bass, tended to produce less DM but extra cuts ensured a higher total DM.

• The European cultivars producted grain yields up to 4.78 t/ha.
• Grain yields from two of the European cultivars were significantly greater than Jardee TT but not significantly greater than Hyola 50 and 46Y83.
• The later maturity of the winter types may provide different management options to growers including grazing and time of sowing.
• Further testing of the European cultivars will need to be conducted over more locations and seasons and under different manangement to determine their potential for the HRZ.

Like many comments for 2008, the later break and well-below average rainfall in spring, saw disappointing  ield responses. In a better season, a winter cut followed by multiple measurements in the spring, would show some more promising yields (This would also assist in reducing variance within the trial, currently at 22%). Hardier plants such as oats and ryegrass were able to produce large amounts on lower amounts of rainfall, whilst shorter season annuals legumes such as vetch and arrowleaf clover had struggled to produce bulk, before flowering and before early December rains.

• A range of forage varieties were grown as rotational options atthe MFMG site at Frances and Conmurra. 
• At Conmurra and Frances,the highest DM producing forages were annual ryegrass; R2 tetrapkhid annual ryegrass (12.28 t/ha DM) at Conmurra and Grassmaar Diploid annual ryegrass  (7.53 t/ha DM), primarilty due to their ability for a winter cut. 
• The best annual clovers at both Conmurra and Frances include Zulu II Arrowleaf (6.46t/ha and 3.93t/ha) and Bolta Balansa (6.27t/ha and 4.11t/ha).
• The cereal/grass based options generally grew more DM and offered more competition but legume and broadleaf crops offered different herbicide options, disease breaks and in the case of legumes, nitrogen fixation. 
• The legume and brassica varieties produce forage of a higher quality than that of cerels and grasses, which provides greater benefit to grazing animals.
• More work required to show possible yields both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options. 

• Pie-sowing treatments of trifluralin herbicide are effective in increasing yields in a barley crop infested with Vulpia. Application rates of 3.0 1/ha produced a significant result, while application rate of 1.5 1/ha produced a strong trend.
• No significant differences could be demonstrated between Post-sowing treatments employed in this trial due to large variations between plots. However averaged results indicate trends that can be further explored with more trial work. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.
   

Results from these trials indicate that lentils can be grown successfully on the lighter soils of the Birchip area. However, 1995 was a favourable year for lentil produciton and results should be noted with some caution.

1996 was characterised by a wet winter, frosts in spring and a dry finish.

• Soybean yield potential ranged from a low of 1.01 t/ha up to a high of 2.94 t/ha in two years of harvested irrigated variety evaluation experiments at Trangie in the Macquarie Valley.
• Delayed sowing of a soybean crop in the Macquarie Valley can increase the likelihood of delayed maturity, potentially running into prolonged periods of wet autumn weather at harvest time; the 2015–16 experiment was not able to be harvested for this reason.
• MoonbiA (released 2010) is the recommended variety for Macquarie Valley soybean growers under fully irrigated conditions. It has high yield potential, maturity adaptation, excellent grain quality to meet human consumption markets, and resistance to powdery mildew.
• Djakal (southern NSW variety) is recommended for partial irrigation or dryland situations. Its earlier maturity and lodging resistance due to shorter height and reduced biomass enables it to achieve high yields and human consumption quality under less favourable growing conditions.

• The best yielding winter cultivars yielded similar to the best yielding spring cultivars despite a month difference in flowering date.
• Winter barley shows promise but we are still learning.  Strategies utilising Nitrogen, Plant Growth Regulators and Grazing need development to manage the increased biomass production and to improve the conversion of biomass to grain yield
• Early sown winter barley is a different agronomic system. The farming system benefits of winter barleys such as grain and graze, improved disease resistance should not be overlooked
   

• Antas Sub clover (brachycalnium type) grew significantly more than other sub clovers, and more than twice the production of Trikkala (1.735t/ha DM)
• The more biomass you grow, the more nitrogen you fix. Using rules of thumb (25jg/ha N per 1t DM), Antas would fix 92kg/ha of nitrogen cf 43kg/ha N for Trikkala. 
• A later sowing combined with a dry spring produced some variances. and lower dm yields than expected. 
• More work is required to show possible yields, both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options. 

Key messages:

• Treating EGA GregoryA seed with Rancona Dimension reduced establishment losses associated with the addition of crown rot inoculum to 7% compared with 26% when no seed treatment was used.
• In this instance, Rancona Dimension did not provide a significant or consistent yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection across the 12 trial sites in 2015.
• Growers should not expect Rancona Dimension to provide a significant and consistent reduction in yield loss from crown rot infection when used as a standalone management strategy.
• Growers considering the use of Rancona Dimension should follow the manufacturer’s advice and only consider it as part of an integrated management strategy against crown rot.

Conclusions

Rancona® Dimension is registered in Australia for the suppression of crown rot infection. Rancona® Dimension reduced establishment losses associated with severe early infection, created by the addition of crown rot inoculum to the seed furrow at sowing, to 7% compared to 26% in the absence of a seed treatment. Further research is required to determine if this improvement in establishment is associated with reduced Fusarium seedling blight. It should also be established whether such severe establishment losses are an artefact of the inoculation process used in the trials or occurs naturally in paddocks with high stubble-borne inoculum loads. In a separate larger trial conducted at Tamworth in 2015 in which infected stubble at the surface was the inoculum source Rancona® Dimension did not have a significant impact on the establishment of EGA Gregory compared to the Nil seed treatment (data not presented). Establishment benefits apparent in the 12 trials unfortunately did not translate into any improvement in grain yield. Rancona® Dimension did not provide a significant yield benefit over the use of no seed treatment or the two other commonly used seed treatments examined in this study under high crown rot pressure across 12 sites in 2015.

Although Rancona® Dimension is registered for the suppression of crown rot, with activity against early infection and potential establishment losses evident in this study, growers should not expect this to translate into a significant and consistent reduction in yield loss from crown rot infection when the product is used as a standalone management strategy. Integrated management remains the best strategy to reduce losses to crown rot. Growers may like to consider including Rancona® Dimension (320 mL/100 kg seed) as one additional component in their integrated management of crown rot.