Dr Muhammad Javid1, Mr Andrew Blake1, Dr Greg Rebetzke2, Dr Stephen Davies1
1DPIRD, Merredin, Australia, 2CSIRO, Canberra, Australia
Biography:
Muhammad Javid is a Research Scientist at DPIRD in Merredin WA. His research interest is on improving agronomic practices for wheat, canola, and pulses in low rainfall environments. He aims to combine knowledge with practical solutions to maximise crop productivity. Javid’s diverse expertise spans plant stress physiology, disease resistance, and subsoil constraints. He fosters collaboration with growers, researchers, and industry professionals to build a resilient agricultural future.
Abstract:
While deep ripping and rotary spading improve soil conditions and crop yields, inconsistent seeding depth and furrow infill can limit crop establishment and reduce productivity post-soil amelioration. Long coleoptile wheat carrying the alternative Rht18 dwarfing gene and characterised by an elongated protective sheath for the developing shoot, could mitigate poor establishment. This hypothesis was tested in field experiments at Merredin and Yuna in Western Australia. A CSIRO-developed long coleoptile line, Mace-18 was compared with Scepter, Mace (medium coleoptile) and Calibre (mid-long coleoptile). Genotypes were sown shallow (4 cm) and deep (10 cm) on no-till, ripped, and spaded soils. Coleoptile length, plant density, flowering time, and grain yield were assessed. As characterised, Mace-18 on deep sowing had significantly greater coleoptile length over other genotypes indicating potential for overcoming deeper placement. In both experiments regardless of soil treatment, Mace-18 maintained higher plant density when deep-sown compared to the other genotypes. Flowering time remained unaffected by sowing depth or coleoptile length at Merredin. Overall, shallow sowing increased grain yield by 8-10 % compared to deep sowing. In Merredin, across both sowing depths, Mace-18 maintained the same yield at either sowing depth, while the other genotypes with deep sowing had a yield reduction of 8-17 % compared to shallow sowing. Ripped and spaded soil treatments improved yield by 16 % and 19 %, respectively, regardless of sowing depth at Merredin, although these responses were not repeated at Yuna due to a warmer and drier finish to the season. These preliminary results support the significant potential of long coleoptile wheat in ameliorated soils.