Ms Stephanie Boyce1, Dr Martin Harries1
1Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Geraldton, Australia
Biography:
Stephanie has 10 years’ experience in the agricultural industry working at DPIRD. She has provided support in Break Crop Agronomy research, which has resulted in the completion of over 70 successful experimental trials with DPIRD. Her work on Break Crop Agronomy has contributed to multi-million-dollar projects co-funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to boost the profitability and productivity of growing break crops in Western Australia. Stephanie was recently appointed as Graduate Research Scientist working on the Western Australian Farming Systems (WAFS) project.
Abstract:
In 2023 a trial investigating the response of 11 crop species to sowing time was established in the northern grain belt of Western Australia, at Chapman Valley. There are many studies of sowing time effects on each crop species in separate trials, but this trial is unique because it compares several crop types, including eight legume broadleaf species: albus lupin, angustifolius lupin, vetch, lentil, desi chickpea, kabuli chickpea and faba bean to canola, wheat and barley. By sowing each of these species at two sowing dates the aim of the trial in 2023 was to provide growers with data from which to inform decisions on when to change species sown, relative to sowing opportunities.
In 2023 yield of Vixen wheat was 2.6 t/ha when sown on May 25 and 2.4 t/ha when sown on June 15. From the May sowing time Maximus barley yielded 107% of the wheat, Invigor 4520P canola 57%, and legumes ranged 20% (Genesis 090 kabuli chickpea) to 80% (Butler field pea). From the June sowing time maximus barley yielded 86% of the wheat, Invigor 4520P canola 45%, and legumes ranged 35% (Genesis 090 kabuli chickpea) to 69% (Butler field pea).
The trial will continue in 2024, with wheat sown over each plot to assess legacy effects on wheat. Key observations will focus on nitrogen and water, to assess Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and Water Use Efficiency (WUE) on the different crop type x sowing time combinations.