Australia
April 20, 2011

Sowing barley at low rates on heavier soil types will maximise yields and grain quality in dry years, according to trial results from Western Australia’s central agricultural region.
The research, funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and conducted in 2010 by the Kellerberrin Demonstration Group and farm consulting firm ConsultAg, found low plant densities of 40 to 80 plants per square metre were most profitable on these soil types.

ConsultAg agronomist Angie Roe said plant densities previously recommended for heavy soils – of 80 to 100 plants per square metre – were too risky in drier seasons.

Droughted barley - established at the low rate of 46 plants per square metre - on heavy soil at Doodlakine, south of Kellerberrin, in 2010.

“Higher plant densities have the potential to produce higher yields in a good year,” she said.

“But to reduce the risks of significant losses if the season is dry, it is best to use lower plant densities on heavy soil types, which ‘wet up’ less easily than lighter country.

“Barley planted at higher seeding rates on heavy country at different sites during last year’s drought conditions ‘fizzled out’.

“Barley planted at the lower rates achieved the maximum yield potential for 2010 (on these heavier soils types) of about 1 tonne per hectare.”

Harvesting of a 'seeding rate by nitrogen rate on barley' trial at Doodlakine in 2010. Grower Geoff Ryan, a member of the Kellerberrin Demonstration Group, is in the harvester, and his uncle, Ted Mullins, is on the weigh trailer.

Ms Roe said that while lower seeding rates were best for barley sown on heavy soil types, higher rates could be used more safely on lighter soils, without risking significant reductions in yield and grain quality.

“Trial results showed that a much wider range of plant densities – between 40 and 120 plants per square metre - can be used more safely on lighter and medium country,” she said.

“Lighter country wets up better and there is more potential for higher seeding rates to still produce reasonable yields.”

Ms Roe said the research was a GRDC funded WA Agribusiness Trial Extension Network project, with the aim of improving sustainability and reducing risks associated with growing cereals in the State’s low to medium rainfall areas.

She said that while the trials had been conducted in WA’s central agricultural region, the results could also be applied to other areas with similar rainfall and soil types.

Ms Roe said more GRDC funded trials would be conducted this year by the Kellerberrin Demonstration Group and ConsultAg to further clarify the best way of producing the high quality, high yielding barley on heavier country.
 

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: April 20, 2011