Early-maturing spring wheat outperforms late-maturing winter wheat in the high rainfall environment of south-western Victoria

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to identify suitable cultivars and sowing times for winter and spring wheat types in the high rainfall environment of south-western Victoria. Spring and winter wheat cultivars with a range of flowering times were sown at 3 (April–June) and 6 (April–September) sowing times in 1997 and 1999, respectively, at Hamilton. Strong cultivar × sowing time interactions occurred. Grain yields ranged from 0.3 t/ha for a winter wheat (cv. Declic) sown in September to 8 t/ha for a spring wheat (cv. Silverstar) sown in June. The early-maturing spring wheat cultivar Silverstar, initially bred for the lower rainfall Mallee environment, produced the highest yields in both years from all sowing times except April. Our data indicate that higher yields are achieved from crops that flower earlier than is currently recommended. The optimum flowering period in south-western Victoria needs to be redefined, especially since many crops are now sown on raised beds.