Deadheads in wheat-field studies in Victoria.

Abstract

Data on the occurrence of deadheads in wheat have been collected in agronomy trials In Victoria over many pars. The main points arising from this data are- 1. No consistent differences in the susceptibility of many commonly grown Australian varieties. 2. No positive relationship between a root rot index and the number of deadheads. 3. A significant reduction in deadhead numbers with the use of superphosphate in half the fertilizer trials where counts were made. In other trials, where superphosphate had no significant effect, the general trend was still a reduction in deadheads where superphosphate was used. 4. In several trials, deadheads increased after a pasture period. Barley grass was a prominent species in many of the pastures and, in others, legume species were an important component. In some trials there were more deadheads where barley was included in the rotation and, in others, less deadheads where oats were included. 5. In general, there was an increase in deadheads when fallowing was delayed, especially if the initial working was not done until just before sowing. 6. Burning stubble, when the land was winter-fallowed, did not significantly, affect the number of deadheads.