Wheat crop surveys in southern New South Wales. 2. Haying-off in commercial wheat crops

Abstract

In two surveys in southern New South Wales in 1961 and 1963, the frequency of grain pinching (bushel weight less than 60 lb) in a large number of commercial wheat crops was related to recent paddock history. In 1961, 20 per cent of all grain samples were pinched, whereas in 1963, only 1 per cent of all crops were pinched. This suggests that seasonal factors are most important in determining the seriousness of pinching. In 1961, the frequency of pinching was 23 per cent in crops grown after clover leys and 8 per cent in crops without a clover ley background. The highest level of pinching (45 per cent) was in early sown first crops after clover leys that had received heavy superphosphate topdressing. This suggests that high soil nitrogen predisposed crops to pinching.