Effect of defoliation on spring-sown winter-type canola (Brassica napus) grain yield, quality and morphology
M. C. Raeside
A C , J. Byron A , F. Cameron A , C. MacDonald A , D. L. Partington A , G. A. Kearney B and R. Behrendt A
A Agriculture Victoria Research, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, 915 Mt Napier Road, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.
B Biometrics Consultant, Paynes Road, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: margaret.raeside@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Animal Production Science 61(11) 1129-1136 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN20123
Submitted: 6 March 2020 Accepted: 1 May 2020 Published: 23 June 2020
Abstract
Context: In Australia’s high-rainfall zone (>550 mm/year), winter-type canola (Brassica napus L.) can be sown in spring and grazed as a forage crop during its vegetative phase, producing a canola grain crop in late spring of the second year. The timing, length and intensity of grazing or defoliation that can be imposed on canola before a grain yield penalty occurs remains largely unknown.
Aim: Our research aimed to determine the impact of grazing spring sown canola during summer and autumn on the subsequent canola grain yield.
Methods: A paddock-scale field experiment was conducted over 2 years, 2013–14 and 2015–2016, at Hamilton, Victoria, Australia, with two winter-type canola treatments and three grazing–defoliation sub-treatments replicated four times in a replicated block design. The canola cultivars used were Hyola971CL and Taurus in 2013–14 and Hyola971CL and Brazzil in 2015–16. The three grazing–defoliation sub-treatments were: NG, no grazing; VG, grazing with sheep for a 10-week period during the vegetative phase over summer–autumn; RG, grazing with sheep as per the VG sub-treatment and then in the reproductive phase, either cutting the canola for silage in August (2013–14) or grazing with sheep between 28 July and 17 August 2016 (2015–16).
Key results: The VG sub-treatment resulted in no grain-yield penalty (P > 0.05) relative to NG in either year. In 2014, canola grain yields from VG for Hyola971CL and Taurus were 2.32 and 2.13 t/ha, compared with NG grain yields of 2.66 and 2.19 t/ha. In 2016, grain yields from VG for Hyola971CL and Brazzil were 2.14 and 1.74 t/ha, compared with NG grain yields of 1.87 and 1.90 t/ha. The RG sub-treatment reduced (P < 0.05) canola grain yield by ~65% in 2014 and 80% in 2016 compared with NG and VG.
Conclusions: Spring-sown winter-type canola can be grazed during summer and autumn in southern Australia with no grain-yield penalty relative to ungrazed canola. However, further grazing or defoliation in winter once bud elongation commences can result in large grain-yield penalties.
Implications: Spring-sown winter-type canola is a viable forage option for filling the summer–autumn feed gap in southern Australia while also providing a dual-purpose income in mixed-farming systems.
Additional keywords: cropping, livestock, mixed farming, pasture.
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