Optimising canola establishment and yield in south-eastern Australia with hybrids and large seed
R. D. Brill A F , M. L. Jenkins B , M. J. Gardner C D , J. M. Lilley E and B. A. Orchard A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, PMB, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
B NSW Department of Primary Industries, Trangie Agricultural Research Centre, PMB 19, Trangie, NSW 2823, Australia.
C Formerly NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tamworth Agricultural Institute, 4 Marsden Park Road, Calala, NSW 2340, Australia.
D AMPS Agribusiness, 3/27 Bourke Street, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia.
E CSIRO Agriculture, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: rohan.brill@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Crop and Pasture Science 67(4) 409-418 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP15286
Submitted: 31 August 2015 Accepted: 2 December 2015 Published: 6 May 2016
Abstract
April sowing of canola is considered optimal for grain yield in many regions of Australia; however, there is often insufficient rainfall in April to sow seed into moisture at the ideal depth of 15–30 mm. We report a series of experiments that investigated the seed characteristics (cultivar type and seed size) that would facilitate successful canola emergence from relatively deep sowing (>30 mm). Ten canola cultivar by sowing depth experiments, each with three hybrid and three open-pollinated cultivars, found hybrid cultivars were able to maintain higher emergence rates and grain yield compared with open-pollinated cultivars from deep sowing. Further investigations in the glasshouse showed that the emergence advantage of the hybrid cultivars was largely due to their inherently large seed size, as increased seed size also improved emergence of open-pollinated canola. Early biomass accumulation also improved with larger seeds. In a field experiment, larger seed size of both hybrid and open-pollinated canola increased early biomass accumulation and final grain yield. Simulation modelling in New South Wales demonstrated the importance of timely sowing of canola, as delayed sowing caused a larger reduction in grain yield than reduced plant population. Although ‘moisture-seeking’ (placing seed into moist soil below a layer of dry soil) reduced the emergence rate of canola, the reduction could be offset by planting large seed (>2 mm diameter). This practice of ‘moisture-seeking’ large-seeded canola should be considered as a strategy to improve the timeliness of establishment and subsequent grain yield of canola when rainfall for crop establishment is marginal yet there is moisture available deeper in the seedbed.
Additional keywords: cultivar type, farmer-retained seed, hybrid, moisture-seeking, open-pollinated, sowing depth.
References
Aksouh NM, Jacobs BC, Stoddard FL, Mailer RJ (2001) Response of canola to different heat stresses. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 817–824.| Response of canola to different heat stresses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Angus JF, Kirkegaard JA, Hunt JR, Ryan MH, Ohlander L, Peoples MB (2015) Break crops and rotations for wheat. Crop & Pasture Science 66, 523–552.
| Break crops and rotations for wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
BOM (2015) Australia’s official weather forecasts and weather radar – Bureau of Meteorology. Available at: www.bom.gov.au/ (accessed 1 June 2015)
Brandt S, Malhi S, Ulrich D, Lafond G, Kutcher H, Johnston A (2007) Seeding rate, fertilizer level and disease management effects on hybrid versus open pollinated canola (Brassica napus L.). Canadian Journal of Plant Science 87, 255–266.
| Seeding rate, fertilizer level and disease management effects on hybrid versus open pollinated canola (Brassica napus L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brill RD, Jenkins L, Gardner M (2014) Canola establishment; does size matter? In ‘Grains Research and Development Corporation Advisor Update. Temora’. (GRDC: Canberra, ACT) Available at: www.grdc.com.au/Research-and-Development/GRDC-Update-Papers/2014/02/Canola-establishment-does-size-matter (accessed 3 June 2015)
CliMate (2015) CliMate: home. Available at: www.australianclimate.net.au/ (accessed 1 June 2015).
Colton B, Potter T (1999) History. In ‘Canola in Australia: the first thirty years’. (Eds PA Salisbury, TD Potter, G McDonald, AG Green) pp. 1–4. (Organising Committee of the 10th International Rapeseed Congress: Canberra, ACT)
Farré I, Robertson M, Walton G, Asseng S (2002) Simulating phenology and yield response of canola to sowing date in Western Australia using the APSIM model. Crop & Pasture Science 53, 1155–1164.
| Simulating phenology and yield response of canola to sowing date in Western Australia using the APSIM model.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
French RJ, Seymour M, Malik RS (2016) Plant density response and optimum crop densities for canola (Brassica napus L.) in Western Australia. Crop & Pasture Science 67, 397–408.
Gilmour AR, Gogel B, Cullis B, Thompson R, Butler D (2009) ‘ASReml user guide release 3.0.’ (VSN International Ltd: Hemel Hempstead, UK)
Hanson BK, Johnson BL, Henson RA, Riveland NR (2008) Seeding rate, seeding depth, and cultivar influence on spring canola performance in the Northern Great Plains. Agronomy Journal 100, 1339–1346.
| Seeding rate, seeding depth, and cultivar influence on spring canola performance in the Northern Great Plains.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harker K, Clayton G, Blackshaw R, O’Donovan J, Stevenson F (2003) Seeding rate, herbicide timing and competitive hybrids contribute to integrated weed management in canola (Brassica napus). Canadian Journal of Plant Science 83, 433–440.
| Seeding rate, herbicide timing and competitive hybrids contribute to integrated weed management in canola (Brassica napus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harker K, O’Donovan J, Blackshaw R, Johnson E, Lafond G, May W (2012) Seeding depth and seeding speed effects on no-till canola emergence, maturity, yield and seed quality. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 92, 795–802.
| Seeding depth and seeding speed effects on no-till canola emergence, maturity, yield and seed quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harker KN, O’Donovan JT, Smith EG, Johnson EN, Peng G, Willenborg CJ, Gulden RH, Mohr R, Gill KS, Grenkow LA (2015) Seed size and seeding rate effects on canola emergence, development, yield and seed weight. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 95, 1–8.
| Seed size and seeding rate effects on canola emergence, development, yield and seed weight.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hertel K (2012) Canola growth and development in central western NSW. Available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/516181/Procrop-canola-growth-and-development.pdf (accessed 2 June 2015).
Hocking PJ, Stapper M (2001) Effects of sowing time and nitrogen fertiliser on canola and wheat, and nitrogen fertiliser on Indian mustard. I. Dry matter production, grain yield, and yield components. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 623–634.
| Effects of sowing time and nitrogen fertiliser on canola and wheat, and nitrogen fertiliser on Indian mustard. I. Dry matter production, grain yield, and yield components.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holzworth DP, Huth NI, deVoil PG, Zurcher EJ, Herrmann NI, McLean G, Chenu K, van Oosterom EJ, Snow V, Murphy C, Moore AD, Brown H, Whish JPM, Verrall S, Fainges J, Bell LW, Peake AS, Poulton PL, Hochman Z, Thorburn PJ, Gaydon DS, Dalgliesh NP, Rodriguez D, Cox H, Chapman S, Doherty A, Teixeira E, Sharp J, Cichota R, Vogeler I, Li FY, Wang E, Hammer GL, Robertson MJ, Dimes JP, Whitbread AM, Hunt J, van Rees H, McClelland T, Carberry PS, Hargreaves JNG, MacLeod N, McDonald C, Harsdorf J, Wedgwood S, Keating BA (2014) APSIM – Evolution towards a new generation of agricultural systems simulation. Environmental Modelling & Software 62, 327–350.
| APSIM – Evolution towards a new generation of agricultural systems simulation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hunt JR, Kirkegaard JA (2011) Re-evaluating the contribution of summer fallow rain to wheat yield in southern Australia. Crop & Pasture Science 62, 915–929.
| Re-evaluating the contribution of summer fallow rain to wheat yield in southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hunt JR, Browne C, McBeath TM, Verburg K, Craig S, Whitbread AM (2013) Summer fallow weed control and residue management impacts on winter crop yield though soil water and N accumulation in a winter-dominant, low rainfall region of southern Australia. Crop & Pasture Science 64, 922–934.
| Summer fallow weed control and residue management impacts on winter crop yield though soil water and N accumulation in a winter-dominant, low rainfall region of southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvVGms7fM&md5=67defd8b754b491807f81cc8d058ac23CAS |
Isbell R (2002) ‘The Australian soils classification.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Jeffrey SJ, Carter JO, Moodie KB, Beswick AR (2001) Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data. Environmental Modelling & Software 16, 309–330.
| Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kirkegaard JA, Hunt JR, McBeath TM, Lilley JM, Moore A, Verburg K, Robertson M, Oliver Y, Ward PR, Milroy S, Whitbread AM (2014) Improving water productivity in the Australian Grains industry—a nationally coordinated approach. Crop & Pasture Science 65, 583–601.
| Improving water productivity in the Australian Grains industry—a nationally coordinated approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kirkegaard JA, Lilley JM, Brill RD, Sprague SJ, Fettell NA, Pengilley GC (2016) Re-evaluating sowing time of spring canola (Brassica napus L.) in south-eastern Australia—how early is too early? Crop & Pasture Science 67, 381–396.
Lamb KE, Johnson BL (2004) Seed size and seeding depth influence on canola emergence and performance in the Northern Great Plains. Agronomy Journal 96, 454–461.
| Seed size and seeding depth influence on canola emergence and performance in the Northern Great Plains.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mahdi L, Bell C, Ryan J (1998) Establishment and yield of wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) after early sowing at various depths in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment. Field Crops Research 58, 187–196.
| Establishment and yield of wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) after early sowing at various depths in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mahli S, Brandt S, Ulrich D, Lafond G, Johnston A, Zentner R (2007) Comparative nitrogen response and economic evaluation for optimum yield of hybrid and open-pollinated canola. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 87, 449–460.
| Comparative nitrogen response and economic evaluation for optimum yield of hybrid and open-pollinated canola.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtFClu7bO&md5=8701af2337ef9a965ebfa7be307650fbCAS |
Matthews P, McCaffery D, Jenkins L (2015) Winter crop variety sowing guide. Available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre/guides/winter-crop-variety-sowing guide
McCormick JI, Virgona JM, Kirkegaard JA (2012) Growth, recovery, and yield of dual-purpose canola (Brassica napus) in the medium-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Crop & Pasture Science 63, 635–646.
| Growth, recovery, and yield of dual-purpose canola (Brassica napus) in the medium-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCormick JI, Virgona JM, Lilley JM, Kirkegaard JA (2015) Evaluating the feasibility of dual-purpose canola in a medium-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia: a simulation approach. Crop & Pasture Science 66, 318–331.
| Evaluating the feasibility of dual-purpose canola in a medium-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia: a simulation approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morrison MJ, Harker KN, Blackshaw RE, Holzapfel CJ, O’Donovan JT (2016) Canola yield improvement on the Canadian Prairies from 2000 to 2013. Crop & Pasture Science 67, 245–252.
Radford B, Nielsen R (1983) Extension of crop sowing time during dry weather by means of stubble mulching and water injection. Animal Production Science 23, 302–308.
| Extension of crop sowing time during dry weather by means of stubble mulching and water injection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rebetzke GJ, Richards RA, Sirault XRR, Morrison AD (2004) Genetic analysis of coleoptile length and diameter in wheat. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 733–743.
| Genetic analysis of coleoptile length and diameter in wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robertson MJ, Holland JF (2004) Production risk of canola in the semi-arid subtropics of Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 525–538.
| Production risk of canola in the semi-arid subtropics of Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robertson MJ, Kirkegaard JA (2005) Water-use efficiency of dryland canola in an equi-seasonal rainfall environment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56, 1373–1386.
| Water-use efficiency of dryland canola in an equi-seasonal rainfall environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robertson M, Holland J, Bambach R, Cawthray S (1999a) Response of canola and Indian mustard to sowing date in risky Australian environments. In ‘Proceedings 10th International Rapeseed Congress’. Canberra, ACT. (Eds N Wratten, PA Salisbury) (The Regional Institute: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/gcirc/2/483.htm#P0_0 (accessed 23 May 2015)
Robertson M, Holland J, Kirkegaard J, Smith C (1999b) Simulating growth and development of canola in Australia. In ‘Proceedings of the 10th International Rapeseed Congress’. Canberra, ACT. (Eds N Wratten, PA Salisbury) (The Regional Institute: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/gcirc/2/143.htm (accessed 23 May 2015)
Robertson M, Holland J, Cawley S, Bambach R, Cocks B, Watkinson A (2001) Phenology of canola cultivars in the northern region and implications for frost risk. In ‘Science and technology: delivering results for agriculture? Proceedings 11th Australian Agronomy Conference’. Geelong, Vic. (Eds B Rowe, D Donaghy, N Mendham) (Australian Society of Agronomy: Hobart) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2001/1/d/robertson.htm (accessed 23 March 2015)
Robertson MJ, Asseng S, Kirkegaard JA, Wratten N, Holland JF, Watkinson AR, Potter TD, Burton W, Walton GH, Moot DJ, Farre I (2002) Environmental and genotypic control of time to flowering in canola and Indian mustard. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 793–809.
| Environmental and genotypic control of time to flowering in canola and Indian mustard.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robertson MJ, Holland JF, Bambach R (2004) Response of canola and Indian mustard to sowing date in the grain belt of north-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44, 43–52.
| Response of canola and Indian mustard to sowing date in the grain belt of north-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schillinger WF, Donaldson E, Allan RE, Jones SS (1998) Winter wheat seedling emergence from deep sowing depths. Agronomy Journal 90, 582–586.
| Winter wheat seedling emergence from deep sowing depths.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Seymour M, Kirkegaard JA, Peoples MB, White PF, French RJ (2012) Break-crop benefits to wheat in Western Australia – insights from over three decades of research. Crop & Pasture Science 63, 1–16.
| Break-crop benefits to wheat in Western Australia – insights from over three decades of research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith EG, Favret ML, Clayton GW, Blackshaw RE, Brandt S, Johnson EN, Harker KN, O’Donovan JT, Kutcher HR, Vera C (2010) The profitability of seeding the F-2 generation of hybrid canola. Agronomy Journal 102, 598–605.
| The profitability of seeding the F-2 generation of hybrid canola.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thomas DL, Raymer PL, Breve MA (1994) Seeding depth and packing wheel pressure effects on oilseed rape emergence. Journal of Production Agriculture 7, 94–97.
| Seeding depth and packing wheel pressure effects on oilseed rape emergence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang S, Wang E, Wang F, Tang L (2012) Phenological development and grain yield of canola as affected by sowing date and climate variation in the Yangtze River Basin of China. Crop & Pasture Science 63, 478–488.
| Phenological development and grain yield of canola as affected by sowing date and climate variation in the Yangtze River Basin of China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang H, Berger JD, Milroy SP (2013) Genotype × environment interaction studies highlight the role of phenology in specific adaptation of canola (Brassica napus) to contrasting Mediterranean climates. Field Crops Research 144, 77–88.
| Genotype × environment interaction studies highlight the role of phenology in specific adaptation of canola (Brassica napus) to contrasting Mediterranean climates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang H, Berger JD, Seymour M, Brill R, Herrmann C, Quinlan R, Knell G (2016) Relative yield and profit of Australian hybrid compared with open-pollinated canola is largely determined by growing-season rainfall. Crop & Pasture Science 67, 323–331.
