Optimising Plant Establishment 2021 Roseworthy Canola Uniformity Experiment

Data from the 2021 crop establishment trial at Roseworthy, SA. The trial compared the establishment of canola using a mixture of dead and viable seeds, with the aim of seeing if such seed mixtures used with a precision planter could achieve a similar level of unevenness in the establishment as when using conventional/cone seeders. The experiment was run under the UOA1803-009RTX GRDC research project led and managed by the University of Adelaide.

Files:2021 Roseworthy canola uniformity.xlsx

Experiment setup:The trial was organised as a randomised complete block design with 4 treatments (10%, 25%, 50% and 100% viable canola seed), arranged spatially in two columns of three replicates each, for a total of 24 plots. The dead seeds in the mixtures were obtained by heating to 100C in an autoclave for two days, and the sowing rate for all treatments was 40 viable seeds/m2.

Variables recorded:establishment count (plants/m2), interplant distance (cm), NDVI, flowering biomass fresh weight (g), maturity biomass fresh weight (g), maturity biomass dry weight (g), yield (t/ha), harvest index, 500-seed weight (kg)

Data collection and assessment:The paddock was sown on 31/05/2021, with plant emergence counts taken across 2 rows (3 metre sections) on 11/06/2021 and again on 22/06/2021. Interplant distances (in cm) were measured on 30 plants in 3 rows per plot on 28/06/2021. NDVI readings were made on 05/08/2021, 12/08/2021, 19/08/2021 and 24/08/2021. Biomass cuts at flowering were recorded on 07/09/2021, sampled from 4 locations in each plot in 4x0.5m rows, with the plant cut at ground level with secateurs. Biomass cuts at maturity were made similarly on 04/11/2021, and the yield (in t/ha), harvest index and 500-seed weight were recorded at harvest.