Variety specific agronomy – a synopsis of 2014 agronomy trials in the northern grain region of NSW

Take home messages

  • Time of sowing (TOS) trials reinforced the need to consider variety selection in the context of a risk management strategy. Emphasizing the importance of sowing the correct genotype in the appropriate sowing window, with grain yield (GY) and quality consequences associated with both early and or delayed sowings.
  • TOS trials illustrated the adaptability and yield potential of the newer wheat varieties (e.g. Lancer, Sunmate, Suntop, and Mitch).
  • Wheat variety response to nitrogen (N) management trials underlined the potential for varietal differences in terms of GY, grain quality, and grain nitrogen yield (GNY) responses to N and TOS.
  • Spitfire achieved a higher GNY (11.9 kg N/ha) than EGA Gregory, which is consistent with previous Northern region VSAP trials. Preliminary findings also indicate that Lancer may be a high GP accumulating variety, achieving the highest GNY and showing good grain stability (low screenings), and GY response to increasing N rates. EGA Gregory due in part to its lower GPC and Dart principally a result of its lower GY, were the varieties with the lowest GNY. EGA Gregory appeared less GY responsive to increasing rates of N application in comparison to Suntop and Lancer.
  • Commander remains the benchmark malt accredited variety in the NGR. There are however, a number of new high yielding potential malting varieties that show promise in VSAP trials in the Northern Grains Region (NGR).
  • Compass demonstrated good adaptability and was able to maintain yield potential and GPC specifications across a range of N application rates. Compass is agronomically similar to Commander, but has improved yield potential and grain stability (e.g. retentions). La Trobe which was accredited as a malt variety by Barley Australia in March 2015 and GrangeR a 2013 accredited variety, both exhibited good yield potential and grain quality parameters and offer viable options as early and mid-maturing sowing alternatives, respectively.

Introduction

Although new varieties are evaluated within the NVT system they are by necessity, sown under a limited range of management practices, at a single time of sowing, seed rate and nutrient supply. Market failure can occur if varieties fail to achieve yield or quality potential. The Variety Specific Agronomy Project (VSAP) aims to provide independent advice on the suitability, agronomic fit and management (Genotype x Environment x Management) of new and existing varieties, by comparing yield and quality responses under a range of management practices and environments, so as to enhance variety adoption and productivity. The information being generated will assist in the development of variety guidelines and help to optimise yield and quality potential through tactical agronomy practices for both wheat and barley varieties.

This paper looks at the outcomes of a cross section of cereal agronomy trials conducted on the Liverpool Plains and North West Slopes and Plains of the NGR of NSW in 2014. Trials examined both commercially released and advanced wheat, barley and durum lines, with agronomic, yield and grain quality outcomes and implications around variety specific management discussed. Separate papers by Graham et al. (2015 a,b) outlining additional research components of the VSAP project were also presented at the February/March, 2015 Northern GRDC Grains Research Updates (www.grdc.com.au).

Variety response to sowing time- Narrabri 2014 a case study

Variety response to sowing time trials help to determine how new varieties compare in maturity and yield with existing varieties across the sowing window at a regional level, providing data to better inform growers about varietal response to sowing window options and therefore to better match variety with sowing time. Overtime, these trials provide greater confidence in varietal performance estimates and flowering behaviour. In recent years, NGR VSAP trial results have for example observed that Lancer may vary in maturity relative to EGA Gregory (either earlier or later), depending on time of sowing and prevailing seasonal conditions (Anon 2014). Suntop has also been observed to vary in relative maturity depending on location and sowing time (P. Martin pers. Comm.).

Variety selection (maturity type/genotype response) for a given sow time opportunity and potential implications, in terms of risk management are critical considerations for growers. The combination of variety and sowing date determine the probable timing of environmental stresses (frost and heat/evaporative stress) at key developmental stages, such as anthesis and during the critical post-flowering and grain fill period. Findings from a replicated trial conducted in 2014, at the IA Watson Research Centre Narrabri, looking at wheat varietal performance and implications across four different sowing times are presented as a case study, and highlight the importance of sowing varieties in their recommended sowing window.

24 wheat entries (19 bread wheat and 5 durum lines) both commercially available and advanced breeding lines, with varying maturities and agronomic characteristics were included in the trial. The trial was sown at four separate sowing dates in 2014 being the 23rd April, 15th May, 12th June and 4th July, in a split plot design with three replicates. Yield results highlight the importance of sowing maturity types in the correct sowing window, with yield penalties associated with either early and or delayed sowings. The effect of maturity type and time of sowing on grain yield (GY) for an early (Spitfire), main (Suntop) and long season variety (EGA Eaglehawk) at Narrabri in 2014 is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Grain yield response for an early (Spitfire ), main (Suntop ) and long season bread wheat variety (EGA Eaglehawk ) across four sowing dates - Narrabri 2014

Figure 1. Grain yield response for an early (Spitfire), main (Suntop) and long season bread wheat variety (EGA Eaglehawk) across four sowing dates - Narrabri 2014

Early maturing varieties such as Spitfire sown before their recommended ‘sowing window’ predisposed them to increased risk of frost. On the other hand, delayed sowing of mid to late maturing varieties for example EGA Eaglehawk resulted in increased heat and moisture stress during the critical grain fill period reducing GY potential and adversely affecting grain quality parameters.

Sowing Dart and Spitfire, both early maturing lines on April 23, well before their recommended sowing windows, resulted in significant yield reductions of 2.4 (42%) and 1.6 t/ha (28%) respectively compared to a May 15 sowing (Table 1). The durum variety Hyperno also suffered a significant yield reduction from this early sowing window (1.48 vs. 4.43 t/ha, or a 67% yield reduction). Yield reductions associated with the early sowing of early maturing varieties was most likely due to frost induced sterility. There was a -3.3oC frost event on August 12 (Figure 2), which would have corresponded with head emergence and or early anthesis for a number of early maturing varieties.

Figure 2. Temperature and growing season rainfall - Narrabri 2014.

Figure 2. Temperature and growing season rainfall - Narrabri 2014.

Table 1.  Grain yield (t/ha) and rankings for 5 durum and 19 bread wheat varieties across four sowing times and mean overall grain yield for individual sow times within a trial - Narrabri 2014.

Yield (t/ha) and rank within sow time

Variety

23rd April

15th May

12th June

4th July

TD241046

2.17

23

5.53

13

4.05

17

3.01

9

TD290564

2.82

22

5.52

14

4.39

6

2.73

22

Caparoi

4.47

16

5.48

16

3.88

20

2.81

17

DBA Aurora (UAD0951096)

3.99

20

5.36

18

>3.96

18

2.57

23

Hyperno

1.48

24

4.43

23

4.30

8

2.97

12

EGA Eaglehawk

5.34

10

4.14

24

3.13

24

2.06

24

EGA Gregory

5.68

5

5.10

21

4.07

16

2.74

21

Elmore CL

5.66

6

5.51

15

3.93

19

2.93

14

HRZ03.0056

5.45

8

5.65

9

4.57

4

2.97

11

Kiora (VX2485)

5.20

11

5.41

17

4.09

15

2.75

20

Livingston

4.40

17

5.78

2

4.11

14

3.17

4

LPB09-0515

5.92

2

5.77

3

4.29

9

3.30

2

LRPB Crusader

4.08

18

5.57

11

4.80

1

3.26

3

LRPB Dart

3.31

21

5.68

8

4.23

10

3.12

6

LRPB Gauntlet

5.35

9

5.90

1

3.86

21

3.05

8

LRPB Lancer

5.86

3

5.71

4

4.18

13

2.79

19

LRPB Viking (LPB08-0079)

5.07

14

5.34

19

3.76

23

2.80

18

Mitch (QT14381)

5.11

13

5.68

7

4.39

7

2.85

15

LRPB Spitfire

4.07

19

5.68

6

4.55

5

2.97

10

SUN663A

5.79

4

5.70

5

4.22

11

2.95

13

Sunguard

5.94

1

5.32

20

4.19

12

3.07

7

Sunmate (SUN595I)

4.56

15

5.63

10

4.58

3

3.42

1

Suntop

5.65

7

5.55

12

4.65

2

3.13

5

Sunvale

5.18

12

4.91

22

3.79

22

2.82

16

lsd (p=0.05) G x TOS

0.68

 

TOS Average (t/ha)

4.69

 

5.43

 

4.16

2.93

 

lsd (p=0.05) TOS

0.52

(Nb. -2.40C and -3.30C frost events, 2nd and 12th of August respectively).

Similarly, these results emphasize the importance of sowing the correct variety in the earlier part of the optimum sowing window. The effect of delayed sowing, on the long season variety EGA Eaglehawk for example, with a May 15 versus an April 23 sowing, was a 1.2 t/ha reduction in yield (Table 1). Likewise, the main season varieties EGA Gregory, Lancer, and Suntop achieved yield benefits when sown in the their correct sowing windows, with significant yield reductions from June 12 sowings versus an April 23 or May 15 sowing date.

All varieties experienced significant yield penalties with the latest sowing date of July 4. An overview of GY variety responses for early and delayed time of sowings at Narrabri in 2014 is outlined in Figure 3. The yield loss from TOS 2 to TOS 3, was 1.27 t/ha, with a further yield reduction of 1.23 t/ha from TOS 3 to TOS 4. Decreases in yield potential from delayed sowings were associated with increased temperature and moisture stress during the critical grain fill period. The mean estimated anthesis date of September 26 for TOS 3, was coupled with temperatures increasing to ~30oC, whilst the mean estimated anthesis date of October 5 for TOS 4, coincided with temperatures rising to in excess of 35oC (Figure 2).

Figure 3. Mean varietal grain yield across four times of sowing - Narrabri 2014

Figure 3. Mean varietal grain yield across four times of sowing - Narrabri 2014

Apart from GY response, delayed sowing also influenced grain quality parameters, namely screenings (data not shown). This would have been related to high starting soil N and a warm dry finish to the season, emphasising both the significance of sowing date and variety selection.

Implications around results

This trial illustrates the importance of sowing varieties in their recommended sowing window, and highlights the potential risk of planting varieties outside this sowing window. Early sowing of short season varieties resulted in significant GY penalties, with Dart for example experiencing a 2.4 t/ha (42%) yield penalty from a TOS 1 versus a TOS 2 sowing date. A number of the durum varieties showed good yield potential and followed the mean GY TOS response of the bread wheat varieties. Conversely, delayed sowing of longer season varieties such as EGA Eaglehawk from TOS 1 to TOS 2, resulted in a 1.2 t/ha (22%) yield reduction.

When looking at main season varieties, Lancer and Suntop performed well from both TOS 1 and TOS 2 and would appear good varietal choices for this sowing window, with Suntop maintaining its yield ranking across later sowing times. Mitch and Spitfire showed that they were able to maintain yield and ranking from a main season (TOS 2) and a delayed (TOS 3) sowing date. Other varieties such as Sunmate were able to maintain their yield ranking from delayed sowings (TOS 3 and 4). Importantly however, when looking at the overall meaned GY response, there was a negative effect on yield with delays in sowing with a yield reduction of 1.27 t/ha from TOS 2 to TOS 3, with a further reduction of 1.23 t/ha at TOS 4. Decreases in yield potential from delayed sowings at Narrabri were associated with increased temperature and moisture stress during the critical grain fill period, with all varieties showing significant yield reductions at TOS 4.

Wheat variety response to nitrogen management

It is generally accepted that there are only minor differences between commercial wheat varieties, in terms of grain protein accumulation or grain nitrogen yield (GNY). This is essentially due to the ‘yield dilution effect’ where at a given rate of available N, any increase in grain yield (GY) will result in a decrease in grain protein concentration (GPC). Despite this, recent studies by Brill et al (2012) have, found that the variety Spitfire may under certain environmental conditions achieve a higher GNY than other bread wheat varieties. A preliminary investigation of GNY in VSAP wheat N response trials conducted between 2011 and 2013, found that Spitfire achieved a higher GNY than EGA Gregory in the majority of northern NSW trials (10 of 13) with differences ranging from 0-18 kg N/ha (P. Martin, pers. Comm.). There has also been some indication, that this response is more evident on sites with high levels of available N (soil + applied) (R. Brill, pers. Comm.).

Based on these perceived differences, a series of N management trials were conducted in the Northern grains region of NSW, to determine if varieties do vary in their response to N nutrition, and management in terms of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The aim of the trial being to determine if there are any differences in NUE between new varieties and to examine the influence of N management on NUE.

Nitrogen response trial - Tamarang

The trial at Tamarang on the Liverpool Plains had two sowing dates with an early sowing on the 9th May and a late sowing on the 30th June, 2014. Six varieties were trialled, these included Dart, EGA Eaglehawk, EGA Gregory, Lancer, Spitfire and Suntop. N treatments were 0, 20, 40, 80, 160, and a 2 x 40 kg N/ha split application (at sowing: GS31) all applied as urea (46%N). N treatments were side banded at sowing, apart from the split application which had half applied at planting and half at stem elongation (total N 80 kg N/ha) The starting soil available N (Nitrate N) level was good at ~160 kg N/ha (0-120 cm).

N response – Tamarang early sowing

Results from the early sowing, showed that there was a significant (P<0.001) GY and GPC response for applied N. There was a curvilinear GY response for N applications averaged across all treatments, with a significant increase in GY with rates up to ~80 kg N/ha, with no significant difference between the 80 kg N/ha rates and the 160 kg N/ha rate (Table 2). In contrast, GPC (GPC) showed a linear trend to increasing N rates up to the 160 kg N/ha rate. With the results for GPC and GY, in agreement, with the ‘11% grain protein rule’, whereby maximum GY response to applied N (80 kg N/ha) was achieved at a GPC of ~11.5% (Figure 4).

There was both a significant variety and a variety by N interaction for GY. With both Suntop and Lancer showing a GY advantage averaged across all treatments, with the earlier maturing variety Dart achieving the lowest overall yield response from this early sowing date (Table 2). The difference in variety GY response to applied N is illustrated in Figure 5. Lancershowed that it was GY responsive to increasing rates of N, trending towards the generalised N response curve (Figure 4) showing a good yield response at both the 80 kg N/ha rates (up front and split) with an increase although not significant at the higher 160 kg N/ha. It is interesting to note, that a number of varieties trended towards a GY response for the split 80 kg N/ha rate, examples being Dart and EGA Gregory. EGA Gregory and Suntop showed good GY potential at the 0 N rate, compared to the other varieties, with EGA Gregory for example, out yielding Lancer (6.47 vs. 6.14 t/ha) but was not as responsive to higher N rates applied up-front (Figure 5).

Table 2. Grain yield (t/ha), grain protein concentration (GPC; %) and grain nitrogen yield (GNY; kg N/ha) for six rates of applied nitrogen (kg N/ha).

Rate of N application (kg N/ha)

Grain yield (t/ha)

GPC (%)

GNY (kg N/ha)

0

6.18

9.8

106.0

20

6.37

10.1

112.8

40

6.54

10.5

121.2

80 split (40 + 40)

6.83

11.6

137.8

80

6.75

11.4

134.9

160

6.85

12.6

151.0

lsd (P=0.05)

0.14

0.2

4.3

Figure 4. Grain yield (t/ha) and grain protein concentration (%) for five upfront rates of applied nitrogen (kgN/ha) sown at Tamarang in 2014.

Figure 4. Grain yield (t/ha) and grain protein concentration (%) for five upfront rates of applied nitrogen (kgN/ha) sown at Tamarang in 2014.

Figure 5. Grain yield (t/ha) response to differing rates of nitrogen (kgN/ha) over six wheat varieties sown at Tamarang in 2014.

Figure 5. Grain yield (t/ha) response to differing rates of nitrogen (kgN/ha) over six wheat varieties sown at Tamarang in 2014.

Table 3. Grain yield (t/ha), grain protein concentration (GPC) (%), grain nitrogen removal (GNY) (kg/ha), screening (%), test weight (hL/kg) and thousand grain weight (g) for six wheat varieties sown at Tamarang in 2014.

Variety

Grain yield (t/ha)

GPC (%)

GNY (%)

Screening (%)

Test Wt (kg/hL)

TGW (g)

LRPB Dart

6.03

11.4

120.7

4.5

85.2

35.2

EGA Eaglehawk

6.57

10.9

126.2

3.0

85.5

34.5

EGA Gregory

6.64

10.2

119.0

2.9

85.8

39.2

LRPB Lancer

6.87

11.3

136.9

1.9

86.0

39.9

LRPB Spitfire

<6.48

11.5

130.9

3.2

86.7

41.1

Suntop

6.93

10.7

130.3

3.2

83.9

37.2

lsd (P=0.05)

0.14

0.2

4.2

0.3

0.3

0.7

The apparent inverse relationship between GY and GPC can be seen with the change in variety rankings for GPC vs. GY, examples being the varieties Dart and Suntop (Table 3). This is also illustrated using a trend line where GY and GPC for the six varieties were averaged for N treatments and plotted against each other (Figure 6).

When looking at GNY to gain a clearer picture of this response (GP vs. GPC) there were significant variety differences (Table 3). Lancer showed that it was the highest GNY variety averaged across all treatments, with EGA Gregory due in part to its lower GPC and Dart principally a result of its lower yield, the lowest GNY varieties. Spitfire although lower yielding than Suntop, was however due to its high GPC, still able to achieve a comparable GNY.

Figure 6. Relationship between grain yield (t/ha) and grain protein concentration (%) for six wheat varieties averaged over all nitrogen treatments sown at Tamarang in 2014.

Figure 6. Relationship between grain yield (t/ha) and grain protein concentration (%) for six wheat varieties averaged over all nitrogen treatments sown at Tamarang in 2014.

In terms of other grain quality parameters, all varieties were well above the minimum test weight grain receival requirement of 76.0 kg/hL for all N rates (Table 3). Variety responses to N rate although quite variable were generally within the 5.0% maximum grain screenings receival standard, only Dart at 5.3% exceeding this at the high 160 kg N/ha rate, with EGA Eaglehawk at 4.6% screenings the next highest also at the 160 kg N/ha rate (data not shown).

N response – Tamarang late sowing

In contrast to the earlier sowing date (May 9th), increasing N rate provided no GY benefit with a delayed sowing (June 30th). This may have been due to the effect of colder temperatures (soil and air) on plant growth resulting in reduced root growth, tiller numbers, dry matter accumulation, N uptake and efficiency. Conversely, the effect of heat and or moisture stress during the shortened critical grain fill period would also have influenced yield potential and grain quality parameters. There were however, significant (P<0.001) variety differences in terms of GY and GPC (Table 4).

Table 4. Mean varietal grain yield (t/ha) and grain protein concentration (GPC; %) averaged across N treatments

Variety

Grain yield (t/ha)

GPC (%)

LRPB Dart

4.89

12.4

EGA Eaglehawk

4.38

12.3

EGA Gregory

5.33

12.3

LRPB Lancer

5.10

12.9

LRPB Spitfire

4.68

13.7

Suntop

5.26

12.0

lsd (p=0.05)

0.12

0.2

GPC also increased with increasing rates of N application (data not shown), which is consistent with increasing amounts of N being available for protein deposition as GY remained relatively constant across increasing rates of N application.

Importantly, the level of grain screenings was significant (P<0.001) with a variety, N rate response and a variety x N rate interaction. EGA Eaglehawk in particular, was adversely impacted by both delayed sowing and increasing N application rate (Figure 7). Increased screenings were also generally associated with increasing N rates in other varieties. Dart, similar to the earlier sowing date, had problems achieving screenings of ≤ 5.0 % with delayed sowing. Suntop also had issues achieving grain screening specifications at N rates of 40 kg N/ha and above. In contrast, Lancer was able to maintain its grain size and appears to have good grain stability, achieving low screenings across N rates (Figure 7). Both Spitfire and EGA Gregory also showed relatively good grain size stability with a delayed sowing time and increasing N application rates.

Figure 7. Varietal response for screenings (%) for six nitrogen rates with a delayed sowing

Figure 7. Varietal response for screenings (%) for six nitrogen rates with a delayed sowing

Some implications

Sowing time had a significant effect on GY response to N application. Delayed sowing apart from adversely impacting on GY potential, also had an adverse effect on grain quality, screenings in particular. Variety selection was shown to play an important role, the main season varieties Suntop, Lancer and EGA Gregory produced good yields over both sowing dates. The shorter season varieties Dart and Spitfire had no yield advantage over the main season varieties from a later sowing date. The longer season variety EGA Eaglehawk was particularly impacted both in terms of GY and screenings with delayed sowing, failing to achieve grain receival screening standards of ≤ 5.0 %. Suntop also experienced grain screening issues with later sowing and increasing rates of N application.

Lancer appears to have good grain stability achieving low screenings across N rates and sowing dates, and was also the variety with the highest GNY. Spitfire achieved a higher GNY (11.9 kg N/ha) than EGA Gregory , which is consistent with previous Northern region VSAP trials. These results highlight the importance of variety selection/maturity considerations, and underline the potential for varietal differences in terms of GY, grain quality, and GNY responses to N management and sowing time.

Barley agronomy - national barley trial (variety x N rate x population)

The agronomic response of a variety to management inputs (e.g. time of sowing, nitrogen fertiliser and seeding rate) particularly in terms of probability of achieving malt specifications, will obviously affect likely adoption. In 2012, a collaborative trial series involving the three GRDC funded barley agronomy projects operating in the Northern, Southern and Western grains region was initiated to compare yield and quality responses of potential malt varieties likely to be grown nationally under a range of management practices. Results from a northern region trial conducted at Spring Ridge on the Liverpool Plains in 2014, are presented in this paper, with a detailed overview of VSAP barley agronomy trials found in Graham et al. (2015b).

Treatments

Eight varieties were trialled, these included Bass, Commander, Compass, GrangeR, La Trobe, Skipper, Wimmera and Buloke. Varieties were sown with target populations of 75, 150 and 300 plants/m2, in a factorial trial design with four nitrogen (N) rates of 0, 30, 90 and 150 kg N/ha, all applied as urea. Nitrogen treatments were side banded at sowing, with no further N applications made throughout the season. The trial was sown on the 22nd of May, and had a starting soil available N (Nitrate N) level of ~123 kg/ha (0-120 cm).

Results and implications

There was a curvilinear yield response for N applications averaged across all treatments, with a significant increase in grain yield up to 90 kg N/ha (5.71, 5.91 and 6.03 t/ha for 0, 30 and 90 kg N/ha, respectively), with a yield decline (5.90 t/ha) at the higher 150 kg N/ha rate. This response is not surprising, given the high starting soil N level of ~120 kg N/ha (0-120 cm) at this site in 2014. There was also a variety by N rate response for grain yield, although most varieties followed the overall N response curve, Bass and Buloke were responsive at the low N rate (30 kg N/ha), whilst Wimmera showed no grain yield response to N rates, compared to the 0 N rate (data not shown) possibly due to increased biomass production pre-anthesis.

Averaged across all treatments (N rate and population), Compass was the highest yielding variety, achieving a grain yield of 6.49 t/ha, followed by Commander at 6.12 t/ha, GrangeR 5.97 t/ha and La Trobe at 5.92 t/ha (Table 5a). Increasing plant population resulted in improved grain yield (Table 5b) with no variety by seed rate interactions evident.

In contrast to yield, grain protein concentration (GPC) showed a linear trend with increasing N rates, with no varietal interactions apparent. Increasing plant population resulted in a decrease in GPC which is consistent with a yield dilution effect as higher plant populations also improved yield in this trial (data not shown). Averaged across all treatments (N rate and population), Compass, Commander and La Trobe, achieved significantly lower GPC than the other barley varieties, indicating that these varieties were able to maintain lower GPC across a range of N and seed rates (Table 6).

The indicative varietal differences in grain quality also provide a good overview of varietal performance, with high GPC in Bass and both high screenings and low retention levels in Wimmera indicating that they may be more prone to issues around meeting malt receival specifications (Table 6).

Varietal GPC results trended towards the established yield dilution response (increasing yield = decreasing protein), with the exception of Bass. Bass was more grain protein responsive at comparable yields to Skipper, GrangeR and La Trobe(Figure 8). Importantly, it was observed, that under low to moderate N rates in high yielding environments, Commander, La Trobe and Compass could have issues achieving minimum GPC requirements of 9% (Figure 9).

Table 5a and 5b. Effect of variety choice and plant population (plants/m2) on grain yield (t/ha) -Spring Ridge 2014

Variety

Grain yield

(t/ha)

Bass

5.87

Buloke

5.58

Commander

6.12

Compass

6.49

GrangeR

5.97

La Trobe

5.92

Skipper

5.87

Wimmera

5.30

lsd (P=0.05)

0.12

Plant population

(plants/m2)

Grain yield

(t/ha)

75

5.66

150

5.96

300

6.04

lsd (P=0.05)

0.07

 

Table 6. Average grain quality for eight barley varieties grown across four N application rates (0,30, 90 and 150 kg N/ha) and at three plant populations - Spring Ridge 2014.

Variety

GPC (%)

Screenings (%)

Retentions (%)

Test Weight (kg/hL)

Bass

12.1

1.9

88.5

75.6

Buloke

11.4

3.5

79.9

74.6

Commander

10.8

2.6

87.5

74.3

Compass

10.5

1.5

92.8

73.5

GrangeR

11.3

2.9

83.7

74.3

La Trobe

10.7

3.6

82.3

75.7

Skipper

11.3

1.9

90.8

75.6

Wimmera

11.4

5.8

67.1

68.8

lsd (p=0.05)

0.2

1.1

1.7

0.3

Figure 8. Linear relationship between grain yield (t/ha) and grain protein concentration (%) for varieties sown at Spring Ridge in 2014.

Figure 8. Linear relationship between grain yield (t/ha) and grain protein concentration (%) for varieties sown at Spring Ridge in 2014.

 

Grain quality parameters in terms of malt receival standards (screenings and retentions) were generally good, with only Wimmera exceeding the 7% screening level at the higher 90 and 150 kg N/ha rates. Buloke at 69% was below the minimum 70% retentions level at the 150 kg N/ha application rate, with Wimmera also experiencing issues around retentions at 62 and 60% respectively, at the 90 and 150 kg N/ha rates (data not shown). Test weights although varying between varieties and treatments, were all above the malt grade specification of 65 kg/hL across all treatments.

Figure 9.  Effect of N rate on grain protein (%) for selected barley varieties – Spring Ridge 2014.

Figure 9.  Effect of N rate on grain protein (%) for selected barley varieties – Spring Ridge 2014.

Skipper under moderate to high N rates and in high yielding (>5 t/ha) environment showed an increased potential to lodge. Results also indicated that susceptibility to lodging in this environment was comparable between Compass and Commander under high starting N application rates

Concluding comments

Findings from a cross section of VSAP trials conducted in the NGR in 2014 highlight varietal differences to management practices and inputs. Information being generated as a result of these trials is being used to develop tactical agronomy recommendations. Importantly, TOS trials reinforced the need to consider variety selection in the context of a risk management strategy. Overtime, TOS trials provide greater confidence in varietal performance and flowering behaviour enabling growers to more accurately predict yield potential and hence risk associated with a sowing window opportunity. VSAP trials have for example observed that Lancer may vary in maturity relative to EGA Gregory (either earlier or later), depending on time of sowing and prevailing seasonal conditions, the implication being that it needs to be considered in the context of a main season maturity type rather than as a true long season late maturing sowing option.

Although it is generally accepted, that there are only minor differences between commercial wheat varieties in terms of grain protein accumulation or GNY. VSAP N management trials have been able to show that some of the newer varieties such as Spitfire may under certain environmental conditions achieve a higher GNY than other wheat varieties. Preliminary findings also indicate that Lancer may be a high GP accumulating variety, with both good grain stability - low screenings across both N rates and sowing dates. In contrast, varieties such as EGA Gregory appear less GY responsive to increasing rates of N application in comparison to the newer varieties Suntop and Lancer. The implications being that N management variety specific guidelines and or recommendations can be developed to take into account starting soil N, yield potential (PAWC), TOS and probable varietal response (yield and grain quality) to N application. Conversely the responsiveness of the new durum wheat varieties to N management, will also be studied to help ascertain if variety x environment x management guidelines including time of sowing and N application, can be developed to optimise varietal yield and grain quality potential.

The Australian barley industry is going through a period of transition, as breeding companies bring on-line their next generation of malting varieties. Since 2012, eleven new barley varieties have received malting accreditation through Barley Australia, with a further four potential releases in the next two year. The VSAP project has been looking at yield and quality responses of potential malt varieties likely to be grown nationally under a range of management practices (e.g. seed rate and N management). Compass a variety undergoing malt accreditation has demonstrated good adaptability and was able to maintain yield potential and GPC specifications across a range of N application rates. Compass appears to be agronomically similar to Commander, but has improved yield potential and grain stability (e.g. increased retentions). Although Commander is still considered the benchmark malting barley in the NGR, La Trobe a newly accredited malt variety and GrangeR a 2013 accredited variety, both exhibited good yield potential and grain quality parameters and may offer viable options as early and mid-maturing sowing alternatives, respectively.

Varietal evaluation will be further explored in VSAP trials, to help establish G x E x M tactical agronomy and variety specific recommendations, so as to enhance varietal uptake, yield and grain quality potential.

References

Anon (2014) Lancer wheat fact sheet, Online accessed January 2015.

Brill R, Gardner M and McMullen G. (2012) Comparison of grain yield and grain protein concentration of commercial wheat varieties.

Graham R, Martin P, Brooke, G, Matthews P and McMullen G. (2015a) Wheat variety response to sowing time.

Graham R, Simpfendorfer, S and McMullen G. (2015b). Barley agronomy and varieties.

Acknowledgements

The research undertaken as part of this project is made possible by the significant contributions of growers through both trial cooperation and the support of the GRDC and NSW DPI through the Variety Specific Agronomy Project (DAN00167). The trials would not have been possible without the valuable input of growers and advisors at each location. The trials and data collection were managed by Stephen Morphett, Jim Perfrement, Peter Formann, Jim Keir, Jan Hosking and Rod Bambach (all NSW DPI). Peter Martin from Howqua Consulting is also acknowledged for his contribution to the Wheat Variety Response to N management component of this paper.

Contact details

Mr. Rick Graham, NSW DPI, Tamworth, 0428 264971, ricky.graham@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Varieties displaying this symbol beside them are protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994

GRDC Project Code: DAN00167,