Crop area increases drive earlier and dry sowing in Western Australia: implications for farming systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 1268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Fletcher ◽  
Roger Lawes ◽  
Cameron Weeks
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Water Repellent ◽  
Sowing Dates ◽  
Crop Area ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Technologies such as minimum tillage and new herbicides have enabled the use of early and dry sowing in Western Australia (WA). Although there is a sowing date that maximises yield of individual fields, on-farm sowing dates are constrained by the availability of machinery and labour. It was hypothesised that farms with a larger crop area would begin sowing earlier and be more likely to dry sow than smaller farms because they would take longer to sow. Current sowing dates and the extent of dry sowing in WA were explored using multiple analytical approaches, such as analysis of farm records, survey data and historical weather records, and simulation modelling. Field records from seven farms showed that sowing date of the first cereal crop on-farm had advanced markedly in recent years. The timeline of this advanced cereal sowing date differed across sites but was prominent from 2010 for most sites. In a larger survey, conducted between 2011 and 2014, of 805 grain farms across all rainfall zones in the WA grain belt, the mean first crop sowing date was 29 April and half the farms used dry sowing. Farms with larger cropped areas tended to begin sowing crops earlier and were more likely to dry sow. Only 26% of small farms (<1000 ha crop) used dry sowing compared with 71% of large farms (>5000 ha crop). A larger proportion of lupin (34%) and canola (43%) was sown dry than wheat (16%) or barley (10%; P < 0.001). Simulation modelling demonstrated that the optimum time to begin sowing at the farm level was often well before the break of season (the first autumn rainfall of sufficient volume to ensure subsequent successful crop germination and establishment), but this was dependant on the size of the cropping program. Early and dry sowing will continue to expand, and research to understand how other agronomic management interacts with this change should be a priority. This may include cultivars with appropriate traits, such as longer duration to flowering, changes in weed management practices, management practices that accumulate soil moisture at sowing, interactions with water repellent soil and the interaction with dual purpose cropping.

Variability and trends in sowing dates across the Australian wheatbelt

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Stephens ◽  
T. J. Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
National Scale ◽  
Climatic Effects ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Sowing Dates ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Australian Wheat

As sowing dates are critical for appropriate yield forecasting, a national survey of Australian wheat farmers was undertaken. This revealed that wheat sowing generally takes 2-4 weeks to complete between the middle of May and the middle of June. Distinct regional differences occur in the way sowing is completed and these are related to soil and climatic effects. In Western Australia, sowing follows a more distinct `break in the season" and the midpoint of farm sowing is fairly uniform across cropping areas. As one progresses into south-eastern and then north-eastern cropping areas the spatial variability in sowing increases. The combination of fallowing practices, unreliable autumn rainfall, and heavier soils (that delay operations when conditions are wet or dry), all add to the variability in sowing date and sowing duration in north-eastern areas. The range of midpoint in sowing (between years) generally decreases as the progression is made from a farm, to a State, to a national scale. Reduced variability at a national scale is enhanced by broad-scale weather patterns causing sowing opportunities to contrast markedly on different sides of the country. During the 1980s, sowing progressed a day earlier per year at a national scale. The most pronounced changes occurred in Queensland and Western Australia, where a 2-3-week shift to earlier sowing was recorded. Coinciding with this was a trend in all areas to reduced or minimum tillage techniques. Late opening rains in South Australia restricted early sowing opportunities during this time.

Simulating phenology and yield response of canola to sowing date in Western Australia using the APSIM model

2002 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Farré ◽  
M. J. Robertson ◽  
G. H. Walton ◽  
S. Asseng
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Sowing Dates ◽  
3.0 T ◽  
Using Data

Canola is a relatively new crop in the Mediterranean environment of Western Australia and growers need information on crop management to maximise profitability. However, local information from field experiments is limited to a few seasons and its interpretation is hampered by seasonal rainfall variability. Under these circumstances, a simulation model can be a useful tool. The APSIM-Canola model was tested using data from Western Australian field experiments. These experiments included different locations, cultivars, and sowing dates. Flowering date was predicted by the model with a root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of 4.7 days. The reduction in the period from sowing to flowering with delay in sowing date was accurately reproduced by the model. Observed yields ranged from 0.1 to 3.2 t/ha and simulated yields from 0.4 to 3.0 t/ha. Yields were predicted with a RMSD of 0.3–0.4 t/ha. The yield reduction with delayed sowing date in the high, medium, and low rainfall region (3.2, 6.1, and 8.6% per week, respectively) was accurately simulated by the model (1.1, 6.7, and 10.3% per week, respectively). It is concluded that the APSIM-Canola model, together with long-term weather data, can be reliably used to quantify yield expectation for different cultivars, sowing dates, and locations in the grainbelt of Western Australia.

On-Farm Evaluation of Mechanical and Chemical Weed Management Practices in Corn (Zea mays)

1993 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1001-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Hartzler ◽  
Brad D. Van Kooten ◽  
David E. Stoltenberg ◽  
Elaine M. Hall ◽  
Richard S. Fawcett
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
On Farm

Combinations of rotary hoeing, cultivation, and band- or broadcast-applied herbicides were compared for weed management in corn at 64 locations in Iowa from 1987 to 1991. Cultivation alone resulted in denser weed populations than herbicide treatments at 41% of the locations; however, corn yields were reduced at only 22% of the locations when weeds were controlled mechanically rather than with herbicides. Compared with broadcast applications, herbicides applied in a band resulted in increased weed populations at 8% of the locations; however, corn yields were reduced at only 1% of the locations.

Assessment of Weed Management Practices and Problem Weeds in the Midsouth United States—Soybean: A Consultant's Perspective

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 612-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilpreet S. Riar ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Lawrence E. Steckel ◽  
Daniel O. Stephenson ◽  
Thomas W. Eubank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Palmer Amaranth ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
The Third ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
On Farm

Soybean consultants from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee were surveyed by direct mail and by on-farm visits in fall 2011 to assess weed management practices and the prevalence of weed species in midsouth U.S. soybean. These consultants represented 15, 21, 5, and 10% of total soybean planted in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, respectively, in 2011. Collectively, 93% of the total scouted area in these four states was planted with glyphosate-resistant (RR) soybean. The adoption of glufosinate-resistant (LL) soybean was greatest in Arkansas (12%), followed by Tennessee (4%), Mississippi (2%), and Louisiana (< 1%). Only 17% of the RR soybean was treated solely with glyphosate, compared with 35% of LL soybean treated solely with glufosinate. Across four states, average cost of herbicides in RR and LL soybean systems was US$78 and US$91 ha−1, respectively. Collectively across states, total scouted area under conventional tillage was 42%, stale seedbed was 37%, and no-tillage was 21%. Palmer amaranth and morningglories were the most problematic weeds in all four states. Additionally, barnyardgrass and horseweed were the third most problematic weeds of Arkansas and Tennessee, respectively, and Italian ryegrass was the third most problematic weed in Louisiana and Mississippi. Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth infested fewer fields in Louisiana (16% of fields) than it did in the remaining three states (54% collectively). Average Palmer amaranth hand-weeding costs in the midsouth was US$59 ha−1. Three-fourths of the midsouth consultants stipulated the need for continued research and education focused on management of glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-tolerant weed species.

scholarly journals Impacts of Future Climate Predictions on Second Season Maize in an Agrosystem on a Biome Transition Region in Mato Grosso State

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Carolina da Silva Andrea ◽  
Rivanildo Dallacort ◽  
João Danilo Barbieri ◽  
Rafael Cesar Tieppo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Sowing Dates ◽  
Negative Impacts

Abstract Climate change promotes variations in climatic elements necessary for crop growth and development, such as temperature and rainfall, potentially impacting yields of staple crops. The objective of this study was to assess future climate projections, derived from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and their impacts on second season maize in a region of Mato Grosso state. Field experiments in the 15/16 season comprising different sowing dates and hybrids maturities in rainfed conditions were used for crop model adjustment and posterior simulation of experiments. Crop simulations comprised historical (1980-2010) and future (2010-2100) time frames combined with local crop management practices. Results showed decreases of 50-89% in grain yields, with the most pessimistic scenarios at the latest sowing date at the end of the century. Decreases in the duration of crop cycle and in the efficiency of water use were observed, indicating the negative impacts of projected higher temperatures and drier conditions in crop development. Results highlight the unfeasibility of practicing late sowing dates in second season for maize in the future, indicating the necessity of adjusting management practices so that the double-cropping production system is possible.

scholarly journals Impact of Sowing Date Induced Temperature and Management Practices on Development Events and Yield of Mustard

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
MSA Khan ◽  
MA Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Sowing Dates ◽  
Mustard Crop ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Late Sowing

The experiment was conducted at the research field of the Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur, during rabi season of 2014-2015 to find out the relationship between different development events of mustard crop and sowing dates induced temperature as well as to minimize the yield reduction of the crop by adopting appropriate management practices. The mustard var. BARI Sarisha-15 was sown on 06, 25 November and 14 December 2014. Crop accumulated lower growing degree days (GDD) i.e., 72.15, 521.10 and 1070 to 1154 °C were observed for the events of emergence, 50 % flowering and maturity on 14 December sowing. Late sown plants took minimum time from flowering to maturity (36 days) due to increased temperature and high variability in both maximum and minimum temperature. The highest seed yield (1569 kg ha-1) was recorded from 06 November sowing with high management practices while the lowest seed yield (435 kg ha-1) from 14 December sowing with low management practices. At high management practices the crop yielded 1183 kg ha-1 at 14 December sowing. Yield reduction at late sowing condition was reduced to some extent with high management practices. The seed yield reductions at 14 December sowing as compared to high management practices at 06 November sowing were 72, 43 and 25% under low, medium and high management, respectively.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(2): 45-52

A Statewide Survey of Stakeholders to Assess the Problem Weeds and Weed Management Practices in Nebraska

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 642-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debalin Sarangi ◽  
Amit J. Jhala
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Acetolactate Synthase ◽  
Grain Sorghum ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Common Waterhemp ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Crop Area

AbstractStakeholders were surveyed across Nebraska to identify the problem weeds and assess common weed management practices. A total of 425 responses were returned across four Nebraska extension districts (Northeast, Panhandle, Southeast, and West Central). Collectively, 61.2% of total farmed or scouted areas in Nebraska were under no-till production, and corn and soybean were the major crops (82.3% of total farmed or scouted area). Common waterhemp, horseweed, and kochia were the most problematic weeds statewide. Widespread occurrence of glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds such as common waterhemp, horseweed, kochia, and Palmer amaranth were a serious problem in GR crop production. Additionally, 60% of growers in Nebraska reported the presence of at least one GR weed species on their farms. The most commonly used preplant burndown herbicides were 2,4-D and glyphosate, followed by saflufenacil and dicamba. In Nebraska, 74% and 59% of corn and soybean growers, respectively, were using PRE herbicides; however, more than 80% of growers were using POST herbicides for in-crop weed management. Atrazine alone or in premix or tank mix with mesotrione,S-metolachlor, or acetochlor were the most widely applied PRE herbicides in corn and grain sorghum, whereas the most commonly used PRE herbicides in soybean were the inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS) and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). Glyphosate was the most frequent choice of the survey respondents as a POST herbicide in GR corn and soybean; 2,4-D was the most commonly used POST herbicide in grain sorghum and wheat. In Nebraska, only 5.2% of total crop area was planted with glufosinate-resistant crops. Most of the respondents (89%) were aware of the new multiple herbicide–resistant crops, and 80% of them listed physical drift and volatility of the auxinic herbicides as their primary concern. Forty-eight percent of survey respondents identified herbicide-resistant weed management as their primary research and extension priority.

Organic Farmer Knowledge and Perceptions are Associated with On-Farm Weed Seedbank Densities in Northern New England

Weed Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randa Jabbour ◽  
Eric R. Gallandt ◽  
Sarah Zwickle ◽  
Robyn S. Wilson ◽  
Doug Doohan
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Weed Seed ◽  
Farmer Knowledge ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Northern New England ◽  
Ecological Weed Management ◽  
On Farm

Weed management remains a high priority for organic farmers, whose fields generally have higher weed density and species diversity than those of their conventional counterparts. We explored whether variability in farmer knowledge and perceptions of weeds and weed management practices were predictive of variability in on-farm weed seedbanks on 23 organic farms in northern New England. We interviewed farmers and transcribed and coded interviews to quantify their emphasis on concepts regarding knowledge of ecological weed management, the perceived risks and benefits of weeds, and the perceived risks and benefits of weed management practices. To characterize on-farm weed seedbanks, we collected soil samples from five fields at each farm (115 fields total) and measured germinable weed seed density. Mean weed seed density per farm ranged from 2,775 seeds m−2to 24,678 seeds m−2to a soil depth of 10 cm. Farmers most often reported hairy galinsoga and crabgrass species (Digitariaspp.) as their most problematic weeds. The proportion of the sum of these two most problematic weeds in each farm's seedbank ranged from 1 to 73% of total weed seed density. Farmer knowledge and perceptions were predictive of total seed density, species richness, and proportion of hairy galinsoga and crabgrass species. Low seed densities were associated with farmers who most often discussed risks of weeds, benefits of critical weed-free management practices, and learning from their own experience. These farmers also exhibited greater knowledge of managing the weed seedbank and greater understanding of the importance of a long-term strategy. Targeted education focusing on this set of knowledge and beliefs could potentially lead to improved application and success of ecological weed management in the future, thus decreasing labor costs and time necessary for farmers to manage weeds.

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