Chondrilla juncea in Australia. 2. Preplanting weed control and wheat production

1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (36) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
EG Cuthbertson

The response of wheat to nitrogen fertilization and to the time and mode of skeleton weed control was determined at three locations in southern New South Wales. Nitrogen fertilization was found to increase grain yield significantly in most situations. But nitrogen reduced total grain yield where adverse seasonal conditions caused severe water stress after flowering. Added nitrogen exaggerated the water stress and reduced grain weight. Temporary removal of skeleton weed, obtained by spraying the fallow with 2,4-D four to six weeks before seeding, increased grain yield by an average of nearly 5 bushels an acre. The magnitude of the response was modified by rainfall incidence, weed cover, and time of spray application relative to seeding. The effects of chemical weed control, followed by crop competition, were apparent in stubble sown crops 12 to 18 months later in the form of reduced weed populations and increased grain yield. Preplanting sprays reduced the response to nitrogen fertilizer but the interaction, generally, was not significant. Spraying the fallow with a contact herbicide, or substituting an additional cultivation for the 2,4-D fallow spray, also increased grain yield. These results emphasize the importance of suppressing skeleton weed, by the most appropriate means available, in the period before sowing.

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon L. Brown ◽  
Nick Reid ◽  
Jackie Reid ◽  
Rhiannon Smith ◽  
R. D. B. (Wal) Whalley ◽  
...  

Restoring the grassy understorey to temperate woodlands in south-eastern Australia is often disregarded due to a poor understanding of the techniques involved. The natural recruitment of native grasses is uncommon in the remnants of some of these woodlands, so the restoration of the grass layer is often dependent on interventions to overcome restoration barriers. Soil enrichment from agricultural fertilisers favours the invasion of exotic broadleaf weeds and grasses, and is one of the primary barriers to the successful recruitment and establishment of native grasses, which dominated before agricultural development. This study on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales investigated the effects of different weed control treatments – scalping, glyphosate (Roundup®) herbicide, and combinations of glyphosate with carbon (sugar and sawdust) addition and a control (nil treatment) recruitment of native grasses and weed emergence after broadcast seeding. The experimental site was a mown grass lawn consisting of fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum Poir). Native grass recruitment varied significantly between treatments. The maximum number of recruits in scalped plots was 29 recruits m–2 compared with an average of <2 recruits m–2 for the glyphosate and glyphosate carbon combinations. Scalping reduced soil nitrogen from 0.6% in non-scalped plots to 0.1% and phosphorus from 191.6 ppm to 40.3 ppm. Maximum weed cover occurred in the glyphosate herbicide treatment (45%), whereas combinations of glyphosate plus either sugar or sawdust maintained weed cover at 13%. The present study suggests that scalping may be a successful intervention strategy because it has the potential to significantly improve native grass recruitment compared with other restoration methods used in this study. Scalping allows more time for native grasses to germinate and establish in the absence of competitive fast-growing exotic weeds.


1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (120) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
JE Pratley

The control by herbicides of an infestation of Amsinckia hispida and toadrush (Juncus bufonius) in wheat was investigated at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, during 1979 and 1980. Bromoxynil, bromoxynil+MCPA, terbutryne and methabenzthiazuron+2,4-D were used in both years, dicamba+MCPA in 1979, and dicamba and experimental herbicide DPX4189 (GleanTM�) in 1980. All herbicides reduced weed densities and improved crop yields. Terbutryne gave greatest control of weed populations, in excess of 98% in both years. Grain yield was more than doubled in each case. GleanTM produced the highest grain yield in 1980 although weed control was not as good as from some other herbicides. However, the undersown pasture legumes, particularly subterranean clover, had poorer survival from this herbicide. Dicamba and dicamba+MCPA were inferior to the other chemicals in the control of these weeds.


2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne M. Lilley ◽  
Lindsay W. Bell ◽  
John A. Kirkegaard

Recent expansion of cropping into Australia’s high-rainfall zone (HRZ) has involved dual-purpose crops suited to long growing seasons that produce both forage and grain. Early adoption of dual-purpose cropping involved cereals; however, dual-purpose canola (Brassica napus) can provide grazing and grain and a break crop for cereals and grass-based pastures. Grain yield and grazing potential of canola (up until bud-visible stage) were simulated, using APSIM, for four canola cultivars at 13 locations across Australia’s HRZ over 50 years. The influence of sowing date (2-weekly sowing dates from early March to late June), nitrogen (N) availability at sowing (50, 150 and 250 kg N/ha), and crop density (20, 40, 60, 80 plants/m2) on forage and grain production was explored in a factorial combination with the four canola cultivars. The cultivars represented winter, winter × spring intermediate, slow spring, and fast spring cultivars, which differed in response to vernalisation and photoperiod. Overall, there was significant potential for dual-purpose use of winter and winter × spring cultivars in all regions across Australia’s HRZ. Mean simulated potential yields exceeded 4.0 t/ha at most locations, with highest mean simulated grain yields (4.5–5.0 t/ha) in southern Victoria and lower yields (3.3–4.0 t/ha) in central and northern New South Wales. Winter cultivars sown early (March–mid-April) provided most forage (>2000 dry sheep equivalent (DSE) grazing days/ha) at most locations because of the extended vegetative stage linked to the high vernalisation requirement. At locations with Mediterranean climates, the low frequency (<30% of years) of early sowing opportunities before mid-April limited the utility of winter cultivars. Winter × spring cultivars (not yet commercially available), which have an intermediate phenology, had a longer, more reliable sowing window, high grazing potential (up to 1800 DSE-days/ha) and high grain-yield potential. Spring cultivars provided less, but had commercially useful grazing opportunities (300–700 DSE-days/ha) and similar yields to early-sown cultivars. Significant unrealised potential for dual-purpose canola crops of winter × spring and slow spring cultivars was suggested in the south-west of Western Australia, on the Northern Tablelands and Slopes of New South Wales and in southern Queensland. The simulations emphasised the importance of early sowing, adequate N supply and sowing density to maximise grazing potential from dual-purpose crops.


2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Conyers ◽  
C. L. Mullen ◽  
B. J. Scott ◽  
G. J. Poile ◽  
B. D. Braysher

The cost of buying, carting and spreading limestone, relative to the value of broadacre crops, makes investment in liming a questionable proposition for many farmers. The longer the beneficial effects of limestone persist, however, the more the investment in liming becomes economically favourable. We re-established previous lime trials with the aim of measuring the long-term effects of limestone on surface acidity (pH run-down), subsurface acidity (lime movement) and grain yield. The study made use of experiments where there was adequate early data on soil chemical properties and cereal yields. We report data from 6 trials located at 4 sites between Dubbo and Albury in New South Wales. The rate of surface soil (0–10 cm) pH decline after liming was proportional to the pH attained 1 year after liming. That is, the higher the pH achieved, the more rapid the rate of subsequent pH decline. Since yields (product removal) and nitrification (also acid producing) may both vary with pH, the post-liming pH acts as a surrogate for the productivity and acid-generating rate of the soil–plant system. The apparent lime loss rate of the surface soils ranged from the equivalent of nearly 500 kg limestone/ha.year at pH approaching 7, to almost zero at pH approaching 4. At commercial application rates of 2–2.5 t/ha, the movement of alkali below the layer of application was restricted. However, significant calcium (Ca) movement sometimes occurred to below 20 cm depth. At rates of limestone application exceeding the typical commercial rate of 2.5 t/ha, or at surface pH greater than about 5.5, alkali and Ca movement into acidic subsurface soil was clearly observed. It is therefore technically feasible to ameliorate subsurface soil acidity by applying heavy rates of limestone to the soil surface. However, the cost and risks of this option should be weighed against the use of acid-tolerant cultivars in combination with more moderate limestone rates worked into the surface soil.There was a positive residual benefit of limestone on cereal grain yield (either barley, wheat, triticale, or oats) at all sites in both the 1992 and 1993 seasons. While acid-tolerant cultivars were less lime responsive than acid-sensitive ones, the best yields were generally obtained using a combination of liming and acid-tolerant cultivars.The long-term residual benefits of limestone were shown to extend for beyond 8–12 years and indicate that liming should be profitable in the long term.


1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (27) ◽  
pp. 380
Author(s):  
JB Sumeghy ◽  
HC Kirton

To test the potential suitability of ten tomato varieties in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of New South Wales to mechanical harvesting, the yields from 'once-over' harvests were compared with the yields from a harvest consisting of four pickings at weekly intervals. In a second experiment the effect of plant spacing, time of harvest, and side-dressing with nitrogen fertilizer were studied for the most promising varieties from the first experiment. The varieties Roma 884, VF145-22-8, and VF145 held their crops for prolonged periods without deterioration and so showed potential for mechanical harvesting. High planting density gave the highest yields from a single picking, and later picking and nitrogen side-dressing also increased yield.


1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Doyle ◽  
RW Kingston

The effect of sowing rate (10-110 kg/ha) on the grain yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was determined from a total of 20 field experiments conducted in northern New South Wales from 1983 to 1986. Effects of sowing rate on kernel weight and grain protein percentage were also determined from 12 experiments conducted in 1985 and 1986. Two barley varieties were tested each year. In all years fallow plus winter rainfall was equal to or greater than average. Grain yield increased with higher sowing rates in most experiments, with the response curve reaching a plateau above 60-70 kg/ha. For 13 of the 40 variety x year combinations, grain yield fell at the highest sowing rates. Only in an experiment where lodging increased substantially with higher sowing rates was there a reduction in yield at a sowing rate of 60 kg/ha. The average sowing rate for which 5 kg grain was produced per kg of seed sown was 63 kg/ha. Grain protein percentage usually fell, and kernel weight invariably fell, with increasing sowing rate. Increasing sowing rates from the normal commercial rate of 35 kg/ha to a rate of 60 kg/ha typically increased grain yields by 100-400 kg/ha, decreased kernel weight by 0.4-2.0 mg, and decreased grain protein by up to 0.5 percentage points. In no case was the grain weight reduced to below malting specifications. It was concluded that sowing rates for barley in northern New South Wales should be increased to about 60 kg/ha.


1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 922 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lemerle ◽  
AR Leys ◽  
RB Hinkley ◽  
JA Fisher

Twelve spring wheat cultivars were tested in southern New South Wales for their tolerances to the recommended rates and three times the recommended rates of trifluralin, pendimethalin, tri-allate and chlorsulfuron. Recommended rates of these herbicides did not affect the emergence or grain yield of any cultivar. However, differences between cultivars in their tolerances to trifluralin, pendimethalin and chlorsulfuron at three times the recommended rate were identified. The extent of the reduction in emergence and/or grain yield varied with herbicide and season, and there was also a herbicidexseason interaction. Durati, Songlen and Tincurrin were the most susceptible cultivars to trifluralin, and Teal was the most tolerant. Yield losses from trifluralin were more severe in 1979 than in 1980 or 1981. The differential between cultivars treated with pendimethalin was smaller and more variable; Tincurrin was the only cultivar with a yield reduction in more than one season. Durati, Songlen and Shortim were the only cultivars affected by chlorsulfuron. A reduction in crop emergence of a cultivar treated with trifluralin or pendimethalin did not correlate consistently with any grain yield loss, and reductions in emergence were always greater than yield loss.


1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (117) ◽  
pp. 310 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Holland ◽  
DW McNamara

Six experiments were done in northern New South Wales over three seasons to study the effect of weeds on the yield of dry-land grain sorghum and methods of weed control. The relation between crop row spacing and weed control by inter-row cultivation or atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino- 6-isopropylamino-l,3,5-triazine), or both was studied. Where the site yield was high because of favourable growing conditions, an increase in the crop row spacing reduced yield. At low yielding sites, an increase in the row spacing increased yields. At most sites, weed growth was greater with wider row spacings, which resulted in a larger reduction in crop yield where weeds were not removed. Inter-row cultivation reduced weed growth to less than half that of the unweeded controls. Pre-emergent atrazine gave good weed suppression, generally reducing weed growth to less than 10% of the unweeded control when applied at 2.5 kg/ha active ingredient. Post-emergent atrazine was much less effective. Inter-row cultivation combined with a band of pre-emergent atrazine over the crop row was as effective in weed control as an overall spray of pre-emergent atrazine.


1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 959 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAE Lattimore

Legume-based pastures have long been an integral part of rice growing in the southern New South Wales irrigation areas and still offer potential to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the temperate rice-cropping system.This paper reviews both historical and current aspects of pastures in temperate rice rotations in southern New South Wales and highlights the importance of pastures in sustaining this cropping system as environmental pressures increase. Topics discussed include pasture species and rotations, their role in improving soil fertility and sustainability, the value of pastures in weed control, and their management for maximum profitability.


1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD FitzGerald ◽  
ML Curll ◽  
EW Heap

Thirty varieties of wheat originating from Australia, UK, USA, Ukraine, and France were evaluated over 3 years as dual-purpose wheats for the high rainfall environment of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales (mean annual rainfall 851 mm). Mean grain yields (1.9-4.3 t/ha) compared favourably with record yields in the traditional Australian wheatbelt, but were much poorer than average yields of 6.5 t/ha reported for UK crops. A 6-week delay in sowing time halved grain yield in 1983; cutting in spring reduced yield by 40% in 1986. Grazing during winter did not significantly reduce yields. Results indicate that the development of wheat varieties adapted to the higher rainfall tablelands and suited to Australian marketing requirements might help to provide a useful alternative enterprise for tableland livestock producers.


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