Seed grading is underway in many regions and as the wheat is literally sorted from the chaff, growers are reminded the quality and size of that seed can have a significant effect on crop performance this coming season.
GRDC have compiled a handy resource, the Retaining Seed Fact Sheet, outlining some of the factors growers need to consider before sowing, especially given many experienced wet conditions over the 2017-18 harvest.
Rainfall at harvest can reduce the germination and vigour of retained seed, while seed is also at a higher risk of degradation during storage and handling.
Growers should be mindful that seed-borne diseases can damage seed and have a lasting effect on the 2018 season.
The fact sheet highlights:
- symptoms of poor quality can vary, for example the loose and wrinkled seed coat in some pulses compared to seed staining, fungal mould and signs of germination
- unless harvested before weather damage, canola, should not be retained for seed
- weather-damaged seed deteriorates faster, therefore should not be stored for more than 12 months
- grain that received a pre-harvest application of glyphosate must not be retained for seed.
Growers can undertake their own germination tests, which can either be in soil or on a piece of paper towel. With an explanation available in the Retaining Seed Fact Sheet for conducting soil germination tests, and a ‘how to conduct a germination test’ document available on the BCG website for paper towel tests.
It is not only the quality of the grain that needs to be considered, but also the grain weight according to BCG project manager, Louisa Ferrier.
“Growers should check the grain weight, germination of retained seed and calibrate accordingly to achieve consistent plant establishment from season to season” Ms Ferrier said.
In research conducted at the BCG Main Site located at Curyo in 2017, Compass barley seed retained from 2016 and 2015 was put to the test.
“Grain retained in 2015 was small, 33.5g/1000 grain weight, because of the dry season. While 2016 seed was large, 58.5g/1000 grain weight, because of the exceptional spring rainfall,” Ms Ferrier explained.
The premise of the trial was to identify significant differences in yield or quality if a grower didn’t calibrate their seeding rate from season to season.
Ms Ferrier explained that “the pub test” would suggest barley plants will compensate for the lower seeding rate with more tillers.
Grain was sown at the optimal plant population for cereals in the Mallee at 130 plant/m2, which for the Wimmera would be 150 plants/m2 and 150-200 plant/m2 for the high rainfall zone, and was compared with grain sown at ‘uncalibrated’ seeding rates.
“The trial yielded an average 4.7t/ha across all treatments and we did see a difference between the optimal sowing population and the sub-optimal sowing population,” Ms Ferrier said.
BCG members will have access to the results of this trial in the 2017 BCG Season Research Results compendium, while also being able to discuss the trial with Ms Ferrier at the BCG Trials Review Day to be held on 16 February at the Birchip Leisure Centre.
The BCG Trials Review Day is a members only event. Lunch and refreshments are included and non-BCG members can purchase memberships prior to, or on the day.
For more information about the BCG Trials Review Day visit the website at www.bcg.org.au or phone the office on (03) 5492 2787.
This article was published in the Stock and Land, 25 January.
