The optimum width between crop rows has been creating conjecture within in the grains industry for some time now.
There are those who favour narrow rows (9 inch or 23cms) citing better weed competition and higher cereal yields produced by the practice, while pundits of wider rows (12 and 15 inch or 30 and 38cm) promote benefits such as ease of sowing in a retained stubble system, improved herbicide efficacy and less disease (particularly in pulses).
As part of the GRDC-funded stubble initiative (project number BWD00024), BCG will attempt to answer some of the questions growers have about row spacings in a retained stubble system.
A field trial that has been established at Berriwillock will specifically examine how wheat varieties perform when sown at different row spacings (9, 12 and 15 inch). Early and mid to late maturing wheat varieties have been included in this trial to see if any varietal differences are evident at the different row spacings.
During the year BCG researchers will measure crop establishment, growth, disease, biomass production, yield and the stubble produced from each treatment. The findings will be reviewed against other research being undertaken through the stubble initiative, and subsequently produced guidelines will help growers to make informed decisions about which is the optimum row spacing to handle trash, control weeds and ultimately produce the greatest yield.
This trial is one of a number of research, development and extension activities being carried out through the GRDC stubble initiative.
BCG, working in partnership with Southern Farming Systems, the Irrigated Cropping Council and Victoria No-Till Farmers Association, is specifically focused on finding ways that Victorian and Tasmanian growers can maintain profitable retained stubble farming systems.
While the environmental and production benefits of a retained stubble system are widely understood, challenges such as pests, heavy crop residues, stubble-borne diseases and spray efficacy are issues to contend with.
GRDC has made a significant investment in trying to identify and overcome the barriers to retaining stubble, and BCG, with its partners, is pleased to have been given the task of seeking solutions for growers in Victoria and Tasmania.
Other work being carried out by BCG this year as part of the stubble project include research into sowing direction, stubble nutrition from various stubble loads and optimum row spacings for different crop rotations. Other research trials looking at various aspects of crop management in stubble retained systems are being carried out at Kerang (under irrigation), Inverleigh and in Tasmania.
Information generated from field trials will be available on the BCG website early next year. For more about this and other stubble project research, phone project leader Claire Browne on (03) 5492 2787.
