With spreading and in-crop sprays completed across most of the 38 BCG research trials sites this year, our focus has shifted to monitoring for disease and insects.
Emergence assessments are complete, so investigation into early treatment differences in trials are being compiled. Biomass cuts, weed counts and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) readings are in the process of being collected to assess any treatment differences.
The BCG drone is being flown over our two major trial sites at Longerenong and Curyo, the site of BCG’s Main Field Day, on a fortnightly basis.
The first application of Plant Growth Regulators (PGR’s) at GS30 have been put out on a trial at Longerenong, aiming to evaluate the benefit and timing of PGR application on barley and its interaction with nitrogen. PGR’s strengthen the stem by shortening the internode, so is used to prevent lodging in susceptible varieties. PGR’s are reported to have more benefit in crops with a higher yield potential, which we’re examining in this trial through the application of two different nitrogen rates at tillering – 80N (4 tonne yield potential) and 160N (6.5 tonne yield potential). It is expected that PGR’s will give greater benefit with the higher rate of N.
GS30 is recommended as a target stage for PGR application as it’s the start of node formation – timing is critical for the maximum benefit. Treatments in this trial will target growth stages GS30 and GS32 plus GS30 followed by GS37. The GS37 application will identify the benefit of a follow-up after an early application while the GS32 application will determine if there is a penalty for missing the GS30 window and applying late.
Biomass cuts have begun on the canola phenology trial at Longerenong. This trial evaluates the effect of sowing windows on different maturity length canola and this year also contains a nitrogen interaction for targeting different years – decile 5, aiming at 2t/ha and decile 9, aiming at 4t/ha. The variety effect is evident with fast maturing variety Diamond already waist tall and well into flowering in the early sowing time. Slower varieties like Archer are at early bud formation. This research highlights the challenges of ordering canola seed in the year prior to planting with no idea what conditions will be at sowing.
A grazing mixtures assessment trial at Curyo, run in conjunction with Dr James Hunt from La Trobe University and Agriculture Victoria Graduate Tom Batters as part of his graduate program, is aiming to investigate combinations of canola, oats and vetch as a grazing source.
The biomass and nutrition of each combination will be assessed throughout the season to determine the grazing value it provides and to determine whether any feed benefit exists from the pasture combinations.
During a recent trip to the site to undertake biomass cuts, Mr Batters and BCG Extension and Communication Officer, Jemma Pearl spoke about the trial and how the project is progressing.
Attendees to the BCG Main Field Day on September 13 will get the opportunity to inspect this trial.
