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Sharon Taylor, Central West Farming Systems - Greg Brooke, NSW Agriculture, Nyngan
Take Home Messages:
- Canola yields in 2003 were bellow average, mostly less than 0.5 t/ha
- No yield response was reported with increased rates of P and N fertiliser
INTRODUCTION
In 2003 the Nyngan regional site group decided to investigate the yield response of canola to phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N). The trial was designed as a randomised block, with 3 replicates. It was located at 'Coreen' in a paddock which had failed wheat in 2002 and wheat in 2001. The trial was sown with Beacon, at 3 kg/ha, on 5th May with 50 cm of subsoil moisture. Verdict®520 was used as an in-crop spray for grass weeds at 0.05 L/ha. The P and N fertiliser treatments were: P rates (kg P/ha) - 0, 10, 15 & 20 and N rates (kg P/ha) - 0, 25, 50 & 70
The rainfall figures for the Nyngan site can be seen in Figure 1. The annual rainfall was 348 mm, which is bellow average, whilst the growing season rainfall was 225 mm.
RESULTS
The canola yield from the P and N fertiliser rates can be seen in Figure 2 and 3, respectively. These figures show that there is no significant difference in yield between the four rate of P and the four rate of N.
DISCUSSION
Due to the dry seasonal conditions in 2003 the canola yields were below average, with most treatments yielding less than 0.5 t/ha. After sowing on the 5th May hot, dry conditions limited seedlings growth until later in the season. Due to these seasonal conditions the potential for a yield response to increasing rates of P and N did not occur, as all P and N treatments yielded statistically the same. However it can be observed that there is a general improvement in yield with the middle rates of P and N fertiliser.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
On behalf of the Nyngan Regional Site group we would like to thank Will & Steven Carter, Tom Fitzgerald, Daryl Reardon, Jim Priestly, Tim McNee and Cath Evans. Your support and help with this trial was greatly appreciated.
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