Variety and Agronomy Trials
Canola Trial Results 2007/08
CANOLA AGRONOMY TRIALS
1. Alternative oilseeds trial, Managatang, Vic (BCG)
The conventional canola variety AVJade was the highest yielding. Yields of the juncea canola cv. Dune and the condiment mustards were disappointing, except yields of the condiment mustard variety MB11 was similar to the conventional canola cv. AVJade.
2. Alternative oilseeds trial, Gunning Gap, NSW (CWFS)
Juncea canola (Brassica juncea) is showing potential as an alternative to canola in the low rainfall zone. This trial report will be available shortly.
3. Canola hay time of cutting x variety trial, Longerenong (BCG, Better Oilseeds)
Cutting canola at late flowering was a good compromise between quality and quantity. Cutting after late flowering reduced hay quality but had little effect on hay quantity. The Clearfield hybrids produced higher hay and grain yield than the triazine tolerant varieties.
4. Clearfield canola and juncea canola herbicide tolerance trial, Longerenong & Brichip, Vic. (BCG)
The Clearfield® varieties/hybrids expressed a high level of tolerance to recommended rates of the imidazolinone herbicides.
5.Crop architecture trial, Junee, NSW (Better Oilseeds):
Increased target plant population from 20 plants/m2 to 60 plants/m2 reduced yields (although low) in the dry season of 2007. The actual plant population fell as the row spacing widened from 18 cm to 30 cm.
6. Juncea canola and canola sowing rate trial, Millewa, Vic. (Vic. DPI)
A sowing rate of 3-4 kg/ha gave optimal plant densities for the juncea canola cv. ‘Dune’. Juncea canola appeared to outyield canola when sown at a rate of at least 3 kg/ha in the dry 2007 season. Note: data not analysed.
7. Nitrogen rate x timing trial, Longerenong & Birchip, Vic. (BCG)
There was no yield response to nitrogen at the Longerenong site. Canola grain was not harvested at Birchip, but dry matter losses were incurred when all nitrogen application was delayed until late cabbage stage.
8. Row spacing x variety trial, Merriwagga, NSW (NSW DPI VSAP project)
There was no difference in yield of any canola, juncea canola or mustard varieties/hybrids between 15 cm and 60 cm row spacing in this trial, which was severely affected by drought. Wider rows in this trial delayed flowering by at least five days in all varieties. B. juncea varieties seemed to branch out more on wider rows than the canola varieties.
9. Row spacing x variety trial, Cowra, NSW (NSW DPI VSAP project)
This trial report will be available shortly.
10. Sowing rate x variety trials, Lameroo & Struan, SA (Better Oilseeds)
Sowing rate had little effect on the yields of canola in the three trials. The only exception was the highest sowing rates of 5 to 7.5 kg/ha, which reduced yields at the low rainfall site of Lameroo.
11. Subsoil constraints trial, Brimpaen, Vic. (Vic. DPI)
Surface applied pig bedding litter (organic matter) boosted canola yields by 7%. Deep nutrients alone were not sufficient to increase yield, despite greater initial plant growth. There was no effect of deep ripping on canola yield. For this soil, salinity and the osmotic and toxic effects of sodium may be imposing the biggest constraint to root growth and water extraction.
12. Time of sowing trial, Mallee, (Vic. DPI)
Opportunistic early sowing (from late March) of canola, juncea canola and lupins can be very worthwhile in the Mallee. Note: data and grain quality still to be analysed. This report will be updated when the information becomes available.
CANOLA VARIETY TRIALS
13. Canola variety trials, Inverleigh, Vic. (SFS)
The highest yielding conventional hybrid was Hyola 50. The highest yielding Clearfield hybrid was Pioneer®46Y78. The triazine tolerant varieties all produced similar yields, although variation for the trial was high. Note: not all current varieties tested in the trials.
14. New South Wales mid maturity Clearfield® National Variety Testing trial (ACAS):
In 2007, Pioneer®45Y77, Pioneer®44C73 and Pioneer®46Y78tended to produce the highest yields. Warrior CL, Pioneer®46Y78 and, on average, Pioneer®44C73 tended to produce the highest oil content. Pioneer®45Y78 was, on average, the highest yielding mid maturity Clearfield® canola in NSW tested in NVT from 2000-2007.
15. New South Wales mid maturity conventional National Variety Testing trial (ACAS):
Hyola 50, Hyola 75, Hyola 76 and AVGarnet tended to consistently produce the highest yields. Skipton and AVJade tended to produce the highest oil content. Hyola 50, Hyola 75, and AVGarnet were, on average, the highest yielding mid season conventional canola varieties/hybrids in NSW from 2000-2007(note that not all current varieties listed).
16. New South Wales mid maturity triazine tolerant National Variety Testing trial (ACAS):
ATRCobbler and Tawriffic TT tended to consistently produce the highest yields. Tawriffic TT produced the highest and most consistent oil content. ATRCobbler, Tawriffic TT and CB™Argyle were, on average, the highest yielding mid maturity triazine tolerant canola varieties in NSW tested in NVT from 2000-2007 (note that not all current varieties listed).
17. Victorian mid maturity Clearfield® National Variety Testing trial (ACAS):
In 2007 Pioneer®46Y78 and Pioneer®46Y77 tended to produce the highest yields. Warrior CL performed well in regions with an early finish. Warrior CL and Pioneer®46Y78 tended to produce the highest oil content. Pioneer®46Y78 and Pioneer®46C76, were on average, the highest yielding mid season Clearfield® canola varieties/hybrids in Victoria from 2000-2007 (note: not all current varieties listed).
18. Victorian mid maturity conventional National Variety Testing trial (ACAS):
In 2007, Hyola 50, Hyola 75, Hyola 76 and AVGarnet tended to consistently produce the highest yields The varieties with the highest oil content tended to be Skipton, AVJade, Hyola 76 and AVGarnet. AVGarnet, Hyola 50 and Hyola 75 were, on average, the highest yielding mid season conventional canola varieties/hybrids in Victoria tested in NVT from 2000-2007 (note: not all current varieties listed).
19. Victorian mid maturity triazine tolerant National Variety Testing trial (ACAS):
In 2007, the highest yielding mid-season varieties in SW Victoria were Tawriffic TT, Rottnest TTC and ATRMarlin. For the Wimmera, they were Bravo TT, Tawriffic TT, and ATRCobbler. For NE Victoria, ATRCobbler, Rottnest TTC, Tornado TT, Storm TT and Bravo TT produced more consistently high yields. The varieties with the highest oil content in 2007 tended to be Tawriffic TT, ATRMarlin, Tornado TT and ATRBarra. Long-term predicted yields for a number of varieties are presented for four regions in Victoria.
20. Irrigated canola variety trials, Kerang, Vic. (VICC/DPI)
In 2007, the trial reached record high yields (average 4 t/ha and up to 5 t/ha) with Hyola 75 and Pioneer®46C04 the highest yielding (note: not all new varieties tested). Hyola 75 and AVSapphire were the highest yielding varieties from 2003-2007. The triazine tolerant varieties were lower yielding that conventional and Clearfield varieties/hybrids in 2007 and long-term.