The role of stubble management on frost severity and its effects on the grain yield of wheat – Tootool 2014 and 2015

Abstract

Key findings •• Stubble retention increased the severity of frost events in experiments over two years. •• There was no difference in floret sterility due to stubble treatment, but grain yield was highest where stubble was removed by burning. •• Stubble retention reduced the amount of heat stored in the soil during spring. With less heat stored there is less capacity for energy release at night to buffer against frost damage. •• Consider management strategies that avoid frost (e.g. crop choice, sowing date, variety choice) where high stubble loads are retained at sowing.