Effect of sowing date on phenology and grain yield of 19 bread wheat and five durum cultivars – Tamworth 2016

Abstract

Key findings •• Cooler spring temperatures and excellent plant available soil moisture, favoured the yield potential of longer season and mid maturing wheat varieties in 2016. •• The mid–late and mid-season bread wheat varieties Suntime[PBR], LRPB Flanker[PBR], Suntop[PBR], Beckom[PBR], Mitch[PBR] and EGA Gregory[PBR] all performed well from an April 27 sowing date (SD1) with yields >6.5 t/ha. The new long-season spring type Sunmax[PBR], likewise achieved ~6.5 t/ha. •• The longer season bread wheat varieties LRPB Kittyhawk[PBR] and Sunlamb[PBR] also demonstrated their yield potential, achieving yields >6 t/ha for SD1. •• Varieties that performed well across the three sowing dates included EGA Gregory , Mitch[PBR], LRPB Flanker[PBR], Suntop[PBR] and Beckom[PBR]. •• The new mid-fast season variety LRPB Reliant[PBR] yielded well from a main season and delayed sowing date. •• Warm autumn temperatures resulted in many spring wheat entries, particularly the more temperature responsive cultivars, reaching anthesis faster (days from effective SD to anthesis) for SD1 compared with SD2. LRPB Lancer[PBR] for example was ~9 days faster to reach anthesis for SD1 vs SD2. •• The advanced durum line AGT D043 performed well, achieving yields comparable to the best performing durum DBA Aurora[PBR] and bread wheats from a main season sowing date.