Durum wheat variety response to nitrogen management and time of sowing – Tulloona 2015

Abstract

Key findings • Durum varieties displayed differential grain quality and yield responses to time of sowing (TOS) and nitrogen (N) management. • DBA Aurora[PBR] appears to offer good yield potential, but exhibits an increased risk of screenings with increasing rates of N application at sowing or when N is applied before stem elongation (GS31). It also appears to have an increased potential for lower grain protein concentrations (GPC) due to yield dilution under high yielding situations. • A strategy involving a split application of N at sowing and either GS31 or GS39, could reduce the potential for screening issues in DBA Aurora[PBR] while maintaining adequate GPC. • DBA Aurora[PBR], due principally to its increased risk of screenings, would appear to offer less flexibility in terms of agronomic management to durum growers in northern NSW, compared with Jandaroi, [PBR] Caparoi[PBR] or DBA Lillaroi[PBR]. • Findings from this experiment further highlight the need to sow appropriate variety maturity types within their recommended sowing windows.