Response of 18 bread wheat and 6 durum varieties to three planting times at Breeza in 2013

Abstract

Key findings • In 2013 the optimum flowering window appeared to shift forward 10 days compared to the traditional flowering window between 20th of September to October 5th. This shift in date resulted in the better performance of shorter season varieties from earlier planting times. • Suntop[PBR] and Sunguard[PBR] behaved similar to EGA_ Gregory[PBR] in terms of maturity, while Suntop[PBR] had comparable yields across all planting times. • LongReach Dart[PBR] provides a quick option that is faster than anything else on the market from a main season planting time. Despite reduced time to anthesis, LongReach Dart[PBR] does not reach physical maturity any quicker than LongReach Spitfire[PBR], which suggests that it has a longer grain filling period. • Late season rainfall meant that longer season varieties were able to gain a yield advantage over quick maturing varieties from a late planting time.