The effect of sowing depth on establishment and yield of six canola varieties – Coonamble, Nyngan and Trangie, 2012

Abstract

Key findings • Increasing the depth of sowing from 2.5 cm to 5 cm and 7.5 cm reduced the average establishment of six canola varieties across three trials by 28% and 55% respectively. • Deep sowing caused a greater reduction in canola establishment on the red soil trial sites of Coonamble and Nyngan compared with the grey soil trial site at Trangie. • At Coonamble and Nyngan, there was a significant grain yield reduction from 7.5 cm sowing depth compared with both the 2.5 cm and 5 cm sowing depths. There was no effect of sowing depth on grain yield at Trangie. • Large seeded varieties had higher establishment rates at deep sowing depths than small seeded varieties. Large seed size was generally associated with non-TT hybrid canola varieties.