Deep sown wheat experiment – Riverina 2024

Abstract

Key findings • Calibre[PBR] sown at 4 cm on 27 May was the highest yielding treatment with 6.26 t/ha. • Sowing time was a key factor in achieving higher yields with the earlier sowing date (27 May) producing 23–24% higher average yields than the later sowing date (17 June). • Sowing depth was also a significant factor in achieving higher yields with the shallow sowing depth (4 cm) producing 12–13% higher average yields than the deeper sowing depth (12 cm). • Calibre[PBR] was the highest yielding variety sown at 12 cm on 27 May (5.24 t/ha) and was significantly higher yielding than Mace18 (4.63 t/ha) and statistically similar to Magenta13 (4.84 t/ha). • The 2 new experimental long coleoptile varieties derived from Mace[PBR] and Magenta[PBR] demonstrated no significant yield advantage over the 4 commercial varieties for any sowing time or any sowing depth. However, the long coleoptile genetics did improve establishment and achieved the highest plant density from the deep sowing (12 cm), particularly for the optimum sowing window (27 May).