Push for 'fit, not fat' crops

Canopy management trials across low to high rainfall zones in WA could help cereal growers increase profit and reduce risk.

The three-year project funded by the GRDC and held by ConsultAg, aims to investigate if canopy management practices from the eastern states and Europe are suited to WA conditions.

ConsultAg agronomist and farmer James Eyres is helping oversee the trial in Kojonup.

While some research in canopy management has been trialled in the past in WA's high rainfall zone, the trial is the first time results will be analysed for medium and low rainfall areas.

Mr Eyres said Calingari wheat was planted on June 8 at the Kojonup site, in nine treatments consisting of three plant densities and three nitrogen timings.

Seed was planted at 100 plants per square metre, 160 plants/m2 and 240 plants/m2.

The first nitrogen treatment was applied with the majority at the 4.5 leaf state, the second was with the majority applied at the first to second node and the third treatment was a 50/50 split.

All treatments had a total of 60kg/ha nitrogen and the site had high starting soil nitrogen.

"What we are trying to do is grow the right amount of crop bulk to optimise yield each year," James said.

"It's about not growing more bulk than you need in a dry year and growing enough canopy to utilise a good year."

Canopy management is about getting the right crop biomass, to optimise yield and inputs.

At the same time, growers need to consider the timing and rate of nitrogen as well as soil moisture, nitrogen reserves, seeding date, rate and variety.

By the end of October, 434 mm of growing season rain at the Kojonup trial had been recorded.

"At the moment, the crop is at full grain formation and the treatments that look the best are probably those planted at a higher plant density with the most nitrogen applied at the later timing," James said.

"But until we see the results from harvest, we won't have a definite answer."

"In the east and in Europe, they have found that the best-looking crops early aren't always the ones that yield best.

"So having a fit crop, not a fat crop, is what we are leaning towards."

"And what might work well at the Kulin and Kellerberrin trial sites, may not be the same strategy that comes out on top at the Kojonup or Wagin sites."