Print This PageHybrid sowing rate recommendations for optimum plant population
Pacific Seeds conducted work in 2009 to determine optimum sowing rates for hybrid and open pollinated varieties. Industry data has previously indicated growers only needed 50% of the plant population for hybrids compared to open pollinated crops, meaning Hybrids have generally been sown at lower sowing rates than open-pollinated varieties due to hybrid vigour and the associated higher seed costs.
Justin Kudnig, Canola Business Manager with Pacific Seeds conducted sowing rate trials comparing Hybrids with OP Canola varieties during last season.
“The trial included Hybrids vs OP’s varieties from all major companies within 4 herbicide technologies being evaluated in 15 replicated trials in 4 states,” said Justin.
The aim of the trial was to evaluate Hybrids vs OP canola at 2, 4 and 6 Kg/ha sowing rates in plot trials for a range of agronomic and performance traits and show the relationship between optimum plants populations, yield, oil and their effects of gross returns $/ha.
“The results showed a direct relationship between sowing rates on percentage of plant establishment, plant height and flowering uniformity and overall vigour,” said Justin.
These findings identified optimum populations for both Hybrid and OP canola varieties in a range of herbicide tolerant groups in both the low to medium (1.5 to 2.0 MT/Ha) and medium to high (2.0 to 4.0 MT/Ha) rainfall zones.
“Growers need to have Hybrid populations established at 80% of open-pollinated populations” Justin said.
“Agronomists, advisers and canola growers will need to consider target populations per m2 instead of the traditional kg/Ha sowing rates”.
For further detail on the results of this trial as well as the results from other Pacific Seeds visit http://www.pacificseeds.com.au/products/canola/documents/2010/HYOLAPrelimResults.pdf
