Increasing grain yield and water use of wheat in a rainfed Mediterranean type environment [wheatbelt of Western Australia]

• Published in: Australian journal of agricultural research Vol. 43; no. 1
• Main Author: Anderson, W.K. (Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, South Perth)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1992
• Subjects: ABONOS NITROGENADOS; AUSTRALIA OCCIDENTAL; AUSTRALIE OCCIDENTALE; DATE DE SEMIS; EFFICACITE; EFICACIA; ENGRAIS AZOTE; FECHA DE SIEMBRA; RENDEMENT DES CULTURES; RENDIMIENTO DE CULTIVOS; TRITICUM; USO DEL AGUA; UTILISATION DE L'EAU; VARIEDADES; VARIETE
• ISSN: 0004-9409
• DOI: 10.1071/AR9920001

In factorial field experiments conducted at 8 sites, grain yield was increased from 30 to over 100 percent by the combination of mid-May sowing, semi-dwarf cultivar, N fertilizer and increased seed level (high-inputs) compared to early June sowing, old tall cultivar, without N and lower seed level (low-inputs). Water use was increased at most sites, especially in the post-anthesis period, and water use efficiency of grain production was increased at all sites. Grain protein concentration was generally increased and hectolitre weight and small grain sievings were not adversely affected by increasing agronomic inputs. It was concluded that appropriate combinations of cultivar and agronomic practices can increase grain yields linearly up to about 5 t per ha at seasonal water use of about 400 mm, even in situations where considerable water stress occurs during grain filling.