Row spacing fails to modify soil evaporation and grain yield in spring wheat in a dry Mediterranean environment [Western Australia]
1993
Yunusa, I.A.M. | Sedgley, R.H. (Western Australia Univ., Nedlands. School of Agriculture) | Belford, R.K. | Tennant, D. (Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, South Perth. Div. of Plant Industry)
To explore the potential benefit of variable row spacing in the dry (300 mm) Mediterranean environment of the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia, spring wheat was grown in 0.09, 0.18, 0.27 and 0.36 m row spacings on coarse textured and fine textured soil types at Merredin in 1989. Loss of soil moisture by evaporation under crop canopies (Esc) was determined with an empirical model and measured with microlysimeters. Row spacing had no significant effect on the development of green area index, dry matter accumulation and evapotranspiration throughout the season. However, in mid-season, the proportion of ground covered by the canopy was higher and transmission of solar radiation was reduced in the 0.09 m row spacing compared with the 0.36 m row spacing. These effects did not restrain Esc, which was similar in all treatments. Neither water use efficiency nor grain yield were affected by variation in row spacing. It was concluded on the basis of these results, and yield data from other row spacing trials in the same districts, that there are no significant yield benefits to be obtained by reducing the row spacing from the current spacing of 0.18 m.
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