Trials Online
BRF Dryland Super Single, "Wolonga"
Site Summary
After a good rainfall event in early September, filling the soil profile dryland cotton was planted in a Super Single configuration. Sicot 71BRF was planted at a rate of 3.3 kgs/ha. Traditionally, the Talwood region is not considered an area where dryland cotton would be grown. however, we took the opportunity to establish a variety trial at this location to put them to the test in what may be less than ideal conditions. Varieties included in the trial include Sicot 80BRF, Sicot 71BRF, Siokra 24BRF and two experimental varieties in CSX 323BRF and CSX326BRF. Just prior to the planting of the cotton the neighbouring field was planted to sorghum in a double skip configuration. It will be interesting to see how the cotton compares to the more traditional summer crop for this region.
| Assessment Date | DAP | Day Degrees |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-09-16 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009-10-01 | 15 | 65 |
| 2009-11-11 | 56 | 392 |
| 2009-12-09 | 84 | 869 |
| 2009-12-21 | 96 | 1056 |
| 2010-01-13 | 119 | 1389 |
Update for Wednesday 13th January, 2010
This trial recieved a much welcomed Xmass present in the form of nearly 8 inches of rain. The soil profile is full again and in some of the more determinant varieties such as Siokra 24BRF and to a lesser extent Sicot 80BRF still have a growing main terminal and vegetable branches. Sicot 71BRF looks to have completely cut out with good sized bolls at the top of the plants. Un expectantly the CSX 323BRF and CSX 326BRF have faired better than the Sicot 71BRF. There looks to be some life still left in these two varieties yet. it looks as though the plants were able to hold on till the rain did arrive as there does not look to be evidence of mass shedding of younger fruit.
Update for Monday 21st December, 2009
Still no rain, visible cracks are appearing out into the skip area. There are a lot flowers present. Sicot 80BRF and Siokra 24BRF approximately sitting on 5 NAWF the Sicot 71BRF, CSX 323BRF and CSX 326BRF are sitting between 4-4.5 NAWF. This trial site and field could do with a couple of inches of rainfall as a Xmass present. Forecast looks good but it will be interesting to see if it can hold on. The Sorghum has been baled
Update for Wednesday 9th December, 2009
This trial is yet to recieve any follow up rain post planting, and will struggle if none is forthcoming. ( We did want to see how these varieties stacked up in harsh conditions!) Regardless, it is encouraging to see how well the plants are holding up. At 3.30pm in the afternoon and at 43 degrees there is no visible signs of wilting. All varieties are sitting at between 6-7 nodes above white flower. Siokra 24BRF and Sicot 80BRF are noticably taller than the other more determinate vatieties within the trial. however the Sicot 71BRF, CSX 323BRF and CXS 326BRF do have the same number of nodes as the taller two. The sorghum in the adjacent block is starting to show signs of the adverse conditions post planting. the leaves are showing visible signs of moisture stress and the heads are just starting to show.
Update for Wednesday 11th November, 2009
Despite the lack of any rainfall post planting to give this trial a little boost it still is looking fresh. Squaring is about to get under way and there is not much seperating the varieties within the trial.
Update for Thursday 1st October, 2009
PLant stand counts conducted Sicot 80BRF - 8.6/m Sicot 71BRF - 9.6/m Siokra 24BRF - 7.6/m CSX 323BRF - 8.2/m CSX 326BRF - 7.8/m Cool weather just post planting has hampered the growth of this trial, but the plant stand is repectable and more importantly it is relatively even. headland and wheel track affected rows or areas are showing lower plant populations and growth rates
Update for Wednesday 16th September, 2009
Trial planted, 5 varieties X 6 reps, 2 rows per variety per replicate. It should be noted that the trial will come back to three replications at picking due to the requirement of picking the trial to picker scales (up and back, 4 rows) Planting rate of 10kgs per ha linear row, whihch translates to 3.3 kgs per ha, placed into good moisture approximately 2 inches into the soil. there were some issues with wheat stubble trash build up but nothing substantial. Although the planting date is not ideal in terms of timing, later in the planting window would probably suit. as this is the only planting opportunity which may be on offer this season it cannot be let pass by.