CSIRO Plant Industry’s Dr Heping Zhang has found that the wheat yield potential in WA’s 450 – 700mm high rainfall zone is up to 6 tonnes per hectare.

Crop management techniques adopted from the low rainfall zone and used in the high rainfall zone usually only produce yields of about 3 tonnes per hectare.

The major factor that contributes to low yield in the high rainfall zone is the excessive rainfall during winter that may cause waterlogging early in the growing season.

Dr Zhang’s research showed that large numbers of ears was the most important factor contributing to high yield.

High ear numbers can be achieved by increasing seeding rates to 100kg per hectare and increasing nitrogen fertiliser early in the growing season. In some situations, where it is economically feasible, drains to take away water may also help.

WA’s high rainfall zone covers about 4 million hectares, with only about 23 per cent of arable area under annual crops.

Adoption of these practices could lead to higher yields and more profitable wheat production across the entire high rainfall zone encouraging farmers to diversify into wheat production and increase their returns.

This research is supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).