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The effect of row configuration on yield reliability in grain sorghum: II. Modelling the effects of row configuration

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McLean, G., Whish, J., Routley, R., Broad, I. J. and Hammer, G. (2003) The effect of row configuration on yield reliability in grain sorghum: II. Modelling the effects of row configuration. In: Solutions for a better Environment: Proceedings of the 11th Australian Agronomy Conference, 2-6 February 2003, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

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Publisher URL: http://www.regional.org.au

Abstract

In recent years many sorghum producers in the more marginal (<600 mm annual rainfall) cropping areas of Qld and northern NSW have utilised skip row configurations in an attempt to improve yield reliability and reduce sorghum production risk. But will this work in the long run? What are the trade-offs between productivity and risk of crop failure? This paper describes a modelling and simulation approach to study the long-term effects of skip row configurations. Detailed measurements of light interception and water extraction from sorghum crops grown in solid, single and double skip row configurations were collected from three on-farm participatory research trials established in southern Qld and northern NSW. These measurements resulted in changes to the model that accounted for the elliptical water uptake pattern below the crop row and reduced total light interception associated with the leaf area reduction of the skip configuration. Following validation of the model, long-term simulation runs using historical weather data were used to determine the value of skip row sorghum production as a means of maintaining yield reliability in the dryland cropping regions of southern Qld and northern NSW.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Business groups:Crop and Food Science
Additional Information:Reproduced with permission © Australian Society of Agronomy Inc.
Keywords:Sorghum; skip row; row configuration; simulation; modelling; light interception; water extraction.
Subjects:Plant culture > Field crops > Sorghum
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Methods and systems of culture. Cropping systems
Science > Statistics > Simulation modelling
Live Archive:09 Aug 2004
Last Modified:22 Dec 2021 05:28

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