English
Amazone support joint ADAS / HGCA open day on rape establishment
Back in early September 2010 ADAS Rosemaund commenced their rape establishment trial at Hillhampton near Hereford. Part of the research involved using trial plots to show effects of different establishment techniques for winter OSR. Working in conjunction with local dealer, Pallisers, Amazone provided machinery for some of the plots. These plots encompassed a variety of depths of cultivation in conjunction with varying levels of intensity within the drilling operation
Plot 1 - medium deep min-till
Working done to a depth of around 15 - 20 cm, the Centaur tine & disc combination cultivator provided a homogeneous mix of soil and straw and chaff from the previous wheat crop to ensure the maximum plant potential without risk of seed germination problems created by the breaking down of last year's residues. The surface was levelled and consolidated with the following wedge ring tyres.
Plot 1a - drilled with minimum soil disturbance using the Cayena trailed tine seeder. The 36 row 16.6 m row spaced Cayena tine seeder placed the seed at uniform depth and spacing in and amongst the mixed residues. Surface disturbance was minimal to try to prevent weeds seeds being germinated and moisture lost.
Plot 1b - drilled with KE / AD-P combination unit, this plot was the most power hungry and faced the highest variable costs. The 3m power harrow/drill combi was set to further incorporate the stubble and leave a even, well consolidated seedbed due to the wedge ring roller on the drill and with the RoTeC Control coulter system the drill was unaffected by the surface straw and trash.
Plot 2 - No previous soil tillage
Trying to avoid the need for ploughing or stubble cultivating this plot was left untouched until drilling where the plot was split into two.
Plot 2b - direct drilled with Cayena.
Plot 2b - direct drilled with the KE / AD-P drill combination
On 23rd June 2011 ADAS and HGCA held an Open Day at Rosemaund to show local farmers and growers from across the area the finished article and see, pre-combining, the potential yield from each plot. Amazone took the machinery used in establishing the crop along to give the visitors a chance to see the kit in the flesh. Whilst we are still awaiting the yield results, a visual inspection of the crops showed stronger thicker stems with the plots drilled with the Cayena at the wider spacing(16.6 cm compared to 12.5cm) in comparison to the combi drilled area.
Amazone are no newcomer to the world of crop establishment trials with currently involvement in around 750 ha of trials world-wide including two more sites in GB..
Other highlights of HGCA-funded research included Fungicide performance trials, the development for new thresholds for Pollen Beatles and different approaches to Nitrogen on Winter Wheat.