Managing Crop Establishment Risks with Long Coleoptiles

Using long coleoptile cereal genetics for managing crop establishment risks at paddock scales in dune swale systems in the SA Mallee.

Key objectives

Help over 90 SA Mallee growers understand the agronomic fit and risk management potential of long coleoptile wheat in local farming systems.

Test and demonstrate how long coleoptile genetics can improve crop emergence across variable soil types in dune swale systems.

Identify practical approaches to managing seeding depth, pre-emergent herbicides, and cultivar selection.

About the project

One of the biggest challenges in the Mallee’s is achieving even crop establishment on variable soil types with variable moisture. This project is investigating how long coleoptile wheat varieties can be used at paddock scale to improve establishment in dune swale systems.

With trials in Loxton and Bowhill, MSF is testing how deeper sowing interacts with soil type, herbicide safety, and crop variety. The work complements national research led by CSIRO and aims to give growers confidence in applying long coleoptile genetics on their own country.

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Working together with farmers

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