Key Points
- Grain yields for all cultivars (Centaur, Claire, Savannah and Weston, all true winter wheats) were highest from the April sowing, Savannah yields declining the most from May sowing.
- Centaur and Claire were most prone to lodging, Savannah slightly less vulnerable and Weston the most resistant.
- Data from 3 years of time of sowing trials indicates that Centaur and Claire perform best from plant populations around 100-150 plants/m2.
- Savannah and Weston need to be sown at around 150 plants/m2, but this is based on only one year’s trials in Canterbury.
- At all sowing times and for all cultivars, 75 plants/m2 appears to be too low.
- Late May or June sowings for all cultivars should be aimed at 150 plants/m2 or more.
- Ear populations were much higher at Highbank than Norwood this season and lower overall than previous years.