Seed direction research

Seeing the light: Catherine Borger measurers light available to annual ryegrass in the inter-row space of a wheat crop, using a Sunfleck Ceptometer. Source: Supplied

A CHANGE in seeding direction may be the solution to weed problems in cereal crops, a West Australian study has revealed.

WAs Department of Agriculture and Food research found altering the sowing orientation of cereals from north-south to east-west reduced ryegrass weed seed sets.

The study found an east-west row alignment created more shade, reducing ryegrass growth and seed production.

It found a 51 per cent drop in ryegrass seed set across the six WA trial sites of wheat and barley grown in 2010 and 2011 after adjusting paddocks to an east-west sowing direction.

DAFWA research officer Catherine Borger said an east-west orientation cast more shade on the interrow space and reduced light penetration through the canopy. With a weed like ryegrass, which is below the canopy, the increased shading will suppress weed growth, Dr Borger said.

While the study indicated there wasnt a big impact on the weed biomass, a dramatic reduction in seed volume helped control the weed.

Dr Borger said this method was also a cost-effective way to tackle ryegrass.

Especially with weeds continuing to develop resistance against herbicides so in-crop weed control with selective herbicides could be difficult.

East-west crop orientation is a free technique rather than increased seeding rate, herbicide application or increased fertiliser rates, she said.

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Seed direction research