The effect of time of planting on yield attributes of oat varieties in the Ord River Valley

Abstract

During the 1964 dry season a study was made at Kimberley Research Station of the effect of time of sowing on the yield attributes of oats grown under irrigation. Two varieties, Avon and Ballidu, were sown at four dates from May to July. Avon, the later variety of the two, declined in grain yield from the first sowing onward and gave a negligible yield at the last two sowings. Ballidu reached maximum grain yield at the second sowing and gave a negligible yield at the last sowing. It appeared that, as in wheat, the major factor influencing grain yield in relation to time of sowing was the steep rise in temperature from August onward. There was a close relation between date of anthesis and grain yield irrespective of variety. Maximum grain and dry matter yield would be expected if sowing date were selected to bring a given variety to anthesis in early August.