Influence of soil type on yield of autumn-sown wheat and oats in Canterbury in a dry year

Abstract

The effect of 3 different soils on yield of autumn-sown wheat and oats was assessed within a single paddock. Six plots were. located on each of the soils for each crop. The relative yields of oats from deep Templeton soils, moderately deep to deep Wakanui soils, and shallow Eyre soils were 2.0, 2.1, and 1.O respectively, and of wheat were 2.1, 1.6, and 1.0 respectively. All results were significantly different at the 1% level, except for the yields of oats from Templeton and Wakanui soils which showed no significant difference. Good correlation was found between yield and depth of fine textured material over gravels. Regression equations showed that for every 1 cm increase in depth of fine material there was, on average, a 36 kg/ha increase in yield of oats and a 31 kg/ha increase in yield of wheat. It was concluded that most differences in yields between these soils and variations in yields within soils in the 1981–1982 season resulted from variations in moisture storage capacity. Wheat grains from Templeton deep soils were 12–13% heavier than from Wakanui moderately deep soils and Eyre shallow soils.

Keywords:

• soil types
• soil depth
• yields
• oats
• wheat
• soil water retention