Long Coleoptile Wheat

Project Funder: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Future Drought Fund
Project Partners: CSIRO
Project Code: LCW23
Project Duration: 2023
Project Location: TAIC

Background

A one-year project supported by CSIRO, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund will be conducted by FarmLink at the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre (TAIC). This trial will be looking to demonstrate the opportunities that long coleoptile wheat varieties provide and their suitability to cropping systems in the Riverina.  Wheat varieties with long coleoptile genetics allow producers to sow crops deeper, thus increasing early sowing opportunities and their related yield benefits. Deep sowing also provides greater resilience to dry periods and drought conditions which is a desirable characteristic for producers looking to plan for the future. Long coleoptile varieties that are sown deeper than conventional practices have the ability to access subsoil moisture earlier in the season, allowing crops to germinate and establish prior to the significant rainfall event marking the break of the season. The trial at FarmLink sees the use of multiple wheat cultivars with varying coleoptile lengths sown at two depths: shallow (40mm) and deep (80-120mm).

Long Coleoptile Wheat Webinar

Presented by CSIRO Research Scientist Sarah Rich and facilitated by Caroline Keeton (FarmLink). Covers the principles of deep sowing, the definition and genetics of long coleoptiles, and an overview of the depth of sowing trials being held at 6 locations across Australia.