WHEAT MANURIAL TESTS IN CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXX, Issue 4, 20 April 1925, Page 229

WHEAT MANURIAL TESTS IN CANTERBURY.

SEASONS 1923-24 AND 1924-25.

F. E. WARD,

Instructor in Agriculture, and A. W. HUDSON, Assistant Instructor in Agriculture, Christchurch.

ill ZTLt'XIVUX LUX W, </XXXXO LLXXUXLLI, During the season 1923-24 the Canterbury Soils Improvement Committee conducted three manurial- trials on wheat, and this season 1924-25 the Fields Division of the Agriculture Department has completed an additional seven. The results, which indicate a decided increase in yield from phosphate manuring, are given in a concise form in the following pages, but readers interested in a full account of the experiments, the results of which were treated statistically, may be referred to a bulletin which it is proposed to publish later. - MANURES USED. ' The manures used were as follows, the quantity being per acre in each case : Season 1923-24: (1) Superphosphate (42/44), 1 cwt.; (2) superphosphate (42/44), | cwt., plus dried blood, | cwt. ; (3) basic superphosphate, 1 cwt. ; (4) basic superphosphate, f cwt., plus dried blood, | cwt. In 1924-25 it was decided that in order to get a true estimate of the value of dried blood this constituent should be added to the same quantity of phosphatic fertilizer as 1 was sown on the plots having phosphate alone. Therefore the mixtures of phosphate and blood were sown at the rate of 1 cwt. phosphate plus | cwt. of blood per acre. Manures (1) and (3) were repeated unaltered. The object in the selection of the manures used was to test the soluble phosphate—superagainst the less soluble phosphate—basic super —and to ascertainthe effect of nitrogen as dried blood in combination with these fertilizers. All fields contained controls, or non-manured areas, so that the increases due to manuring could be estimated. . ’’ •• - _ METHOD of sowing. The fertilizers . were applied in long narrow strips, and repeated several times in the same field. Numerous weighings. were made in each strip, enabling great reliance to be placed on The'results obtained. The fertilizers were applied with great care under the personal supervision of the writers. Known areas were first drilled with a given weight of manure, and adjustments made until the drill was sowing exactly the amount required. This was done with each manure in turn, as different manures run at different rates, and the same manure will run differently under varied climatic conditions. When . these drill adjustments had been'made, the drilling of the plots was proceeded with. , During the growing-period observations were made from time to time. In all cases, except the Irwell plots, marked differences could

be seen between the manured and non-manured areas, but no definite superiority of any one manure over another could be discerned. METHOD OF HARVESTING. Season 1923-24: . Areas of approximately J acre were carefully measured, and the number of sheaves dropped by the reaper-and-binder on that area was noted. A large number (twenty-two) of these sheaves from each area was weighed to the nearest ounce, and thus the average weight of sheaves on each treatment was obtained. The product from these strips, which were at least 5 chains long, was stocked separately, and when fit to thresh the bands of several sheaves taken indiscriminately were cut and handful samples taken. These were tied and the heads placed in small bags ' to- avoid loss. Each sample was carefully weighed, and flail-threshed in small strong bags. The grain from each sample was then weighed, and the ratio of grain to straw calculated. From the data so obtained the yields per acre were calculated. This method, planned by Mr. M. J. Scott, chemist at Lincoln College, though involving a large amount of very careful work, gave highly satisfactory results, the calculated yields being practically identical with threshing returns at the College. Season 1924-25 : This year the actual sheaves from the plots were threshed in a small mill adapted to the. purpose. Smaller areas were cut either with scythe, reap-hook, or reaper-and-binder, and the product stocked and threshed > separately. By this method the plots were in closer proximity to the controls, and the difficulties of land variation were largely overcome. Varying-sized plots, from acre to 5% acre, were cut in different fields. Where small plots yielding about five sheaves were cut a large number was taken. With the larger plots yielding about sixteen to eighteen sheaves few plots were required. The method was highly satisfactory, and overcame some of the experimental difficulties which occurred in the previous season. RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENTS. The results so far show a definite increase from both forms of phosphate, but no conclusions can yet be drawn as to which is the better form. Likewise, sufficient data are not yet to hand to enable an estimate of . the value of dried blood to be made The yields are given in the following records. In the 1924-25 experiments the yields on manured plots are compared with those of the controls situated immediately alongside them, each manure being adjacent to a control. .Season 1923-24. Experiment ,1 : On farm of Mr. R. T. McMillan, Irwell. Previous crops —1922-23, barley; 1921-22, wheat ; 1920-21, grass. Date of sowing experimental plots—First week in June, 1923. Variety of wheat — Hunters. Yields per acre—Super, 41-8 bushels ; basic; super, 42-3 bushels ; super and blood, 42-9 bushels ; basic super and blood, 43-1 bushels ; controls, 41-4 bushels. The application of the statistical method proved the differences to be non-significant, and the slight differences which occurred are due merely to chance variation..

d

Season 1924-25. The table of results of the 1924-25 experiments (next page) shows no differences between yields in the Irwell tests, except in the case of basic super and blood. This is because the differences which do occur are, like those of the previous year, non-significant. The yield of basic super and blood shows a significant decrease below that of its control. This provides a very interesting case, which we do not pretend to be able to explain, but it is a noteworthy fact that a similar, result was obtained with this manure in an experiment conducted by Mr. M. J. Scott at Lincoln College in 1923-24.

In all other cases the increases are highly significant, but the behaviour of the various manures on different farms emphasizes the necessity of carrying out experiments in different places and for a number of seasons before definite conclusions can be drawn. Footnotes to Table of 1924-25 Experiments (opposite page). * The large increase for super, and blood over control in this case must be regarded with caution. The plots cut for the estimation of yield had the misfortune to be disturbed by stock while in stock, and those that were mixed had to be discarded. It so happened that at one end of "the manured strips the differences between manures and controls were much greater than at the other. The plots from which the super and blood yields were estimated were mainly from the end of greatest differences, the plots from the other manures being chiefly from the portion of least difference. It is likely, therefore, that in this case the super, and blood has an unfair advantage.' t Here again the comparative large increases from the mixtures containing blood are due to the low-yielding controls with which they are compared. Whether the same increases would have been caused by the phosphate alone one cannot say, but if basic super is compared with basic super and blood in this experiment it will be noted that there is practically no difference between them. This comparison is justified, as these two treatments were adjacent to one another in the experiment. The. writers wish to express their appreciation of the generous assistance given' by the farmers on whose farms the trials were conducted ; also their indebtedness to Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf and Mr. M. J. Scott for much valuable advice given in planning the experiments and application of the statistical method. To Messrs. A. Scott, J. B. Garnett, E. R. Hudson, E. Bates, and M. Grant, who at various times assisted in the harvesting operations, our thanks are due. The Te Mania Rabbit-proof Fencing District has been abolished by Order in Council gazetted on 19th March. ■ Impounding Act.— Sections 5 and 6 of the Impounding Act, 1908, have been brought into force fin Maniototo County. - \ • ■. ;: Seed Impurity in New Zealand Barley.- The High Commissioner recently forwarded a packet of small round seeds which had been collected by a Birmingham merchant from New Zealand barley passing through his hands during the last few years. The impurity has been dentified as four-seeded vetch (Vici a tetrasperma). The matter has been reported by the Department of Agriculture to the New Zealand Grain, Seed, and Produce Merchants' Federation. There should be no difficulty in dressing this weed-seed out of any lines of barley exported. Wheat and Oats Threshings.— Returns of actual threshings up to 19th March received by the Government Statistician from threshing-mill owners showed that until then 1,144,359 bushels of wheat and 1,380,135 bushels of oats had been threshed out. The average yields per 'acre in cases where particulars of areas were furnished (covering 99 per cent, of total threshings) worked out at 34-73 bushels for wheat and 40-90 bushels for oats. The figures for the Canterbury and Otago Land Districts respectively were as follows : CanterburyWheat, 977,724 bushels threshed, averaging 35-27 bushels per acre ; oats, 937,017 bushels threshed, - averaging 41-41 bushels per acre. Otago Wheat, 136,697 bushels, averaging 32-43 bushels per acre ; oats, 245,254 bushels, averaging 39-86 bushels per acre.

* Based on following prices at county stations : Super' (42/44),' 5s. per ton ; basic super (40/43), £6 15s. per ton ; "blood, 13s. per cwt. Note.The value per bushel of the additional increase will be : the market value of the wheat less harvesting, threshing, and haulage costs per bushel. . Apart from the cartage and trouble of sowing manure, a high-yielding crop costs no more to sow than a low-yielding one. . ' : :

• Fertilizer. Yield per . Increase per Acre due to Cost of Manure Acre. Increase per Acre due to Manure. Cost of Manure per Acre.* Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. s. d. Super . 9’0 46'3 9-0 7 3 Basic super ’ 5’1 - s. d. 7 3 42'4 6 9 5’1 6 9 Super and blood .. . . . . . . 8'8 43'6 6-3 8 8 Basic super and blood 8 . 4 Super .. . . . . . . Basic super. ’ . . . . . . . . 46'3 42-4 Super and blood .. . . ■ . . Basic super and blood . . . . . . 41-6 4’3 8 4 Control . . . . . . . . . . 43-6 41-6 37'3 6-3 4’3 ■

and Previous of Sowing Experimental Plots. Yields, Bushels per Acre. . to due Increase Manure. Yields, Bushels per Acre. to due Increase Manure. Yields, per Acre. to due Increase Manure. Yields, Bushels per Acre. to due Increase Manure. Wheat." Super. Control. Super. Basic Control. and Super Blood. . Control Super,Basic, Blood. and Control. : ■ •• T. McMillan, Irwell peas wheat 1922-23, fallow 1921-22, 7/5/24 1 41-0 39-8 42-0 41-8 42’5 42-4 40-1 42-5 -2-4 College J. Ladbrooks grass. . 1922-23, . grass. H/6/24 51-0 44'7 6’3 52’9 44’7 8-2 57 ? i 47'7 9’4 53’4 47'7 5’7 College Hunters. 1921-22, grass.. II/6/24 5i-o . 44’7. 6’3 52’9 44’7 8-2 57-‘i 47’7 9-4 53'4 47’7 5’7 College Hunters. A. Campion, Prebbleton 1921— . grass. vetches 1923-24, vetches 1923-24, vetches 1922—23, vetches 1922- turnips 20/5/24 53’4 49'4 4-o 54’4 49’4 5’0 56-4 52-4. 4-0 "54’9 52-4 2’5 Hunters. College Carpenter, Prebbleton turnips vetches 1923—24, vetches 1923—24, vetches 1922—23, vetches 1922— oats . . 1921—22, 9/6/24 49-3 41-2 8-i 48-2' 41-2 7-0 47’3 . 38-8 8-5 45’4 38-8 6-6 College Hunters. 1921—22, oats . . 9/6/24 49’3 41-2 8-i 48-2 4 I-2 7-0 47-3 38-8 8-5 45’4 38-8 6-6 College Hunters. F. Morrish, Springston 1923-24, 1922-23, 19/5/24 38-4 35’1 3'3 39'3 35’4 3’9 39’0 31'5 7'5* 38-0 33-° 5'0 College Velvet. 1921-22, grass. . 19/5/24 38-4 35’1 3-3 39’3 35’4 3'9 39’0 3i-5 7’5* 38-0 33’0 5’0 College Velvet. & Prebbleton grass . potatoes 1923-24, potatoes grass. . grass. . grass.. 28/6/24 38-3 28-9 J 36-8 28-9 7’9 36-7 23-5 I3’2t 36-3 23'5 12-Sf College Carpenter,. Prebbleton 1921- . grass potatoes potatoes grass. . grass. . grass . 10/6/24■ 437 32-9 io-8 39’6 32’9 6-7 42-0 31’8 10-2 43’5 31’8 u-7 College Hunters. 1921-22, grass. . 10/6/24 43’7 32’9 10'8 39’6 32-9 6-7 42-0 31’8 10-2 43'5 31-8 IT-7 College Hunters. dr Average McMillan’s re iment) 7-0 ■ 1 6-4 8-8 7’4 uding 7-0 6-4 8-8 7'4 Cost : per, basic . ; 6s. ; 9d. supe r and blood, los, C >d. ; basic super and blood, 10s, 2d, • 9d. ; supe r and blood, los. C d. ; basic st iper and blood, 10s, 2d.

1924-25 Experiments.