Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 4416 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 197 — Autumn 2017 OPTIMUM PLANT POPULATION FOR IRRIGATED WHEAT Irrigated wheat trials at Coleambally in 2016, where the effect of plant population on yield, protein and lodging was investigated. l LongReach CobraA was the stand out variety in 2016 when grown under irrigation with a yield of 9.5 t/ha and protein content of 12%. l  The optimum plant population for irrigated wheat differed between varieties but overall should not exceed 160 plants/m2. l  Maximum grain yield can still be achieved at 80 plants/m2 for most wheat varieties but varietal response to plant population should be considered when targeting high yields. l  Plant population had a significant effect on grain yield and lodging but no effect on protein content. l  Lodging severity increased as plant population increased. Plant population had a significant effect on yield and lodging of irrigated wheat, with results showing that optimum plant population was 160 plants/m2 or less. Tony Napier, Cynthia Podmore, Neroli Graham, Luke Gaynor and Deb Slinger NSW Department of Primary Industries IRRIGATED wheat trials were conducted for a third season in 2016 as part of the Southern irrigated cereal and canola varieties achieving target yields project. The target yields project was instigated in response to irrigators identifying the potential to increase production of irrigated cropping systems. In 2014, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) established the $1.2 million co-funded project for three years to address the needs of the southern irrigation region. The project is described in more detail on page 13. QUICK TAKE