• Apply nitrogen early (stem elongation) for yield and later (head emergence) for protein.
• Nitrogen decisions should be made as the season unfolds because a good finish can make all the difference.
• Given the total amount of nitrogen applied to the crop and the soft finish, all treatments met APW specification for protein (above 10.5%).
• There was no significant difference in yield or protein between the different urea, UAN and liquid urea.
• There was also no significant difference between the 25 kg N/ha and the 50 kg N/ha rates for yield, however protein was increased.
   

Crop yields were dissapointing due to the frost in late October.

• Simazine and metribuzin produced more crop effect compared to normal, especially in lentils. 
• For all the PSPE application treatments 50% more product significantly increased the crop damage.
• The double knock of glyphosate followed by SpraySeed gave excellent control.

• In all but Paravic and Ascot, the innoculated crop yielded better than the uninnoculated crop. In fact, the average gross return for the innoculated crops was $346 per hectare, versus $247 per hectare for the uninnoculated crops. This represents an extra return of $99 per hectare. 
• It is therefore recommended that in all cases, legume crops should be innoculated with the correct strain of rhizobia prior to sowing. It is very cheap insurance against the bacteria not being present in the soil. 

2018 Season 

• While growing season conditions were dry and grain yields were low and therefore not profitable, both Bolt lentils and Gunyah field peas yielded highest of the 5 break crop species grown at the Salmon Gums demonstration site. Soil boron levels were relatively high at this site.
• Following waterlogged conditions in August, Bonito canola out yielded the 4 four legume break crop species grown at the Gibson demonstration site, with Samira faba beans a close second.
• The addition of an extra 72 Units of nitrogen (171L Flexi-N delivered in 3 incremental applications) to the 5 break crops at the Gibson demonstration site resulted in significant increases in yield and earnings before tax profit in both Bonito canola and Samira faba beans but made little difference to the performance of PBA Strikers chickpeas, Morava vetch and Jurien lupins. The addition of extra nitrogen to Faba beans lifted yield by an average of 0.763t/ha taking it to 2.473t/ha which was close to the average yield of un-topped-up canola (2.169t/ha).
• In terms of earnings before tax, the faba bean crop was the most profitable of the 5 break crops grown at Gibson. It is important to note though that the $800/tonne price seen for faba beans in February 2018 was well above both the five and ten year average for this crop.

2019 Season 

• Annual rainfall was well below average in 2019 at all 5 demonstration sites in the Esperance Port Zone and an unprecedented frost event in September affected crop flowering at the Ravensthorpe, Salmon Gums and Beaumont sites. It’s important these seasonal conditions are factored to in to interpretation of legume crop performance at these sites.
• Poor growing conditions at the Ravensthorpe demonstration site resulted in very low yields and none of the break crops grown were profitable. The State Government declared part of the Ravensthorpe Shire as water deficient on 7th May 2019 and further parts of the Shire on 13th February 2020.
• Reasonable rainfall in August stimulated germination of broadleaf weeds resulting in a higher than ideal weed burden in all break crop species strips at the Ravensthorpe site. This highlights the limited control options available for late weed germination in legumes.
• At the Coomalbidgup demonstration site while lupins yielded highest of the break crop species grown, they were not profitable, making an EBT tax loss. Chickpeas were the only profitable break crop species grown at this site; lower seasonal rainfall meant the waterlogging conditions that commonly prevail at this location were not a constraint on chickpea yield. An average rainfall year would likely result in chickpea yield losses due to their susceptibility waterlogging.
• Dry conditions at the start of the season at Coomalbidgup reduced herbicide efficacy but the site did not have a high background broadleaf weed pressure so competition was unlikely to have greatly reduced crop yield.
• Poor growing conditions at the Beaumont demonstration site, which entailed a dry start, a severe frost at flowering and a very dry finish resulted in none of the 5 break crops grown performing profitably. The dry start at this site affected plant establishment of the chickpeas and faba beans in particular. Seeding equipment issues handling the large seed size of the faba beans also reduced establishment of the beans.
• Poor growing conditions, which entailed 2 dry preceding years resulting in very low subsoil moisture at the start of the season, a dry start, a dry growing season, a severe frost at flowering and a dry finish meant that Scepter wheat yields were below average at the Salmon Gums demonstration site. There was no significant difference in wheat yields achieved between the 2018 break crop species treatments. Scepter was profitable after each of the 2018 break crop species except in those replicates following vetch. Wheat after lentils were most profitable with an EBT return of $50/ha, followed by wheat after field peas at $34/ha.
• At the Gibson Demonstration Site wheat following vetch grown in 2018 yielded highest and was therefore the most profitable. Wheat following faba beans and lupins grown in 2018 yielded next highest; their yields being statistically similar. Wheat in replicates following 2018 canola and chickpeas were similar and yielded lowest of the 2018 break crop species treatments.
• Wheat yield in replicates that received an additional 171L/ha of Flexi N in 2018 yielded higher than those that did not and as such were more profitable.
• Tissue test data and wheat yields achieved at the Gibson site suggested nitrogen carryover from 2018 to the 2019 cropping season had occurred. This was not reflected in the pre-seeding soil test data demonstrating the significance of low soil moisture in impeding soil nitrogen mineralization. These results emphasise the importance of understanding mineralization when interpreting soil test results in dry conditions and the merits of coupling autumn soil testing with in-crop tissue or soil testing to support in-crop nutrition decisions.

Lentils are best to be used as the last legume crop in a rotation as the volunteer lentils are hard to control in other legumes.

• Most varieties yielded did not incur yield loss from crop topping at the recommended timing indicating that they were well suited to crop topping at the recommended timing for rye grass control in 2014 where the season finished rapidly due to dry conditions.
• As found in previous seasons there is not always a direct correlation between variety flowering and maturity timing and yield loss due to crop-topping.

• There was a strong crop-top timing response, but limited variation between varieties from crop-topping in 2012. This may be due to below average end-season rainfall, suppressing some yield potential of untreated plots, particularly in later maturing varieties.
• All varieties showed yield loss from crop-topping two weeks prior to the recommended timing. A link between plant maturity and reduced yield was observed at the Early crop topping timing, with earlier maturing varieties showing the least effect and later maturing varieties presenting the greatest effect. At the Recommended timing only two of the later maturing varieties showed any yield loss.

The significant detrimental effect of P Pickle T on lentil yield was thought to be due directly to the seed treatment rather than due to a reduction in disease control.

• At both trial sites due to very dry spring conditions and high levels of moisture stress no disease occurred last year. Hence there were no significant interactions between treatments at either site apart from an overall time of sowing difference which was reported on in the time of sowing by seeding rate experiment.

• Dry and hot spring conditions suppressed lentil plant growth at both sites.
• No foliar diseases occurred at either site and hence there was no response to fungicide treatments.
• However, variety and sowing time treatments did have an effect on grain yield and quality at both sites.

• Early sown lentils consistently out-yielding those sown later, as the heat wave event in early
  November compromised yield of late sown lentil crops by terminating seed fill prematurely.
• The 2009 data was inconclusive in determining whether foliar fungicides for BGM control
  can be delayed until after the canopy closure stage in situations where conditions are not
  conducive for disease development at canopy closure (ie less than 10oC at night and 18oC
  during the day).
• The rapid finish to the season favoured early maturing varieties PBAFlash and CIPAL610 at
  both sites, averaging 5-32% above site means across sowing dates.
• Canopy closure sprays with follow up sprays dependent upon disease observation were
  successful in reducing BGM in all varieties tested at Paskeville, even at the early sowing
  date.

• No disease was present in the trial this year, therefore no effects of fungicide management regime were seen.
• Trial was not harvested.

• No disease was present in the trial this year, therefore no effects of fungicide management regime were seen.
• Grain yields were less than 0.5 t/ha.

• The late break (11 June) and prevailing seasonal conditions were unfavourable for the spread of botrytis grey mould at both sites in 2005
• Traces of botrytis grey mould were found at both sites but had no impact on yield. A late season ascochyta blight outbreak did occur at Melton however control sprays may have been applied too late to induce a fungicide response.
• No significant difference was recorded between any of the different fungicide spray strategies between varieties or at different sowing times.

• A lack of foliar disease pressure, due to dry seasonal conditions, prevented the assessment of differing fungicide regimes on varieties in 2006.
• Previous agronomic trials and observations from evaluation trials suggest Nipper can be sown earlier than Nugget and Northfield without the need for high fungicide inputs due to its improved disease resistance.
• Further work on optimum sowing dates and fungicide strategies for maximising yield and quality of the large seeded green lentil type Boomer is still required.

• A drier than average growing season in 2012 meant that there was minimal disease in this trial, and grain yield was lower than in previous seasons.
• PBA Flash outyielded Nipper by 23% in this trial, demonstrating its better suitability in shorter seasons and more marginal growing areas compared to Nipper.

• A high level of crop safety exists in PBA Herald XT to both post-sowing pre-emergent (PSPE) and post-emergent (PE) applications of imazethapyr. This high level of crop safety was shown to most but not all of the group B herbicides (e.g. Imi-4).
• Nipper showed up to 100% yield loss in some treatments where tolerant lines showed no yield loss. Nipper incurred yield losses from all herbicide treatments at Pinery but not all at Arthurton. Flumetsulam and single rates of Imazethapyr and Imi-2 were less damaging at Arthurton, but other treatments generally caused similar yield losses between the two sites.

• Interactions between herbicide and application rate did not have differing responses for grain yield, biomass yield, or gross margin at Minnipa, 2018.
• Combined herbicide and application timing treatments did show differences in grain yield, biomass yield and gross margin.
• Metribuzin and Diuron treatments indicated increased safety levels (58-466% higher biomass and 6-161% higher grain yield) and lower economic risk compared to Terbuthylazine treatments.
• For herbicide applications incorporated by sowing, Metribuzin was of lower economic risk (45% higher gross margin) than Diuron.

There were no significant differences in crop effect (measured as yield) from the various herbicides used.

• All varieties behaved similarly for grain yield in response to changes in plant density.
• This result was also found in the 2005 and 2006 trials, and indicates that the current recommended rate of 120 plants per sq.m is adequate for optimising yields at standard sowing dates in the new varieties Boomer and Nipper.
• The effects of sowing time indicate that in some seasons to maximise yields when sowing late plant densities can be increased, however this may not always be economical and in some cases could increase risk of disease.
• Lower rates could also be used when sowing early but
  again this result could vary with seasonal conditions.

• The take home message from the lentil production trial in a disease-free year is that lentils should to be sown prior to mid June, preferably in the late May to mid June period to achieve optimum yields.
• A difference of 1t/ha was achieved between sowing in late May compared to an early July sowing. However it must be remembered that with an early sowing if crops are reaching canopy closure in late winter/early spring then significant levels of disease could be expected under conditions conductive to disease.
• Fungicide applications made no improvements to yield regardless of fungicide type, application timing or the number of applications made.
• However, if the season had been wetter with a higher disease incidence, then crops may have benefited from one or more fungicide applications.

Lentil rolling is a relatively common practice in Wimmera/Mallee districts. Although several management techniques are advised when rolling lentils, after 2 years (2001 and 2003) of BCG trial work there seems to be no adverse affect on lentil growth or no yield reduction when rolling lentils at any stage of growth.

This trial indicated that rolling just prior to coleoptile emergence delivered a desirable paddock surface for harvest without impacting on yield. There have however been reported cases of shoot damage in crops when rolled at this stage.

• Results from 2004 were strongly influenced by the rapid dry finish to the season. Generally
  CIPAL203 performed similarly to Northfield for its response to sowing time last year, while no
  response to seeding rate occurred last year. Due to its superior disease resistance and relatively lower biomass production CIPAL203 is likely to benefit to a greater extent from earlier sowing dates than Northfield, providing the risk of metribuzin damage is avoided. Further evaluation is required in seasons with more average finishing conditions.

• Desiccating lentil crops was critical in 2010 to minimising losses by allowing an earlier harvest, prior to the heavy rainfall events. Rainfall affected crops yielded up to 50% less.
• The earlier maturing varieties PBA Flash and PBA Blitz offer higher yields in drier years but not necessarily in long seasons such as 2010.  
• In the Mallee, PBA Blitz offers good disease resistance which improves reliability and yield and its medium large seed makes it attractive for export.
• Late in 2010 in the Mallee, disease and virus were observed. These may have resulted in higher seed infection and inoculum levels. Be prepared for higher disease and virus levels in 2011.

Paddock selection, disease management, variety selection and marketing are important to maximising profitability from lentils.

Lentil yields were poor in 2004 due to dry conditions, mainly through October, combined with high temperatures and frost during the reproductive period. Trial data were unreliable for many sites and variety selection should be based on long term data. Disease was not a major issue in 2004 but seed from the Horsham trial site had high levels of infection by ascochyta blight and diligence must be maintained in disease management.

Note: CIPAL203 was resistant to botrytis grey mould and ascochyta blight and is suited to medium rainfall areas such as the Wimmera. CIPAL411 and CIPAL415 have improved salt tolerance. CIPAL402 is moderately resistant to botrytis grey mould and ascochyta blight and is a larger seed size than Matilda.

• Nugget has been the highest yielding variety in Victoria in long term variety comparisons.
• Botrytis grey mould and ascochyta blight are major threats to the yield and quality of the Australian lentil crop.
• Digger and Cassab have the best resistance to botrytis grey mould. Northfield is the only variety with seed resistance to ascochyta blight but it is the variety most susceptible to botrytis grey mould.
• Northfield, ILL7685 and ILL6788 are more tolerant to salinity in glasshouse studies and were the highest yielding lines at Birchip where EC levels were high.

• Paddock selection, disease management, variety selection and marketing are important in maximising profitability from lentils.
• Nugget has excellent yield potential in the Wimmera. Nugget, Cassab, Digger and Cobber are the best varieties for the Mallee.
• Cassab, Digger and Nugget are the best varieties where botrytis grey mould is a serious threat and Northfield is the best variety where ascochyta blight cannot be controlled.

When selecting a variety, growers also need to consider their individual farm and paddock situation and the access and availability of likely target markets and to make their selection on all available information.

• Field peas and vetch were most profitable in this low rainfall year. While grains yields were low, all crops either ‘broke even’ or made a small profit, indicating that pulses have a fit in farming systems in this region with additional benefits achieved in the following crop. Always consider varietal performance over several seasons to ensure suitability. 

• PBA Hurricane XT lentils continue to show tolerance to all group B herbicides tested in this trial, presenting an opportunity for flexibility in crop rotations.
• PBA Hurricane XT lentils displayed small amounts of yellowing and stunting from some herbicides, most evident following ‘SU2’ applied at 4 node, however they recovered quickly. No grain yield reduction was observed in PBA Hurricane XT from any of the herbicides applied in this trial.
• PBA Jumbo 2 displayed a significant yield reduction from terbuthylazine incorporated by sowing (IBS) in comparison to simazine applied IBS. As would be expected, the application of ‘SU1’ post-sow preemerge (PSPE) and ‘Imi2’ at 4 node significantly reduced grain yield in comparison to all other treatments.
• Early in the growing season, both varieties showed slightly more damage from terbuthylazine than simazine both applied IBS.
• ‘Imi1’ and ‘SU2’ both displayed the worst physical herbicide damage but recovered over time. 

•  All results need to be treated with caution, due the dry conditions, frosts and weed burden at the trial site. Similar to previous research PBA Hurricane XT showed tolerance to imidazolinone herbicides and improved tolerance compared with PBA Jumbo2 to sulfonylureas and sulfonamide herbicides. Flowering applications, as expected generally had the most significant reduction on grain yield. The improved weed control in several of the herbicide treatments meant that significant yield gains were commonly observed in the herbicide treatments. 
   

• Applications of metribuzin PSPE significantly reduced lentil establishment compared to IBS and the untreated control (see Figure 1 in attached trial report summary).  Across all varieties and sowing depths, establishment following the PSPE application was 75 plants/m2 while the IBS and untreated treatments had a plant establishment of 100 plants/m2.  Damage following PSPE application of metribuzin was particularly severe in the PBA Hurricane XT lentils.  The 4 node treatment had similar establishment to the control as the in crop herbicide treatment had not been applied at the time of the establishment assessment. 
• See attached trial report summary for further results and interpretations.

• A significant reduction in biomass was observed when phosphorus was omitted from the fertilizer on both soil types, however grain yield was reduced only on the sandhill, not swale.
• The dry growing season conditions may have reduced movement and uptake of the applied macro and micro-nutrients by the crop. Hence, results should be treated with caution.

• Lentils are not traditionally grown in the Victorian HRZ. Mid-season vigour was good and suggested a promising fit for lentils in the region, but late rain in November caused lodging and significantly reduced yields, highlighting the importance of sowing into standing residue.
• Sowing on May 14 increased crop biomass compared to sowing on May 31, but this did not translate into greater grain yields.

Good October rains and mild weather in spring ensured relatively high yields, especially in the Mallee, and good whole seed quality. However, there were several cases of poor quality seed from late infection by ascochyta blight. Growers are urged to treat seed for sowing in 2006 with a fungicide seed dressing and remain vigilant in controlling this disease.

• The AB isolate caused a moderately susceptible disease reaction in unprotected (Nil) plots on varieties which are currently rated as being MR (PBA Blitz) and MR/MS (Nipper, Nugget and PBA Greenfield) which indicates a change in virulence of the AB isolate resulting in a loss of foliar AB resistance in these varieties.
• Research conducted by SARDI Pathology group and reported elsewhere (Pulse Diseases 2017, GRDC Updates 2017 proceedings) has shown that the AB isolate tested in the current trial, caused susceptible reactions in PBA Hurricane XT and disease reactions in PBA Ace and PBA Bolt when tested under controlled environmental conditions. This results were however not confirmed under field conditions in the current trial.
• The current results suggest that there is a change of virulence in the AB pathogen which may be causing a loss in foliar resistance on varieties currently rated as being relatively resistant. The AB isolate tested was collected from the high intensity lentil producing area in the Yorke Peninsula region in SA.
• Protection of the plant foliage through application of fortnightly Chlorothalonil significantly increased yield in the most susceptible variety, PBA Flash (76 %) over unprotected (Nil) plots.
• Grain yields were also improved in varieties that had moderate disease reactions together with those varieties that showed no disease symptoms, indicating the importance of fungicide sprays in not only controlling disease but also enhancing plant growth.
• All commercial lentil varieties should be managed as having potential for risk from foliar AB especially under favourable conditions that promote disease. Varieties will need close monitoring for disease during the growing season and strategic fungicide sprays will be required in all varieties even in the absence of disease symptoms particularly in varieties rated as having foliar resistance to AB pathogen.

Seeding rate of lentils in the Mallee could be lowered from 120 to 80 plants/m2, particularly with new disease resistant varieties sown early. Lentils were profitable in the mallee, producing up to $653/ha at Kulwin and $433/ha at Curyo.

Light grazing was shown to leave most of the crop residue horizontal and detached but there were similar amounts of residue to the ungrazed plots. Grazing over summer and winter reduced crop yield at one site and further work on this may be required.

• A full liquid system including N, P, Trace elements and fungicides provided the greatest yield response and was significantly better than district practice granular treatments.
• Liquid N gave the most significant response of all liquid treatments in terms of mid-season biomass and yield.
• Full liquid and liquid N treatments provided similar returns to that of traditional treatments and greater returns than liquid P only.

• Granular and liquid fertilisers were equally effective in terms of grain yield for wheat. ƒ
• The addition of zinc and copper had no effect on crop performance.
• Liquid P produced more dry matter production at the 5-leaf stage than granular P. ƒ
• More P was taken up by the crop as a liquid rather than as a granular.

• Modest autumn grazing of no-till crop stubbles sometimes leads to small measurable increases in surface soil bulk density.
• In two seasons, on soils in the Mallee and Wimmera, modest autumn grazing of no-till crop stubbles had no measurable effect on crop yield, quality or weed seed burial.

Light to moderate grazing of sheep on no-till stubbles in autumn is unlikely to have detrimental impacts on crop growth in the following season.

• Lodging is becoming a significant problem in rice as growers push for maximum grain yields, but some varieties are more prone to lodging than others.

• Management practices such as drill sowing, reduced sowing rate, reduced pre-permanent water nitrogen rate and draining on time reduce the potential for lodging.
 

• For a list of variety informaiton and yield results, please see the attached trial report.
• Some of these varieties are feed varieties and some are suitable for malt production. Please check with your seed supplier for this information. Also check on maturity and disease resistance before making a decision. 

Five management strategies were compared: stubble fully retained (SFR); cut and baled (SCB); incorporated with Lemkin discs (Lemkin); Burnt; and stubble digester applied with stubble incorporated. Increased ground cover resulted in large delays in establishment.The different stubble treatments had no significant effect on grain yield.Some long term benefits from full retention of stubble are already evident with significant increases in earthworms and a trend towards decreased resistance to root penetration.

• There was no significant difference between seeding systems or level of nutrition on grain yield or oil content.
• Soil available N was the same for all seeding systems pre-seeding however, the no till treat had released more available soil N.
• In-season more available N was measured in the high nutrition treatment compared to the medium.

• Disease suppression has not developed in this soil type after 8 years.
• Higher nutrition treatments allowed crops to cope better with high disease levels in both 2010 and 2011.
• Canola will reduce Rhizoctonia inoculum but only one year of wheat will result in high levels of Rhizoctonia inoculum again.
• In good seasons the high input treatments have shown that district practice performance is limited by poor nutrition.

• Changing rotation and nutrition have changed the microbial population activity and diversity but not developed disease suppression after seven years.
• One year of wheat in 2009 resulted in high Rhizoctonia inoculum regardless of previous rotation or fertiliser histories.
• Take-all has increased in the continuous cereal district practice treatment to severe levels; higher nutrition treatments give the plants the ability to cope better with these increased disease levels.
• The high input systems have continually yielded higher than the other systems, but inputs of N have not matched production levels completely so soil reserves of mineral N are now lower in these treatments.
• In good seasons the high input treatments have shown that district practice performance is severely limited by inadequate nutrition.

• The higher input brassica break system had higher cereal yields than the other systems in 2009.
• Rhizoctonia inoculum levels were higher under the continuous cropping systems compared to the medic pasture and brassica break crops.
• The different rotations and fertiliser systems have resulted in differences in the microbial community (number) and microbial diversity (their ability to use different sources of carbon).
• Disease suppression is still the same in all rotations.

• No till treatments have been higher yielding and more profitable in continuous cropping rotations. Cultivation has increased yield and profit in 18 month fallow rotations.
• Two cereals followed by a break crop of either fieldpeas or canola no till has been the most profitable rotation. Interestingly 16 years continuous wheat has not been too far behind.
• Weed spectrum and numbers have changed dramatically within rotations and tillage methods. Interestingly no till treatments have hosted less weeds than cultivated treatments.
• One year of no pre emergent herbicide has taken the trial back 6 years and allowed large numbers of ryegrass to again become established and set seed.

• After 18 years there was no standout rotation, in terms of profitability, in any given season. All  rotations had their pros and cons in both wet and dry years. Therefore having a mix
  of rotations and doing things on time is a recipe for a resilient business.
• The most profitable rotation for the duration of the trial was the continuous cropping rotation, which included two wheat crops followed by a pulse crop in a no-till system. The addition of the pulse crop every third year was beneficial, especially for adding extra nitrogen, however added issues such as broadleaf weed blowouts with weeds like fumitory.

This first year study has shown that the adoption of a strategic tillage practice (one-way plough) provided a significant improvement in terms of crop establishment and grain yields on a moderately repellent sandy gravel. The adoption of other agronomic options, such as paired-row sowing or wetters, in this instance did not provide any noticeable improvement in comparison to the control treatments. In fact, in one case (wetter 1), the cost of the treatment was not covered by the yield increase.

Without doubt, the tillage proved to be the most effective treatment for reducing SWR but at this stage it is not possible to evaluate the extent to which this improvement alone contributed to the significant increase in yields.

With this long term experiment, we expect the following seasons to give us more information to better understand what changes drive the yield increase and possibly the potential longevity of these improvements.

• Five stubble management strategies were compared: fully retained, cut and baled, burnt and incorporated with Lemkin or offset discs. 
• Grain yield from the burnt plots was significantly higher compared with stubble retained (fully retained and cut and baled) and both incorporation treatments were significantly higher yielding than where stubble was fully retained. It is likely that this effect is a result of increased stubble from retained treatments leading to poorer plant establishment.
• Fully retained stubble resulted in significant soil improvements i.e. increased soil moisture (particularly early in the season), higher invertebrate and microbial populations and improved soil physical characteristics.
• Rain at the end of the season may have masked potential yield benefits from improved soil moisture with retained stubble treatments.   

• Five stubble managmenet strategies were compared: fully retained; fully retained with higher sowing rate; cut and baled; burnt and incorporated with Lemken discs.
• Fully retained stubble resulted in some soil improvements such as increased worm populations.
• Grain yield from plots where stubble was retained (fully retained ad cut and baled) tended to produce higher yields compared with plots where stubble was burnt. The wet season and irrigation may have masked any greater potential yield benefits from plots with retained stubble.

The value of starter P for early crop vigour was clearly demonstrated in 2014 by the decreased growth of wheat plants when P fertiliser was omitted. This effect continued through the grain development stages and was very evident in the final grain yield differences. If P application over the previous four years averaged 12 kg/ha or less, there is a good value return from applying P.  Although the highest yield was seen at 24 kg P applied in 2014, looking at historical trends shows that continual application of P at greater than 12kg/ha can provide yield gains but little or no margin and should not be considered unless low P application history, confirmed by soil P tests associated with P binding capacity, has resulted in low soil P levels. Results indicate a P recommendation of greater than 6 kg/ha to be appropriate for soils and conditions in the vicinity of the trial site, pushing up to 10-12 kg/ha if the input cost is affordable.

After 8 years of trial work on a Mallee clay loam with subsoil limitations:

• In only 2 years did yields increase after applying P fertiliser,
• the site has remained responsive at nil and 5P treatments, but maintaining rates >5kg P/ha did not produce any extra yield,
• in 2010 there as a 25% increase in wheat yield between nil P and where P had been applied (at rates 5kg P/ha or higher),
• the 5kg P/ha treatment provided the highest net income, and
• soil Colwell P together with PBI accurately estimated the response seen in 2010.

• After nine years, applying more than 5kg P/ha had no impact on grain yield in 2011.
• Consistently applying 5kg P/ha has been the most productive and profitable rate used.
• The DGT soil P test will undergo commercial testing at CSBP laboratories in 2012.

• In a Morgan pea hay crop, there were no dry matter differences between any of hte P fertiliser rates in 2009.
• The most profitable application of P on average between 2003 and 2009 has been zero P/ha on a site with a strong fertiliser history and initial soil P Colwell of 41mg/kg.
• A rate of 5kg P/ha per year produced the second highest net income with the least amount of risk.

Phosphorus responses were undertaken in 2004 on a barley crop. This is a long-term trial to determine the effect of a range of fertiliser application rates of phosphorus (P) on long-term grain yields and soil phosphorus reserves. Results indicate that in paddocks with a good phosphorus history little response, in terms of grain yield and protein, will be gained from higher rates of P. However grain yields and protein were significantly higher where some P was applied compared to no P.

• There was no significant yield difference between any of the P rates in 2008
• The most profitable application rate of P on average between 2003 and 2008 has been zero on a site with a strong fertiliser history and initial soil P Colwell of 41ppm
• Maintenance rates of 5kg/ha, produced the second highest net income with the least amount of risk
• Avoid making fertiliser decisions on ‘gut feel’. Make use of tools such as soil tests and nutrient balances to determine P rates in 2009.

• Crop water use and soil analysis values were very similar between the sites comparing long term reduced tillage and stubble retention.
• Reduced tillage and stubble retention has significantly contributed to increasing organic carbon levels at these sites.
• The grain yields of wheat were greatest at the sites with higher water use efficiency for each location.

• Crop water use and soil analysis values were very similar between the sites comparing long term reduced tillage and stubble retention.
• Reduced tillage and stubble retention has significantly contributed to increasing organic carbon levels at these sites.
• The grain yields of wheat were greatest at the sites with higher water use efficiency for each location.

• Crop water use and soil analysis values were very similar between the sites comparing long term reduced tillage and stubble retention.
• Reduced tillage and stubble retention has significantly contributed to increasing organic carbon levels at these sites.
• The grain yields of wheat were greatest at the sites with higher water use efficiency for each location.

• Autumn removal of lucerne significantly decreased subsequent winter crop yields compared to spring removal of lucerne.
• Crops sown after spring removal of lucerne yielded the same as the crops grown in a continuous crop rotation.
• The crop yield penalty from autumn removal only lasts for one year.
• Apart from Grazon, all other herbicide treatments gave unacceptable lucerne control.
• Cultivation in combination with other herbicides will increase lucerne control by  20 to 30%. 
   

Lucerne (medicago sativa) is being utilised for a range of benefits in modern farming systems. This includes the incorporation of phase farming principles into dryland cropping systems within the Mallee and Wimmera. In the Mallee, recharge rates vary from 5 to 35mm per year under traditional cropping systems. The principle of phase farming involves the tactical insertion of a lucerne pasture in a crop rotation to retrieve deep soil moisture and create a dry band below the rootzone of annual crops.

NVT is a national program of comparative crop variety testing with standardised trial management, data generation, collection and dissemination. The program is supported by the Australian Government and growers through the Grains Research Development Corporation and is managed by the Australian Crop Accreditation System Limited.

• Metribuzin did demonstrate good crop safety on several varieties in 2010, which indicates it may be relatively safe for the late control of wild radish in some lupin varieties.
• However, 2010 was an incredibilly ‘soft’ finish which allowed plants to make unchecked compensatetory growth after the herbicide was applied.
• These trials will be repeated in 2011.

• Lupinbud gave an increase in yield of 200kg/ha.

Using a combine harvester to manage stubble at harvest was expensive and exposed crops to greater risk of weather damage.  Harvesting tall and inter-row sowing was the cheapest form of stubble management and also gave good establishment.  Burning is cheap and effective at removing stubble, and allowed excellent establishment and greater early vigor for competition with weeds, but may not suit all paddock types.

• In 2017, don’t let stubble compromise the big things (weeds, disease, timeliness).

• • All machines tested in this trial successfully established a no-till wheat crop after pasture
  • On average across all machines, there was no positive response to pre-sowing cultivation on yield

• The trial site suffered from very dry conditions for the first three months after sowing.
• As a result, final grain yields were very low, averaging 0.3 t/ha.
• There was no impact from varying nitrogen rate on any aspect of plant growth or grain yield at this site except for cob number per plant.
• Hybrid selection affected crop yield.
   

• The starting soil nitrogen (N) at this site was 73 kg N, which was sufficient to supply the average crop yield of 2.1 t/ha, which was achieved.
• Consequently, there was no response to any of the nitrogen treatments applied.
• Hybrid selection had a major impact on plant structures, grain yield and quality. Pioneer 1467 produced more tillers than the other two hybrid maize varieties.
• Pacific 606 produced the highest grain yield at 2.65 t/ha and also had the highest 1000 grain weight and lowest screenings of the three hybrid maize varieties examined.
   

• Allowing weeds to grow during summer reduced subsequent wheat yield by more than 50 percent
• Provided summer weeds were controlled, other surface treatments (slashed stubble, standing stubble, cultivation, bare earth) had little effect on crop yield
• Controlling summer weeds is one of the most cost-effective input investments available to growers in the Mallee, returning $5 for every $1 invested in this demonstration.

Crop Year Rainfall (November-October) is contributing up to 61% of variability in gross income received by farmers in southern Mallee but only 23% of variability in the Wimmera. Why? : high rainfall years (1993, 95, 96) were difficult years for Wimmera farmers and they were generally unable to take full opportunity of the rainfall received.

• Including legume crops and pastures in rotations increases soil nitrogen even two years after the legume break was grown.
• Brown manure vetch has proven to be the best break phase for increasing soil mineral nitrogen.
• Crop sequences have had small and variable effects on plant available soil water.
• Rhizoctonia inoculum levels are highest following cereal crops and high Rhizoctonia levels have corresponded with poor root health. Canola decreased inoculum levels to levels similar to a fallow.
• High brome grass numbers re-emerged two years after a one year break.

In years with high summer rainfall, growing break crops is low risk and is an effective management strategy for reducing weeds, while growing profitability. Two year breaks are better than one at achieving favourable returns and reducing brome grass populations. The best brome grass control and gross margins were achieved by two year rotations of Clearfield canola/vetch and continuous Clearfield wheat followed by wheat.

• Another dry season has highlighted the increased resilience that early-maturing cereals express over mid-season-maturing varieties in these adverse years
• Season 2009 will see an increased opportunity for farmers to include new innovative wheat varieties into their farming systems
• Relying on one wheat variety is like ‘putting all of your eggs in the one basket’. New varieties with differing maturity dates and improved agronomics/disease resistance are now commercially available to help offset this potential threat
• Yitpi continues to be the Mallee benchmark, although as Table 1 indicates, a number of new release varieties have grain yields and agronomics that compare favourably with the Mallee icon.

Variety choice was the management decision with the highest impact on grain yield and gross income compared to other management considerations.

Later grazing may have benefits in severely frost prone areas, but in the event that there is no frost, yield will be compromised. Grazing has successfully delayed flowering date and for the early grazing it would appear that there is roughly a 1 day delay in flowering for 2 days grazing.

Later grazing may have benefits in severely frost prone areas, but in the event that there is no frost, yield will be compromised. Grazing has successfully delayed flowering date and for the early grazing it would appear that there is roughly a 1 day delay in flowering for 2 days grazing.

• At present, group A herbicide resistance in barley grass is relatively low at a district level on the EP. However, growers need to act now to integrate multiple control tactics to prolong the effectiveness of these cheap and effective herbicides.
• In the absence of group A herbicides, it is still possible to achieve large reductions in barley grass seed bank in a legume pasture phase.
• When using moderate efficacy-low cost herbicides (Treflan + Logran) for barley grass control in wheat, effective control of the weed in previous pasture phase was critical.

• The key to long term Rhizoctonia disease control is to keep inoculum in the soil low in the crop and pasture phases and increase the ability of crops to tolerate the infection (create environments where plant infection is reduced and plant tolerance to infection improved).
• The success of available disease control strategies, e.g. soil disturbance, fertilizer addition or fungicides is greatest at low to medium inoculum levels and their effectiveness declines as inoculum levels increase or where disease suppressive activity is low.
• Overall, effective control of rhizoctonia disease in cereal crops requires both the reduction of the pathogen inoculum in the soil prior to seeding and control of the infection process in the crop itself. This has to be achieved through management practices spread over more than one cropping season and through an integrated management strategy.

• If crown rot is a concern, conduct a DNA test before sowing a susceptible cereal in 2007.
• Break crops and grass free fallows are still the best practice for reducing crown rot inoculum levels.
• If inoculum levels are high, it will take at least two years free from grass and volunteers, to reduce levels significantly.

• Crown rot has become an important disease to manage in Victorian wheat crops.
• A soil test can be used to identify paddocks most at risk of crown rot.
• In the presence of medium crown rot levels crop losses can be reduced by chosing tolerant crops.

(i) Managing slug populations is unlikely to be successful unless both cultural and chemical control strategies are used. (ii) Research has found burning, light cultivation and rolling improves slug control. (iii) Control measures must be carried out before slug damage is observed. (iv) Paddocks with a previous history of slug damage are always a good place to start monitoring in a susceptible crop like canola. (v) Slug bait should be applied at a rate to provide sufficient bait points per m2 relative to slug populations in the paddock. (vi) Check the accuracy of your bait spreader to make sure there is an even distribution of bait across the spreading width. This width may not be the same as the width you spread urea. (vii) Identify slug species present in a paddock for the most effective control. Different species demonstrate different behaviours.

• Incorrect identification could be costly as with Take all and Crown rot require different management.
• Check the bases of plants for symptoms, don’t rely on whiteheads (which need not even be disease related).
• Even where whiteheads are not present, significant yield losses can occur.
• Know the risk of yield loss in your paddocks before sowing. For 2012 crops, this will mean sending summer/autumn soil samples to the Predicta B testing service for analysis.
• The most effective management tool for both diseases is host-free breaks.
• Where old cereal rows have medium to high inoculum levels, sowing between those old rows can reduce yield losses from these diseases, but only if the inter-row has low levels of inoculum.
• When Take-all inoculum levels are medium to high, the best option is a 12 month break from hosts. If susceptible cereals must be sown, keep the paddock(s) weed free and sow the atrisk paddock(s) last in the cereal cropping program.
• When crown rot inoculum levels are medium to high, the best option is a break from hosts (2-3 years may be needed). If cereals must be sown then barley is least likely to show yield loss, followed by oats and bread wheat. Do not apply excessive nitrogen early in the season.

Barley can be successfully grown on retained wheat stubble, but it is advisable to burn wheat stubble when growing wheat on wheat. If stubble is retained then Yellow Leaf Spot can be a devastating disease in a wet winter. The most important management practices when growing a cereal on cereal are as follows:

• Select paddocks with low numbers of grass weeds.
• Retain wheat stubble for barley, burn the stubble for wheat.
• Control summer weeds to ensure summer rainfall can be used by the crop.
• Use varieties with good disease resistance such as Silverstar or Krichauff.
• Disease - select paddocks with low disease pressure (monitor the previous crop) and DNA test the paddock prior to sowing.
•  Apply sufficient nitrogen for a good crop (soil test to know how much to apply).
• Barley on barley can lead to serious problems with leaf diseases such as net blotch.

• Trial work funded by GRDC via the Southern Pulse Agronomy Program.
• Early sowing of beans in 2017 at Bool Lagoon did not increase grain yields.
• Different PGR treatments and application timings did influence grain yield at Conmurra in 2017.
• Trial planning for 2018 is underway.

• Trial work funded by GRDC via the Southern Pulse Agronomy Program.
• Early sowing of beans in 2016 at Bool Lagoon did not increase grain yields.
• Agronomic treatments applied at Conmurra in 2016 did not alter plant canopy size or plant architecture.
• Trial planning for 2017 is underway.

Canola can be successfully grown on cereal stubble if the stubble is removed and nutritoin (especially N) is adequte.

• Two seasons of trials have demonstrated there are differences in crop vigour / biomass production within open pollinated varieties ATR Stingray (less competitive) and ATR Bonito (more competitive) relative to a competitive hybrid variety Hyola559TT.
• In 2017, at Hart and Roseworthy both OP and hybrid varieties provided similar crop competition for ryegrass control.
• A combination of effective pre-emergent herbicides with competitive canola varieties combines two tactics to reduce ryegrass seed set.