• For all varieties, the middle sowing date (4 December) resulted in higher grain yields than the early (11 November) or late (23 December) sowing dates.
• Varieties, N005A-80 and BidgeeA consistently achieved the highest seed protein concentrations.
• Varieties, SnowyA and BidgeeA achieved consistent seed protein concentrations across the three sowing dates, while later sowing dates reduced the seed protein of Djakal, N005A-80 and P176-2 varieties.

• The later sown canola resulted in greatly reduced yields and lower oil contents.
• Aphid pressure was moderate from flowering to podding but no spray was applied.

• Cooler spring temperatures and excellent plant available soil moisture, favoured the yield potential of longer season and mid maturing wheat varieties in 2016.
• The mid–late and mid-season bread wheat varieties SuntimeA, LRPB FlankerA, SuntopA, BeckomA, MitchA and EGA GregoryA all performed well from an April 27 sowing date (SD1) with yields >6.5 t/ha. The new long-season spring type SunmaxA, likewise achieved ~6.5 t/ha.
• The longer season bread wheat varieties LRPB KittyhawkA and SunlambA also demonstrated their yield potential, achieving yields >6 t/ha for SD1.
• Varieties that performed well across the three sowing dates included EGA GregoryA, MitchA, LRPB FlankerA, SuntopA and BeckomA.
• The new mid-fast season variety LRPB ReliantA yielded well from a main season and delayed sowing date.
• Warm autumn temperatures resulted in many spring wheat entries, particularly the more temperature responsive cultivars, reaching anthesis faster (days from effective SD to anthesis) for SD1 compared with SD2. LRPB LancerA for example was ~9 days faster to reach anthesis for SD1 vs SD2.
• The advanced durum line AGT D043 performed well, achieving yields comparable to the best performing durum DBA AuroraA and bread wheats from a main season sowing date.

• Grain yield was highest from the early sowing date (17 April) .
• Pioneer 44Y89 (CL) was the higest yielding variety.
• The early sowing treatments grew more total biomass and had a higher harvest index than the two later sowing dates.
• Pioneer 44Y89 (CL) had a better harvest index than all other varities in this experiment.

• Sowing canola early highlights the inherent differences in phenology.

• Slow-developing varieties maintained consistent yield across all sowing dates (late March to late April), whereas fast-developing varieties achieved their highest yield from late April sowing.

• Early flowering (from sowing fast-developing varieties early) reduced yield potential and exposed those treatments to greater disease pressure.

• Early sowing exacerbated phenological differences between the varieties.
• The spread of days to reach 50% flowering within each time of sowing (TOS) varied by 35, 26 and 14 days in TOS 1, TOS 2 and TOS 3 respectively.
• The highest yield was acheived by Nuseed GT-50 (3.9 t/ha) sown on 1 May.
• Hyola 600RR was the highest yielding variety when averaged across all sowing dates.
• The sowing time had a neglible impact on grain yield. 
• The biomass at 50% flowering was greatest in TOS 2 (9.92 t/ha) followed by TOS 1 (7.93 t/ha) and TOS 3 (9.23 t/ha).
• There was strong correlation between biomass at maturity and grain yield, i.e. a higher biomass produced a higher yield.  

• Frost and terminal drought were key determining factors on barley grain yield and development at Condobolin in 2017.
• Selecting sowing date and varietal phenology maximised grain yield by timing flowering for the first week of September at Condobolin.
• Grain plumpness, as indicated by screenings and retention, can be adversely affected by late sowing dates in the absence of spring rainfall.

• The combination of extra stored water (20mm) and early sowing (17 April) resulted in the highest grain yield in this experiment.
• Early sowing without extra stored water gave a higher yield than late sowing (4 May), regardless of teh irrigation treatment at the later sowing date.
• The extra grain yield from early sowing and irrigation was due to increased biomass accumulation and imprved harvest index.
• Oil concentration was low overall, but was higher from the early sowing (33.6%) than th elater sowing (30.5%).

• LBP10 - 0018 was the highest yielding variety sown on the 30th April (2.09 t/ha)
• Emu Rock was the highest yeilding variety sown on 22 May (1.72 t/ha) and 11 June (0.89 t/ha)
• Emu rock was the highest yielding variety (1.49 t/ha) when averaged accross all sowing times.
• Dry conditions during September and October contributed to the lower average yields in the 22 May  and 11 June sowing times

A field trial was undertaken at Riverton in 2019 to investigate combinations of wheat sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control brome grass. The average seedbank of brome grass at the site was 1863 ± 303 seeds/m2. Brome grass at this site was effectively controlled (>80%) by delaying sowing by 2 weeks, with treatment effects from herbicide and wheat seed rate treatment only being significant in the early sown plots, where brome grass density was high. These results clearly indicate that brome grass population present at this site has very low seed dormancy and germinates readily after the season opening rains and can be effectively controlled with a knockdown herbicide. Wheat grain yield results reflected the level of brome grass control with herbicide and wheat seed rate treatments improving yields significantly as brome suppression improved. These treatments did not have a significant effect on yield when sowing was delayed because brome was effectively controlled by the knockdown herbicides. In the early sown crop when brome grass was controlled effectively with Intercept®, the 2 week delay in sowing caused a 9% reduction in wheat yield.

• There were large weed control benefits of delayed sowing of barley at Minnipa. However, when a highly effective pre-emergent herbicide was applied the benefit of delayed sowing was negligible.
• In barley a three week delay in sowing time did not significantly reduce grain yield as it did in the previous year in wheat. Lower yield penalty in barley from delayed sowing may be related to its earlier maturity and more competitive nature compared to wheat.

 

A field trial was undertaken at Minnipa in 2019 to investigate combinations of barley sowing time, seed rate and herbicide treatments to control annual ryegrass. The average seedbank of annual ryegrass (ARG) at the site was 4168 ± 411 seeds/m2. ARG plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and the interaction between the time of sowing and herbicide (P<0.001). There was a large impact of the 3 week delay in seeding barley on ARG plant density. This was particularly evident in the untreated control in which ARG density decreased from 676 plants/m2 in TOS 1 to 379 plants/m2 in TOS 2. This large reduction in ARG density due to delayed sowing is most likely related to rainfall events in early May, which would have caused weed emergence. Pre-emergence herbicides had higher efficacy in TOS 2 where the density of ARG plants had been reduced by the delay in seeding. This trend held through the season in the untreated control in which ARG spike density decreased from 306 spikes/m2 in TOS 1 to 199 spikes/m2 in TOS 2. In the trifluralin treatment, ARG produced 5078 seeds/m2 in TOS 2 as compared to 9192 seeds/m2 in TOS 1, a 45% reduction in ARG seed production. Unlike wheat in 2018, barley grain yield at Minnipa was not significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.644). However, seed rate (P<0.001), herbicide treatment (P<0.001) and had a significant effect on barley grain yield. As stated earlier, there were large benefits of delayed sowing on weed control. In barley a three week delay did not significantly reduce grain yield as it had in the previous year in wheat. Lower yield penalty in barley from delayed sowing may be related to its earlier maturity than wheat.

Barley grain yield as significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.025), seed rate (P<0.001) and the herbicide treatment (P<0.001). The delay of 4 weeks between the two sowing dates caused 22% (0.69 t/ha) reduction in grain yield or 25 kg/ha/day. Averaged over the two sowing dates and three seed rates, Boxer Gold treatment (2.996 t/ha) produced significantly greater barley grain yield than Treflan (2.634 t/ha) and the control (2.648 t/ha). Barley sown early (TOS 1) at high seed rate and sprayed with Boxer Gold produced 3.6 t/ha grain yield as compared to later sown crop (TOS 2) at low seed rate but treated with the same herbicide which produced 2.4 t/ha.

General application of Sakura + Avadex over the whole trial site provided good control of ARG. As a result, follow-up application of Boxer Gold @ 1.5 L/ha or 2 L/ha at GS 11 (1-leaf stage) did not significantly reduce ARG plant density.  Post-emergence application of Boxer Gold at 1.5 or 2 L/ha after pre-emergence Sakura + Avadex extended the period of weed control, which reduced spike density of ARG (P=0.02). At both sowing times, increase in wheat plant density from 100 to 200 plants/m2 reduced ARG spike density by 44%. Delayed sowing at this site reduced the competitive ability of wheat against ARG. Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, ARG produced 234 spikes/m2 in TOS 2 as compared to 75 spikes/m2 in TOS 1 (68% reduction in TOS 1). Additional post-emergence application of Boxer Gold significantly increased wheat grain yield (P=0.008) compared to the baseline treatment of Sakura + Avadex. Wheat yield increased by 9% or 0.4 t/ha with the additional post-emergence treatment of Boxer Gold as compared to Sakura + Avadex treatment alone. Wheat grain yield was also significantly affected by wheat seed rate (P<0.001). Wheat grain yield increased from 4.6 t/ha at the density of 100 plants/m2 to the maximum of 5.48 t/ha at the seed rate of 200 plants/m2. This yield gain of 0.9 t/ha clearly indicates that early sowing, wheat density of 200 plants/m2 and effective use of herbicides can have a large influence on the profitability of wheat in the HRZ.

Barley plant density was significantly influenced by the time of sowing (P=0.025) and crop seed rate (P=0.002).  Averaged across the seed rates and herbicide treatments, the first time of sowing (TOS 1) had barley density of 125 plants/m2 compared to 82 plants/m2 in TOS 2, which was related to dry soil conditions after sowing in TOS 2. Brome grass plant density was significantly affected by the time of sowing (P=0.018) and the herbicide treatments (P<0.001).  The 4-week delay in sowing between TOS 1 and TOS 2, allowed greater emergence of brome grass seedlings before the sowing of the TOS 2.  Consequently, barley sown at TOS 2 had 48% lower brome grass infestation (107.9 plants/m2) than in TOS 1 (207 plants/m2). As expected, herbicide treatments had a significant (P<0.001) effect on brome grass density. When averaged across the sowing time and seed rates, the treatment of Treflan + Avadex was only moderately effective and reduced brome grass density by 36% (173 plants/m2) relative to the untreated control (271 plants/m2). In contrast, the same pre-emergent treatment (Treflan + Avadex) followed by Intervix reduced brome grass density by 90% (28 plants/m2). When averaged across seed rates and herbicide treatments, the time of sowing barley had a significant effect on its grain yield (P=0.011). TOS 1 produced 940 kg/ha greater barley grain yield than TOS 2. The post-emergence application of Intervix to the crop treated with Treflan + Avadex further increased barley grain yield by 872 kg/ha. These results are consistent with the trends in brome grass density and panicle production. The untreated control plots produced 40% lower grain yield than the Intervix treatment, which completely controlled brome grass. These results highlight the strong competitive ability of brome grass in cereals.

• Stubble height would appear to have a statistically significant effect on early lupin plant height.
• This effect, although trending towards a higher lower pod height on those plants, is not statistically significant in this trial.
• This trial had insufficient measurements taken to determine the mechanism that caused the plants growing in the tall residue to grow taller and have a higher first pod, and whether that led to an increase in yield.

• There was no difference in grain yield (t/ha) between the early season variety (Trojan) and the later varieties (Mace and Scepter) sown 13 days later.

• In 2016 sowing Mace and Scepter earlier on 13 May reduced grain protein by 0.3% compared to sowing it thirteen days later.

• For the later sowing on 26 May, Mace and Scepter had similar grain yield, however, protein was higher for Scepter.
• When sown early, Trojan had higher protein than Mace and Scepter.

• Reduced yield experienced on cultivation treatment with the drying out effect at seeding.
• More root biomass in the early part of the season with cultivation.
• With no sub soil moisture cultivation did not have the desired effects on yield.

 

• Evidence from this trial indicates that further investigation of fluid fungicides banded at sowing for crown rot management is warranted.
• Many treatments decreased crown rot incidence early in the season and in these treatments, the plants had increased vegetative bulk later in the season.
• Fungicide application reduced levels of crown rot DNA in the crop at maturity.
• Expression of crown rot symptoms in durum wheat and bread wheat were different, depending on the treatment applied

• Simizine damage early, affected growth.
• Lupin yields averaged 0.77t/ha.
• Protein levels averaged 34.3%.

• The early growth of the sub-tropical grasses (panic grass, Rhodes grass) was slow and they appeared to have cold stress.  The seedlings were cold stress with all three TOS and they took a while to recover.
• An interesting observation was that the surrounding paddock was sown to a sub-tropical grass mix (Gatton panic and Rhodes grass) just before the 3rd time of sowing, however the early growth of the perennial seedlings in the paddock was superior to the small plot trials.  Gatton panic is apomictic (i.e. all plants are essentially clones), so any difference must be due to the environment.  In this case, the markedly stronger early growth and less cold damage maybe due to the improved nutrition from the fertilizer applied at seeding. 
• To evaluate whether there was a nutrient deficiency an application of fertilizer - 150 kg/ha of DAP plus 100 kg/ha of MOP was applied to half of each rep in mid-December in a split plot design.  Subsequently there has been little rainfall, so no opportunity to measure a response.
• By mid-February there was not a substantial difference between the three times of sowing for Rhodes grass and Gatton panic which makes sense as in effect the sub-tropical grasses all emerged in early to mid-September for all three TOS.  The only species to emerge in any numbers before the third TOS was perennial veldt grass. However, by mid-February about 35-40% of the veldt grass plants had died and many more plants were highly stressed and may die over summer –autumn.  Sowing veldt grass in late winter – early spring with the sub-tropical grasses may not work in that persistence over summer may be poor.  Perennial veldt grass is a C3 so does not have the same soil temperature requirements as the sub-tropical grasses (C4).  An autumn sowing may be more successful for veldt grass.
• The results from the TOS at Eneabba in 2012 suggest little or no advantage in early sowing of sub-tropical grasses in early August.  The optimum sowing window appears to be late August with more flexibility with Rhodes grass than Gatton panic for early sowing. 

• Nitrous oxide losses following rainfall from a wheat crop sown into vetch stubble that was terminated in various ways in the previous year were low: ~ 1.5 g N/ha/day or less.

• High operational speed reduced sowing depth of both disc and tyne openers.
• Counts of unsprayed (nil) annual ryegrass were greater for the tyne machine than the disc seeder at 8km/h and 14km/h.
• Within the applied herbicide treatments herbicide efficacy was fairly high. 
• all standing stubble and poor seed placement at 8km/h and 10km/h by the tyne machine severely affected crop establishment.
• At 14km/h the discs ability to penetrate the soil was greatly reduced, impacting sowing depth.
• Barley yields were higher for the disc sown treatments than the tyne sown treatments.

• Trials of potential new fodder shrub species at Minnipa and Piednippie have shown generally strong establishment and early growth.

• Best response with eNtrench was seen when applied early and IBS
• Highest yielding treatment was with 100L UAN applied at GS16
• No significant difference was found in protein results
• This is a difficult product to demonstrate using small plots as the benefit of nitrogen stabilisers is often shown improving the average result over a complete paddock.

• Perennial pastures have allowed our stock to express their genetic potential even in dry years and to meaningfully measure their traits. However we hope that the introduced perennial grasses, as good as they are, will only be a short term measure until desirable native grass and forb species replace them.

• This and other research demonstrates that it is possible to improve crop establishment and productivity on water repellent soils using modified furrow sowing techniques.
• Banded wetting agents are helpful with early dry or partially dry sowing before opening rains but show less benefit later in the sowing program when there has already been rain and the soil has started to wet up more (see Banded wetting agent paper WMG 2012 research annual). In very erodible conditions with high wind erosion risk the use of this strategy may be safer than the options with winged points or boots due to less soil disturbance and release of root anchorage for existing plant cover. Optimal wetting agents for WMG areas still need identification.
• Winged points and winged-paired row systems perform better than knife points under certain soil conditions but the benefits are variable and in some sowing conditions may provide little benefit. Further research is required. Winged points look most attractive when shallow moist soil can be ‘delved’ to the seed zone to provide early establishment (as in the winged knife point on the gravelly sand with shallow moisture).
• Simple approaches like sowing next to or at a shallow angle across the previous year’s crop row and broadcast spreading a portion of the seed in front of the seeding tynes are relatively simple approaches that can provide establishment benefits.
•  

• There is still a lot of work to be done but it appears crops can be sown successfully into perennial pastures in some situations.
• Agronomic results from the Moora focus site appear to support the view that Marginal or problem soils are a potential fit for pasture cropping systems. However, it is important to note that the extra green feed produced over summer-autumn needs to be converted into wool or meat in order to offset any grain yield losses.
• Further research is required across different sites and seasons as the yield penalty on better soil classes may well be greater than on deep pale sands which have limited capacity to store moisture from summer rainfall for crop production. The viability of pasture cropping systems based on other sub tropical grass species, native grasses. lucerne and bluebush are also worth evaluating.

• Grain yield was highest (5.8 t/ha) from Revenue and loest from Bass. Dry matter produciton was greatest from the barley lines as with the later sowing there was isufficient time for the other cereals to catch up.
• New barley germplasm from France is later flowering and has considerable potential for early sowing in the most frost prone areas of Tasmania. Both lines appear to possess some water logging tolerance.

• Grain yield was highest for Revenue and Endeavour (5.4 and 5.1 t/ha respectively) and lowest from Barley Z and Henley. Dry matter production was lowest from Revenue as with the water-logged conditions no third cut was taken.
• Winter barley germplasm is late flowering and may have considerable potential for early sowing in the more frost prone areas of Tasmania.
• There appears to be a strong interaction between grazing/cutting and water-logging with the additional stress of water-logging leading to poorer recovery after cutting.

• Bolta Balansa (3.2 t/ha DM), Lightening Persian (3.30 t/ha DM) and Elite II Berseem (2.94 t/ha DM) produced the highest amounts of DM at Dunkeld. 
• The site was somewhat a rundown pasture site, which go very wet in winter, and this did not favour Arrowleaf type cloers.
• Elite II provided good initial dry matter early - but then only provided extra dry matter with late rains. Persian clover only provided extra dry matter with late rain also.
• The Balansa clovers had superior growth in these conditions, with Bolta being the longer season type, providing more dry matter.

Mackellar wheat showed the most potential as a dual purpose crop with the highest grain yield and DM production comparable to all other varieties except Bass. The latter produced the most fodder but the lowest grain yield. There was no significant difference in DM
production between Mackellar, Breakwell, Urambie and Franklin however there was a large difference in when this was produced. Franklin barley (and a Chinese line) were far more vigorous early whereas the later developing varieties, in particular Bass, tended to produce less DM but extra cuts ensured a higher total DM.

Like many comments for 2008, the later break and well-below average rainfall in spring, saw disappointing  ield responses. In a better season, a winter cut followed by multiple measurements in the spring, would show some more promising yields (This would also assist in reducing variance within the trial, currently at 22%). Hardier plants such as oats and ryegrass were able to produce large amounts on lower amounts of rainfall, whilst shorter season annuals legumes such as vetch and arrowleaf clover had struggled to produce bulk, before flowering and before early December rains.

• All crops emerged and established well in the early stages.
• Lentils and fieldpeas were very quick and uniform.
• Lupin emergence was staggered but were eventually very even.
• Narrow leafed lupins were severely damaged in all replicates by hares, which removed the central spike of every flowering plant.

• The best yielding winter cultivars yielded similar to the best yielding spring cultivars despite a month difference in flowering date.
• Winter barley shows promise but we are still learning.  Strategies utilising Nitrogen, Plant Growth Regulators and Grazing need development to manage the increased biomass production and to improve the conversion of biomass to grain yield
• Early sown winter barley is a different agronomic system. The farming system benefits of winter barleys such as grain and graze, improved disease resistance should not be overlooked
   

• At both sites Antas sub clover (Brachycalnium type) grew significantly more DM than other sub clovers - over 300% increase in dry matter on its nearest competitor at Mininera and 180% at Dunkeld.
• The more biomass you grow, the more nitrogen you fix. Using rules of thumb (25 kg/ha N per 1 t DM).
• Generall speaking earlier flowering varieties will grow more dry matter early, while later flowering varieites will make the most of late rains. In practice a spread or mix of flowering date may be prudent in a paddock situation.
• More work is required to show possible yields, both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational purposes.

• Antas sub cloer (Brachycalnium type) grew significantly more DM than other sub clovers, over 250% more than Trikkala in 2010 and 300% in 2009 and 100% in 2008.
• The more biomass you grow, the more nitrogen you fix. Using rules of thumb (25 kg/ha N). In 2010 Antas grew over 5 t/ha of DM - theoretically this could equate to 125 kg/ha of N or 250 kg/ha urea.
• Generally speaking earlier flowering varieties will grow more dry matter early, while later flowering varieteis will make most of late rains. In pracice a spread or mix of flowering dates may be prudent in a paddock situation.
• Sub clover is well suited to growers in Western Victoria, as a forage legume, and growers are suggested to try newer varieties to improve productivity during their clover phase.

• Antas sub clover (brachcalnium type) grew significantly more DM than other sub clovers - a 58% increase in dry matter on Trikkala.
• The more biomass you grow, the more nitrogen you fix. Using rules of thumb (25kg/ha N per 1t DM)
• Generally speaking earlier flowering varieties will grow more dry matter early, while later flowering varieties will make most of late rains. In practice a spread or mix of flowering dates may be prudent in a paddock situation.
• More work required to show possible yields, both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options. 

• Antas Sub clover (bracycanium type) grew significantly more DMthan all other sub clovers, ( 7.94t/ha at Conmurra) an increase of 80% over standard Trikkala Sub Clover.
• The morebiomass you grow, the more nitrogen you fix. Using rules of thumb (25kg/ha N per 1t DM)
• Generally speaking earlier flowring varieties will grow more dry matter early, while later flowering will make most of late rains. In practice, a spread or mix of flowering dates may be prudent in a paddock situation. 
• More work required to show possible yields, both as monocultures and as mixes for rotational options. 

Key messages:

• Treating EGA GregoryA seed with Rancona Dimension reduced establishment losses associated with the addition of crown rot inoculum to 7% compared with 26% when no seed treatment was used.
• In this instance, Rancona Dimension did not provide a significant or consistent yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection across the 12 trial sites in 2015.
• Growers should not expect Rancona Dimension to provide a significant and consistent reduction in yield loss from crown rot infection when used as a standalone management strategy.
• Growers considering the use of Rancona Dimension should follow the manufacturer’s advice and only consider it as part of an integrated management strategy against crown rot.

Conclusions

Rancona® Dimension is registered in Australia for the suppression of crown rot infection. Rancona® Dimension reduced establishment losses associated with severe early infection, created by the addition of crown rot inoculum to the seed furrow at sowing, to 7% compared to 26% in the absence of a seed treatment. Further research is required to determine if this improvement in establishment is associated with reduced Fusarium seedling blight. It should also be established whether such severe establishment losses are an artefact of the inoculation process used in the trials or occurs naturally in paddocks with high stubble-borne inoculum loads. In a separate larger trial conducted at Tamworth in 2015 in which infected stubble at the surface was the inoculum source Rancona® Dimension did not have a significant impact on the establishment of EGA Gregory compared to the Nil seed treatment (data not presented). Establishment benefits apparent in the 12 trials unfortunately did not translate into any improvement in grain yield. Rancona® Dimension did not provide a significant yield benefit over the use of no seed treatment or the two other commonly used seed treatments examined in this study under high crown rot pressure across 12 sites in 2015.

Although Rancona® Dimension is registered for the suppression of crown rot, with activity against early infection and potential establishment losses evident in this study, growers should not expect this to translate into a significant and consistent reduction in yield loss from crown rot infection when the product is used as a standalone management strategy. Integrated management remains the best strategy to reduce losses to crown rot. Growers may like to consider including Rancona® Dimension (320 mL/100 kg seed) as one additional component in their integrated management of crown rot.

• There is a range (from susceptible to moderately susceptible) in varietal resistance to eyespot in long season wheat varieties commonly grown in the South East. Although this range is small it is large enough to influence damage due to eyespot.
• Know the eyespot inoculum levels (which indicate the risk of yield loss) in paddocks being sown to cereals and use this information to assist in variety selection.
• Avoid sowing the susceptible varieties Wedgetail, Kiora and Forrest in paddocks which have high eyespot levels.
• Trojan, Brennan and Manning are generally more resistant (moderately susceptible) to eyespot than other varieties screened.

• Know the risk of yield loss from eyespot before sowing a cereal - inspect stem bases (lodging does not always occur) in a previous cereal crop or take soil samples pre-sowing and submit them to PreDicta B for analysis.
• Select less susceptible varieties which are well adapted to the area - untreated they will perform better and they may also be more responsive to fungicide application, particularly where disease pressure is high. Avoid varieties with weak straw strength as they are more likely to lodge when affected by eyespot.
• No fungicides are registered at present for eyespot management, but a number are in the process of registration. Once these are registered - use the correct rate (lower rates can be less effective); apply before canopy closure (GS30-31 is usually recommended); use high water rates; target the base of the plant.
• Delays (due to waterlogging) in fungicide application until after early stem elongation may reduce eyespot incidence and severity but may not give a yield response.
• Inoculum carryover is unlikely to be influenced by variety resistance alone but is likely to be reduced where a fungicide is applied prior to canopy closure. Greatest reductions in inoculum carryover were seen where two fungicide applications were made (tillering plus GS30-31) or where one fungicide application was made to a less susceptible variety.

• This is the first quantitative information we have for the effects of varietal resistance and fungicide application and timing on eyespot expression and crop yield in the South East. These preliminary recommendations will become more robust as we gather more information.
• No fungicides are registered at present for eyespot management, but it is anticipated at least one registered product will be available for use in the 2017 season. Applying fungicides for eyespot management reduced eyespot expression and increased yields in the trials at Kangaroo Inn.
• Select more resistant varieties – untreated they will perform better and they may also be more responsive to fungicide application, particularly where disease pressure is high.
• Delays in fungicide application until after early stem elongation (recommended timing, as the canopy is still open enough to allow good coverage of the stem bases) may reduce eyespot incidence and severity but may not give a yield response.

• Grain yields were increased by sowing early (mid-April to early-May) over later sowing (end of May) under the favourable growing seasons experienced at Hart in 2016, in contrast to similar climatic seasons in higher rainfall areas of SA such as Tarlee.
• Varieties with agronomic characteristics of early flowering and high biomass production optimised yields.
• There was no change in grain yields from application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on early sown faba beans.
• Agronomic traits related to improved harvestability were observed from some PGRs, however further field testing will be required to better understand the best application timings and quantify benefits.

• Prices for faba beans have remained very high compared with long term averages, enhancing the profitability of faba beans. Growers always need to be aware of possible price swings as the international market is limited. The potential return for the crop should be based on longer term pricing between $300 and $400/ t.
• New varieties, PBA Zahra and PBA Samira, offer significantly improved grain yield (>10%) and disease resistance compared with older varieties.
• Sowing early is essential to maximise benefits to the farming system from improved biomass and grain yield to maximise profitability.
• Good disease management is critical to maximise grain yield and quality. Growers are encouraged to carefully plan their strategies, regularly monitor crops and have fungicide purchased in advance, to ensure appropriate timing of application.

• Early sowing, concurrent with previous research, was highest yielding in 2012
• There appear to be several promising new varieties available for southern Victoria, offering a range of grain types and forage options, associated with excellent yield potential.
• Crop topping results highlight the importance for growers and advisors to be aware of both weed and crop growth stages, otherwise significant grain yield loss could occur.

• The late break (12 June) and prevailing seasonal conditions were unfavourable for the spread of disease, although chocolate spot and rust did infect the trial plots early in the season. Disease was not a yield limiting factor in this trial this year.
• No significant difference was recorded between any of the different fungicide spray programs within varieties or between varieties.
• Fiesta VF plots had a reduced plant population compared to the other varieties due to poor seed quality of the commercial seed sourced.y treatment.

• A low level of rust infection occurred during October and was the only foliar disease affecting bean performance.
• 7% higher grain yields occurred in the fortnightly sprayed (improved rust control) and single
  cercospora treatment (reasons unclear) compared with the nil treatment.
• Grain yields decreased by 14% when sowing date was delayed from May 1 to May 18. No
  further yield loss occurred when sowing date was delayed to June 6.
• Nura was higher yielding than Farah at the mid sowing time and equal at the others, unlike
  in previous trials where Nura has been lower yielding at later sowing dates. Late rainfall events in 2007 were of more benefit to Nura than Farah.
• Necking (collapsing of top part of bean plant) was greater at the early sowing time. Nura
  had a higher level of necking than Farah sown early, but yields were the same. Similar
  necking and yield occurred between the two varieties when sown late.

• Yield of faba beans (ignoring the broad bean PBA Kareema) averaged 1.5t/ha at Wanilla in 2012. Early establishment and growth was excellent, disease pressure was low, and beans showed high yield potential.
• Beans appeared to “hay off” late in the season due to high early season biomass production and the dry and rapid finish to the season, together with the occurrence of several high temperature events during late flowering.

• The three bean varieties, Farah, Fiesta and Nura, gave similar yields and showed a similar yield response to delayed sowing – i.e. around 1.5 t/ha when sown on May 12, falling to around 0.9 t/ha with a June 7 sowing.
• Foliar disease levels (ascochyta) were negligible in Farah and Nura at both sowing times, and very low in late sown Fiesta. The slightly higher, but still low, levels of ascochyta in early sown Fiesta were reduced by fungicide sprays, but this did not produce a yield response.
• Spinnaker herbicide applied at 100 g/ha post-sowing pre-emergence caused no yield depression in any of the varieties at either time of sowing, and showed no effect on total plant height or height to bottom pods at harvest.
• The extreme dry late winter/spring conditions may have limited responses to fungicide spray regimes and Spinnaker in this trial.

• All three varieties responded similarly to plant density, with no significant variety by plant density for either curvature or slope between the different varieties.he two varieties when sown late.

•Across all varieties tested, there was no significant response to sowing time, which validates the current sowing window recommendation. Therefore, the optimum time to sow faba bean at Lockhart in 2016 was late April–mid May.
• PBA Nasma and Fiesta VF were the two highest yielding commercial varieties.
• The advanced breeding lines AF10089 and AF09169, developed by Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) were significantly higher yielding than all other varieties.
• PBA Samira and Nura yielded significantly higher when sown on 18 May compared to 28 April.
• Crop lodging was significantly less for the 18 May sowing date.
• PBA Nasma flowered 17 and 14 days earlier than PBA Samira and PBA Zahra at 28 April, and eight and six days earlier at 18 May.

• The optimum time to sow faba beans in southern NSW was late April–mid May.
• Even in a favourable season such as 2016 there was a 10% yield penalty when sowing was delayed from 7 May to 2 June.
• Average seed size reduced by 8% when sown outside the recommended window.
• PBA Nasma, Fiesta VF, and PBA Zahra were the highest yielding commercial varieties.
• Advanced breeding lines AF10089 and AF09169 had significantly higher grain yields, particularly at the 28 April sowing date when compared to other sowing dates.
• Flowering duration for PBA Samira and PBA Zahra was stable across sowing dates, but reduced for PBA Nasma as sowing was delayed.

• Sowing early (April 26) produced the highest grain yields in 2018.
• In a drier than average year there was a yield benefit from very high sowing rates on narrow row spacings, with significant gains from 21 to 31 plants/m2, and from 31 to 45 plants/m2.
• 2018 was a low disease year and there was no disease penalty from higher sowing rates. Yield benefits from higher plant densities should be weighed against higher disease risks in wetter years. 

• Sowing time has far greater consequences on growth, development, dry matter and grain yield of faba bean than variety choice.
• The dry spring combined with temperature constraints, imposed a common ceiling to yield despite large differences measured in dry matter (DM), height and reproductive number across all treatments.
• Early sown faba bean was primarily affected by severe frosts, while later sown was limited by flower node production and heat stress.
• Under these conditions, early April sowings resulted in greater biomass, taller plants, more flowering nodes, additional lodging, more disease and greater frost damage. Given a more favourable spring, disease and lodging could have been further exacerbated, inflicting even greater yield penalties to the first time of sowing (TOS).
•  Findings from this and previous experiments show the optimum sowing window for faba bean on acidic, red brown soils of southern NSW to be from 20 April to 15 May. The later sown crops within this window could still be disadvantaged under early unfavourable finishing conditons. 

• Winter and early spring seasonal conditions favoured faba bean production in 2009, and yields were more than double those in 2008.
• Yield was generally maximised at the early sowing date and at the narrow row spacing.
• Farah was the highest or equal highest yielding variety at both sowing dates in 2009.
• The taller varieties Farah and 974* showed the largest reduction in yield when row spacing
  was doubled from 9” to 18”.
• Chocolate spot levels were high in 2009, and accounted for 32% yield loss across varieties
  in untreated plots. Agronomic techniques that delayed canopy closure (ie later sowing, lower
  plant densities and wider row spacings) were important in reducing disease severity.
• Nura had higher disease levels and lower grain yield than Fiesta across all treatments in
  2009, but a triple chocolate spot spray strategy was effective in reducing yield loss by 25%
  in both varieties.
• Decreasing plant density was the most significant factor influencing disease levels after
  delayed sowing, and resulted in lower disease levels across all varieties, and increasing row
  spacing reduced disease infection in early sown Fiord only.
• Increasing row spacing reduced chocolate spot infection, but only in the susceptible variety
  Fiord when sown early.

• Grain yields of beans were lower in 2012 in than previous seasons, averaging 3.6t/ha at Bool Lagoon.
• All varieties showed higher yields sown early.
• Later maturing varieties PBA Rana and PBA Kareema performed similarly to other varieties in this trial in 2012, despite the low season rainfall.
• The three earlier maturing varieties (Farah, Fiord and Nura) showed increased yield from increasing plant density, while no yield response was seen in later maturing and larger seeded varieties (PBA Rana and PBA Kareema).
• Fiord showed the most response from varying plant density across the three seasons of trials.
• Crop-topping trials showed a 9% yield loss across all varieties from crop-topping at the milky dough stage of ryegrass in 2012 and caution is required with this practice in later maturing regions. No yield loss was generated from later treatments.

Fiesta VF is a reliable faba bean variety suitable for most areas of Victoria. Fiord, Barkool and Ascot are also good varieties for short season environments of Victoria. Ascot produces high quality grain but yields less than Fiesta VF. The later flowering variety Manafest, which is moderately resistant to chocolate spot but is susceptible to ascochyta blight, yields best in the high rainfall areas of south west Victoria.

• The early maturing varieties Fiord, FiestaVF, Barkool and Deep Purple were the highest yielding varieties in 2000. Fiord, FiestaVF and Barkool are the best adapted varieties for low rainfall and short season environments of Victoria and have grain suitable for human consumption.
• FiestaVF has superior grain quality compared to the other varieties and attracts a premium (approximately $40 over Fiord in 2000).

Despite some early infection, disease was not a significant issue in 2019 due to dry spring conditions. There was no difference in the grain yield response of varieties to disease management strategy. At the higher rainfall zone site, Gymbowen, a complete fungicide spray treatment (7 applications) increased grain yield by 5-8% compared with other strategies, which was not profitable. An early flowering line, AF12025, was the highest yielding line, similar to Curyo and consistent with previous observations.

Similar, to previous seasons and consistent with other sites in 2019, the early flowering and maturing breeding line, AF12025, produced the highest grain yields (17% - 53%) higher than all other varieties. Faba beans had the highest net return ($1410-2310/ha) of all pulse crops in 2019 at Curyo, ranging from $1410-2310/ha.

The irrigated spring-sown faba beans produced higher yields with an average of 6.9 t/ha across the treatments (Table 3). High variability in the trial suggests these numbers may be exaggerated, but header data from the surrounding paddock indicate that up to 6 t/ha grain yields were achieved by the grower in some parts of the paddock.

Applying inoculant at sowing has proven to be beneficial to early season crop vigour in faba bean production. Adequate phosphorus fertiliser increased early season crop vigour, biomass and grain yields. Applying 75 kg/ha MAP to faba bean at sowing doubled biomass production compared to faba bean being sown with no fertiliser, at Strawberry Hill in 2019.

Tebuconazole foliar fungicide is the superior treatment for controlling this disease, showing that Systiva® seed treatment or Uniform® in furrow were not effective fungicide treatments for control of cercospora leaf spot. 182 Infection from cercospora leaf spot was high early in the season at eight node stage where Uniform mildly suppressed severity compared to the nil treatment. However, by spring the standard tebuconazole treatment at six node growth stage prevented further spread of the disease.

AF12025 and PBA Nasma, which are varieties with shorter season length outperformed varieties with longer season lengths (PBA Samira and PBA Bendoc) when sown in spring.

Cu greatly increased yield fro 560 kg/ha to 1570 kg/ha.  Copper was applied as copper sulfate at 6.6 kg/ha.

Highlights of the results are:

(a) preseeding cultivations after drilling the Cu in 1979 markedly increased Cu uptake;

(b) medium sized Cu-OSP was inferior ti fine granule size

(c) the effects of granule size & 1979 pre-seeding cultivations were not reflected in 1980 Cu uptakes.  The effectiveness of the treatments which were relatively ineffective in 1980 as those treatments which were most effective in 1979

(d) Cu drilled with the seed in 1980 was much less effective than all Cu treatments applied the previous year

(e) although all grades of Cu-OSP drilled with the seed in 1980 were relatively ineffective compared with that applied the previous year, the inclusion of 15% fine material with 85% medium material increased Cu uptake from the fertiliser by 40%, 50% fine material increased Cu uptake from fertiliser by 80%.

GRanules > 3 mm are much less effective than medium sized granules.

REsearch suggests that 1 kg/ha copper sulfate at early boot is required for the first crop where Cu fertiliser is applied at recommended rates.

 

In 2013 the Rhizoctonia best bets demonstrations using rotations were over sown with cereal and showed break crops which are grass free are the best option to lower Rhizoctonia inoculum levels.

• In the southern Victorian Mallee environment, grazing crops intended for grain production can be risky, with potential penalties to grain yield and/or quality.
• The success of grazing crops relies on an early sowing opportunity and good spring.

The four farmer demonstrations showed

• By sowing a cereal into established lucerne, total winter production can be increased although lucerne production will be decreased.
• Variety and cultivar selection is important to match growth to animal demand.

o Spring wheat, oats or barley suit early production.
o Winter wheat suits extended production.
o Barley can be used for grain production.

• Different types of sowing machinery can be used successfully.
• Live weight gains in excess of 200grms/day/hd can be achieved at a period when pasture is usually in short supply
• A viable grain yield can be achieved under good seasonal conditions by using barley.

In the 2014 season there were no significant yield advantages recorded at five sites across upper Eyre Peninsula when using the fungicide products over the nil treatments. This was in a season with an early start and minimal stress during crop establishment, and at sites with high Rhizoctonia inoculum levels. The broad acre farmer demonstrations in the 2014 season showed no visual differences or early plant growth measured at the given sites during the cropping season. There were differences in the level of crown root infection at Cleve, where the nil treatment had a higher number of crown roots infected and a greater % of crown root infection than the fungicide treatments. There were differences between treatments recorded in the mid-May sown barley crop at Piednippie in Rhizoctonia patch score and the seminal root score. Differences in protein, screenings and test weights were recorded between treatments at several sites with a general trend of lower yields having higher protein, higher screenings and lower test weights. Further evaluation of research trials and farmer demonstrations using new fluid products and fungicide placement, will occur over two more seasons to evaluate the economics of using fungicides in low rainfall farming systems.

The drought of 2002 continued to impact on sheep production in early 2003 through a lack of bulk in crop stubbles and a high erosion risk if these stubbles were grazed. Breeding ewes were retained in the Hungry Sheep system using containment areas to avoid erosion problems and to maintain ewes. No other system contained significant sheep numbers during 2003. July-dropped crossbred lambs grazed on medic pasture and reached a weight of 45kg in mid-December. The ewes received no supplementary feeding from July, at a stocking rate of 3.7 ewes/ha. This was largely due to early germination of medic pasture in February, and sufficient follow-up rain to keep some plants alive, producing adequate pasture in late autumn/winter. Regenerating pastures were more productive than pastures sown at the autumn break.

• Reliance on chemicals as the only weed control option is difficult (almost impossible) in a run of dry years.
• This trial will cease at the end of 2004 (3 years too early to obtain meaningful results) unless other funding is found.
• The trial showed, in the 2003 season, that there was no yield penalty for waiting until rain for sowing, although grain protein was lower in these crops.

• Crop yields in 2006 were driven by fallow (no difference between mechanical/conventional).
• Early sowing set an upper limit to yield but did not compensate for not being sown on fallow.
• Crop emergence was very sensitive to sowing conditions, with later sowing and sowing into 2005 cereal crop stubbles leading to much later crop emergence.
• The difference in soil available water driving the fallow response was difficult to measure with soil sampling on these soils; soil available nitrogen was a better predictor of yield in 2006.
• There were no yield penalties to adopting no-till in the Hungry Sheep and Fuel Burner systems.
• Cultivation in No Till and Reduced Till paddocks produced inconsistent effects on yield.

• A survey was conducted in early 2010 to determine the current management practices of farmers and the average water use efficiency of farms on upper Eyre Peninsula.
• The survey will be repeated in 2013 to see if there are changes in the management practices and water use efficiency.

• Varieties 150265 and 150292 were the highest yielding varieties at Birchip and over all sites.
• Dry matter increased 10-fold from early flowering to mid pod fill which may have implications on the optimum time for terminating crop growth for green manuring.

• Zinc (Zn) has been shown to be a clear limiting factor in achieving maximum fertiliser response from N and P on all soils sown in the SA Operation FerTill experiment program.
• Increased wheat grain yield of 4-6% has been achieved with Zn as a coat to DAP applied in each year over 3 years.
• This clearly questions the current practice of Zn application once every 3-4 years.
• These results suggest that Zn when used in combination with higher P and application should be considered every year.
• P and Zn placement are very effective management tools to reduce the severity of Rhizoctonia spp, in crops.
• Some P and Zn placement in the seed row of cereal crops is beneficial in reducing the severity of Rhizoctonia patch by up to 50%, increasing grain yield.

Fluid fertilisers available in South Australia are relatively expensive compared with the granular fertilisers available. In early 2004, DAP and MAP were available on the Upper Eyre Peninsula at a cost of about $422/tonne delivered. The unit cost of P was $1.92/kg with MAP and $2.11/kg with DAP. In this case, any N combined with the P was supplied at no extra cost, with P the major limiting nutrient.

• The field peas sown at Hart on the season break in 2009, were heavily infected with blackspot and grain yields were reduced by 30% (0.8 t/ha) compared with later sowing times.
• Sowing peas two to four weeks earlier (late May) than the conventional time (early–mid June) optimises production of Kaspa and the earlier, longer flowering line OZP0602.
• OZP0602 was generally higher yielding than Kaspa particularly in later sowing treatments.
• Yield loss from blackspot can be minimised if peas are sown after 60% of airborne spores have been released.
• The combination of P-Pickel T with two sprays of mancozeb was economic in some cases in the time of sowing trial at Hart in 2009, resulting in an average 7-14% yield gain in Kaspa and OZP0602.

• Timely sowing is essential for the profitable production of field peas. Sowing in May or June produces the highest grain yields and biomass.
• Despite several frost events and dry, hot conditions during flowering, all varieties sown were able to produce profitable grain yields.

• Yield losses from Early crop-topping generally followed cultivar maturity, with latest maturating varieties (eg Glenroy) showing the highest yield losses. Glenroy was also the only variety to show yield loss at the Recommended timing, supporting previous findings that later maturing varieties are not as well suited to crop-topping as earlier maturing recent releases PBA Twilight, PBA Gunyah and PBA Oura.

• Overall yields were low in this trial, mainly due to poor establishment and heavy week burden.
• Kaspa was the lowest yielding variety.
• The insect damage was significantly higher in Kaspa than all other varieties.
• Kaspa was released in Victoria and the late maturity of the variety would most probably cuase reduced yields when sown into drying soils in late June.

• Field peas performed exceptionally well at Minnipa in 2012, despite a decile 3 growing season and a rapid season finish. This is likely due to good stored soil moisture levels, good early winter rainfall amounts and generally mild winter temperatures.

•  Field peas sown on May 3 had grain yields of 2.6 to 3.4 t/ha. PBA Butler and the blue field pea breeding line OZB1308 were highest yielding.  
    

• Grain yield was highest sown earlier; 1.2t/ha May 17 c.f. 0.7 t/ha June 6.  
   

Selection in the breeding program is continuing for improved yield potential, early flowering, prolonged flowering duration, greater biomass, resistance to Asochyta blight and marketability of the grain.

• Pea yields were high in 2011, but less than in the previous 2 years.
• Later maturing lines were favoured by the longer season, and apart from lower yields in Parafield there was generally little difference in grain yield between named varieties.
• A four week delay in sowing from early May resulted in a 32% yield loss across all varieties.
• Agronomy trials showed no significant effect of stubble management of grain yield in 2011, however standing stubble treatments showed increased standing height and reduced lodging compared to slashed stubble plots, which could aid harvest.

• New field pea varieties PBA Gunyah and PBA Twilight performed similarly to Kaspa and Parafield under extremely favourable conditions in 2010 at Minnipa, and given their yield advantages over these varieties in drier seasons, will be better adapted varieties for this region.
• Grain yield of PBA Stage 3 field peas averaged 2.9 t/ha at Minnipa in 2010 due to the wet and long growing season, which generally favoured later flowering pea varieties.
• Most advanced breeding lines showed no difference in yield to Kaspa (2.93t/ha) due to the favourable conditions.
• Though blackspot was present in 2010, it was not as extensive as in 2009 and had little impact on yield. This will have contributed to the 27% higher yield achieved in 2010 compared with 2009.
• Agronomy trials showed no significant effect of sowing date or stubble management treatments in 2010. This is likely due to the long growing season, and lack of disease. However early sowing is still recommended for low rainfall regions providing frost, weeds and blackspot risks are considered.

• Field pea trial yields across the Mallee were variable, ranging between 0.8 and 2.5 t/ha, reflecting those achieved in commercial crops in the region.
• The main factors affecting yield were low spring rainfall and presence of powdery mildew and downy mildew.
• Many of the new varieties show a significant advantage in yield, disease resistance, harvestability, early vigour, shatter resistance and seed quality compared to the commonly grown variety Dundale.
• A series of late maturing breeding lines have given superior yields in the Mallee over the last three years.
• The yield advantage due to shatter resistance in PSL4 was clearly demonstrated at the North Central sites where heavy rains fell prior to harvest.
• The dun pea PSL4 with its excellent shatter resistance and the white pea PSL10 will be multiplied as potential variety releases.

• Yields for the spring sown field peas at both Gnarwarre and Hamilton were promising this year, despite the dry spring conditions. Site means of 2.89 and 2.51 tlha were obtained for Gnarwarre and Hamilton respectively. 
• For further discussion please see the attached trial report.

• Weather patterns experienced early in 2015 resulted in growers in many districts being advised by DAFWA’s Blackspot Manager Prediction model to delay sowing of field peas in SA. This sowing was often out of alignment with optimal sowing times based on best agronomic practice for some districts.
• Under high disease risk situations, growers in low rainfall areas may be best suited to choose alternative break crop options to field peas to avoid significant yield losses through delayed sowing or disease infection. If field pea remains the preferred crop it is important that growers consider the current recommended fungicide strategy of PPT and Mancozeb treatments, selecting paddocks with little or no field pea history, avoiding close proximity to previous field pea stubbles, and delaying sowing as long as possible.
• Several experimental fungicides with greater efficacy than Mancozeb showed improved blackspot control and significant yield increases over the nil and Mancozeb treatments in 2015.
• Disease progression and grain yield were both reduced by dry and hot spring conditions in early October at all sites in 2015. Further evaluation is warranted in years and environments with more favourable spring conditions. Earlier application timings than the 8 week treatment used in these experiments may also be warranted, along with additional ‘spring’ treatments in longer more favourable seasons.
• A number of industry support groups have reported the economic benefit of using fungicide in controlling blackspot in field pea. Results in 2015 showed the current fungicide application strategy, using PPT and two Mancozeb applications suppressed blackspot at most sites, but previous yield benefits reported from this treatment were not realised due to the hot and dry spring conditions experienced in 2015.
• New fungicide actives and formulas being evaluated showed significant increases in efficacy for controlling blackspot compared to untreated plots and those treated with Mancozeb. Furthermore, a significant yield benefit (approx. 15%) were also identified in these treatments this year. Further trials are planned in 2016 to explore these results.

• Early sowing of field pea is essential for economic yields in dry years in low rainfall environments, providing frost, weed and blackspot risks are considered.
• Kaspa & OZP0602 had lower disease severity and slower build up of blackspot than the old Alma cultivar.
• Strategic applications of foliar fungicides led to a small but significant reduction in blackspot.
• Sowing field peas on the season break will increase blackspot risk however exposure to risk can be reduced through the use of the blackspot predictive tools (Blackspot Manager and DIRI) and careful paddock selection.

This project is funded by SAGIT as a follow-up to a 12-month study which screened oat varieties using pot assays in growth room/greenhouse. Two seasons (2018 and 2019) of field trials will be conducted.

 

About 60% of SA agricultural soils are sodic (high Na, etc) or saline-sodic (high NaCl & high Na, etc), which reduces yield. This study extended screening trials into two seasons of field trials at Redhill and Turretfield, to assess tolerance of oats to saline-sodic soils.

Main findings:

• The most tolerant oats (grain yield) were early-to-medium maturity milling varieties: Bannister, Bilby, Mitika, Williams, Echidna, Kowari. My message to farmers: “To maximize yield and profitability from salty paddocks, sow milling oats Bannister, Bilby, Mitika, Echidna or Kowari”

• The most tolerant oats (biomass yield) were Kangaroo, Bannister, Wintaroo, Mulgara, Mitika. All oats listed are commercial varieties, available now

• The grain yields of tolerant oats at Redhill (the saline-sodic site, under low growing season rainfall of 170 mm) were outstanding, e.g. Bannister (3.2 t/ha), Bilby (3.1), similar to Compass barley (3.2) and much higher than Mace bread wheat (1.5) and Aurora durum wheat (1.1)

• Pasture oats (e.g. Bond, Wizard) and overseas oats were intolerant of saline-sodicity

• The pot and field trials showed that the ability of the plant to extract water from salinesodic soil, rather than its ability to exclude sodium, is the key to acceptable yield on this type of soil.

• The cereal varieties and winter gap fill blend provide livestock with substantial feed during autumn and winter, then go on to produce high quality hay in spring.
• Clover, medic and forage brassica varieties provide nutrious feed over winter, spring and into early harvest time. These varieties also offer a disease break in a cereal rotation.
• Nutritional value of varieties was exceptional and would provide an excellent feed source for lactating ewes, and lambs.
•  

This site had high soil nitrate reserves (45 mg/kg Nit N in 0 - 10cm) but there were still very good responses to Flexi-N. Although there were no Flexi-N placement/timing or stubble effects on yield, an analysis of protein yield showed that stubble reduced N recovery in the grain by about 30 kg protein/ha or 5 kg N/ha – most likely due to increased immobilisation. Leaf disease symptoms were most severe where stubble was retained but they were less obvious where Flexi-N was banded. Hectolitre weights were 78 – 79 kg/hl and screenings were 2 - 3% in all treatments.

• Field trials were conducted at two sites (comprising Sodosol and Calcarosol soil types) in the southern Mallee and one in the Wimmera (Vertosol soil) to assess the responsiveness of wheat to fluid forms of phosphorus (P) fertilisers.
• Fluid P forms (APP and phosphoric acid) generally produced greater growth during vegetative stages of crop growth compared to granular forms (DAP and Triple Super) at all three sites.
• However, in a season characterised by a late break and dry conditions prior to flowering, early growth responses to P fertiliser (regardless of form) translated to grain yield responses at only one Mallee site. In contrast there was significant grain yield responses to fluid P at Dooen (Wimmera).
• At this site, fluid P forms produced 0.24 t/ha (or nearly 10%) more grain on average than granular forms at commercially applicable rates (4 to 12 kg P/ha).

• There was no significant difference in early dry matter (GS30) or grain yield from the application of P at three trial sites at Hopetoun, Sea Lake and Waitchie
• The addition of chelated Zn and Flutriafol failed to increase grain yield at any of the sites
• There was no yield difference when P was supplied either as a fluid or a granular product
• There was no increase in grain yield from the addition of P or Zn at any of the sites.

• An aggressive fodder species with good herbicide options is effective at controlling weeds.
• Grazing in summer or winter has no significant effect on weeds. Instead, controlling the late-in-crop weeds that survive grazing and preventing them setting seed is what’s important.
• The timing of seed removal operations is critical. Hay can be just as effective at reducing weeds as silage if it is timed correctly to prevent seed set.
• Modelling has shown that the longer the pasture phase, the greater the weed control. Early work indicates that this may be the case but future trials will need to confirm this.
   

No fungicide treatment gave any yield benefit or extension of “green-ness” of the canopy.

The dry early winter and spring resulted in low disease pressure.

• Replicated trials at 22 sites were sown in factorial design of two rates of manganese sulphate (0 and 32 kg/ha), drilled with the superphosphate (200 kg/ha) at seeding, and two rates of manganese foliar spray (Mangasol®) at 0 and 10 1/ha) applied at flowering.
• Harvest yields were obtained, and the number of split seeds recorded in the grain sample.
• Manganese significantly (P < 0.05) increased grain yields and reduced the proportion of split seeds in the grain sample at 10 of the 22 sites (see table).
• Manganese significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the proportion of split seeds at 8 non-yield responsive sites, and produced no response at 4 sites (see table). Cultivar effects were not apparent. Concluded that a Mangasol® foliar spray applied at flowering is a more reliable means of controlling manganese deficiency in lupins than is the drilling of manganese at seeding time.
• Wide-spread aerial applications of Mangasol® have been commercially applied in the two seasons since these trials. The method is cost-effective, and in most cases coincides with insecticide application.

• Simulated grazing up to early tillering on cereals caused only a minor reduction in grain yield.
• There are broad leaf field crop alternatives, forage peas and vetch, that as a monoculture or as component of a cereal or oilseed mixture can increase total (anthesis) biomass production.
• There are further opportunities to develop farming systems around the multipurpose break crops on upper Eyre Peninsula.