• La Trobe was the highest yielding malt variety in 2015.
• Compass has consistently produced high yields in the Mallee and Wimmera. 
• New varieties Rosalind and IGB1334T were high yielding in their first year of trials.
• Short (early) season varieties performed better than long season varieties in 2015.

Some Tasmanian lines showed much better yield potential than the main control, Gairdner. T1677 and T1623 have shown consistently higher yields in the last few years. The malting quality of these two lines is also better than Gairdner with generally higher extract and similar DP. The variety T1677 will soon be released as an autumn sown variety in Tasmania.

Seasonal conditions favoured early maturing varieties, particularly at the Wimmera sites. The relative performance of Gairdner in the Wimmera was the worst since its first inclusion in trials in 1996. In particular the grain plumpness levels of Gairdner were extremely low. Baudin (“Bow-dan”) is the latest malting variety available to Victorian growers. The variety is best suited to the 375 – 450mm average annual rainfall districts where Gairdner is currently the preferred variety. Yields of the two varieties were similar in the Wimmera during 2003 despite an increased susceptibility of Baudin to leaf rust. In a year where grain size was a major issue, grain plumpness levels of Baudin were substantially superior to Gairdner.

The growing season both regionally and nationally was characterised by very favourable late spring conditions, favouring later maturing varieties. For many growers, the rains arrived in time to allow average to above average yields, particularly for the later maturing varieties. But for some growers, and for very early maturing varieties, the crops had past the point of response and disappointing yields resulted. In most areas, grain plumpness has been quite good although cleaved grain has been a problem in some of the earlier maturing areas.

• Applying Insecticide Seed Treatments to the Wheat variety Brennan showed a significant increase in yield compared to the untreated control in 2011.
• There was a yield response to using Cruiser Opti however was not significantly different to other insecticide seed treatments in 2011
• The use of Ambush did show a yield response but was not significantly different from other seed applied Insecticide. Treatments and would not be economical or practical for commercial farming operations.
• Aphid and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Management Starts from Day Zero.

While aphids were observed on early sown oat crops in the Hamilton district during April and early May, they did not appear to breed up and cause problems by spreading BYDV through later sown crops. BYDV was not reported as a major problem in the western
districts in 2003 and the symptoms of the disease were not observed in the trial at Hamilton. While there was a slight increase in yield where insecticide was applied on the plots it did not relate to a significant difference between any of the insecticidal treatments. The only significant differences were between the two varieties.

This trial has run for two years with no significant responses obtained, due to extremely low aphid numbers early in the season. It is hoped to continue this trial this coming season.

• Increasing plant density resulted in increased plant height, pod height and subsequent yield. 
• Early sowing resulted in an increase in bottom pod height and total plant height, however the plants were more liekly to lodge. 

• Irrigation resulted in a 60% and 400% increase in grain yield for broad beans and marrowfat peas respectively.
• Irrigation resulted in a 17% and 3% increase in seed size in broad beans and marrowfat peas respectively. This is critical in producing for markets requiring large seed size.
• It is likely that the dry finish to the season (decile 1) enhanced the positive effects of irrigation particularly for the marrowfat peas and other spring sown crops.
• In addition to the capacity to irrigate and a cool seasonal finish, Tasmania has other advantages in marrowfat pea production that can be capitalised upon ie - excellent adaptation of overseas spring germplasm and freedom from pea weevil.

This research highlights how important a tactical approach to STNB management is in the medium rainfall zone.  In dry seasons there is lower disease pressure, resulting in a potentially expensive fungicide strategy which can be marginal in returns.  Conversely, where there is high disease pressure usually from wet conditions early in the season, then a double spray strategy can improve grain quality, yield and returns to the grower.

Where growing barley on barley, growers should budget for a fungicide spray at Flag-1 every year to protect the top 3 leaves in the canopy.  Where conditions are wet early post emergent (especially if stubble is retained) allowing early disease pressure and high yield potential then a fungicide spray at Z31-Z32 can reduce disease pressure and protect the canopy until the Flag-1 spray is applied.

Under high disease pressure situations (wet conditions early post emergent) removing stubble prior to sowing barley on barley can reduce inoculum levels and the build up of early disease pressure.  This will also help to reduce the selection pressure for fungicide resistance.

Where there is a dry start to the season and a slow build up of disease then stubble management has minimal impact on the buildup of STNB levels.

Burning barley stubble prior to planting barley on barley has shown to increase yield buy between 325 and 400kg in 2017 and 2015. While removing stubble can reduce early disease pressure, not all the yield increase can be accounted for by disease.  Other factors are involved that may require additional work to understand (N mineralization, allelopathic impacts of stubble or improved seed bed).  Where erosion risk is low growers should consider burning to remove barley stubble if planting consecutive barley crops.

We feel that there is no further work required to investigate the hypothesized link between STNB levels and pre-harvest head loss.

Growers, advisors and the wider barley industry are the key beneficiaries of this research.  Being able to manage disease to maintain grain quality, yield and economic returns to the grower is critical for a competitive barley industry.

This research highlights how important a tactical approach to STNB management is in the medium rainfall zone.  In dry seasons there is lower disease pressure, resulting in a potentially expensive fungicide strategy which can be marginal in returns.  Conversely, where there is high disease pressure usually from wet conditions early in the season, then a double spray strategy can improve grain quality, yield and returns to the grower.

Where growing barley on barley, growers should budget for a fungicide spray at Flag-1 every year to protect the top 3 leaves in the canopy.  Where conditions are wet early post emergent (especially if stubble is retained) allowing early disease pressure and high yield potential then a fungicide spray at Z31-Z32 can reduce disease pressure and protect the canopy until the Flag-1 spray is applied.

Under high disease pressure situations (wet conditions early post emergent) removing stubble prior to sowing barley on barley can reduce inoculum levels and the build up of early disease pressure.  This will also help to reduce the selection pressure for fungicide resistance.

Where there is a dry start to the season and a slow build up of disease then stubble management has minimal impact on the buildup of STNB levels.

Burning barley stubble prior to planting barley on barley has shown to increase yield buy between 325 and 400kg in 2017 and 2015. While removing stubble can reduce early disease pressure, not all the yield increase can be accounted for by disease.  Other factors are involved that may require additional work to understand (N mineralization, allelopathic impacts of stubble or improved seed bed).  Where erosion risk is low growers should consider burning to remove barley stubble if planting consecutive barley crops.

We feel that there is no further work required to investigate the hypothesized link between STNB levels and pre-harvest head loss.

Growers, advisors and the wider barley industry are the key beneficiaries of this research.  Being able to manage disease to maintain grain quality, yield and economic returns to the grower is critical for a competitive barley industry.

• Rhizoctonia solani AG8 inoculum levels were reduced over summer and this may be associated with summer rainfall events.
• Crop rotation does affect Rhizoctonia inoculum levels, i.e. levels were lowest immediately after canola compared to that after wheat.
• The incidence and severity of Rhizoctonia bare patch disease in cereals depend on the amount of pathogen inoculum, soil microbial community activity and crop/root vigour.
• Seed treatments did not reduce rhizoctonia levels in 2009 trials undertaken on EP and the Mallee.
• To reduce risk of yield loss caused by Rhizoctonia:

Control summer weeds to stop build-up of inoculum,

Encourage early seedling vigour, sow early,

Cultivate deep sow shallow (avoid disc seeders).

• Canola can help reduce inoculum for the following wheat crop.
• Barley and wheat are the most intolerant crops.
• Minimise N deficiency at seeding, particularly for cereal on cereal rotations where summer rainfall has been low, by deep banding N and minimising stubble incorporation at seeding.

• WA2211 had lower disease severity and slower build up of blackspot than Kaspa and Alma,
  however this was not reflected in final grain yield due to dry spring seasonal conditions.
• P-Pickel T slows the blackspot epidemic during the early stages of the crop growth. The effect of P-Pickel T wears off and disease levels are no different to untreated controls beyond 12 weeks after sowing.
• The blackspot epidemic spreads further in the crop during flowering and podding, by spore
  splash (demonstrated by trap plants placed at Kingsford trial). Fungicide sprays at this stage, to stop the infection on upper foliage and stems, may be beneficial in higher rainfall regions. This needs to be tested in trials by timing spraying with spore release.
• Concept trial methodology was successfully developed to assess wether field pea lines with
  improved blackspot resistance levels can be sown at earlier sowing dates than currently
  recommended. However further evaluation is required on WA2211 to assess wether its black spot resistance improvement is significant enough due to the dry seasonal conditions which prevailed in 2007 . This will occur again in 2008.
• The importance of an additive effect of varietal improvement, seed dressing and foliar sprays in allowing earlier sowing is not fully understood and requires further evaluation in a year more favourable for disease infection and spread.

• The risk of blackspot is influenced by many factors of which seasonal conditions play a significant role in disease outbreak as was observed in this trial.
• Fungicide use to control blackspot is one of the strategies to minimise the disease.
• Although there was no effect of fungicide treatment on yield, previous trials have shown that crops sown into high blackspot risk and with a high yield potential can benefit from a fungicide strategy of P-Pickel T seed dressing combined with a mancozeb spray at 9 nodes growth stage followed by a second spray at early flowering.

• Early sowing plus large numbers of airborne spores caused severe blackspot infection in pea crops in 2009.
• Winter and spring rain increased severity of blackspot in the pea crops.
• Airborne blackspot spore numbers are expected to be high in 2010 since pea stubbles have severe disease loads.

Cereals can be successfully established into existing stands of lucerne to increase winter production without compromising summer
production of the lucerne. The choice of cereal will influence the amount of winter and spring production.

• Boron (B) efficiency of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and mustard (B. juncea) genotypes was determined on a low B soil at Mt. Compass, South Australia.
• B efficiency was observed in oilseed rape genotypes, Zhongyou 821, Dunkeld and Zheyou 2, and in mustard genotypes Pusa Bold and CSIRO 6.
• Genotypes grown in the field were also grown under glass-house conditions, in pots filled with pre-washed sand extracted from the Mt. Compass field site.
• Two B treatments, one B adequate (0.25 mg B /kg soil) and one B deficient (imposed by omission) were used to indicate whether vegetative response to B could predict final yield response and provide a more convenient selection criterion for identifying B-efficient germplasm .
• Vegetative response of 35 d old (D35) genotypes grown in pot culture closely reflected field response, indicating the expression of B efficiency traits in early growth, and its potential use in selection.

• The level of genotypic variation in tolerance to low boron (B) supply was investigated in solution culture grown, 10 day old (D10) oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants, by using a rapid screening technique whereby root length, root elongation rate and total root dry weight were used to indicate plant response to B.
• Root length proved more reliable in determining genotype responses, and was used to characterise a total of 61 genotypes, of which Huashuang 2, Nangchang rape, Huashuang 1 and Zhongyou 821, and to a lesser extent, Zheyou 2, Dunkeld, Xinza 2, Nangjin 2051, 92-58, 92-13, and Awassa 115 exhibited some form of tolerance to low B supply.
• The genotypic rankings based on this early vegetative response corroborated with field based B-efficiency.
• The results demonstrate the expression of the B-efficiency mechanism in the early vegetative stages of plant growth, and establish the value of root length as a selection criterion for B-efficiency in oilseed rape.

• Brassica juncea has the potential to be grown on a substantial area of low rainfall cropping country in South Australia with a likely area of up to 165,000 ha per year.
• Production may be expected to vary from year to year based on the timing of the seasonal break.
• Previous trials have shown that under low yield conditions, B. juncea can produce higher grain yields than canola.
• In the past two years with mild, wet conditions canola has performed relatively better than B. juncea.
• We are starting to see more blackleg occurring in low rainfall regions as the area sown to canola increases. It is not yet enough to cause problems but we need to keep our eye on it.
• Even more canola varieties have been released that may be good options in low rainfall areas.

Wheat yields were highest when grown after chickpeas or lupins at both low and moderate phosphorus (P) sites. Benefits provided by the previous chickpea or lupin crops could not be attributed to an increase in residual P sources alone.

The grain yield of wheat sown after pulses were 300 kg/ha higher on average compared to wheat sown after canola. The yield gap between the canola-wheat rotation and canola-pulse rotation was a result of reduced soil nitrogen levels following harvest of the break crop phase in 2018.

The grain yield of wheat sown after pulses were 300 kg/ha higher on average compared to wheat sown after canola. The yield gap between the canola-wheat rotation and canola-pulse rotation was a result of reduced soil nitrogen levels following harvest of the break crop phase in 2018.

Chickpeas have not been widely grown in the Brim district since the outbreak of ascochyta in 1998. This trial has shown it is possible to grow chickpeas in the district and newer lines with improved disease resistance show promise for the future and would eliminate the need for a fungicide in this district. Improved disease resistance may also allow newer lines to be sown earlier, which is likely to have a yield affect – especially in shorter growing season districts such as Brim.

• Liming to help reduce some of the inherent nutritional problems of low soil pH.
• Application of Molybdenum pre seeding to assist with nodulation.
• Improving nodulation by either increasing the number of rhizobia applied, ensuring rhizobia survival in those acid soils or ensuring both collar and lateral nodules develop.
• Early tissue testing and subsequent nutrient correction with foliar applications to overcome some of the deficiencies associated with lower soil pH.
• Raised beds for water logging control in wetter areas, or sowing the beans into a ‘hill’ rather than a ‘furrow’.
• Retention of cereal stubble to improve soil moisture status prior to and at sowing may assist with improving germination and nodulation.

There was no effect on crop emergence from any treatment.
Climbing Buckwheat (Fallopia convolvulus) and Wireweed (Polygonum aviculare) were the key target weed species. In this trial, no treatment provided significant levels of control of climbing buckwheat at either assessment. Low levels of wireweed were apparent at the 69 DAA assessment with no apparent difference between treatments. However significant levels of control were found from all treatments following a germination in late August and early September. The poorest treatments for wireweed suppression were Balance 50 g/ha, Diuron at both rates, Balance + Simazine and the low rate of Terbyne. All treatments provided good control of turnip weed.

• The ecology of brome grass has changed, making it more problematic to control in crops. Higher levels of seed dormancy are allowing brome to escape pre-sowing control tactics, resulting in greater in-crop emergence.
• Increased seed dormancy associated with a requirement for cold or chilling. Under field conditions this increased chilling requirement would not be met until late Autumn or early Winter.
• Knockdown herbicides are less effective in the management of highly dormant populations of brome. Therefore, brome grass management has become heavily reliant on Group A and B herbicides, especially the Clearfield(TM) technology, which is expected to increase the risk of herbicide resistance development.
• High levels of seedbank persistence from one year to the next (approximately 25%) means multiyear control of brome grass is required to exhaust seedbanks to manageable levels. Plan a three-year rotation.

• If early sowing, Morava vetch is the best choice for brown manuring, particularly if brown manuring for early weed control is the objective since early desiccation will preclude any persistence of hard-seeded vetch into subsequent crops. Field peas are the preferred option for later (mid May) sowing for either brown manuring or crop topping
• TOS 1 field peas had disease problems in early winter reducing biomass.

• Timeliness of operations is essential. The paddock may need to be dry sown as once the soil wets up you may not get back on the site again.
• Whilst the results from 2005 were very encouraging, for the technique to be cost effective the delved areas will need to produce increased yields for at least two years.
• Care must also be taken with the run-off flows to ensure there are no negative off-site impacts.

• Overall yield from May 17 sowing was impressive for this AgZone, at 1.6 t/ha.
• Delayed sowing by 34 days, to June 20, led to 1042 kg/ha less yield – 30 kg/ha/day.
• Short season hybrids could extend the safe sowing window later in this environment.
• Difficulty establishing canola in hot conditions could limit how far the sowing window can be brought forward.
• To take advantage of early autumn rains in this environment larger seeded broadleaf species that can be sown deeper should be tested.

• Yield were impressive; 1.9t/ha from April 26 and 2.2t/ha from May 17.
• Mid-season maturity varieties showed the greatest plasticity in plant development across sowing dates and may be a good option over a wide sowing/establishment period.
• Short season hybrids may enable the sowing window to be extended later with reduced risk.
• Long season varieties yielded poorly from these sowing dates.

• Yields were relatively stable across sowing times ranging from 2.2 to 3.1 t/ha.
• Early and mid-season hybrid varieties out-yielded the open pollinated varieties of the same season length.
• These hybrids combine early flowering, high biomass and in some cases a long flowering period.
• In general varieties had substantial plasticity and growers may be able to use a few varieties across a wide range of emergence dates; this is important if pre-ordering hybrid seed and/or dry sowing.

• Our standard package of 100 kg 18:20/ha at seeding under the seed row (to avoid fertiliser toxicity),  and two top-ups of nitrogen during the season (50 kg N/ha as broadcast urea each time) was not the right combination for wheat at our site last year. It would appear that we were far too generous with our N inputs because we could leave out all fertiliser N and not suffer any yield loss. However, some N would appear to have been necessary to maintain high protein levels.
• In addition, our standard package of one trial spray in September did not cope with the stripe rust  infection in such a susceptible crop as Wyalkatchem. A Jockey seed dressing helped but another foliar spray of Tilt at flag leaf emergence gave the best control of the options tested.
  • This trial showed that under the high productivity conditions of Kangaroo Island, P fertiliser is still a vital requirement, even if the soil has high P reserves.
  • There was no evidence that extra management options provided any further benefits to wheat performance (ie extra seed dressings, an early aphid spray, B or K fertiliser or use of a growth regulant) under the conditions of last year’s trial.
  • All yields fell far short of the French/Schultz potential yield of 8.4 t/ha (based on the growing season rainfall in 2005 of 532 mm) which suggests that we still have a lot to learn about growing wheat under Kangaroo Island conditions, although the delayed seeding date of 28 June would have contributed to the relatively low yields.

• The early growth of commercial and farmer retained canola seed appeared to be similar.
• Jockey fungicide seed treatment improved the yield of farmer retained seed for the triazine and imidazolinone tolerant varieties.
• The conventional variety Hyola 50 was consistently higher yielding when grown from commercial seed.

• As long as enough plants are established, canola can be sown at low rates as the plants compensate so well. Lodging was reduced by lower sowing rates. 
• Using retained hybrid seed for sowing resulted in lower grain yeilds and increased plant losses from blackleg.
• Winter types of canola from international sources may allow us to get increased grain yeilds in seasons when we can sow early. 

• An early break that allows canola to be sown in April is the best option for farmers to grow canola in the rotation in low rainfall areas. Use it as an opportunity crop rather than trying to grow it each year. Mustard is an earlier flowering option and when canola quality mustard is available it may be able to be included more frequently than canola is now.
• Conventional canola cultivars, triazine tolerant cultivars and Clearfield canola are all suitable for low rainfall areas, but the conventional cultivars have the highest yield & oil content. The other cultivars have weed control advantages.

Where radish is not a problem and where Simazine and Atrazine does not need to be used, then it may be useful to try some of the better yielding varieties of the non TT type, because of their higher oil percentages and early seedling vigour. If weeds are a problem then stick with the TT varieties. There was not a large amount of difference between the TT and non TT varieties with regards to yield.

• In a low yielding season canola yield reached a plateau at between 20 and 40 plants/m².
• Hybrid canola reached a plateau at lower density than open-pollinated canola.
• Canola yield held up at high density well, even though plants became severely stressed in early winter and early spring.
• Hybrid canola had a significant yield advantage over open-pollinated (OP) canola in a below average season.

• Canola is best sown shallow (1-2cm) on hard setting and crusting soils.
• On lighter soils or better structured soils canola can be sown a bit deepter (5-8cm) if there is more moisture at this depth.

• In the Upper North it will be rare that there are stubble loads high enough (7-10t/ha stubble residue) to cause a significant issue at seeding to reduce seeding efficiency.
• The stubble loads experienced in the Upper North will on average be able to be sown through and produce effective canola establishment without burning or cultivation.
• Undertaking burning or cultivation was shown in this demonstration to have a negative impact on canola plant establishment if undertaken unnecessarily (barley stubble residue ~5t/ha).

In 2017, there were three canola variety trials sown across the South East region of South Australia: located at
Keith, Bordertown and Frances. The site at Keith evaluates early season varieties, and those at Bordertown and
Frances evaluate mid-season varieties. Both sets of trials have similar sowing and harvest times and have a similar
complement of varieties, although there may be several early maturity varieties in the early series that are not
tested in the mid-series, or vice-versa. The data from the 2017 Bordertown canola variety trials has not been
released.

• The yields for the Clearfield (imidazolinone tolerant) variety time of sowing 1 (TOS1) trial averaged 5.48 t/ha (see Table 2a in attached trial report).
• There was no significant difference in yield between the two varieties sown.
• The yields for the Clearfield (imidazolinone tolerant) variety time of sowing 2 (TOS2) trial (Table 2b) averaged 5.56 t/ha and ranged from 6.32 t/ha (Pheonix CL) down to 5.18 t/ha  (Banker CL).
• There was no significant difference in yield between the varieties. 

• Early sowing opportunities may provide a great opportunity to maximise canola yield, but selection of the correct variety is important.
• Understanding the drivers behind canola development will help to improve canola management and variety selection.
• Varietal maturity ratings don’t always correlate with varietal phenology.

• I firmly believe that canola is here to stay in the district. It is in many ways better suited to the
  environment than wheat.
• The frost risk from sowing early is much greater with wheat because it only flowers for a few days.
• Frosts at this time can devastate wheat crops.

• Selecting mid-fast hybrid varieties with flexible phenology in the Wimmera is a good risk management option, which also has yield potential when seasonal conditions are favourable.
• Fast hybrids have performed well but avoid the temptation to plant these early if an early break eventuates.
• Selecting slow developing varieties comes with added risk of requiring a germinating rain in the first week of April or earlier.
• The best return on investment in nitrogen comes with application to hybrids that flower at the optimum time for the environment.

NDVI taken June 13 and July 11 showed no treatment differences.  Similarly we found no significant treatment effects on seed yield, oil, oil yield or gross margins in this experiment.  The surrounding crop was also of adequate density and in contrast to some years in this region the farmer did not have any low density areas on his farm.  Thus we did not really have conditions similar to those reported by the farmers in previous years and the experiment did not add to our knowledge base. 

• The late sown crops (in July) were extremely poor and were not harvested.
• The optimum sowing time for the 1996 season was early May.
• There was no significant difference in yield between karoo and Narendra on the same sowing date.

• In the southern Mallee canola is best sown from mid May onwards (earlier sowing can lead to problems with frost.
• Sowing in July is too late.

Grain yield losses of up to 40% can be caused by clethodim at particular rates and timings. Early application timings were the best to avoid crop damage. Variation does exist between herbicide tolerant crop types (Conventional, Clearfield and TT) and their level of sensitivity to clethodim

• TM4 is a variety that has proven to have better early vigour than Pinnacle and 1% Oil advantage.
• Release of this variety is dependant on further evaluation. TM5 is a variety with a maturity similar to Rainbow and therefore could be a possible future Clancy replacement. It has better oil quality and yield. 

Early sowing is the key to maximising canola yeild in the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) All varieties yielded less when sown on April 29 compared to April 14 Yield loss was on average 43kg/ha per day between April 14 and April 29th sowing Using the highest yeilding variety rather than trying to match variety maturity to sowing date was the best option.

• Early sowing is the key to maximising canola yield in the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR)
• All varieties yielded less when sown on April 29 compared to April 14.
• Yield loss was on average 43 kg/ha per day between April 14 and April 29 sowing.
• Using the highest yielding variety rather than trying to match variety maturity to sowing date was the best option.

• Tanami was the highest yielding variety in this trial although not significantly higher than all other varieties.
• Some varieties had poor establishment in the second replicate which resulted in high variability between replicates.
• Please interpret results of farmer demonstrations carefully and utilise numerous sources of data to make final decisions regarding varieties.

• Frost and mouse damage was severe in the plots.
• The crops were sown early and the frost occurred just as the grain was starting to form in the pods.
• Mice were active in the plots until bait was put out.

• Average Canola yields in the trial were 2.75 t/ha (2.22 t/ha 2006, 2.4 t/ha 2005).
• The timing of the rain in early November arrived too late for most of the longer season varieties to exploit their full potential.
• The highest yielding variety was a hybrid variety ‘46Y78’ at 115% of the site mean.
• Seven of the top ten yielding varieties were TT varieties, compared to 4 out of 10 in 2006 and only 1 out of the top ten in 2005.
• Disease pressure at the site was low.

• Comparing the herbicide systems, TT varieties had the lowest average yield of 2.07 t/ha and conventional varieties yeilded teh highest at an average of 2.69 t/ha.
• The highest yielding variety was Hyola 76 with 2.79 t/ha; the loest yielding variety was Argyll TT with 1.67 t/ha.
• Overall oil levels were well below normal with only the clearfield varieties having an average of 40.5%.
• The hybrid varieties demonstrated much greater early vigour compared to the OP varieties.

• Comparing the herbicide systems, TT varieties had the lowest average yield of 2.05 t/ha and conventional varieties yielded the highest at an average of 2.59 t/ha.
• The highest yielding variety was Hyola 502 with 2.66 t/ha; the lowest yielding variety was Argyll TT with 1.67 t/ha.
• Overall oil levels were well below normal. TT varieties averaged 39.3%, clearfield varieties 41.1% and Roundup Ready varieties averaged 41.7%.
• The hybrid varieties demonstrated much greater early vigour compared to the OP varieties.

• Shorter season varieties Telfer and Tanami showed a higher trend in yield which may be due to a dry and early finish to the season.
• This may show there is less advantage in using hybrid varieties in a drier season.

The sylvestris based varieties should not now be sown due to the breakdown of this blackleg resistance.

Clearfield canola varieties demonstrated good early crop vigour compared to Triazine Tolerant varieties. There was a clear yield difference by harvest, where TT varieties averaged 2.28 t/ha compared to 1.93 t/ha in the Clearfield varieties. The highest yielding canola variety at Inverleigh was Argyle with 3.03 t/ha.

In 2017, approximately 50% of barley grass weed seed was already on the ground (dropped) before the first swathing opportunity.

• In 2019, approximately 40% of barley grass seeds had already dropped on the ground before the first swathing opportunity.
• Barley grass seed retention declines with every successive week and by crop maturity retained only 20% of its seed on the head.
• If growers are aiming to collect grass seed using harvest weed seed management strategies (chaff carts or windrows) they need to harvest grassy paddocks as early as possible to maximise weed seed collection.

 

Wheat yields at Gippsland were well below the average yields recorded at SFS’ other trial sites in the western districts of the state.

•  Significant yield increases were measured at Conmurra by controlling aphids to reduce the impact of BYDV.

•  A range of fungicide treatments, applied at GS31 increased grain yield in wheat at Conmurra by about 0.8 t/ha

•  High levels of black point occurred at Millicent and allowed good ratings to be made. 

At the higher rainfall sites such as Conmurra, consideration should be given to spraying to control aphids in order to reduce the early infection of cereals by BYDV. At lower rainfall sites such as Frances this may only be a viable proposition in years with high summer and autumn rainfall that may allow increased aphid survival. The development of new varieties with increased tolerance to BYDV will reduce this need to spray. CSIRO has wheat lines in their breeding program that have this tolerance. While fungicides would normally be used when disease is present, there are some circumstances where yield increases can be recorded even in the absence of disease. 

• Wheat on wheat can be successfuly grown with relatively low risk if all factors that influence diease are considered.
• The most important are: disease carry over, variety selection, sowing time, seed treatment and burning stubbles.
• Barley on wheat is less of a problem, except for self-sown wheat in the barley sample.

• Wheat on wheat can be successfuly grown with relatively low risk if all factors that influence diease are considered.
• The most important are: disease carry over, variety selection, sowing time, seed treatment and burning stubbles.
• Barley on wheat is less of a problem, except for self-sown wheat in the barley sample.

• Grazed crops showed no effects from grazing in 2016 – an excellent season producing high early biomass. Crops recovered and yielded very well.
• Trojan and LRPB Arrow were the best dual purpose wheat varieties.
• Fathom, Spartacus and Rosalind were the best dual purpose barley varieties.

• Oats produced the most dry matter after repeated grazings.
• Manage timing of grazing to allow cereal recovery. • Establish as much bulk as possible in a cereal pasture by increasing.
• seeding rate and consider dry sowing.

Nitrogen fixation can be manged to maximise efficiency by following a few rules:

• only sow inoculated legumes into soils low in available N,
• inoculate legumes every time they are sown, and
• keep the rhizobia alive.

• Prior to sowing, seed was treated with various products that are commercially available although no seed treatment improved crop performance relative to the untreated control.
• Rancona C had no negative effects on germination early vigour, establishment or yield of wheat when compared to other seed treatments or the untreated control.
• There was no evidence of wheat smut at the trial site this season, if disease pressure was greater we may expect to see difference in yield between treatments.

It is too early to tell whether chickpeas are as sensitive to simazine on clay soils as they demonstrated to be on a sandy soil in 1995.

• Chickpeas and lentils should be sown in early May to achieve early growth and maximise biomass and yield.
• In 2013 at Westmere, growth was generally slow and lacked vigour, however lentils tolerated some short term waterlogging surprisingly well.
• The larger Kabuli chickpeas, like PBA Monarch, Almaz and Kalkee are likely to be the most profitable options for this region.

• Although chickpea yields were higher than previous years at Hart, the rapid finish to the season favoured earlier flowering and maturing varieties such as GenesisTM079 and Sonali.
• Ryegrass competition at 31 and 86 plants/m2 reduced chickpea grain yield by 31% and 56%, respectively.
• Breeder’s line “Chickpea 4” recorded the lowest yield loss from ryegrass competition at both sites (9% at the low ryegrass density at Hart), and also displayed 35% better tiller suppression than other varieties at Hart.
• Early vigour appeared an important trait in chickpea for improved competiveness with ryegrass, whilst short plant height was a disadvantage.

Grain Yield results of these trials need to be treated with caution due to the adverse environmental
conditions experienced throughout the season.

• See Milestone 1 for weather interpretation.
• Infected stubble was spread throughout this trial to ensure adequate infection by ascochyta
• blight.
• The trial highlighted the excellent foliage resistance of Flip 94-090c, Flip 94-508c, Flip 94-509c and Flip 97-530. However because of late rainfall it also showed the importance of the recommended fungicide application at early podding to prevent seed discolouration. Where the plots remained untreated, there were significant levels of infection on the seed.
• Varieties that are susceptible (Kaniva) or moderately susceptible to ascochyta blight (Howzat and WACPE 2075) had significant yield reductions without the application of fungicides.

• Dry seasonal conditions did not favour chickpea production in 2006 and grain yields were below average
• Ascochyta blight infection levels were only low in the trials however the ascochyta blight resistant varieties still had lower infection levels than Howzat, Almaz and Nafice
• Susceptible and moderately resistant varieties incurred grain yield loss in nil treatments compared to fortnightly sprayed treatments at Turretfield. This did not occur in varieties rated resistant including the two new lines to be released (FLIP94-079C and CICA503)
• Previous trials show ascochyta blight resistant varieties Genesis090 and Genesis509 can be successfully grown under high disease pressure with only the need for foliar fungicide sprays during podding
• No information was obtained on podding strategies required to reduce grain yield loss in resistant varieties due to a lack of pod infection from the dry spring conditions. Further work is required in this area.
• Varieties with intermediate resistance require foliar fungicides early in the season to control ascochyta blight and prevent yield loss even in dryer years.

• Howzat, Sonali and Almaz had significantly greater levels of foliar disease, pod infection levels, yield loss and seed size reductions than all three resistant varieties when no fungicides were applied at both sites.
• Under very severe disease pressure levels fortnightly sprays of chlorothalonil did not always prevent plant death from occurring in Howzat, Sonali and Almaz.
• One spray of chlorothalonil at the podding stage in the resistant varieties was sufficient to control high levels of ascochyta blight disease pressure and prevent yield loss and seed size reduction, up to eight sprays were required in moderately susceptible lines and four sprays in moderately resistant varieties.
• Genesis090 and Genesis508 can be successfully grown in SA with only the need for one fungicide spray during podding except for in cases where very severe levels of disease pressure exist early in the season and then more frequent spraying in flowering and podding may be required.
• Varieties with partial resistance to ascochyta blight like Almaz can be successfully grown in SA however they will require a proactive regular fungicide spray strategy including early season fungicide sprays when disease is present.
• The treatment based on spraying according to forecasted rainfall amounts and variety disease susceptibility (predictive) was successful for moderately susceptible varieties under high levels of disease pressure, however needs further refining for severe disease level conditions and varieties with moderate or greater levels of resistance to ascochyta blight.
• Chlorothalonil was superior to mancozeb as a podding spray treatment.

• Dry and hot conditions prevailed throughout late winter and spring limiting disease spread and plant growth.
• There was no fungicide treatment effect on grain yield in 2007.
• Fungicide treatments at early podding (pod), early and late podding (podplus) and strategic sprays (strat) had larger seeds than the control, but not significantly larger than fortnightly or systemic sprays.

• There was diversity in phenology between varieties.
• Early sowing extended the crop vegetative period, but increased exposure to frost damage during the flowering phase.
• Desi varieties PBA Striker, PBA Slasher, PBA Boundary and CICA1521 were the highest yielding varieties at both sites.
• Dry conditions severely limited chickpea grain yield in 2019, but favoured early maturing varieties, particularly with mid May sowing.

• Pod set in chickpeas was suppressed by the cool September and October in 2009. Dry spring conditions further suppressed grain yields and grain weights of late sown chickpea crops by terminating seed fill prematurely.
• The dry season favoured early sowing, and generally favoured the early maturing Genesis079. The desi’s Genesis509 and new release PBASlasher generally performed similarly, although PBASlasher has higher long term yields and improved seed quality over Genesis509 in NVT trials.
• Earlier sown chickpeas yielded higher than those sown later. However, when sowing was delayed, yield was maximised in some varieties by increasing the seeding rate above recommended, similarly to 2008. However current chickpea densities of 35 plants/m2 for kabuli’s (small and large) and 50 plants/m2 for desi’s remain best-practice when sown early.
• Higher grain weights in chickpeas were achieved in 2009 by sowing early, particularly in larger seeded kabuli’s. However this finding was opposite to that found in the past where later sowing dates have led to larger grain weights. Increasing plant density from current recommendations did not influence yield, but reducing density to 20 plants/m2 did show a reduction in grain weight.

• Favourable early winter seasonal conditions were followed by dry conditions during late
  winter and spring.
• Late spring rainfall events were beneficial to grain formation and the average trial yield was a very respectable 1.7 t/ha given the below average growing season rainfall.

No visual herbicide damage symptoms or yield effects were evident in 2008 wheat, barley, IT canola or lentil crops sown after the application of common herbicides to chickpeas in 2007.

• In dry years, sow faba bean and chickpea as early as possible in the recommended sowing window.
• Grain yield declined significantly as sowings were delayed from 30th April through to 7th July.
• Faba bean was far more sensitive to delays than chickpea –they lost on average 21 kgs seed/ha/day over this period compared to only 7 kgs seed/ha/day for chickpea.

The yields are too poor to properly assess the three different treatment times.

Chickpeas should be sown from early June in the Southern Mallee.

• Early sowing generally produced the highest yield for chickpeas in 2007.
• Chickpea varieties showed differences in response to plant density at each of the sowing dates.
• Generally Genesis 509 showed increased yield with higher plant densities, Almaz showed reduced yields and Genesis 090 was variable depending on sowing date.

• Generally early sowing and higher plant densities resulted in highest yields.
• Wider row spacing’s with standing stubble (60 and 30 cm) produced 10% higher grain yields than slashed stubble treatments (19.5 cm and 30 cm) for chickpeas in 2009.

• Wimmera rye grass. Score 4 (Early season). 2 (Mid season).
• Capeweed score 4 (Early season. 2 (Mid season).
• Drought score 5 (Mid season).
•  

The optimum time for sowing Desavic chickpeas, for the 1996 season, was from early May to mid June.

In the Southern Mallee canola is best sown from mid may onwards (earlier sowing can lead to problems with frost). Sowing in July is too late.

• Chickpea variety selection must be based on ascochyta blight pressure, yield and marketing opportunities.
• If considering early sowing, it is essential to select a variety with excellent ascochyta blight resistance or ensure an excellent disease management strategy is implemented. 

• New varieties have improved ascochyta resistance, but still need careful management.
• Avoiding early infection is critical to managing ascochyta effectively.
• A two spray fungicide strategy will provide reliable control.

Despite a dry finish, ascochyta blight progressed well, causing stem breakages and significant grain yield losses in most varieties. The new variety, PBA Royal had 45% of the plot with stem infections early in the season but recovered and had little grain yield losses compared to the full control treatment (Table 4). The breeding line CICA1454 had 15% less ascochyta blight infection compared to the closest named variety, offering hope of better ascochyta blight resistance.

This trial was sown to showcase to growers, the viability of growing chickpeas in the region and evaluate varietal performance in the local conditions at Dookie 2019. Desi varieties were among top three of the highest yielding varieties. Grain yields were very good (0.90- 1.53 t/ha) considering the very dry finish at Dookie.

Inoculant and MAP fertiliser increased plant height and biomass production. Further, inoculant and MAP fertiliser increased the height of the lowest pod, which increased their harvestability at Tooligie, 2019. Doubled rate of inoculant did not increase chickpea production compared to applying the standard rate at an economically viable level. Gibberellic acid did not influence plant height or biomass but decreased the grain yield of chickpea at Warnertown 2019.

• Autumn-sown chickpea had grain yields of up to 1.3t/ha c.f. with 0.2t/ha for spring sowing. Neelam was the highest yielding variety autumn sown.  

•  In contrast to long term trial results, the chickpea varieties and breeding lines did not have yield benefits from earlier sowing in 2018.  Several frost events during the flowering and podding phase caused significant flower and pod abortion, particularly in the earlier sown treatments which were further advanced in the reproductive phase. However, it is worth noting that grain yields were impacted by dry seasonal conditions and mice damage earlier in the season and hence, results should be interpreted with caution.
• All varieties and breeding lines had significant ascochyta blight (AB) infection in the early sown and irrigated treatment. Among the varieties and breeding lines, CICA1454 and CICA1352 showed significantly less AB symptoms than others, while PBA Striker and ‘C2’ had the most severe symptoms.  

• In contrast to long term trial results, the chickpea varieties and breeding lines did not have yield benefit from earlier sowing in 2018. Several frost events during flowering and podding caused significant flower and pod abortion, particularly in the earlier sown treatments which were further advanced in the reproductive phase. Hence, growers should consider long-term data and additional information when making varietal or agronomic decisions. Early sowing and irrigating with 20 mm of water increased establishment, early growth and flowering, and risk of frost damage. The performance of varieties and breeding lines were similar except ‘C1’and ‘C2’ which had lower biomass and grain yield than others.

Chickpeas were the most profitable crop sown in spring producing estimated returns up to $900/ha. In comparison, many varieties sown autumn failed to produce a return. The new early flowering, cold tolerance trait may further improve yield and stability in spring sowing, once incorporated into more broadly adapted breeding material. In contrast faba bean was the most profitable crop overall, producing a gross margin of up $2800/ha, from high yield and grain prices received in late 2019.

• Chickpea yields varied with variety, row spacing and seeding rate.
• Under the dry conditions of 2007, Genesis 509 sown at 35-45 seeds/m2 inn 44 cm or 66 cm row spacing’s performed best.

• As in 2007, dry seasonal conditions did not favor chickpea production in 2008 and consequently early maturity and low grain yields were observed.
• Ryegrass competition of 33 plants/m2 at maturity reduced grain yields of chickpeas by 48%, and 120 plants/m2 reduced grain yields by 82%.
• Genesis079 was the highest yielding variety and is well adapted to short season environments.
• These results confirm previous findings showing chickpeas as a poor competitor, and the unsuitability of control measures such as weed-wiping and crop-topping.

A summary of the main results from the first season at the Moora trial are presented in Figures 1 and 2.  Due to technical issues, the trial was not seeded at the same time as the rest of the paddock, which was supposed to be used as an untreated control. For this reason, a comparison of the treatments to a control treatment without tillage and clay spreading is not available.  A statistically significant effect of tillage on early plant establishment was found when analysing the plant counts measured about four weeks after sowing (Figure 1, left). All the treatments with the off-set disc (in combination or not with clay spreading) had more plants per linear meter in comparison to the one-way plough treatments. This is likely due to uneven seeding depth following tillage with the one-way plough (deep tillage) compared to the shallower tillage with the off-set disc. Surprisingly, incorporation of subsoil clay at any given rate did not show any significant effect on early plant establishment although this result could be explained by the wetter than usual weather in April-May reducing the severity of soil water repellence.

Again, when looking at the tiller counts recorded 8 weeks after sowing (Figure 1, right) the addition of clay at different rates did not affect the number of tillers. However, the wheat growing in the one-way plough treatments overcame the initial delay in germination giving higher tiller number than those recorded in the treatments with the off-set disc (except for the treatment with 250 t/ha of clay). This trend continued at harvest, with the one-way plough treatments producing higher yields (4.5-4.6 t/ha on average) than the off-set disc treatments (4.1-4.3 t/ha on average) at any given rate of subsoil clay.

Due to the low rates of clay spreading and the low cost of the incorporation methods, all treatments provided a positive return of investments in the first year (ROI= ($/ha gain – $/ha total direct costs) / $/ha total direct costs), based on mean values in Table 1. Not surprisingly, the best ROI in the first year was obtained by the one-way plough treatment without clay spreading (1.42 $/ha), followed by the off-set disc without clay spreading (1.22 $/ha) and the treatments clay spread at 50 t/ha incorporated with one-way plough (1.17 $/ha). These estimates are indicative only, as indirect costs and interests on the initial capital investment are not included in the calculations. For more accurate estimates of ROI, yield results from multiple seasons and crops will be collected in the next 3 years.

 

A summary of the main results from the first season at the Moora trial are presented in Figures 1 and 2.  Due to technical issues, the trial was not seeded at the same time as the rest of the paddock, which was supposed to be used as an untreated control. For this reason, a comparison of the treatments to a control treatment without tillage and clay spreading is not available.  A statistically significant effect of tillage on early plant establishment was found when analysing the plant counts measured about four weeks after sowing (Figure 1, left). All the treatments with the off-set disc (in combination or not with clay spreading) had more plants per linear meter in comparison to the one-way plough treatments. This is likely due to uneven seeding depth following tillage with the one-way plough (deep tillage) compared to the shallower tillage with the off-set disc. Surprisingly, incorporation of subsoil clay at any given rate did not show any significant effect on early plant establishment although this result could be explained by the wetter than usual weather in April-May reducing the severity of soil water repellence.

Again, when looking at the tiller counts recorded 8 weeks after sowing (Figure 1, right) the addition of clay at different rates did not affect the number of tillers. However, the wheat growing in the one-way plough treatments overcame the initial delay in germination giving higher tiller number than those recorded in the treatments with the off-set disc (except for the treatment with 250 t/ha of clay). This trend continued at harvest, with the one-way plough treatments producing higher yields (4.5-4.6 t/ha on average) than the off-set disc treatments (4.1-4.3 t/ha on average) at any given rate of subsoil clay.

Due to the low rates of clay spreading and the low cost of the incorporation methods, all treatments provided a positive return of investments in the first year (ROI= ($/ha gain – $/ha total direct costs) / $/ha total direct costs), based on mean values in Table 1. Not surprisingly, the best ROI in the first year was obtained by the one-way plough treatment without clay spreading (1.42 $/ha), followed by the off-set disc without clay spreading (1.22 $/ha) and the treatments clay spread at 50 t/ha incorporated with one-way plough (1.17 $/ha). These estimates are indicative only, as indirect costs and interests on the initial capital investment are not included in the calculations. For more accurate estimates of ROI, yield results from multiple seasons and crops will be collected in the next 3 years.