Evaluating alternative pulse options for low rainfall regions

2016

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) N/A
Year(s) 2016
Contributor SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Trial location(s) Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA
Evaluating alternative pulse options for low rainfall regions locations
Aims

There has been increasing interest from growers and agronomists in low rainfall farming regions to evaluate alternative break crop options to field peas. Field peas are generally well suited to low rainfall farming systems and have historically been the main pulse option for the upper Eyre Peninsula region. However, relatively high prices, production success stories and availability of varieties with improved agronomic characteristics has renewed interest in alternative pulse options and driven an increase in lentil production in low rainfall regions. This is the third consecutive year that this pulse comparison trial has been conducted. Pulse performance in 2016 was generally improved over the previous two years and mean crop yields from each year have been included for comparison.

Key messages
  • Production of alternative pulse options to field pea in low rainfall regions has potential to be successful under favourable seasonal conditions providing essential production criteria are met.
  • Some new varietal options offer earlier maturity as well as improvements in harvestability, disease resistance and herbicide tolerance over older commercial standards, aiding production and profitability.
  • Field peas have proven to be a reliable option on the upper Eyre Peninsula and are likely to be a lower risk and more profitable option in seasonal conditions that are less favourable for alternative pulse options.
  • Chickpeas are generally less suited to many cropping regions of South Australia, and with a change in the ascochyta blight pathogen growers need to carefully consider their risk to AB infection and ability to effectively control the disease, including in low rainfall regions.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre
Related program Southern Pulse Agronomy
Acknowledgments

GRDC for funding project Southern Region Pulse Agronomy (DAV00150), and the SARDI team at MAC for conducting the trial across the last three seasons.


Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop types Grain Legume: Chickpeas Grain Legume: Faba beans Grain Legume: Lentils
Trial type
Trial design

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2016 Chickpeas

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2016 Faba beans

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Minnipa Agricultural Centre 2016 Lentils

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Minnipa Agricultural Centre, SA Calcarosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA
2016 441.5mm
2015 440.3mm
2014 499.1mm
2013 421.3mm
2012 453.1mm
2011 481.0mm
2010 475.3mm
2009 480.8mm
2008 396.6mm
2007 398.4mm
2006 431.4mm
2005 399.7mm
2004 398.4mm
2003 404.4mm
2002 393.7mm
2001 446.8mm
2000 461.1mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Minnipa Agricultural Centre SA

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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links


No trial reports or attachments found


Trial last modified: 10-09-2019 15:24pm AEST