This research aims to identify the safer temperature windows for the critical period for yield for faba bean and lentil in cropping regions of southern Australia. This work follows on from EPFS Summary 2016 p62, EPFS Summary 2017, p146 and EPFS Summary 2018, p62.

• Pulses are more vulnerable to yield loss from heat and frost stress in a critical period centred around early podding.
• Sowing time and variety choice are crucial to reduce risk of stress at this stage.
• We define the safer window for the critical period as less than 10% chance of frost (0oC in the Stevenson screen) and less than 30% chance of heat (>34oC in the Stevenson screen).
• In environments of upper Eyre Peninsula, such as Minnipa, there is limited frost risk, hence early sowing will minimise heat risk and maximise potential yield.
• However, at sites such as Laura (Mid North), there is a safer window after frost and before heat.
• Results should be considered in conjunction with grower specific conditions and the trade-off between early sowing, weed and disease management and rainfall.

The trial was a factorial split plot design with sowing date allocated to main plots and variety to subplots.

The trial was a factorial split plot design with sowing date allocated to main plots and variety to subplots.

The trial was a factorial split plot design with sowing date allocated to main plots and variety to subplots.

The trial was a factorial split plot design with sowing date allocated to main plots and variety to subplots.