| Researcher(s) |
Dean Hancock |
|---|---|
| Year(s) | 2021 |
| Contributor | Northern Grower Alliance |
| Trial location(s) |
Bellata, NSW
|
To evaluate the impact of variety and harvest delay on pod loss in chickpeas
In this trial, six commercial chickpea varieties (PBA HatTrick, PBA Boundary, PBA Seamer, PBA Drummond, Kyabra and CBA Captain) were sown in May 2021 in a paddock near Bellata, NSW.
Chickpea emergence was assessed 40 days after planting (40 DAP). Uniform establishment was obtained with no significant difference in emergence between varieties and a narrow range of only 30-33 plants/m2.
The initial assessment of pod loss was delayed until the end of November due to prolonged wet weather during November. There was no desiccation and the crop ripened naturally. Inspection at the end of November showed all grain was mature. This was considered the ‘harvest ready’ timing and described as 0 days after harvest ready (0 DAHR).
Pod loss was assessed by adopting the industry Heliothis ‘beat sheet’ method. A one metre section of row was ‘beaten’ three times with a stick and the number of pods dislodged were counted. This method was an attempt to provide a repeatable, simulation of the effect of a header, and determine the impact of harvest delay or variety choice on magnitude of pod loss.
A new section of row was used for every assessment. Pod loss was assessed at 0 DAHR, 7 DAHR, 14 DAHR, 21 DAHR and 28 DAHR. NB Plots were inspected for ‘naturally’ occurring pod or individual grain loss prior to each assessment. ‘Naturally’ occurring pod loss was only evident at 21 DAHR.
Counts of dislodged pods showed no significant differences between varieties at any assessment timing or overall. The magnitude of pod loss varied by assessment timing and ‘generally’ increased with length of harvest delay. However, the largest pod loss occurred at the 4th timing (21 DAHR) with a mean across varieties of ~165 pods/m2 which represented ~579 kg/ha of potential grain loss. Yield of PBA Seamer in an adjacent trial was 2.84 t/ha. The pod loss measured by a 21 delay in harvest represented ~20% of the yield potential. Pod loss at the final assessment was ~5% less than at the 4th assessment.
Pods and individual seed were only found naturally dislodged at the 21 DAHR assessment. PBA HatTrick had significantly more pods on the ground than all other varieties with no differences apparent in individual grains. The combined level of pod and individual grain loss equated to ~78 kg/ha of extra grain loss.
Rainfall totals in the week prior to assessment were tabulated. There did not appear to be any clear association between the amount of rainfall in in the week prior to assessment and the pod loss measured.
In this situation, large quantities of pod loss were measured using a beat sheet method in an attempt to simulate the impact from a harvest operation. There was no apparent difference in pod loss between varieties with pod loss generally increasing with length of harvest delay. Although the trial was conducted in a ‘wet’ harvest, there was no clear association between pod loss and the amount of rainfall received in the week prior to sampling.
| Lead research organisation |
Northern Grower Alliance |
|---|---|
| Host research organisation | N/A |
| Trial funding source | GRDC NGA2009-002RTX |
| Related program | N/A |
| Acknowledgments | N/A |
| Other trial partners | Not specified |
| Crop type | Grain Legume: Chickpeas |
|---|---|
| Treatment type(s) |
|
| Trial type | Experimental |
| Trial design | Replicated |
| Sow date | Not specified |
|---|---|
| Harvest date | Not specified |
| Plot size | Not specified |
| Plot replication | Not specified |
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.
Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR)
Some crop varieties used in research trials may be covered by Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR). Users should confirm PBR status of relevant varieties by searching the IP Australia PBR database, http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/pbr_db/ or Variety Central (http://varietycentral.com.au/) and contacting variety owners for further information if required. Where possible, varieties have been listed according to their registered PBR name, although OFT cannot and does not guarantee that the information is accurate or complete.
Note that PBR cover is administered through the Plant Breeders’ Right Act 1994 (