| Researcher(s) |
Linda Bailey |
|---|---|
| Year(s) | 2021 |
| Contributor | Northern Grower Alliance |
| Trial location(s) |
Pittsworth, QLD
|
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 June 2021 in a paddock near Pittsworth.
Chickpea emergence was assessed in early August. Uniform establishment was obtained with no significant difference in emergence between varieties and a narrow range of only 28-32 plants/m2.
The trial and surrounding commercial crop sustained high levels of Heliothis damage during November due to prolonged wet weather and limited access. Rainfall totals of ~168 mm were recorded in November and ~113 mm in December. There was no desiccation with the crop allowed to ripen naturally. Some regrowth occurred in all plots but did not have an impact on the maturity or pod loss assessments.
The first assessment of crop maturity was conducted in early November, 142 days after planting (142 DAP) on pods that were not visibly damaged by Heliothis. There was no significant difference in % grain maturity with an overall mean of ~88% for all varieties. PBA Drummond appeared the most mature with PBA Boundary the least mature and a range from 76-98%. A second assessment was conducted at 155 DAP with mean grain maturity 99%. 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, 13 DAHR, 29 DAHR and 37 DAHR. NB There was no indication of ‘naturally’ occurring pod loss at any assessment.
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 3rd timing (29 DAHR) with a mean across varieties of ~133 pods/m2 which represented ~400 kg/ha of potential grain loss. Pod loss at the final assessment was ~15-20% less than at the 3rd assessment.
Rainfall totals in the week or fortnight prior to assessment were tabulated. There did not appear to be any clear association between the amount of rainfall in either of those periods and the pod loss measured.
In this situation, large quantities of pod loss were measured using a beat sheet method to try to simulate the impact from a harvest operation. There were no apparent differences 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 (or fortnight) 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 | Randomised,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 (