To develop management approaches that increase the adoption and productivity of grain legumes, in particular faba beans, in areas dominated by canola – wheat rotations, leading to more resilient farming systems.

• Due to lower-than-average rainfall during September, 2023 was generally a low disease pressure year for faba beans in the Riverine Plains
• Low levels of Cercospora leaf spot and chocolate spot were detected at both the Daysdale and Bundalong trial sites, with, the chocolate spot susceptible variety PBA Bendoc showing a significant yield improvement of up to 1.1t/ha due to fungicide application
• Six pulse species were assessed for adaptation at the Daysdale site, with lupins averaging 2.15t/ha, field peas 2.44t/ha, faba beans 2.00t/ ha, lentils 1.21t/ha, vetch 1.16t/ha, and chickpeas averaging 2.22t/ha
• Faba bean yield was lower than expected at the Daysdale site due to the dry finish
• Estimated residual nitrogen legacy from the different pulse species ranged from 97kg N/ ha to 146kg N/ha; the rule of thumb for net biological nitrogen contribution from pulse species is 19 kg N/t of dry matter
• Maintaining seeding rate at 25 plants/m2 or above was essential to optimising grain yield
• Ultimately, the dry September period experienced in 2023 reduced the yield potential of pulse crops across the region, as it coincided with flowering and pod-setting in most pulse species.