Biomass and grain yield performance of varieties differed between environments, particularly when there were major differences in soil characteristics and rainfall.

• The yields for the Clearfield (imidazolinone tolerant) variety time of sowing 1 (TOS1) trial averaged 5.48 t/ha (see Table 2a in attached trial report).
• There was no significant difference in yield between the two varieties sown.
• The yields for the Clearfield (imidazolinone tolerant) variety time of sowing 2 (TOS2) trial (Table 2b) averaged 5.56 t/ha and ranged from 6.32 t/ha (Pheonix CL) down to 5.18 t/ha  (Banker CL).
• There was no significant difference in yield between the varieties. 

There are no NVT Canola sites in the lower south-east and Millicent is seen as important in evaluating canola varieties in a high rainfall environment. 

Incorporating canola as a companion plant did not increase grain yield at all sites in 2019. Plant growth regulator used to manipulate canopy structure increased grain yield. Further work is required to understand the effects on plant density, row arrangements, and companion species on canopy structure and grain yield production.

Although disease pressure was low, the resistant variety, PBA Amberley had significantly lower occurrence of chocolate spot disease than the other two varieties confirming improved resistance in this variety. The lower rainfall in spring was not conducive to chocolate spot and no infections were seen until late November when plants were near maturity. Further research is required to clarify the fungicide treatments required to control chocolate spot in PBA Amberley, especially in seasons more conducive to the disease.

High levels of crop safety were observed in the imidazolinone tolerant faba bean variety at both Mundulla and Yeelanna sites in 2019.

Potassium applied to faba bean at sowing and/or at flowering had no effect on plant height, biomass or grain yield.

Tebuconazole foliar fungicide is the superior treatment for controlling this disease, showing that Systiva® seed treatment or Uniform® in furrow were not effective fungicide treatments for control of cercospora leaf spot. 182 Infection from cercospora leaf spot was high early in the season at eight node stage where Uniform mildly suppressed severity compared to the nil treatment. However, by spring the standard tebuconazole treatment at six node growth stage prevented further spread of the disease.

PBA Hallmark XT and PBA Hurricane XT, which are tolerant to Group B herbicides displayed less herbicide damage at all three locations.

• Project aimed to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Biomass production was greater at the earlier sowing date.
• Feed tests are important to determine feed quality.
• There were no yield differences between the two times of sowing.
   

• A newly released herbicide tolerant faba bean provides increased weed management options.
• A new release lentil provides another herbicide tolerant lentil variety with different agronomic characteristics.
• However, care still needs to be taken in relation to herbicide use, paddock selection, and herbicide permits and registrations.
   

• Annual medic had lower levels of soil N (kg/ha) remaining in the soil post-harvest compared to balansa clover and subterranean clover at Sherwood.
• Annual ryegrass establishment was greater in crops following wheat, compared to crops following a pasture break crop.
• Overall pasture biomass production was greater at Bordertown compared to Sherwood.
• Wheat yields at Sherwood were greater following balansa clover and subterranean clover, compared to following canola and cereals options, wheat, barley and oats.
• Grain barleys Compass and Rosalind have demonstrated a capacity to produce biomass as a forage or hay option; feed tests need to be considered to ensure they are as favourable as forage options for livestock production. 

Of the malting/food grade varieties evaluated, all varieties were above the required receivable standards for hectolitre weight of 65 kg/hL but protein levels were outside the receivable standard of 9.0 % to 12.0 % for MALT1. Only RGT Planet fell below 12% and although classified as a feed variety for the 2018/2019 season, this variety has received malt accreditation in early March 2019. Yields averaged 3.41 t/ha and were reduced overall compared to 2017. Spartacus CL was the highest yielding (3.83 t/ha) closely followed by Rosalind (3.81 t/ha) and RGT Planet (3.79 t/ha) but as in 2017, yields were not significantly different

 With four distinctly different seasons, the results reiterate the importance of reviewing long-term data when making varietal choices.

• MFMG and SARDI funded a wheat nutrition (Granular vs. Liquid) scoping study at three sites (Sherwood, Frances and Conmurra).
• The aim was to evaluate wheat production with either granular or liquid fertiliser inputs.
• Planning is underway to expand this study in 2019 and an application for additional funding submitted.

• A range of agronomic and variety trials for pulse crops were sown at sites across the High Rainfall Zone
(HRZ) of the South East in 2018.
• Trials across this zone are part of national breeding program trials (adding varietal information to GRDC
National Variety Trials database) or funded by MFMG.

• A range of pulse agronomic and variety trials were sown across the Medium Rainfall Zone of the South
East in 2018

• New faba bean PBA Bendoc, may be an option for growers in the Medium Rainfall Zone of the South East

• The use of Gaucho®600 on lentil to reduce the occurrence and impact of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus was evaluated at Keith
• Chickpea yields of over 1.0 t/ha were obtained at Sherwood
• At Keith average field pea yields were similar between a May sowing and a July sowing
• Average lupin yields of 2.68 t/ha at Sherwood, show it is a productive pulse option on suitable soil types

 

• Industrial hemp shows potential as a summer irrigated rotation crop
• Shallow sowing (10-20 mm depth) is key to successful emergence and establishment
• High plant density (>75 plants/m2) allows hemp plants to outcompete co-germinating weeds

• Water salinity above approximately 1500 ppm (2.7 dS/m) causes leaf burn and death of young plants

• Varieties still being evaluated for suitability to Riverland and Limestone Coast regions

The Wolseley “Cereal Challenge” is an initiative of the Wolseley Ag Bureau and funded by the MFMG. The challenge compares grain yields and quality of milling oats, durum wheat, bread and feed wheats and feed and malt barley varieties and the subsequent gross margin when all crops are grown side by side on the Wolseley flats.

• Break crops can be just as profitable as wheat crops.
• Antas sub-clover (for hay production) as the break crop was the most profitable option.
• Beans were the most effective at fixing nitrogen, averaging 13 kgN/tDM produced.

• Second year of a 3-year project funded by SAGIT and managed by SARDI.
• Project aims to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Trial site waterlogging resulted in variable results, interpret results with caution.
• Feed test results appear to vary between varieties and varieties at different times of sowing, indicating the importance of feed tests.
• Conventional canola varieties dry matter (DM) production was greater at time of sowing (TOS) 1 compared to TOS 2. Grain yield differences were not measured between varieties or TOS.
• There was a significant difference in DM production between the Triazine Tolerant varieties and TOS. Average grain yield was greater at TOS 2, than TOS 1.
• Greater DM was removed at TOS 1 compared to TOS 2 for Clearfield canola. Hyola 970 CL showed a significant difference in grain yield between TOS, with TOS 1 having a greater yield compared to TOS 2.

• Wheat was surprisingly tolerant of continuous flooding for nearly 4 months, yielding up to 2.8 t/ha with the best combination of nutrients tested.
• Despite the extended flooding there was a 13% response to P at a starting Colwell P of 29 mg/kg, with an economic optimum application rate of 7 kg P/ha.
• Canola was intolerant of extended flooding, producing no harvestable yield.
• In-crop application of urea shortly before flooding showed no grain yield response in wheat, while there was a negative response of 9% to applying S as in-crop sulfate of ammonia.
• Ideally in-crop applications of fertiliser should be made at least a week prior to flooding to allow time for the crop to take up the nutrients.

• Research funded by the GRDC- SARDI Bilateral Research Agreement.
• Focus on ‘Integrated Farming Systems in the Medium Rainfall Zone’.
• Three field components, long-term rotational trials, targeted agronomic trials and focus paddocks.

• Trial work funded by GRDC via the Southern Pulse Agronomy Program.
• Early sowing of beans in 2017 at Bool Lagoon did not increase grain yields.
• Different PGR treatments and application timings did influence grain yield at Conmurra in 2017.
• Trial planning for 2018 is underway.

• A range of pulse agronomic and variety trials were sown across the Medium Rainfall Zone of the South East in 2017.
• Trials across this zone are either part of the GRDC-SARDI Bilateral Agreement, the GRDC National Variety Trials program, or funded by the MFMG.
• Results suggest a range of pulses may be adapted to this region.

• Initial year of a new 3-year project funded by SAGIT and managed by SARDI.
• Project aims to evaluate dual-purpose canola varieties, comparing two times of sowing and exploring grazing management options.
• Trial site waterlogging resulted in high variability and confounding results, which should be interpreted with caution.
• Difference in feed test results were measured within a variety at different TOS and grazing dates, indicating the importance of getting feed quality tested.
• Dry matter production was low, maximum production recorded was Conventional 434 kg/ha, Triazine Tolerant 357 kg/ha and Clearfield 589 kg/ha.
• Conventional and Clearfield canola grain yields did not vary between TOS or varieties. • Triazine tolerant varieties had higher yields at TOS 1 and Hyola 750TT was the highest yielding TT variety.

• Grain yields were increased by sowing early (mid-April to early-May) over later sowing (end of May) under the favourable growing seasons experienced at Hart in 2016, in contrast to similar climatic seasons in higher rainfall areas of SA such as Tarlee.
• Varieties with agronomic characteristics of early flowering and high biomass production optimised yields.
• There was no change in grain yields from application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on early sown faba beans.
• Agronomic traits related to improved harvestability were observed from some PGRs, however further field testing will be required to better understand the best application timings and quantify benefits.

• National GRDC funded project ‘Optimising the yield and economic potential of high input cropping systems in the high rainfall zone’.
• Two nutrient omission trials sown in 2016 at Bool Lagoon to test canola and wheat yield response and the interactions between nutrients where N, P, K and S and micro-nutrients Zn and Cu are omitted.
• Relative to the treatment supplied with non-limiting nutrients, both canola and wheat grain yields were significantly lower if either P or S were not applied at sowing (38 and 30 % depression respectively for canola, 24% and 17% for wheat).
• Relative to the treatment supplied with non-limiting nutrients, canola biomass at flowering was 36 % lower without in-crop N and 8% lower without P at sowing, while wheat biomass at flowering was 40% lower without in-crop N and 12% lower without P at sowing.

• Third and final year of trials for the GRDC funded project ‘Southern Irrigated Cereal and Canola Achieving Target yields’ (DAN00198).
• Wheat and canola dual purpose trials were established at Bool Lagoon under irrigation.
• Seasonal conditions dictated the use of the dual purpose crops.
• Due to inundation trial results must be interpreted with caution.
• Variety specific agronomy packages will be developed from data collected over the duration of this project.

B isolate tested was collected from the high intensity lentil producing area in the Yorke Peninsula region in SA.

Protection of the plant foliage through application of fortnightly Chlorothalonil significantly increased yield in the most susceptible variety, PBA Flash (76 %) over unprotected (Nil) plots.

Grain yields were also improved in varieties that had moderate disease reactions together with those varieties that showed no disease symptoms, indicating the importance of fungicide sprays in not only controlling disease but also enhancing plant growth.

All commercial lentil varieties should be managed as having potential for risk from foliar AB especially under favourable conditions that promote disease. Varieties will need close monitoring for disease during the growing season and strategic fungicide sprays will be required in all varieties even in the absence of disease symptoms particularly in varieties rated as having foliar resistance to AB pathogen.

• Trial work funded by GRDC via the Southern Pulse Agronomy Program.
• Early sowing of beans in 2016 at Bool Lagoon did not increase grain yields.
• Agronomic treatments applied at Conmurra in 2016 did not alter plant canopy size or plant architecture.
• Trial planning for 2017 is underway.

• SARDI funded and managed a barley nitrogen trial at Conmurra to value add to the MFMG field day.
• A nitrogen response was observed at Conmurra in 2016.
• Bass out-yielded Compass at the two lower N rates.
• Applying 100 kg N/ha to Bass resulted in a similar yield to applying 200 kg N/ha, whilst maintaining maximum grade, MALT 1.
• Compass was highest yielding at 7.0 t/ha and 200 kg N/ha.
• All Compass treatments achieved F1.

• SARDI funded and managed a wheat nitrogen trial at Conmurra to value add to the MFMG field day.
• A nitrogen response was observed at Conmurra in 2016.
• Split applications of 200 kg N/ha and 250 kg N/ha resulted in higher grain yields and grain reaching maximum grade.

• SARDI funded and managed wheat nutrition trials to evaluate different N and P treatments.
• A nitrogen response was observed at Keith.
• No grain yield differences were observed at Frances with different N or P treatments.
• Grain at both sites achieved a higher grade with the highest N application.
• Protein was the limiting factor for grain achieving maximum grade.

• A MFMG and SARDI initiative.
• Observation trials showcasing of a range of pulses at three main trial sites
• Results suggest a variety of pulses may be adapted to the south east.

Maturity of wheat varieties and their associated phenological traits need to be considered when making decisions about
variety selection and seeding programs. The correct combination is required to achieve yield potentials across different seasonal
conditions. In seasons with an early break or situations which require early feed, winter wheat varieties have shown the ability to mature, provided they are sown early. High rainfall zone growers should be aware of disease pressures when sowing early.
If sowing later, mid-maturity spring wheats that have a moderate vernalisation and moderate photoperiod requirement have out-performed the early maturing varieties with weak vernalisation and weak photoperiod, regardless of the spring finish.

• NVT yields ranged from 0.39 t/ha at Wolseley to 2.70 t/ha at Millicent.
• New PBA Zahra was the highest performing variety in the high yielding environment of Millicent and has the highest long-term yield for the south east region.
• 2015 seed sizes are smaller than previous years; need to adjust seeding rates in 2016 accordingly to avoid excessively high plant densities.
• Disease guides should be consulted when selecting varieties to ensure correct management to maximize yields.

Trial conducted to continue evaluation into the use of chemicals to manipulate broad been plant architecture without decreasing yields.
• Unseasonably dry and warm conditions and resulting poor yields were not conducive for conclusive results.
• In three years of trials Ethephon reduced plant height without a significant yield penalty.

• Break crops can be just as profitable as wheat crops
• Antas sub-clover (for hay production) as the break crop was the most profitable option
• Beans were the most effective at fixing nitrogen, averaging 13 kgN/tDM produced

• Disease pressure Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV), and Zymoseptoria triticii is going to restrict sowing of susceptible varieties earlier than mid-May in the South East High Rainfall Zone.
• Growers who wish to sow early (dual purpose crops) should select BYDV resistant varieties (eg.Manning), and use resistant cultivars, fungicides and grazing to manage Zymoseptoria triticii.
• The photoperiod (daylength) requirements of Trojan increase its suitability to earlier time of sowing compared with other spring cultivars

• Seasonal conditions were the major influence on faba bean performance.
• Earlier sowings were beneficial in 2015, with significantly increased yields and grain weight.
• Extremely dry spring conditions and a short harsh finish mean results should be interpreted with caution. Long-term data and additional information should be considered when making varietal or agronomic decisions.

ol and significant yield increases over the nil and Mancozeb treatments in 2015.

Disease progression and grain yield were both reduced by dry and hot spring conditions in early October at all sites in 2015. Further evaluation is warranted in years and environments with more favourable spring conditions. Earlier application timings than the 8 week treatment used in these experiments may also be warranted, along with additional ‘spring’ treatments in longer more favourable seasons.

A number of industry support groups have reported the economic benefit of using fungicide in controlling blackspot in field pea. Results in 2015 showed the current fungicide application strategy, using PPT and two Mancozeb applications suppressed blackspot at most sites, but previous yield benefits reported from this treatment were not realised due to the hot and dry spring conditions experienced in 2015.

New fungicide actives and formulas being evaluated showed significant increases in efficacy for controlling blackspot compared to untreated plots and those treated with Mancozeb. Furthermore, a significant yield benefit (approx. 15%) were also identified in these treatments this year. Further trials are planned in 2016 to explore these results.

• Regional survey on the nutrient status of nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S) and the micro-nutrients Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) of soils in the HRZ of south-eastern Australia undertaken and status report prepared.
• Two omission trials sown in 2015 to test crop yield response and the interactions between nutrients where N, P, K and S and micro-nutrients Zn and Cu are omitted.
• Seasonal conditions resulted in the only responses being received from nitrogen applications; the omission trials to be repeated in 2016 under different seasonal conditions.

• Regional survey on the nutrient status of nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S) and the micro-nutrients Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) of soils in the HRZ of south-eastern Australia undertaken and status report prepared.
• Two omission trials sown in 2015 to test crop yield response and the interactions between nutrients where N, P, K and S and micro-nutrients Zn and Cu are omitted.
• Seasonal conditions resulted in the only responses being received from nitrogen applications; the omission trials to be repeated in 2016 under different seasonal conditions.

• Winter canola had greater DM production compared to spring canola.
• Time of sowing significantly influenced canola grain yields.
• Grazing Manning did not result in a yield penalty, but grazing Trojan wheat did; need to be careful not to graze outside of the “safe” grazing window.