This demonstration investigated knockdown weed control options prior to sowing. For the knockdown control of ryegrass, canola and wild radish prior to sowing, glyphosate is quite effective and no additional herbicides are generally required. Glyphosate is weak on marshmallow and a group G herbicide is required as a mix with the glyphosate. To reduce the risk of group M (glyphosate) resistance developing in ryegrass it is strongly recommended to use the ‘double knock’ approach (glyphosate followed four to seven days later by SpraySeed®) on at least some paddocks every year.

• Establishment densities were higher at both sites following the double knockdown treatment.
• Sand infill was less with the single knockdown treatment, but these differences were not statistically significant.

• It is no longer a question of whether ryegrass will become resistant; it is when! 
• Double knock was the most effective treatment for managing this ryegrass population  (98% control).
• Alternative crop options should be integrated into the rotation to manage weeds and reduce the reliance of glyphosate. 
• High water rates, spraying closer to evening and no later than 7-10 days after the initial knockdown are essential when using Paraquat.

• Following drought affected cereals, labile P concentration was greater in the crop row than in the inter row.
• There is potential to exploit carry over P following 2006.
• In addition this may also have implications for those with auto steer systems with 2cm accuracy to seed into higher concentration of P in last years failed or low yielding crops.

Lambs grazed on forage brassica at Jil Jil from November 2011 to early January 2012 achieved adequate growth rates (230 g/head/day). The forage brassica provided green paddock feed for nearly two months during harvest, saving stubbles for later use and avoiding hand feeding.

There were no significant yield differences between the treatments with an average of 1.37 t/ha. There were similar results for the test weights of all treatments but there was a significant difference between the highest – 400mls/ha Amistar Xtra at GS 39 – and the lowest – 250mls Tilt at GS 32.

Farmers planning to renovate pasture’s can face an almost bewildering choice of varieties to select from. Victorian perennial rye grass is one of the best known of the ryegrass varieties and is still used by many. However, given it was developed and released in the early 1900’s it’s been superseded by many new and improved varieties. To look at this another way, this would compare to you buying rams from a breeder that had not done any genetic improvement in his flock for 100 years. 

Farmers planning to renovate pasture’s can face an almost bewildering choice of varieties to select from. Victorian perennial rye grass is one of the best known of the ryegrass varieties and is still used by many. However, given it was developed and released in the early 1900’s it’s been superseded by many new and improved varieties. To look at this another way, this would compare to you buying rams from a breeder that had not done any genetic improvement in his flock for 100 years. 

How quickly can your N be lost? Most yield reductions come from one or two nitrogen- loss events pertaining to:
Denitrification  

• 10 percent lost in 3 days of saturated soils saturated (i.e. 20+ percent lost in four days of  wet soils)

Leaching  

• Heavy soils: lose NO3 nitrogen with tile-line flow  (7 to 23 Kgs/year)

 

• The use of eNtrenchTM, adequate sulphur at sowing, AwakenTM foliar all should be considered to enhance hay yields.
• A more complete approach to nutrition (sulphur, zinc & copper) is only beneficial if the nutrition is managed within the environment provided. This is what AwakenTM, eNtrenchTM & Pro Gibb take advantage of.
• By stabilising the nitrogen, big gains in utilisation were able, which results in more efficient use of land for hay production which could be adopted easily as all changes fit with existing operations.
• The extra costs are easily returned in yield, even in a poor rainfall season.
• The adoption of these products is not difficult as they fit as part of existing regimes.

• The one-off 2010 mouldboard ploughing treatment has resulted in yield increases of 1.0 t/ha or more for the past 4 seasons.
• The measured yield increases were partly a result of overcoming the water repellence by soil inversion and improving crop establishment.
• For further details please see attached trial report.

Late (Z39+) application of N resulted in yield and protein increase over the control.

• Commander was the only variety which did not meet the minimum protein of 9%.
• 50kg/ha Urea was required to increase Commander’s protein into the malt range from 8.6 to 9.7%.
• To increase grain protein by 1%, 10kg/ha Urea is required for every tonne of expected yield.
• For example, a 5t/ha crop requires at least 50kg/ha Urea. applying nitrogen (N) later in the season, when the yield potential is relatively certain, knowing the N (available soil N, mineralisation and applied N) available to the crop, will help refine the amount of N required.

• Apply nitrogen early (stem elongation) for yield and later (head emergence) for protein.
• Nitrogen decisions should be made as the season unfolds because a good finish can make all the difference.
• Given the total amount of nitrogen applied to the crop and the soft finish, all treatments met APW specification for protein (above 10.5%).
• There was no significant difference in yield or protein between the different urea, UAN and liquid urea.
• There was also no significant difference between the 25 kg N/ha and the 50 kg N/ha rates for yield, however protein was increased.
   

For a variety information and results of the trial please see the attached trial report.

Crop yields were dissapointing due to the frost in late October.

Key points to be taken from this trial are, ensure early sprays are applied when Wheat Leaf Rust is detected. All fungicide treatment with an early treatment resulted in a significant yield benefit. it is important to take into consideration the cost of any particular fungicide treatment and the potential yield response.

In the post emergent treatments a range of herbicides produced very good control of all oilseed and legume crops included.

• In the post-emergent treatments a range of herbicides produced very good control of all oilseed and legume crops included.

• In the post emergent treatments, a range of herbicides produced very good control of all oilseed and legume crops included.

• In the post emergent treatments a range of herbicides produced very good control of all oilseed and legume crops included.
• Lucerne was significantly damaged by almost all herbicides applied.

• Simazine and metribuzin produced more crop effect compared to normal, especially in lentils. 
• For all the PSPE application treatments 50% more product significantly increased the crop damage.
• The double knock of glyphosate followed by SpraySeed gave excellent control.

• A wet June meant that many of the PSPE treatments like simazine at 850g/ha, diuron 410g/ha with simazine 410g/ha or Terbyne 1kg/ha produced more damage compared to normal.
• Group B tolerant Angel medic does not tolerate Logran, Ally or Eclipse post emergent.

• Good soil moisture conditions allowed clear separation of relatively safe and more damaging treatments.
• Many results from 2010 were replicated in 2011.
• Spinnaker at all application timings and Raptor at 4 node appeared to be more damaging to beans than in previous years.

• Good soil moisture conditions allowed clear separation of relatively safe and more damaging treatments.
• Wilpena sulla showed improved tolerance to Simazine and Broadstrike at the 5 node stage.
• At the 6 node stage Hussar and Crusader did a good job of controlling all crops.

• Sakura (BAY-191) and Boxer Gold produced slight effects on all 3 types of canola.
• Raptor had no negative impact on beans at Hart in 2009.

• New post emergent broadleaf herbicides Torpedo, Conclude, Precept and Velocity generally gave good control of pulses or canola.
• Pre-emergent grass herbicides had no effect on the growth of pulses or canola.

Available soil N at the start of 2014 was 20-50 kg N/ha higher for legume treatments compared to wheat. Starting soil N did not affect grain yield for nil or additional N applied treatments. Differences in grain protein were correlated to starting soil N levels

For results, please see the attached trial report.

There are very few quick and easy ways of obtaining reliable information in the field for use in the management of legume nitrogen. The development of tools for this purpose awaits further research and innovation.

good nodulation in the uninoculated treatments, and the absence of growth or yield responses to inoculation in this trial, indicated that pulses have been grown sufficiently often in this particular paddock (lentil in 2007 and pulses every two/three years previously) to maintain appropriately high rhizobial populations in the soil. as the numbers of rhizobia decline in the soil over time, consider inoculation based on, paddock history and length of time since growing the last legume crops. Pulses often benefit from inoculation if there has not been a legume grown in the paddock for six years. where rhizobial populations are low in the soil, inoculation of legumes at sowing is extremely important to ensure adequate nitrogen fixation

• In all but Paravic and Ascot, the innoculated crop yielded better than the uninnoculated crop. In fact, the average gross return for the innoculated crops was $346 per hectare, versus $247 per hectare for the uninnoculated crops. This represents an extra return of $99 per hectare. 
• It is therefore recommended that in all cases, legume crops should be innoculated with the correct strain of rhizobia prior to sowing. It is very cheap insurance against the bacteria not being present in the soil. 

• These results showed that field pea was much better suited to the deep sand than lentil, albus lupin and chickpea.
• This is consistent with results of the previous study undertaken in 2005. 

• There were no significant differences in yield between field pea or lupin varieties in 2014.
• The extremely dry spring may have reduced varietal differences in the trials.
• Pea varieties yielded 2.5 t/ha to 2.8 t/ha while lupin varieties yielded 1.7 t/ha to 2.5 t/ha.

• There were no significant differences in yield between field pea or lupin varieties in 2014.
• The extremely dry spring may have reduced varietal differences in the trials.
• Pea varieties yielded 2.5 t/ha to 2.8 t/ha while lupin varieties yielded 1.7 t/ha to 2.5 t/ha.

2018 Season 

• While growing season conditions were dry and grain yields were low and therefore not profitable, both Bolt lentils and Gunyah field peas yielded highest of the 5 break crop species grown at the Salmon Gums demonstration site. Soil boron levels were relatively high at this site.
• Following waterlogged conditions in August, Bonito canola out yielded the 4 four legume break crop species grown at the Gibson demonstration site, with Samira faba beans a close second.
• The addition of an extra 72 Units of nitrogen (171L Flexi-N delivered in 3 incremental applications) to the 5 break crops at the Gibson demonstration site resulted in significant increases in yield and earnings before tax profit in both Bonito canola and Samira faba beans but made little difference to the performance of PBA Strikers chickpeas, Morava vetch and Jurien lupins. The addition of extra nitrogen to Faba beans lifted yield by an average of 0.763t/ha taking it to 2.473t/ha which was close to the average yield of un-topped-up canola (2.169t/ha).
• In terms of earnings before tax, the faba bean crop was the most profitable of the 5 break crops grown at Gibson. It is important to note though that the $800/tonne price seen for faba beans in February 2018 was well above both the five and ten year average for this crop.

2019 Season 

• Annual rainfall was well below average in 2019 at all 5 demonstration sites in the Esperance Port Zone and an unprecedented frost event in September affected crop flowering at the Ravensthorpe, Salmon Gums and Beaumont sites. It’s important these seasonal conditions are factored to in to interpretation of legume crop performance at these sites.
• Poor growing conditions at the Ravensthorpe demonstration site resulted in very low yields and none of the break crops grown were profitable. The State Government declared part of the Ravensthorpe Shire as water deficient on 7th May 2019 and further parts of the Shire on 13th February 2020.
• Reasonable rainfall in August stimulated germination of broadleaf weeds resulting in a higher than ideal weed burden in all break crop species strips at the Ravensthorpe site. This highlights the limited control options available for late weed germination in legumes.
• At the Coomalbidgup demonstration site while lupins yielded highest of the break crop species grown, they were not profitable, making an EBT tax loss. Chickpeas were the only profitable break crop species grown at this site; lower seasonal rainfall meant the waterlogging conditions that commonly prevail at this location were not a constraint on chickpea yield. An average rainfall year would likely result in chickpea yield losses due to their susceptibility waterlogging.
• Dry conditions at the start of the season at Coomalbidgup reduced herbicide efficacy but the site did not have a high background broadleaf weed pressure so competition was unlikely to have greatly reduced crop yield.
• Poor growing conditions at the Beaumont demonstration site, which entailed a dry start, a severe frost at flowering and a very dry finish resulted in none of the 5 break crops grown performing profitably. The dry start at this site affected plant establishment of the chickpeas and faba beans in particular. Seeding equipment issues handling the large seed size of the faba beans also reduced establishment of the beans.
• Poor growing conditions, which entailed 2 dry preceding years resulting in very low subsoil moisture at the start of the season, a dry start, a dry growing season, a severe frost at flowering and a dry finish meant that Scepter wheat yields were below average at the Salmon Gums demonstration site. There was no significant difference in wheat yields achieved between the 2018 break crop species treatments. Scepter was profitable after each of the 2018 break crop species except in those replicates following vetch. Wheat after lentils were most profitable with an EBT return of $50/ha, followed by wheat after field peas at $34/ha.
• At the Gibson Demonstration Site wheat following vetch grown in 2018 yielded highest and was therefore the most profitable. Wheat following faba beans and lupins grown in 2018 yielded next highest; their yields being statistically similar. Wheat in replicates following 2018 canola and chickpeas were similar and yielded lowest of the 2018 break crop species treatments.
• Wheat yield in replicates that received an additional 171L/ha of Flexi N in 2018 yielded higher than those that did not and as such were more profitable.
• Tissue test data and wheat yields achieved at the Gibson site suggested nitrogen carryover from 2018 to the 2019 cropping season had occurred. This was not reflected in the pre-seeding soil test data demonstrating the significance of low soil moisture in impeding soil nitrogen mineralization. These results emphasise the importance of understanding mineralization when interpreting soil test results in dry conditions and the merits of coupling autumn soil testing with in-crop tissue or soil testing to support in-crop nutrition decisions.

Lentils are best to be used as the last legume crop in a rotation as the volunteer lentils are hard to control in other legumes.

• Lentil and field pea yields were similar at Hart in 2011 and averaged 2t/ha.
• Sowing date and site location significantly affected variety yield performance with early sowing favouring higher yields at the ‘poorer’ site.
• The late September rain was critical for the yield of later flowering varieties at the late sowing date and the western site but was of limited benefit to the early maturing PBA Blitz.
• PBA Jumbo was the highest yielding lentil variety when sown early and PBA Blitz and Nipper were generally the lowest yielding varieties in 2011 at Hart.

• Lentil varieties yielded similarly in varying soil types and at different times of sowing.
• New early maturing lentil varieties PBA Flash (3.6 t/ha) and PBA Blitz (3.57 t/ha) were highest yielding.
• Lentils were equal or higher yielding than PBA Gunyah field peas under favourable conditions in 2010.

The BCG have undertaken trials with lentils for two years, in both years the lentils have failed due to very poor conditions. The results of the two years of trial work show that lentils should be sown from early to mid May. at 50kg/ha. Row spacings are best as narrow as possible so that the lentils stand up better at harvest. Optimum sowing depth is 7 to 8 cm. It is always best to sown lentils into a relatively clean and flat paddock.

The BCG have undertaken trials with lentils for two years, in both years the lentils have failed due to very poor conditions. The results of the two years of trial work show that lentils should be sown from early to mid May. at 50kg/ha. Row spacings are best as narrow as possible so that the lentils stand up better at harvest. Optimum sowing depth is 7 to 8 cm. It is always best to sown lentils into a relatively clean and flat paddock.

• Growers and advisers should be vigilant in applying protective fungicide sprays in chickpea and lentil crops for ascochyta blight.
• Many current and minor use permit fungicides trialed at Hart in 2017 provided good preventative control (less than 10% of plants infected) for ascochyta blight including; chlorothalonil, Aviator Xpro, Cabrio and Captan.

• Delaying sowing from 22nd May until 16th June led to an average 0.39t/ha yield reduction in 2012.
• Field peas had higher grain yields than lentils at both sowing times and both sites.
• At the lower yielding western site earlier maturing lentil varieties outperformed later maturing varieties Nipper and Nugget.
• All field peas and field pea blends produced similar grain yields at each site and time of sowing.

• Delaying sowing from 22nd May until 16th June led to an average 0.39t/ha yield reduction in 2012.
• Field peas had higher grain yields than lentils at both sowing times and both sites.
• At the lower yielding western site earlier maturing lentil varieties outperformed later maturing varieties Nipper and Nugget.
• All field peas and field pea blends produced similar grain yields at each site and time of sowing.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• Most varieties yielded did not incur yield loss from crop topping at the recommended timing indicating that they were well suited to crop topping at the recommended timing for rye grass control in 2014 where the season finished rapidly due to dry conditions.
• As found in previous seasons there is not always a direct correlation between variety flowering and maturity timing and yield loss due to crop-topping.

• There was a strong crop-top timing response, but limited variation between varieties from crop-topping in 2012. This may be due to below average end-season rainfall, suppressing some yield potential of untreated plots, particularly in later maturing varieties.
• All varieties showed yield loss from crop-topping two weeks prior to the recommended timing. A link between plant maturity and reduced yield was observed at the Early crop topping timing, with earlier maturing varieties showing the least effect and later maturing varieties presenting the greatest effect. At the Recommended timing only two of the later maturing varieties showed any yield loss.

The significant detrimental effect of P Pickle T on lentil yield was thought to be due directly to the seed treatment rather than due to a reduction in disease control.

• At both trial sites due to very dry spring conditions and high levels of moisture stress no disease occurred last year. Hence there were no significant interactions between treatments at either site apart from an overall time of sowing difference which was reported on in the time of sowing by seeding rate experiment.

• Dry and hot spring conditions suppressed lentil plant growth at both sites.
• No foliar diseases occurred at either site and hence there was no response to fungicide treatments.
• However, variety and sowing time treatments did have an effect on grain yield and quality at both sites.

• Early sown lentils consistently out-yielding those sown later, as the heat wave event in early
  November compromised yield of late sown lentil crops by terminating seed fill prematurely.
• The 2009 data was inconclusive in determining whether foliar fungicides for BGM control
  can be delayed until after the canopy closure stage in situations where conditions are not
  conducive for disease development at canopy closure (ie less than 10oC at night and 18oC
  during the day).
• The rapid finish to the season favoured early maturing varieties PBAFlash and CIPAL610 at
  both sites, averaging 5-32% above site means across sowing dates.
• Canopy closure sprays with follow up sprays dependent upon disease observation were
  successful in reducing BGM in all varieties tested at Paskeville, even at the early sowing
  date.

• No disease was present in the trial this year, therefore no effects of fungicide management regime were seen.
• Trial was not harvested.

• No disease was present in the trial this year, therefore no effects of fungicide management regime were seen.
• Grain yields were less than 0.5 t/ha.

• The late break (11 June) and prevailing seasonal conditions were unfavourable for the spread of botrytis grey mould at both sites in 2005
• Traces of botrytis grey mould were found at both sites but had no impact on yield. A late season ascochyta blight outbreak did occur at Melton however control sprays may have been applied too late to induce a fungicide response.
• No significant difference was recorded between any of the different fungicide spray strategies between varieties or at different sowing times.

• A lack of foliar disease pressure, due to dry seasonal conditions, prevented the assessment of differing fungicide regimes on varieties in 2006.
• Previous agronomic trials and observations from evaluation trials suggest Nipper can be sown earlier than Nugget and Northfield without the need for high fungicide inputs due to its improved disease resistance.
• Further work on optimum sowing dates and fungicide strategies for maximising yield and quality of the large seeded green lentil type Boomer is still required.

• A drier than average growing season in 2012 meant that there was minimal disease in this trial, and grain yield was lower than in previous seasons.
• PBA Flash outyielded Nipper by 23% in this trial, demonstrating its better suitability in shorter seasons and more marginal growing areas compared to Nipper.

• A high level of crop safety exists in PBA Herald XT to both post-sowing pre-emergent (PSPE) and post-emergent (PE) applications of imazethapyr. This high level of crop safety was shown to most but not all of the group B herbicides (e.g. Imi-4).
• Nipper showed up to 100% yield loss in some treatments where tolerant lines showed no yield loss. Nipper incurred yield losses from all herbicide treatments at Pinery but not all at Arthurton. Flumetsulam and single rates of Imazethapyr and Imi-2 were less damaging at Arthurton, but other treatments generally caused similar yield losses between the two sites.

• Interactions between herbicide and application rate did not have differing responses for grain yield, biomass yield, or gross margin at Minnipa, 2018.
• Combined herbicide and application timing treatments did show differences in grain yield, biomass yield and gross margin.
• Metribuzin and Diuron treatments indicated increased safety levels (58-466% higher biomass and 6-161% higher grain yield) and lower economic risk compared to Terbuthylazine treatments.
• For herbicide applications incorporated by sowing, Metribuzin was of lower economic risk (45% higher gross margin) than Diuron.

Soluble herbicides utilised in controlling broadleaved weeds in lentils can have significant impact on growth. Ensuring that soil throw is minimised back into the seed row is paramount. Also understand soil moisture levels prior to applying some herbicides and the impact this factor will have on uptake and persistence

The Simazine and Lexone treatments had the lowest yields and these wer significantly lower for Northfiedl lentils.

There were no significant differences in crop effect (measured as yield) from the various herbicides used.

• The tolerance of Nipper and Boomer to commonly used herbicides in terms of grain yield was similar to Nugget.
• Herbicide treatments containing metribuzin applied PSPE, generally caused the greatest yield loss to all varieties.

Depending on nutrition demand and soil nutrient levels, foliar applied products can assist in increasing yield. Primarily in a sand loam soil at this site, Sulphur products appeared to increase yield

• There was diversity in phenology between varieties.
• Early sowing extended the crop vegetative period, but increased exposure to frost damage during flowering.
• Dry conditions severely limited lentil grain yield in 2019, but favoured early maturing varieties, particularly with mid May sowing.
• High yielding lentil varieties were PBA AceA, PBA BoltA and PBA Hurricane XTA at Wagga Wagga, and PBA Hallmark XTA and PBA BoltA at Leeton. NipperA demonstrated broad adaptation at Wagga Wagga.

• All varieties behaved similarly for grain yield in response to changes in plant density.
• This result was also found in the 2005 and 2006 trials, and indicates that the current recommended rate of 120 plants per sq.m is adequate for optimising yields at standard sowing dates in the new varieties Boomer and Nipper.
• The effects of sowing time indicate that in some seasons to maximise yields when sowing late plant densities can be increased, however this may not always be economical and in some cases could increase risk of disease.
• Lower rates could also be used when sowing early but
  again this result could vary with seasonal conditions.

• Low yields – no data.

• Early sowing generally produced the highest yield for lentils in 2007.
• Lentils varieties generally all responded similarly to plant density, in that, at the May sowing date, lower densities produced higher yields, while at the July sowing date, higher densities produced highest yields.

• The take home message from the lentil production trial in a disease-free year is that lentils should to be sown prior to mid June, preferably in the late May to mid June period to achieve optimum yields.
• A difference of 1t/ha was achieved between sowing in late May compared to an early July sowing. However it must be remembered that with an early sowing if crops are reaching canopy closure in late winter/early spring then significant levels of disease could be expected under conditions conductive to disease.
• Fungicide applications made no improvements to yield regardless of fungicide type, application timing or the number of applications made.
• However, if the season had been wetter with a higher disease incidence, then crops may have benefited from one or more fungicide applications.

Lentil rolling is a relatively common practice in Wimmera/Mallee districts. Although several management techniques are advised when rolling lentils, after 2 years (2001 and 2003) of BCG trial work there seems to be no adverse affect on lentil growth or no yield reduction when rolling lentils at any stage of growth.

This trial indicated that rolling just prior to coleoptile emergence delivered a desirable paddock surface for harvest without impacting on yield. There have however been reported cases of shoot damage in crops when rolled at this stage.

• Plant establishment – Most varieties had establishment between 80 and 90 plants/m2.
• CIPAL415 and Northfield were significantly lower at 65 plants/m2.
• Grain yield – Yields were generally extremely low, so it is difficult too draw many conclusions from the data.

• Grain yields averaged approximately 25% higher in plots sown on 30 cm the row spacing system (standing stubble) compared with the 19.5 cm row spacing system.
• Varieties responded differently to changes in row spacing with yield improvements ranging from 15%-50%.

• A dry and late start to the season led to the first time of sowing at both sites being dry sown in early June.
• The opening rains at both sites arrived on the 11th June, which was the effective sowing date for the first time of sowing.
• This sowing date was more in line with a mid sowing time for the Sandilands area and a mid too late sowing date for the Melton area.

• Results from this experiment and previous research have proven that lentils can be successfully grown in southern NSW with sound agronomic planning and management.

• Across all varieties tested there was no significant difference between the 4 May and 20 May sowings, which validates the current sowing window recommendation from late April to mid May for the western region of southern NSW. Previous experiments have shown yield decline with a late May sowing.

• PBA Hurricane XTA, PBA Jumbo2 and PBA Bolt were the highest yielding commercial varieties, while PBA Ace was significantly lower yielding in this experiment, which is not consistent with previous research.

• There was a significant reduction in seed weight when sowing was delayed for all varieties except PBA Ace, which showed no significant effect.

• A favourable growing season in 2016 produced results that supported previous work showing the importance of sowing within the recommended sowing window.

• No significant yield difference was found when lentil was sown on 6 May and 17 May, when averaged across varieties.

• Delay in sowing from 6 May to 2 June resulted in a 34% yield reduction and from 17 May to 2 June a 26% yield reduction across varieties.

• PBA Hurricane XT, PBA Jumbo2 and PBA Ace were the highest yielding commercial varieties, when averaged across sowing times.

• The results from this experiment indicate the importance of sowing within the recommended sowing window to maximise the height from ground level to bottom pod to maximise the ease of harvest.

• Results from 2004 were strongly influenced by the rapid dry finish to the season. Generally
  CIPAL203 performed similarly to Northfield for its response to sowing time last year, while no
  response to seeding rate occurred last year. Due to its superior disease resistance and relatively lower biomass production CIPAL203 is likely to benefit to a greater extent from earlier sowing dates than Northfield, providing the risk of metribuzin damage is avoided. Further evaluation is required in seasons with more average finishing conditions.

Lentils need to be sown prior to mid June, preferable late May to achieve optimum yields. Sowing rates equivalent to the current recommendations of 120 plants/m2 appear adequate for cultivars used in this trial.

Sowing depth for lentils to be sprayed with Lexone is critical, a minimum depth of 5cm is required.

• There was a significant difference in lentil yield from sowing depth (shallow yielded none).
• There was no effect of herbicide use.
• Commercial practice would still indicate a minimum sowing depth of 6cm is required for lentils.

• The low mean yield at this site (0.69 t/ha) was largely attributed to drought, and was exacerbated by late sowing conditions and suspected herbicide damage.
• Small yield and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) increases closely reflected increases in seedling density. 
• PBA Giant and PBA Jumbo2 produced more grain and green foliage cover, closely followed by PBA Ace. These ranking reflect the long term, multi environment trial (MET) yield analysis for lentil varities for this region (Figure 5).
• Care should be taken when applying and incorporating herbicides on acidic, light textured soils, particularly when straw is present. Under these conditions, it is advisable to sow deeper to position seed below the herbicide band. 
• Furher lentil sowing rate investigations are required in this region to better understand variety responses to plant density, earlier sowing, season conditions and different environments.    

• The optimum sowing time for lentils in the southern Mallee is mid May.
• The current recommendation for a sowing rate of 50kg/ha should be followed.