The apparent better performance of MAP T3 is noted but when looking at the other MAP based products they don't follow the same trend. There was no significant response to applied phosphorus, sulphur or zinc. The CV of the trial is quite high, meaning that a 0.48 Tonnes/ha yield response was needed for anything to be significant. There was no negative effect of applying starter nitrogen in this trial, however there was no positive effect. At current pricing the MAP based products are a very cost effective source of phosphorus and sulphur regardless of the starter nitrogen. Tissue tests indicated all nutrients were adequate see Table 99.
 

This years findings mirror those of last year. The trials demonstrated that current P application rates may be suboptimal, and significant grain yield gains may be achieved by applying greater amounts of P.

This years findings mirror those of last year. The trials demonstrated that current P application rates may be suboptimal, and significant grain yield gains may be achieved by applying greater amounts of P.

• A pot study using 32 virgin soils from south-eastern Australia (Vic - Qld).
• Subclover grown in pots in the glasshouse and nutrient relations examined.
• Sulphur deficiency occurred almost as frequently as phosphorus deficiency.
• 75% of the soils were deficient in both phosphorus and sulphur, 31% were deficient in all three elements.
• Molybdenum responses were obtained only after the other deficiencies had been corrected.
• A deficiency in one of the elements is no indication of deficiency or sufficiency of either of the other two.
• Responses to phosphorus were less on the black earths than on the red or yellow podzolic soils; those on the red earths were intermediate.
• The intensity of sulphur deficiency increased, and the intensity of molybdenum deficiency decreased, with increasing soil pH.

• The production and farm management lessons learned during the project will be made available to the KI farming community and wider South Australia through a range of information events, including field days, offered during the project and at the conclusion of the programme.

The 2002 season has failed for many cropping farmers in the north-west of the State. Some will harvest seed, but in many areas even that will not be possible. It is now time to start planning for 2003 to minimise the risks of failed crops in the coming season. Assuming that it will rain next year, we must ensure that we have the right cropping mix, that there is no legacy of residual herbicides and no cost blow outs.

• Group A resistant ryegrass populations are becoming more prevalent across south Australia, increasing the reliance on the use of Group D (trifluralin) for ryegrass control.
• Group D resistance will develop if trifluralin is consistently used without other control practices.
• Trifluralin used in combination with other herbicides such as Avadex Xtra (Group E) and Dual Gold (Group K), may enhance ryegrass control and could prolong the onset of Group D resistant ryegrass populations.

• Variable rate nitrogen management has great potential; particularly in the higher rainfall areas of the region with good responses being received in years where rainfall hasn’t been limiting.
• EM38 technology is useful in detecting depth to limestone; the benefits of this however will depend on if the yield is being constrained by rock or not (and in a lot of cases this isn’t occurring)
• In most cases, NDVI biomass readings have been highly correlated with yield.

The outcome from this project will be more reliable and more productive low rainfall farming systems through the increased use of less risky broad leaved break phases.

This will be achieved through the promotion of the following outputs from the proposal in low rainfall regions of south eastern Australia 1. More reliable management strategies for the production of broad leaved phases.

2. Identification of more reliable break phase options.

3. Guidelines to identify trigger points for when, for how long and which break phases to use for improved farming systems outcomes.

4. Reliable estimation of risks with break phases as well as their total impacts on following cereal crops.

A break of two years can produce a better financial outcome than continuous wheat over a four year period of production where there are substantial pressures on wheat performance (eg. grassy weeds). Wheat yields after a two year break were a significant step up from wheat crops following a one year break, which were in turn, much better than the continuous wheat. Large break crop benefits of 0.5-1.25 t/ha were achieved following a two year non-cereal break phase compared to continuous wheat. The break crop benefit of a one year break may only last one season if grass weeds are a significant factor. The major benefit of breaks in these long term cereal paddocks was to reduce grassy weed pressures for subsequent wheat crops phases. The benefit of a two year break had little to do with the phases chosen for those two breaks, providing that excellent grass weed control could be achieved in both. Many of the most profitable crop sequences over the four year period often started with a two year break phase.

• At application the canola was growing well although there were blackleg lesions on the older leaves across both varieties in the paddock which was the reason the 450 mL/ha rate was selected.
• There had been no canola grown in the trial paddock in recent history with the only canola grown on farm back in 2009 in a paddock located ~ 2 km to the North West.
• With both varieties rated as MS or moderately susceptible to Blackleg and given the seasonal conditions with a High blackleg disease risk an application of Prosaro would be beneficial.
• The advantage of using a seed treatment under these conditions can be seen with the Jardee HT treated with Jockey Stayer not having as severe infection early and losing the plant stand. This can be seen in the differences between Prosaro treated Cobbler and untreated with a much bigger yield increase (see attached report).

The potential advantages of growing pulse crops are well recognised, such as: increasing soil nitrogen,
breaking disease cycles for cereal crops, providing a high nitrogen feed grain and being a cash crop in their
own right. Field peas are well suited to the Central West and other pulses are useful, depending on pH,
drainage and weed control.

• 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 agronomic and variety trials for pulse and alternative crops were sown at sites across the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ) of the South East in 2017.
• Trials across this zone are part of national breeding program trials (adding varietal information to GRDC National Variety Trials database) or funded by MFMG.
• Results suggest a variety of pulses and alternative crops may be adapted to the south east. 
• Agronomic treatments applied at Millicent did not alter broad bean performance.
• 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 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

 

• 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.

• Yarrum peas have been the highest yielding variety over the past several years.
• PBA Flash is a red lentil that has performed well, probably because it is earlier maturing and springs have often been poor.
• PBA Slasher and Genesis 079 are the highest yielding desi chickpeas, although Genesis 090 also did well at Struan where late rainfall helped.
• Farah beans generally performed well in the South East in 2009 and the hot finish did not suit Nura as it is later flowering than Farah.
• Jenebillup outperformed Mandelup again and small quantities of seed should be available in 2011.

• While KASPA peas did well in 2010, several new varieties show great potential
• PBA Jumbo is a large-seeded red lentil that performed well in 2010.
• PBA Slasher was the highest yielding chickpea in 2010.
• PBA Kareema is a large seeded broad bean that has done well in the lower South-East for several years. 
• Janabillup lupins perform better than Mandelups in 2010.

• Canola can be an expensive crop to grow.
• Yields can be maximised by planting early in low rainfall environments.
• Retained seed from open-pollinated varieties has the potential to match yields of some hybrid varieties.
• Delaying nitrogen application until stem elongation (bolting) was not as effective as applying at seeding or early post-emergence.

This year's site, being responsive to nitrogen, fits with the other responsive sites at the lower end of the range of deep nitrogen test results. However, as the site with the highest deep nitrogen test result recorded a response to nitrogen in another year, more sites are required to further clarify the relationship. 

• Tested effect of rates, methods of application and residual effects of zinc oxide on hybrid maize XL45.
• Zinc was either broadcast or drilled at initial rates of 0, 5.6, 11.3 or 38 kg Zn/ha and 0 or 5.6 kg Zn/ha in subsequent seasons.
• In most seasons, treatment with zinc almost doubled grain yields.
• Broadcasting and working in was more effective than drilling zinc with the fertilizer.
• Residual effects of the initial 5.6, 11.2 and 38 kg Zn remained evident throughout the 6 years and the higher rates continued to produce highest yields.

• Almost 20% of all stored grain insects collected had strong resistance to phosphine.
• Rusty grain beetle resistance is the most serious, as it is beyond label rates to control.
• Strong resistance in lesser grain borer is the main problem in New South Wales; rice weevil in South Australia.

• Approximately 3% of all stored grain insects collected had strong resistance to phosphine – a marked reduction from 18% in 2016.
• Improved hygiene is the probable reason for the observed reduction in resistance.
• Rusty grain beetle resistance remains the most serious issue as it is not controlled by current label rates.

1. Wheat at Condamine and late barley at Jimbour West both had yield increases with starter and deep-P independently.
2. Chickpea at both Roma sites had no effect of starter or deep-P on grain yield, with little in-crop rain restricting yield potential.
3. Potassium (K) had no yield effect on late barley at Jimbour West.

• Winter cereal varieties differ in their levels of yield loss and responsiveness to crown rot and growers can use these rankings to improve production in the presence of this disease.
• Grain yield and responsiveness to crown rot appear strongly correlated in these experiments.
• Grain yield losses vary between seasons with up to a 25% reduction measured in southern NSW.

There has been a major response to ripping but little response to nitrogen above and beyond the farmer dressings.  The ripping treatment markedly improved crop emergence numbers and timing.  The very dry nature of the season after seeding has meant no leaching of nitrogen and therefore no improvement in nitrogen uptake efficiency due to faster root penetration on the ripped plots. Plant counts, estimated biomass levels and yield components are shown in the table of results, above.

There was a marked establishment and growth response to ripping and variability was much more marked on the non-ripped plots than on those which were ripped.  Measures of surface soil wettability showed no difference between ripping so the better establishment was probably due to better and more uniform wetting on the rougher, more disturbed, ripped soil. 

Ripping gave better early growth but also better finishing conditions as reflected in higher harvest indices and lower screenings.  The ripped strip samplings emphasized this point so it seems that the ripping allowed better access to stored sub-soil moisture over the harsh finish to the season. Plant samples from on and off the ripped strips showed no difference in K status.

We sampled on and off visually obvious windrows north of trial (2) on 10 July and south of trial (3) on heavier country on 18th August.  Both sites showed unambiguous K deficiency which again was reflected in better grain size and lower screening measures on the K adequate windrow.  The sandy site had more severe K deficiency and bigger responses than the loamy site which had a higher soil K status.  Both areas would respond to K fertilizer applications.

• In low rainfall seasons, (2005-08), north-south sowing increased grain yield by an average of 8.4% compared to east-west.
• Narrow row spacing with retained stubble also showed increased grain yield.
• In 2009 (decile 9+ season) there was a 0.24 t/ha yield advantage in wheat with sowing east-west.
• In 2010 (decile 8-9 season) with Kaspa peas, row direction at sowing had no effect on grain yield.
• Ultimately direction of sowing will depend mostly on paddock shape and direction of sand hills.

• Mean grain yield has been 8.4% higher with north-south over east-west sowing over the last four seasons.
• Grain yield has been higher with narrower row spacings when stubble has been retained.

• An east-west (E-W) sowing direction increased yield over north-south (N-S) sowing direction in an average season.
• The results showed a decline in yield due to weed competition, but no effect on weed competition due to row direction. Sowing in an E-W direction may give a yield benefit with no difference in weed seed set.
• The wider row spacing of 30 cm resulted in a yield reduction and greater weed biomass at harvest.
• There were no differences in yield with ribbon seeding with either 18 or 30 cm row spacings, but ribbon seeding reduced ‘weed’ biomass.

• There was no detectable direct effect of sowing direction this season at Minnipa with a mild spring.
• Using a narrow row spacing of 18 cm instead of 30 cm resulted in wheat yield increasing from 3 t/ha to 3.6 t/ha (19% increase).
• Light interception was very sensitive to sowing direction, and not having ‘weeds’ resulted in higher light within the canopy in the north-south direction compared to east-west.
• Knife point and ribbon seeding systems achieved similar crop establishment and crop performance.

• An east-west (E-W) sowing direction increased yield over northsouth (N-S) sowing direction in an average season.
• The results showed a decline in yield due to weed competition, but no effect on weed competition due to row direction. So sowing in an E-W direction may give a yield benefit with no difference in weed seed set.
• The wider row spacing of 30 cm resulted in a yield reduction and greater weed biomass at harvest.
• There were no differences in yield with ribbon seeding with either 18 or 30 cm row spacings, but ribbon seeding reduced ‘weed’ biomass.

• Row spacing and sowing rate had no impact on grain yield in 2015.

• Grain yields - The effects of variety, row spacing and edge row effects as single factors were
  found not to be significant (P<0.005). There was also no significant interaction of any of the
  combination of treatments detected. No differences were detected across row spacing’s and
  varieties.

• Yields at the widest row spacing (50cm) were significantly less
• Seed size in desi varieties showed reasonable stability across row spacing
• Seed size in Genesis 090 (kabuli) increased with row spacing

• The wet season finish in 2010 favoured chickpea production, and yields were significantly
  higher than in previous years, averaging 2.7 t/ha in this trial.
• All varieties showed reduced yield at wider row spacings.
• The two potential new releases CICA0603 and CICA0604 showed the largest reduction in
  yield at the wide row spacing, while PBA Slasher showed the least.
• Row spacing had no significant effect on ascochyta blight infection or lodging in this trial in
  2010.

• Contrary to expectations Russian Wheat Aphid pressure in Southern Australian cereal production seems low over the last years (2017, 2018). Dry and hot summer conditions seem to reduce green bridge survival of Russian Wheat Aphids.
• Barley grass and Brome grasses are major hosts (van Helden 2018) supporting RWA survival over summer. Their development will strongly depend on summer rainfall.
• Development of regional economic thresholds are in progress at trial sites throughout South Australia,Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales. Use of international thresholds are still advised until Australian thresholds are developed.
• Observations suggest that crop infestations occur in autumn on early growth stages, then persist over winter and can build up in spring, especially when plants are drought stressed.

• In the 2019 Minnipa field trials, natural infestation of RWA was extremely low. As such, prophylactic seed treatments were not warranted against this aphid for the 2019 season.
• After artificial inoculation, RWA numbers increased to levels above the United States (US) intervention threshold. In this trial up to 15% of tillers with aphids and >30% of tillers with symptoms were measured, but no significant effect on yield was observed. 
• RWA should be managed using currently recommended intervention thresholds. The US threshold of 20% of plants with RWA before tillering, and 10% of tillers with aphids after GS35-40 seems sufficiently conservative to avoid any yield loss. Find further details in the GRDC RWA Tips and Tactics Guide, which can be downloaded online.

• SAGIT funded trials over the last 3 years have shown the potential of vetch on Eyre Peninsula, leading to the selection of an early flowering (90-95 days) line with increased winter vigour (SA 34876) as a new variety for low rainfall mixed farming systems.
• The last three seasons have been particularly good at Minnipa for both grain and hay production of vetch.
• Piednippie trials have not been as successful as Minnipa, but have still shown with the right management vetch could produce good hay, fodder or grazing on the grey calcareous soils.
• On Eyre Peninsula early sowing (mid- April) can achieve good yield and hay production but is heavily reliant on either good subsoil moisture or late follow-up rain.
• Herbicide choices for vetch are very dependent on local conditions so talk to your local agronomist about the best options available.

• Canolas outperformed the mustards in high production situations.
• Some early generation material flowered much earlier than current commerical varieties but they struggled to out yield them in 2010.

• Canolas and mustards performed well at sites with low growing season rainfall and high levels of stored water.
• Roundup Ready lines show great promise over current commercial lines in better seasons.
• Results from the one site tested over the last three years under low rainfall conditions suggested that higher canola and mustard yields of acceptable quality are possible.

• The first year of trials show that there is material with real potential to do well in low rainfall environments and develop lines which will be economic as break crops in future.
• In 2009, about 120 lines were trialled at Minnipa and Condobolin.
• At Minnipa with an exceptional season yields ranged from 1.7 to 2.9 t/ha, with an average over 2.4 t/ha.
• At Condobolin, under tough conditions, individual plots yielded up to 1 t/ha.

• Mustard outperformed by canola in high production situations.
• Some early generation material flowered much earlier than current commercial varieties but they struggled to out-yield them in 2010.

• Canolas and mustards performed well at sites with low growing season rainfall and high levels of stored water.
• Roundup Ready lines show great promise over current commercial lines in better seasons.
• At the one site tested over the last three years under low rainfall conditions, there was good promise of higher yields with acceptable quality for both canola and mustards.

• SARDI Entomology is developing a large-scale pilot for the use of Sterile Insect technique for Sheep Blow Flies on Kangaroo Island
• Funding through the Bushfire Recovery program will allow us to set up a production facility on KI in 2021/22 and develop the technique
• With additional funding we hope to be able to do large scale releases and eradicate Sheep Blowfly from Kangaroo Island over a 4-5-year period

• Overall the efficacy of pre-emergent herbicide control of ARG increased with increasing water rates. This was particularly the case with Sakura, supporting the results from Western Australia.
• There was no significant difference between weed control treatments (both between and within herbicide treatments) on end grain yield.
• This trial experienced extremely dry conditions throughout the season, as such grain yield was limited.

• Acid soils from southern New South Wales were analysed for manganese.
• Manganese was measured using ammonium acetate, ammonium acetate with hydroquinone or on a barium chloride leachate.
• There was no relationship between exchangeable and easily reducible manganese ( ammonium acetate plus hydroquinone extractable).
• As easily reducible manganese relates most closely to plant available it is suggested that manganese be measured on ammonium acetate plus hydroquinone extracts.

• Soil acidification is a natural process accelerated by high crop yields, fertilizer use and potentially direct drilling and stubble retention. It is an unseen cost of doing business.
• To maintain a good soil pH profile producers should aim for a pH(CaCl) above 5.0 in the 0-10cm of topsoil or 5.5 if subsoil acidity issues are present. The target in the 10-30cm zone is greater than pH (CaCl) 4.8.
• Retesting during 2015 of historic soil pH datasets confirms soil profiles continue to acidify.
• Left unmanaged sub soil acidification is likely to occur in most Central West NSW soils.
• Liming needs to be thought of as a farm input, like checking and changing the oil in the tractor, (maintaining capital) rather than buying urea (dollars returned per dollar invested).
• Cost in managing soil pH are easier to quantify than returns.

• Soil acidification is a natural process accelerated by high crop yields, fertilizer use and potentially direct drilling and stubble retention. It is an unseen cost of doing business.
• To maintain a good soil pH profile producers should aim for a pH(CaCl) above 5.0 in the 0-10cm of topsoil or 5.5 if subsoil acidity issues are present. The target in the 10-30cm zone is greater than pH (CaCl) 4.8.
• Retesting during 2015 of historic soil pH datasets confirms soil profiles continue to acidify.
• Left unmanaged sub soil acidification is likely to occur in most Central West NSW soils.
• Liming needs to be thought of as a farm input, like checking and changing the oil in the tractor, (maintaining capital) rather than buying urea (dollars returned per dollar invested).
• Cost in managing soil pH are easier to quantify than returns.

• The purpose of 2010 was to establish this long-term trial and baseline soils analysis
• Due to limited funding no formal monitoring took place and all results and analysis was visual.
• The Spader caused the trial area to be soft and as such sowing depth was compromised. Some furrows were partially collapsed, burying the seed even deeper. This cause patchy germination on the spaded area.
• Perennials did not germinate due to lack of spring and summer rain- these may need to be re-seeded in 2011.
• Unfortunately some of the treatments were affected by aphids, eg Dalkeith and to a lesser extent Bartolo Bladder clover and Rose Clover.
• Due to a very dry finish there appeared to be very poor seed set on all treatments.
• Low clay rates of 60T without incorporation was effective in aiding establishment of seeded varieties and could be an economic option for establishing annual pasture on poorer non-wetting sands.
• At at current levels. This option produced high quality pasture which was a great improvement over the control and on a larger scale may sustain higher stocking rate and or growth rates.

• The purpose of 2010 was to establish this long-term trial and baseline soils analysis
• Due to limited funding no formal monitoring took place and all results and analysis was visual.
• The Spader caused the trial area to be soft and as such sowing depth was compromised. Some furrows were partially collapsed, burying the seed even deeper. This cause patchy germination on the spaded area.
• Perennials did not germinate due to lack of spring and summer rain- these may need to be re-seeded in 2011.
• Unfortunately some of the treatments were affected by aphids, eg Dalkeith and to a lesser extent Bartolo Bladder clover and Rose Clover.

 

• Seasonal conditions and soil type have a greater effect on carbon than management.
• Providing necessary nutrients and pH for optimum pasture production will potentially increase soil carbon.
• Cropping in a good season might not decrease soil carbon stocks. Opportunities could exist for Monaro landholders to diversify their enterprises when the conditions are right without depleting their soil carbon.
• A rapid increase of soil carbon can easily be followed by a rapid decrease.
• For more information please see our eBook: Soil carbon in the Monaro region (https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/ id1035198100 or http://tinyurl.com/zrr9mht).

• This site exceeded yield potential.
• The plus N treatment did not significantly increase yield from the basal treatment.

• Visually the impacts of Lime may not be seen, but the benefits of Lime are evident when comparing
  Limed areas plant biomass and yield with that of unLimed areas.
• Application of Lime is shown to halt subsoil acidification which is costly to address and will impact upon future sustainability and productivity of an agricultural enterprise.
• Appropriate rates of Lime are shown to increases yield

When comparing the soil pH map against the EM38 map we found that there were some similar trends, especially in the alkaline zone in the south east of the paddock which lines up partially to the high EM38 readings (clay soil). However, the difference between the two maps is significant in terms of creating lime The greatest lime savings through the soil pH mapping approach have occurred on paddocks which are considered to be in a maintenance phase. That is, paddocks which have had a reasonable lime history and only require strategic lime applications. Savings on these paddocks tends to range between 35 – 65%. Other farmers who have previously implemented variable rate lime are also using the grid soil pH mapping service to measure how effective the variable rate application was. The subsequent map is then used to apply a maintenance rate of lime.

• Manganese toxicity developed on acid red basaltic soils north coast of New South Wales following continued use of ammonium sulphate fertiliser French beans.
• This was likely due to acidification of the soil as when pH fell below 4.5 large amounts of available manganese were released.
• Line at 5 to 7 tons per hectare alleviated the problem.
• Difficulty in establishing pastures, especially lucerne, in the Albury district shown to be a result of manganese toxicity.
• Liming at 2 tons per hectare increased soil pH and lowered manganese concentrations in leaves and in soil but did not reduce soil manganese below toxic concentrations in waterlogged and heat exposed soils.

• Row direction was the only factor that affected final grain yield at this site in this season.
• Sorghum sown in a north–south direction yielded 7% more than sowing east–west.
   

• Varying row direction (north–south vs east– west) had no effect in this trial in this season.
• Row configuration did influence final grain yield with the solid plant out yielding the superwide and single skip treatments by 0.93–1.29 t/ha respectively.

Key message:

• Varying row direction from north–south or east–west did not affect grain yield or quality.
• Row configuration did not affect grain yield, however, there were some effects on grain quality. The solid row configuration produced higher grain protein and screenings levels, but lower test weight than the superwide and single skip treatments.
• There were differences between the hybrids for grain yield and quality. MR Apollo and MR 43 produced higher yields than 84G22. Differences in grain quality were also found, with MR Apollo producing a higher grain protein level and 1000-grain weight than the other two hybrids.

Conclusions:

The effect from row direction on plant structures was minor, with only an increase in plant establishment detected from the north–south direction compared with the east–west direction. This difference did not translate into higher tiller or head production per hectare. There were slightly more tillers per plant and heads per plant from the east–west direction, but again this did not correlate with higher yields. Row configuration did not affect plant establishment or tillering, however, there were more heads produced per hectare from the solid configuration compared with the single skip. This did not translate into a difference in grain yield; however, there were some impacts on grain quality. The solid row configuration produced higher grain protein and screenings levels, but lower test weights than the superwide and single skip treatments. There were differences between the hybrids for grain yield, with MR Apollo and MR 43 producing higher yields than 84G22. There were also differences in grain quality, with MR Apollo producing a higher grain protein level and 1000-grain weight than the other two hybrids The results from this experiment suggest that there is no economic value in altering the sowing direction of rows to either north–south or east–west, or any yield benefit from altering row configuration between solid, single skip or superwide.

• The demonstration sites in 1999 received Decile 1 (lowest 10% of rainfall recordings).
• As a consequence waterloggin did not occur.
• Delayed time of sowing and inaccurate seed placement on the raised beds at a number of sites attributed to yield differenes between the treatments.

• 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

Two NVT barley trials were sown in the South Eeast (SE) region of South Australia (SA) in 2018. The Keith trial was
sown on the 16th May and the Bordertown trial site was sown on the 6th June. Long term yield performance (2014
– 2018) from the trial sites are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Both sites experienced frost conditions and extreme heat
conditions throughout the flowering period. Interpret results with caution.

Full NVT data including individual site yields and grain quality can be accessed online at www.nvtonline.com.au.
All NVT data shown is sourced from this site and varietal information is sourced from the 2019 SARDI sowing guide

(https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2019/south-australian-crop-sowing-
guide).

 

• 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.

• As demonstrated by the results table (see attached trial report), yields of 5-6 t/ha where achieved in a year which included frost at the Streatham site. 
• A number of breeding lines and control varieties are included to enable comparison between yield and growing characteristics.

• Chickpea yields were again high in 2011, averaging 3.8t/ha.
• Favourable growing conditions and minimal disease resulted in equal or higher yields from
  early sown treatments.
• Lodging of chickpeas was high in 2011, particularly where sown early. CICA0603, CICA0857
  and Genesis079 were the most susceptible varieties to lodging.

• Winter and spring seasonal conditions favoured faba bean production in 2010, and as a consequence plants were able to maximise pod fill so that the highest sowing density yielded highest.
• Yield was generally maximised at the later sowing date except Farah and Fiord, which showed no difference in yield at either sowing date.
• Increasing plant density increased ascochyta blight infection, likely resulting from increased
  canopy humidity.
• Fiord and Nura showed increased ascochyta blight infection when sown early, consistent
  with other recent findings.
• Lodging was worse for thicker sown and earlier sown beans, particularly at wider row
  spacings in 974* and Farah due to their bulkier canopies.

• Winter and spring seasonal conditions favoured faba bean production in 2010, and as a consequence plants were able to maximise pod fill so that the highest sowing density yielded highest.
• Yield was maximised at the early sowing date by all varieties except Farah, whose later
  maturity meant it could capitalise on the rains in late spring and into summer.
• Fiord showed a relatively high yield penalty from delayed sowing in a favourable season,
  most likely due to its early maturity so that it could not make the most of the favourable
  season finish.
• Lodging was worse for earlier sown beans, particularly Farah, as observed at Conmurra this
  year.
• Farah showed the largest reduction in plant height by delayed sowing, which may be linked
  to its similar yields at both sowing dates.

• Faba bean yields at Bool Lagoon were again high in 2011 despite below average growing
  season rainfall, being buoyed by high summer rainfall and minimal disease.
• Varieties performed similarly at Bool Lagoon in 2011, and plant density generally had a  greater influence on yield than variety choice.
• There was a general yield response to increasing sowing density from 16 to 32 plants/m2 in
  2011, particularly at the later sowing date, however previous research has shown a link to
  increased disease pressure which may negate any potential yield advantage from this higher seeding rate. The recommended seeding rate for beans (24 plants/m2) performed similarly to the high seeding density for all varieties

• Faba bean yields at Tarlee were again high in 2011 despite below average growing season rainfall, being buoyed by high summer rainfall and minimal disease.
• Disease levels were generally low in 2011, and there was very little disease pressure in this trial.
• Although rust outbreaks were observed across the state no rust was evident in this trial.
• The favourable season, together with minimal disease and minimal lower pod abortion, meant that yield was close to reaching maximum potential.

• Due to early season waterlogging grain yields of lupin on Lower Eyre Peninsula were variable and generally poor in 2011 and no effect of variety choice and row spacing on grain yield was observed.
• However a sowing date response did occur with the mid sown lupins outyielding early and late
  sown lupins.

• Sowing after the start of May resulted in a reduction in expected yields compared to previous seasons.
• Delaying sowing reduced Faba bean yields by approximately 0.3t/ha
• There was significant difference between varieties and with delayed sowing
• PBA Nura was the best performed variety at both sowing dates
• There was little disease pressure.

• Stubble treatments showed no yield difference in 2011, however differences in plant height and
  lodging were observed throughout the season which may aid harvestability, particularly in shorter seasons with less biomass

• The trial results show that time of sowing has a significant impact on grain yields. Varieties need to be sown at the optimum time to maximize grain yield which in this experiment was at the early time of sowing (late April).

• Winter and spring seasonal conditions favoured faba bean production in 2010.
• Yield was generally maximised at the early sowing date.
• Lodging was worse for earlier sown beans, particularly Farah and Nura.
• While early sown beans had higher ascochyta blight infection than late sown beans, there
  was no difference in severity between bean varieties.
• Chocolate spot severity was low at this site in 2010, and there was no difference between
  varieties or sowing dates.

• Bean yields at Conmurra were significantly lower in 2011 than in 2010.
• This trial was located in much shallower soil in 2011 than 2010, and yield was suppressed by dry conditions and several frost events during September and October.

• Since soil moisture was not limiting, and a soft finish to the season was observed, sowing date trials at Minnipa in 2010 showed no differences in yield between early and late sowing dates under these conditions.

• Grain yield of field peas sown at Hart in 2010 averaged 2.5t/ha across all varieties, similar to
  2009.
• No sowing time response was observed in 2010 due to disease in early sown plots and the
  favourable season finish that promoted yield in later sown plots.
• Early sown plots with uncontrolled blackspot showed a 35% yield loss compared to the
  optimum control (fortnightly chlorothalonil), which yielded 3.6t/ha.
• Recently released early maturing varieties PBA Gunyah and PBA Twilight performed slightly
  below the site mean yield in a year which favoured later maturing types like Kaspa.
• Prospective releases OZP0703 and OZP0903 show a lot of promise, with OZP0703 performing similarly to Kaspa and OZP0903 yielding 10% greater.

• Despite only close to average growing season rainfall, yields in 2011 (average 2.9t/ha) were
  buoyed by stored soil moisture from summer rainfall, low disease levels and generally
  favourable growing conditions, and performed significantly higher than the wetter seasons of
  2009 (2.4t/ha) and 2010 (2.5t/ha) where growing season rainfall was higher but disease was
  more prevalent. These favourable growing conditions are also likely responsible for the lack of
  sowing date response in 2011.

• All varieties yielded highest sown at the early sowing date.
• PBA Slasher and CICA0603 were the highest yielding at each sowing date.
• Lodging was generally worse at the early sowing date.
• CICA0603 and CICA0604 show high yield potential, but are also more prone to lodging,
  especially sown early.

• Under quick dry spring finishing conditions, varieties may not always finish characteristic to their maturity rating. Differences between varieties in terms of early, mid and late maturity rating may not always be clearly defined. Instead, there is a trend of varieties to ‘hay off’ with selected mid-maturing varieties including PBA Jumbo 2 maturing similar to the early maturing varieties.

• Early sowing showed increased lodging across all varieties except for Genesis Kalkee, which remained consistent across the sowing dates, although only Genesis 079, Striker, Neelam and PBA Maiden were found to have levels which might be deemed to be commercially unacceptable.

• The favourable season meant that yields were high, but conditions were also conducive for
  ascochyta blight development.
• Early sown plots were highest or equal highest yielding for all varieties except CICA0604.
• Yields at the early sowing date were compromised by the moderate to high ascochyta blight
  infection. CICA603, CICA604 and Genesis079 were the most severely penalised by this
  disease.

• The recommended sowing density targeting 120 live plants/m2 maintained high yields for all varieties at both sowing timings across the two sites.
• Lower sowing densities of 100 plants/m2 may be considered for Boomer at Pinery where yields were found to decline as plant density increased.

Yields were increased by 0.4t/ha (15%) in barley and 0.2t/ha (10%) in wheat at Horsham in 2014 by sowing east/west. Sowing direction did not alter grain quality. 

Varietal characteristics (maturity, height and growth habit) were not found to influence the yield response.

Similar findings have been found in NSW, in the presence of weeds, and WA, with or without weeds.

• Light interception at midday was significantly higher under east-west sowing compared with north-south.
• It is plausible that sowing direction may influence weed seed set.
• To establish a competitive crop against weeds and maximise yields, growers should aim for the narrowest row spacing to suit their system.

• Light interception at midday was significantly higher under east-west sowing compared with north-south.
• It is plausible that sowing direction may influence weed seed set.
• To establish a competitive crop against weeds and maximise yields, growers should aim for the
  narrowest row spacing to suit their system.

• Safe application of PSPE herbicides in lentils (metribuzin in this situation) is very reliant on seasonal conditions around the time of sowing. Whilst yield potential is maximised by earlier
  sowing there is increased risk of crop injury from herbicides.
• Winter and spring seasonal conditions were favourable for lentil production in 2010, and lentil
  yield averaged 3.9t/ha across all varieties.
• There was no sowing date response for grain yield at this site in 2010. There was only low to
  moderate levels of disease and so earlier sown lentils were not penalised by disease, and later
  sown lentils were able to capitalise on the late rain.
• Grain weight was equal or higher at the later sowing date for all varieties except Boomer.

• Lentil yields were high in 2011, averaging 4.2 t/ha.
• Favourable growing conditions and minimal disease resulted in equal or higher yields from
  early sown treatments.
• Despite low ascochyta blight foliar infection in lentils a 4% yield response was produced by
  treatments including application of chlorothalonil at early podding. This is most likely due to
  prevention of disease-related pod abortion.
• The recent lentil release PBA Jumbo was the equal highest yielding variety at both sowing dates. The early maturing PBA Blitz was not favoured by the seasonal conditions, particularly
  sown early, and yielded equal lowest.

• Early sown lentils were generally highest yielding, and average 12% higher yield than the late
  sowing date.
• PBA Blitz and CIPAL0501 showed the least sowing date response in the favourable 2010
  growing season.
• Retaining barley stubble at 2t/ha was capable of increasing yield and delaying maturity.
• Stubble retention improved yields at all sowing dates, while standing stubble was most
  important for grain yield at the later sowing date.

• Results must be interpreted with caution due to metribuzin damage in this trial. Damage scores
  showed varieties performed in line with our current understanding of relative tolerance, and may complicate the interpretation of Nipper (the most sensitive variety to metribuzin) to the imposed treatments.

• Grain yields - The effects of variety, time of sowing, and plant population as single factors were found to be significant (P<0.005).
• There also was a significant interaction of variety x time of sowing, and sowing time x plant population detected.
• All other interactions were found not significant.

• Later sowings (May) produced maximum yields this season.
• PBA Slasher and Genesis 509 were the best yielding varieties.

• Early to late May was optimum for planting chickpeas at Yenda in 2010. This season was
  one of the most favourable experienced for many years. However, during a normal season in this lower rain zone, greater moisture and heat stresses will occur, later sowings will be
  more exposed to climate stress and yields will be lower. These findings support conclusions
  from the Wagga Time of Sowing trial reported above - late April to early May is the optimal
  window to plant chickpeas in southern NSW. In the drier Yenda environment (compared to
  Wagga), sowings should be targeted more towards the first half of this window.
• PBA Slasher, CICA0603 and Genesis 509 (all desi types) were the best varieties especially
  when sown in May and June. Genesis 090 and Genesis 079 (kabuli) performed well at the
  May planting only.
• Plant population had little or no affect on yield or seed size.

• Late April - early May has proven to be the optimal time to plant chickpeas in southern
  NSW. This finding has been consistent over a range of seasons (2008 to 2010). Sowing any
  earlier runs the risk of producing excessive dry matter, increases disease risk, increases
  flower abortion and consequently lowers pod set. Sowing later increases drought risk and
  reduces yield potential. The kabuli lines Genesis 079 and Genesis 114 were particularly
  sensitive to sowing delays.
• PBA Slasher, PBA Hattrick, Genesis 509, CICA0511 and CICA0603 generally yielded
  similarly and equal highest at all sowing dates.
• Kabuli varieties, particularly Genesis 079 and Genesis 114, yielded well below the desi
  varieties.
• Seed size largely reflected varietal differences, tended to fall in some varieties (particularly
  the kabuli types) at the last sowing date (16 June) and was unaffected by plant population.
• The lower plant populations (25 plants/m2) did limit yield by about 9%.

• Yield of all varieties peaked when sown between mid May and late June during the highly
  favourable season of 2010.
• Performance at the later sowings was unusually good, again due to the favourable finish.
• Early sowings suffered from excessive dry matter production, disease and the classic “selfdestruct syndrome” of peas that are too well grown.
• Yarrum was the best variety, followed by OZP0805.
• Seed size varied mainly with variety and was generally not affected by sowing date or seeding rate.

• The average yield for the spring wheat trial was 1.89 t/ha for the 2009 season.
• The shorter season varieties Derrimut and Beaufort were the highest yielding varieties with 2.78 and 2.38 t/ha respectively.
• The rapid finish to the season due to the unseasonal hot conditions in early November contributed to the shorter season varieties yielding better than the longer season varieties.
• The rapid finish also reduced grain quality where all varieties were downgraded on test weight and screenings.
• Time of sowing was also identified as a key outcome of this trial. Earlier sown Winter wheat and barley varietiy trials achieved greater yields and water use efficiencies.

Yields were increased by 0.4t/ha (15%) in barley and 0.2t/ha (10%) in wheat at Horsham in 2014 by sowing east/west. Sowing direction did not alter grain quality. 

Varietal characteristics (maturity, height and growth habit) were not found to influence the yield response.

Similar findings have been found in NSW, in the presence of weeds, and WA, with or without weeds.

These results suggest that the broader spectrum in-furrow and seed dressing treatments will return a significant return in yield over the narrower spectrum products even under low disease pressure situations.