• A medium level of common root rot infection reduced the yield of LRPB Gauntlet by 11% with a high level of infection resulting in 20% yield loss.
• Crown rot infection had around double the impact on yield loss with a medium level of inoculum reducing yield by 23% and a high level of crown rot infection resulting in 41% yield loss.
• Combined infection with both pathogens further exacerbated yield loss which equated to 31% and 52% with a medium or high level of inoculum of both pathogens, respectively.
   

• A medium level of common root rot infection reduced the yield of LRPB GauntletA by 5% with a high level of infection resulting in 13% yield loss.
• The expression of crown rot was reduced in 2016 due to the wet seasonal conditions. The medium level of infection did not significantly reduce the yield of LRPB GauntletA, but a high level of infection caused 9% yield loss.
• Combined infection with both pathogens – common root rot and crown rot – further exacerbated yield loss, which equated to 23% with a high level of inoculum of both pathogens.
• The effect from a mild, wet season on reducing the extent of yield loss caused by either of these two pathogens appears to be more pronounced with crown rot than common root rot.
   

• Winter cereal crop and variety choice can have a large impact on Pratylenchus thornei (Pt) population build-up within paddocks.
• Averaged across winter cereal entries, final Pt densities were 83% higher when sown in early May compared with early June.
• Final Pt populations were between 1.6 and 4.7 times higher in 14 of the 24 barley entries, the durum line 190873, and 12 of the 19 bread wheat entries when sown in early May compared with early June.
• The additional population build-up with early May sowing generally increased the risk level for yield loss in the following wheat crop from either low to medium, or medium to high compared to sowing in early June.
• Although earlier sowing can reduce yield loss associated with both crown rot (CR) and Pt, it does, however, appear to favour higher Pt population development in some winter cereal varieties, which could exacerbate negative consequences on following crops and/or varieties in the rotation.

• Deep placement of organic and inorganic amendments increased grain yield by 20–40% for three successive years on a sodic subsoil at Rand.
• Deep placement of organic and inorganic amendments increased root growth and soil water use from the deeper clay layers during the grain filling-stage.
• Improvements in grain yield with deep placement of organic and inorganic amendments were associated with reduced subsoil pH and exchangeable sodium percentage, and increased microbial activity.

• Nitrogen offtake in grain was higher with mid-row banding urea than urea broadcast and incorporated by sowing for both BeckomA nd LongReach SpitfireA at the 80, 120 and 160 rates of N application.
• Apparent fertiliser recovery in grain was also higher from mid-row banding urea than from urea broadcast and incorporated by sowing in five of the possible eight treatment comparisons.
• Soils cored at stem elongation from the mid-row banding treatment showed higher ammonium levels in the top 20 cm and lower nitrate concentration at 60–100 cm than urea broadcast and incorporated by sowing.
• Roots proliferated around and below the original mid-row banding. These results indicate potential for mid-row banding to improve N use efficiency.

• The rotation with canola as a single break crop (canola– wheat–wheat rotation) had the highest average gross margin ($529/year) across three years.
• The profit/cost ratio was the highest when canola was used as a single break crop (2:8) and the lowest for all brown manure treatments as well as continuous cereal without nitrogen input.

• Organic carbon accumulation in soil did not approach an upper limit.
• Increases in organic carbon accumulation were due to accumulated microbial detritus (i.e. dead microorganisms and microbial products).
• Soil with the lowest organic carbon concentration at the start of the experiment accumulated the greatest mass of stable organic carbon.
• Nutrients applied based on humus nutrient ratios promoted organic carbon stabilisation in soil.

• Plant growth regulator (PGR) application at the recommended time of early stem elongation (Z31) did not alter root or shoot growth in the barley cultivar (cv) CompassA.
•  When PGRs were applied during early growth stages (Z12–13) root growth was inhibited or unchanged depending on the active ingredient applied and the application method.
•  When PGRs were applied early and when applied as a soil drench they inhibited root growth, but when applied at the recommended time for controlling stem height, PGRs had no effect on root
growth.

• Plant growth regulators (PGRs) had minimal effects on the plant height of different barley varieties.
• PGRs reduced some lodging, however, this occurred predominantly in the taller cultivar (cv) prone to lodging (cv. CompassA).
• Neither PGR nor nitrogen (N) application increased grain yield.
• PGRs should be strategically applied, taking into account the interaction between cultivar, seasonalconditions, and application timing.

• There is no evidence to support growers grading seed into different size categories and sowing the smaller seed.
• In one trial in 2015, sowing seed of different size classes did not significantly influence the yield of PBA NasmaA. Insufficient data is currently available to make a recommendation either way on this practice, but there was a trend towards reduced size of harvested seed and yield from sowing smaller PBA NasmaA seed.

• The highest grain yields in 2017 were obtained from the first sowing date.

• In 2017, frost and rainfall had a significant influence on grain yield responses to sowing date.

• Seasonal conditions altered expected phenology responses of genotypes in 2017.

• The 2019 dry spring conditions affected genotype performance, influencing flowering time and grain yield responses.
• Current varieties were not broadly adapted across sowing dates from mid April to late May.
• Highest grain yields were achieved across phenology types in response to sowing dates, with very slow spring types maximising yield from the mid April sowing date (SD), with later sowing dates favouring faster developing spring genotypes, which achieved the highest grain yields in 2019.

• Frost significantly influenced flowering date and grain yield in 2017.

• High grain yields can be achieved from a range of genotype × sowing date combinations.

• Whilst flowering time is important in maximising grain yield potential, timing pre-flowering phases was also found to significantly influence grain yield.
 

• Analysis of wheat crops sown after rice harvest in the Murray Irrigation Ltd districts (MIL) found that increasing yields required different management depending on soil type and irrigation layout.
• Four management factors that limit winter crop yields were identified: waterlogging, late season water stress, under-fertilisation and low soil pH.
• In the MIL districts alone, increasing wheat yields after rice from the current median to the 80th percentile would result in an additional 20,000–30,000 tonnes per annum ($4–6 million at $200/t).
• If all rice areas were sown to wheat after harvest every year and 80th percentile yields achieved, an additional 128,000–138,000 tonnes of wheat would be produced ($26–$28 million at $200/t).

• Sow chickpea crops between standing wheat rows.
• Sow the following wheat crop directly over the row of the chickpea crop from the previous year.
• Keep wheat stubble intact and do not spread it across the soil surface.
• This will maximise yield of both chickpea and wheat crops and reduce the incidence of crown rot in the wheat phase of the rotation sequence.
   

• Nitrogen applications increased yield, manily through increased tillering.
• Increased plant density reduced yield.
• Spartacus CL and Fathom had the highest yield at optimum nitrogen and plant density.
• Compass and Commander were the least responsive to nitrogen applications.

• Hybrid choice and plant population had a significant impact on the yield of sorghum with irrigation. MR Buster yielded significantly higher than the other hybrids evaluated, while the higher population rates of 100,000 and 150,000 plants/ha yielded higher compared with the lower planting rates.
• The development and yield potential of the late season heads was compromised, and therefore the later developing sorghum did not take full advantage of the greater soil moisture of the intensive irrigation rate.

Conclusions

The experiment showed there are considerable productivity gains to be made by growers by selecting the right hybrid and plant population when irrigating sorghum. Irrigation management can significantly influence the growth of sorghum hybrids, affecting plant height, and grain development. Population did have an effect on yield during the trial with the higher planting populations of 100,000 & 150,000 plant/ha resulting in significantly higher yields than the 50,000 & 75,000 plants/ha. The higher plant numbers took advantage of the high plant available water from the irrigation treatments. 

• Understanding key drivers and processes in controlling awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona), feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata), fleabane (Conzya bonariensis L), windmill grass (Chloris truncata) and sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L).
• Investigating the impact on weed control of pupae busting and the potential impact of removing this tillage operation.
• Demonstration of integrated weed management principles, including controlling ‘escape’ weeds and the impact on seed set, to encourage industry to adopt the research outputs.
• Glyphosate resistance is emerging in cotton farming systems.

• Grain yield and lodging increased with additional nitrogen application for all varieties and plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments
• Applying Moddus Evo reduced lodging and increased grain yield of both Rosaling and La Trobe.
• Applying PGRs did not significantly affect either lodging score or grain yield of Compass, despit it lodging severely.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.    

• PBA Ace and PBA Jumbo2 performed very well across a range of agronomic characteristics compared with the other varieties in this experiment. 
• Sowing time was a critical management factor in the 2015 season.
• Sow lentils in early to late May at 120 plants per square meter in the eastern cropping region of southern NSW to avoid yield penalties. 

• Sowing time is a critical management factor in this environment.
• Sow lentils in late April - 10 May in the south western cropping region of southern NSW.
• Target plant populations of 120 plants per square meter.
• Commercial lentil yields of 1,2-1,5 t/ha on acidic red brown earths of south western NSW are now realistic giving growers the confidence and economic viability to introdce the pulse into their cropping rotations.  

• Lodging is becoming a significant problem in rice as growers push for maximum grain yields, but some varieties are more prone to lodging than others.

• Management practices such as drill sowing, reduced sowing rate, reduced pre-permanent water nitrogen rate and draining on time reduce the potential for lodging.
 

• Given a very long and favourable season and 517 mm of growing season rainfall at this site, an above average site mean yield of 4.04 t/ha was obtained in this experiment.
• Averaged across species, angustifolius were 19% and 10% higher yielding than albus at 4 May and 20 May sowing date respectively.
• PBA Jurien and Mandelup were the only varieties to show a significant yield reduction as sowing was delayed to 20 May.

• No significant yield difference was found when lupins were sown on 28 April, 17 May or 2 June, when averaged across varieties in 2016.
• PBA GunyidiA and PBA JurienA were the highest yielding commercial narrow-leafed varieties, when averaged across sowing times.
• Albus varieties yielded significantly higher from the 17 May sowing when compared with the earlier sowing date (28 April) and later sowing date (2 June).

• The solid 75 cm or single skip row configurations produced the highest yields at this site in this season.
• Plant population also affected yield and grain quality, with the 15,000 plants/ha or 30,000 plants/ha treatments providing the best outcomes.
• The maize hybrid P1070 performed best at this site in this season. The larger plant biomass hybrid PAC624 struggled under the tough dryland conditions at this site.

• There was no difference in the yield performance of the three hybrids. Differences between the hybrids were evident for cob number and grain quality only.
• The highest maize yields were obtained from the 150 kg N/ha, 200 kg N/ha at sowing and the 75:75 kg N/ha split nitrogen (N) treatments, which all produced similar yields.

 

• The trial site suffered from very dry conditions for the first three months after sowing.
• As a result, final grain yields were very low, averaging 0.3 t/ha.
• There was no impact from varying nitrogen rate on any aspect of plant growth or grain yield at this site except for cob number per plant.
• Hybrid selection affected crop yield.
   

• The starting soil nitrogen (N) at this site was 73 kg N, which was sufficient to supply the average crop yield of 2.1 t/ha, which was achieved.
• Consequently, there was no response to any of the nitrogen treatments applied.
• Hybrid selection had a major impact on plant structures, grain yield and quality. Pioneer 1467 produced more tillers than the other two hybrid maize varieties.
• Pacific 606 produced the highest grain yield at 2.65 t/ha and also had the highest 1000 grain weight and lowest screenings of the three hybrid maize varieties examined.
   

• There was no effect on barley yield from applying lime in this experiment, despite the low soil pHCa of 4.5, potentially due to the low levels of exchangeable aluminium in the soil.
• The highest yield came from planting either Compass or La Trobe on 8 May, applying 80 kg/ha of nitrogen (N) at sowing. Applying N did not increase grain yield in the 28 May sowing treatments.
• The acid tolerant barley variety Litmus yielded less than Compass or La Trobe from the 8 May sowing. Delayed sowing reduced the grain yield of Compass and La Trobe, but not of Litmus.
• Applying phosphorus (P) (20 P kg/ha) did not increase grain yield at either sowing time.

• Lucerne target establishment density for dryland environments should not exceed 50 plants/m2; or 28 plants/m of drill row.
• Changing row configuration did not increase lucerne persistence.
• Sowing lucerne with a cover crop reduced final lucerne density by 39%.
• Lucerne mortality is affected more by summer conditions than the presence of wintergrowing companion species, such as phalaris or subterranean clover.

• Results from this study, clearly demonstrated that sowing timing is important. For example, delayed sowing (30 June vs 9 May) reduced the grain yield potential for EGA GregoryA by 1.75 t/ha or ~24%.
• Agronomic management factors that affected yield potential from the early sowing time (9 May) included response to nitrogen (N) input (~9% variation), with genotype and crown rot disease pressure both individually accounting for ~8% variations in grain yield.
• When the time of sowing was delayed to 30 June, agronomic factors had a larger impact/variation on grain yield potential. With both genotype (variety selection) and crown rot disease pressure responsible for a 13% variation/decline in grain yield.
• Delayed sowing also affected yield response to N with no increase in grain yield potential due to N input, whilst targeted plant population affected grain yield, with the low population treatment accounting for ~9%
   

• Significant crop biomass responses were observed on wheat, barley and canola crops at anthesis.
• The large crop biomass responses under organic amendment treatments were largely due to extra nutrients from lucerne pellets.
• The dramatic crop biomass responses observed at anthesis on canola and barley crops did not translate into grain yield under treatments with lucerne pellets applied, due to severe lodging.
• Soil chemical, physical and biological properties will be monitored to understand the soil-plant interactions, the factors driving the differences in crop response to the various treatments and the residual value of the amendments.

• Subsoil acidity is a major constraint to crop productivity in the high rainfall zone (500–800 mm) of southeastern Australia.
• More aggressive methods, such as deep ripping in conjunction with lime or other amendments, are being tested to achieve rapid changes to pH at depth.
• A long-term field experiment was established to study changes in the chemical, physical and biological properties of soil under vigorous soil amelioration techniques.

• Significant water allocation cuts have forced irrigators to optimise production with the amount of water available.
• The project has an agronomy component and a hydrology component.
• Experiments are located in Whitton, Kerang and Finley.
   

• The difference in soil organic carbon (SOC) changes between nine sites across eastern Australia was largely characterised by mean temperature and rainfall.
• High temperature strongly interacted with management practices (stocking rate, nitrogen application and residue incorporation) to reduce carbon sequestration despite favourable rainfall.
   

• Sclerotinia stem rot is a very sporadic disease in southern NSW. Variations in the level of disease can occur between districts, between years and between paddocks.
• The best indicators of a high Sclerotinia risk district are a high intensity of canola production, frequent development of Sclerotinia stem rot (e.g. every year) and reliable spring rainfall during flowering.
• Results indicate that prolonged (at least 48 hours) durations of relative humidity above 95% can trigger Sclerotinia stem rot development.
• A high level of petal infestation with Sclerotinia ascospores does not guarantee that stem rot will develop.

• Growers need to be aware that glyphosate, trifluralin and diflufenican residues, plus the glyphosate metabolite AMPA, can accumulate to agronomically significant levels in certain soils.
• These findings suggest that the current risk of damage to crops in NSW is minor compared with some sites in WA that have lower rainfall and sandy soils with low organic matter.
• The risk to soil biological processes is generally minor when herbicides are used at label rates and given sufficient time to dissipate before re-application.
• However, given the frequency of glyphosate application and the persistence of trifluralin and diflufenican, further research is needed to define site-specific critical thresholds for these chemicals to avoid potential negative effects on soil function and crop production.

• Richmond produced an average yield 7% higher than Soya 791 in advanced variety evaluations at early sowing dates (first week in December) over six seasons.
• Richmond produced an average yield 7.7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in advanced variety evaluations at late sowing dates (mid January) over eight seasons.
• In on-farm experiments, Richmond yielded 16% higher than Soya 791 in a wide-row system on the northern slopes, and 7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in a narrow-row coastal system.
• In addition to higher yield potential, Richmond is tolerant to lodging and pre-harvest weather damage, has clean leaf drop, large seed size and high protein, and is resistant to powdery mildew. This combination of traits provides greater crop security and a full range of market options for growers, and high quality grain for buyers and processors.

Conclusions:

The Australian soybean variety RichmondA produces large grain (22 g/100 seed) with a clear hilum and high levels of protein (42% dry matter), which is suitable for all markets including human consumption and export. The traditional variety, Asgrow A6785, has small grain (<16 g/100 seed) with a brown hilum and protein levels less than 40%, which limits the range of markets to which it is suited. The traditional variety, Soya 791, has average sized grain Agronomy(19 g/100 seed) with a light brown hilum and high levels of protein (42%). Both A6785 and Soya 791 are prone to excessive vegetative growth, especially at an early sowing date. However, this is not necessarily converted into grain yield as demonstrated in the on-farm experiment at Harwood.

RichmondA is superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in terms of grain yield, tolerance to lodging, tolerance to pre-harvest weathering and clean leaf drop. RichmondA offers a summer legume option with high yield and high grain quality for early, mid or late sowing windows in northern New South Wales. The variety’s performance was not adversely affected by the range of soil types and farming systems reported in this paper; it was superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in all situations. RichmondA is resistant to powdery mildew. This package of traits represents a significant advance in soybean varieties for the North Coast, Tablelands, Northern Slopes and Liverpool Plains production regions of northern New South Wales.

The results of the on-farm experiment of RichmondA versus Soya 791 in a wide spacing, single row system at Oakwood demonstrates the variety’s ability to compensate for wide rows and the associated lower plant populations in dryland systems. Row spacing and plant population interactions of new soybean and mungbean varieties are being investigated in the current NSW DPI–GRDC project DAN00171

Key messages: 

• Richmond produced an average yield 7% higher than Soya 791 in advanced variety evaluations at early sowing dates (first week in December) over six seasons.
• Richmond produced an average yield 7.7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in advanced variety evaluations at late sowing dates (mid January) over eight seasons.
• In on-farm experiments, Richmond yielded 16% higher than Soya 791 in a wide-row system on the northern slopes, and 7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in a narrow-row coastal system.
• In addition to higher yield potential, Richmond is tolerant to lodging and pre-harvest weather damage, has clean leaf drop, large seed size and high protein, and is resistant to powdery mildew. This combination of traits provides greater crop security and a full range of market options for growers, and high quality grain for buyers and processors.

Conclusions:

The Australian soybean variety RichmondA produces large grain (22 g/100 seed) with a clear hilum and high levels of protein (42% dry matter), which is suitable for all markets including human consumption and export. The traditional variety, Asgrow A6785, has small grain (<16 g/100 seed) with a brown hilum and protein levels less than 40%, which limits the range of markets to which it is suited. The traditional variety, Soya 791, has average sized grain Agronomy (19 g/100 seed) with a light brown hilum and high levels of protein (42%). Both A6785 and Soya 791 are prone to excessive vegetative growth, especially at an early sowing date. However, this is not necessarily converted into grain yield as demonstrated in the on-farm experiment at Harwood.

RichmondA is superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in terms of grain yield, tolerance to lodging, tolerance to pre-harvest weathering and clean leaf drop. RichmondA offers a summer legume option with high yield and high grain quality for early, mid or late sowing windows in northern New South Wales. The variety’s performance was not adversely affected by the range of soil types and farming systems reported in this paper; it was superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in all situations. RichmondA is resistant to powdery mildew. This package of traits represents a significant advance in soybean varieties for the North Coast, Tablelands, Northern Slopes and Liverpool Plains production regions of northern New South Wales.

The results of the on-farm experiment of RichmondA versus Soya 791 in a wide spacing, single row system at Oakwood demonstrates the variety’s ability to compensate for wide rows and the associated lower plant populations in dryland systems. Row spacing and plant population interactions of new soybean and mungbean varieties are being investigated in the current NSW DPI–GRDC project DAN00171

 

KEY MESSAGES:

• Richmond produced an average yield 7% higher than Soya 791 in advanced variety evaluations at early sowing dates (first week in December) over six seasons.
• Richmond produced an average yield 7.7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in advanced variety evaluations at late sowing dates (mid January) over eight seasons.
• In on-farm experiments, Richmond yielded 16% higher than Soya 791 in a wide-row system on the northern slopes, and 7% higher than Asgrow A6785 in a narrow-row coastal system.
• In addition to higher yield potential, Richmond is tolerant to lodging and pre-harvest weather damage, has clean leaf drop, large seed size and high protein, and is resistant to powdery mildew. This combination of traits provides greater crop security and a full range of market options for growers, and high quality grain for buyers and processors.

CONCLUSIONS; 

The Australian soybean variety RichmondA produces large grain (22 g/100 seed) with a clear hilum and high levels of protein (42% dry matter), which is suitable for all markets including human consumption and export. The traditional variety, Asgrow A6785, has small grain (<16 g/100 seed) with a brown hilum and protein levels less than 40%, which limits the range of markets to which it is suited. The traditional variety, Soya 791, has average sized grain Agronomy NORTHERN NSW RESEARCH RESULTS 2017 | 53 (19 g/100 seed) with a light brown hilum and high levels of protein (42%). Both A6785 and Soya 791 are prone to excessive vegetative growth, especially at an early sowing date. However, this is not necessarily converted into grain yield as demonstrated in the on-farm experiment at Harwood. RichmondA is superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in terms of grain yield, tolerance to lodging, tolerance to pre-harvest weathering and clean leaf drop. RichmondA offers a summer legume option with high yield and high grain quality for early, mid or late sowing windows in northern New South Wales. The variety’s performance was not adversely affected by the range of soil types and farming systems reported in this paper; it was superior to A6785 and Soya 791 in all situations. RichmondA is resistant to powdery mildew. This package of traits represents a significant advance in soybean varieties for the North Coast, Tablelands, Northern Slopes and Liverpool Plains production regions of northern New South Wales. The results of the on-farm experiment of RichmondA versus Soya 791 in a wide spacing, single row system at Oakwood demonstrates the variety’s ability to compensate for wide rows and the associated lower plant populations in dryland systems. Row spacing and plant population interactions of new soybean and mungbean varieties are being investigated in the current NSW DPI–GRDC project DAN00171

• Thrips density can be highly variable within a field.
• Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) was the most abundant species.
• Conclusions on the efficacy of the tested insecticides could not be made from this season’s data.

Key findings:

• This site was fairly unresponsive to nitrogen (N) application. Yield and screenings did not significantly change with increasing rates of N, but there were moderate responses in grain protein to all rates of applied N in all varieties.
• The 40 kg N/ha at sowing + 40 kg N/ha in crop treatment had a significant increase in grain protein above the 40 kg N/ha at sowing only treatment in all varieties, but was not significantly different from the 80 kg N/ha at sowing treatment

Results:

There were moderate responses in grain protein to all rates of applied N in all varieties. The 40 kg N/ha at sowing + 40 kg N/ha in-crop treatment showed a significant increase in grain protein above the 40 kg N/ha at sowing only treatment in all varieties, but was not significantly different from the 80 kg N/ha at sowing treatment. Screening levels were low, with only Dart above 5% in some treatments. Dart, being the quickest variety in this trial, flowered and reached grain filling ahead of the other varieties, most likely causing it to be filling grain and losing green leaf during the hotter and drier part of September. The slower varieties probably benefited more from the late spring rains in this season

• This site was very responsive to nitrogen (N) application. Yield and protein increased in all varieties, even up to the highest applied rate of 160 kg N/ha.
• Yield averaged across varieties increased from 2.80 t/ha with no application of N up to 3.58 t/ha with the application of 160 kg N/ha.
• Grain protein levels across varieties rose from 9.8% (nil applied N) to 12.4% with 160 kg N/ha.
• Screening levels were not affected by N application rates up to 80 kg N/ha but rose slightly from 2.7% to 3.8% with 160 kg N/ha.
• Kiora was the only variety which produced screening levels above 5% which were exacerbated by higher N application rates of 80 and 160 kg N/ha.
   

• There was a significant response in yield and grain protein across increasing rates of applied nitrogen (N) in all varieties.
• Yield averaged across varieties rose from 2.88 t/ha with no applied N, to 4.06 t/ha with 160 kg/ha of applied N.
• Grain protein levels across varieties increased from 9.0% (nil applied N) to 12.2% with 160 kg/ha of applied N.
• Screening levels were not significantly affected by increasing N application rates in any variety and averaged close to 6% across varieties and N rates.

Key findings:

• This site was only moderately responsive to nitrogen (N) application. Yield and protein generally increased in all varieties with the 20 kg N/ha and 40 kg N/ha rates. However, yield decreased with higher application rates.
• Protein and screening levels increased with N rates above 40 kg N/ha.
• KioraA produced the highest screening levels. The sowing date of 5 May at Nyngan is probably a bit late for KioraA, which would have exacerbated screenings.
• Varieties with comparatively lower biomass such as DartA, LancerA, SpitfireA and SunmateA maintained higher yield and lower screening levels even with the higher N application rates with a corresponding lower impact on harvest index also observed in these varieties.

Conclusions:

Conditions at sowing were very wet. There was no effective in-crop rainfall after August and combined with temperatures above 35⁰C in September resulted in a hard finish to the season.

This site had a high background starting N level (233 kg N/ha) which was surprising given the history of continuous cropping – 17 years of crop (Wheat 40%, canola 20%, barley 20%, pulse 20%) with additional N (above starter fertiliser application) only applied once in 1999. The lower rates of 20 and 40 kg N/ha gave modest yield increases in most varieties however rates higher than this tended to reduce yield and also caused screenings levels to increase in this trial. Protein levels increased with N application rates of 40 kgN/ha and above as seed size decreased.

Biomass and harvest index data (data not shown) showed that increasing N rate in heavier strawed varieties such as EGA_Gregory, Viking, Kiora produced more dry matter with comparatively less grain yield i.e. lower harvest index.

Key mesages:

• There was a decline in yield with all rates of applied nitrogen (N), which was likely to be associated with high levels of residual soil N at the site.
• Grain protein increased with all rates of applied N in all varieties, most likely due to decreased grain size.
• Sowing time had the greatest influence on yield, with the earlier sowing time yielding close to 1 t/ha better than the later sowing time for each variety.

Conclusions:

This trial site had a high starting soil N level of 233 kg N/ha (0–120 cm) which probably contributed to declining yield with increasing rates of N application. However, protein levels still increased with increasing rates of N application, but this was most likely due to decreased grain size. Most varieties yielded almost 1 t/ha higher with TOS 1 compared with TOS 2. Sunmate and Suntop generally performed similarly at both sowing times. They were the highest yielding varieties at each sowing date, but also had lower protein achievement. Lancer and Spitfire also performed similarly at the two sowing dates and were generally lower yielding than Sunmate or Suntop at each sowing time, but obtained higher grain protein levels.

• The experiment was highly responsive to nitrogen application (N).
• Averaged across the two sowing dates, yield ranged from 0.89 t/ha in LRPB DartA without applied N to 4.95 t/ha in LRPB FlankerA with the highest application rate of 160 kg N/ha.
   

• Nitrous oxide (N2O) emission into a closed chamber was found to be linear over our standard closure time of 60 minutes in three of the four chambers tested.
• Beginning N2O sampling at 9:00–9:30 am appeared to underestimate the daily average N2O flux, although there was no significant time effect in the higher emitting treatment. The sampling time was changed for the following season to start at 10:00–10:30 am.
• The average flux from the four manual chamber locations used in the main experiments (irrigated furrow, non-irrigated furrow, fertilised side of plant bed, non-fertilised side of plant bed) were found to give a good approximation of the N2O flux averaged across 12 chambers covering all possible locations in a two metre cross section of the cotton field.
• These tests validated the assumptions made in devising the sampling strategy used in subsequent experiments.
   

• Peat and liquid formulations were the most consistent inncoulants across all pulses, having the highest nodule scores and equal or highest grain yields, compared with the remaining treatments. 
• Without inoculation, faba bean and chick pea failed to nodulate indicating host rhizobia were absent at this site. This consequently lowered the grain yields. 
• On the other hand, lupin, field pea and lentil effectively nodulated without inoculation, indicating their respective rhizobia had colonised this site. 
• Fungicide seed dressing (P-Pickel T) did not affect pulse nodulation, but did increase grain yeild in chickpea. Further investigation is needed to establish the reasons. 

• Chickpea and lupin failed to nodulate without inoculation.
• Inoculation formula had minimal effects on growth and yield of pulses at this site.
• Peat and liquid formulations were consistently reliable inoculants across all pulses based on nodulation and grain yield
• Differences measured in nodulation were not reflected in differences measured in crop growth and grain yield, suggesting soil nitrogen reserves were sufficient to make up most of the crop’s needs.
• Field pea and lentil rhizobia appear more widespread in this environment and better adapted to the acidic soils, while chickpea rhizobia appear less adapted.

• Phosphorus (P) was a limiting factor to chickpea yield at four of the seven trial sites in 2015.
• Zinc (Zn) limited chickpea yield in three trial locations in 2015.
• Waterlogged induced iron (Fe) deficiency was a limiting factor to chickpea yield on a grey–brown vertosol with a 50 year cropping history.
   

Key findings:

• Faba beans sown to target 20 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in northern regions of NSW.
• Faba beans sown to target 30 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in central regions of NSW.
• Faba beans sown to Doza appears more prone to frost damage than either PBA Warda or PBA Nasma get 30 plants/m2 appears to optimise yield in central regions of NSW.

Conclusions:

Limited data from the first year of trial results in 2015 suggests that for northern and western sites, 20 plants/m2 is a preferred target plant density, while in central areas 30 plants/m2 is a better option to achieve optimum yield with faba bean grown under dryland cropping conditions. Large seed does not necessarily confer higher yield, with PBA Nasma out yielding PBA Warda at only one location, Trangie, in 2015. Doza appears more prone to frost damage than either PBA Warda or PBA Nasma. Frost tolerance is a key attribute for the faba bean breeding program in northern NSW, with new releases (particularly PBA Nasma) targeted at having better tolerance than Doza, which was apparent in these trials in 2015.

• Conventional tillage enhances soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover with the potential to simultaneously increase plant available nutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S)] in the soil compared with no-till and perennial pasture.
• Across farming management practices and under ideal soil moisture, soil organic matter (SOM) could have supplied up to 45 kg N, 16 kg P and 19 kg S/ha in the absence of plant carbon (C) input.
• Over a longer period (126 days), particularly if there is a lack of plant C input (e.g. a normal fallow period), any P or S released via native SOM turnover over a shorter period (e.g. over 30 days) would have been immobilised by microorganisms and/or adsorbed to soil minerals, hence decreasing P and S availability for crop uptake

• Flowering time is determined by plant genetics and interacts with time of sowing and the environment.
• Matching variety and time of sowing to ensure flowering occurs at an optimal time in spring is critical to maximising yield.
• Sow longer season varieties mid-April to May and shorter season varieties May to June.

• Scepter (6.17t/ha) yielded the highest from the 20 April sowing date; Cutlass (4.38t/ha) yielded the highest from the 19 May sowing date; and Viking (3.22t/ha) yielded the highest from 1 June sowing date. 
• The 20 April sowing date germinated and established well before the waterlogged conditions occurred during late May and early June causing reduced germination and poorer establishment for the 19 may and 1 June sowing dates (SD).  This low establishment resulted in reduced yields between sowing dates of 0.78t/ha from SD1 and SD2 and 1.01t/ha from SD2 and SD3.
• Grain yields of varieties were highest when they were sown in their recommended sowing window. 

• Highest yields were obtained when flowering started in early to mid-August. Treatments that flowered in July were affected by frost and treatments that flowered in September were affected by heat and drought.

• The strongest yield response to nitrogen was on treatments that flowered in early to mid-August.

• Hybrids tended to recover better from frost damage than open-pollinated (OP) triazine tolerant (TT) varieties, but flowering date and nitrogen management were more important to maximise yield potential than variety type.

• The highest oil concentration was obtained from varieties that flowered in early to mid-August.
 

• Fertilising above the optimum plant nitrogen (N) demand level reduced N-use efficiency and increased environmental impact.
• Despite receiving 8–9 irrigations as well as several intense rainfall events in a season, there were typically only 3–4 significant nitrous oxide (N2O) flux periods during the season, with most occurring early in the season, i.e. irrigations 1 and 2.
• Other significant N2O emissions events occurred mostly in response to adding in-crop N fertiliser followed by irrigation and/or intense rainfall.
• Initially, higher N2O emissions came from the beds where N fertiliser had been applied pre-sowing. Later in the season, emissions often peaked in the non-irrigated furrows after rainfall and irrigation events, particularly after additional N was added in the irrigation water.
• Farmers’ N rates were at least 25% higher than necessary to achieve the same lint yield in 2014–15, i.e. 50–100 kg N/ha. Less N fertiliser could have produced the same amount of cotton.
• Increasing N rates increased total N2O emissions, especially in prolonged wet conditions.
   

• Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions respond to large rainfall events.
• Most N2O emissions were generated after the crop was harvested.
• Tillage did not increase N2O emissions significantly in the first two years under wheat and canola.
• Including perennial grass into legume-based pastures would reduce N2O emissions.

• High soybean grain yields can be achieved on a flat layout under overhead irrigation.
• Djakal and N005A-80 varieties yielded the highest across all densities and row spacings.
• The 40 plants/m2 targeted plant density yielded the highest across all varieties and row spacings.
• At targeted plant densities of 40 plants/m2, the highest yields were achieved with 30 cm row spacing.

 

• At present, there is inconsistent evidence to suggest that seed size at sowing can affect grain yield in the faba bean cultivar PBA Nasma, with a positive yield benefit associated with sowing larger seed at Trangie, but no significant yield effect at Tamworth in 2015.
• Seed size at sowing appears to be positively related to seed size at harvest.
• Further experimentation is required.
   

• Wet conditions from June to September resulted in high levels of petal infestation.
• High-disease-risk districts were identified as having high intensity canola production, reliable spring rainfall (particularly during flowering) and long flowering periods.
• Petal infestation levels were similar to that of 2015, but above average rainfall in August and September in southern NSW and northern Victoria favoured sclerotinia stem rot development.

• Canola varieties differ in their flowering times depending on when they are sown. Sowing a variety too early can lead to flowering when the risks of frost and disease are high; sowing a variety too late can lead to heat or moisture stress.
• Matching a variety’s phenology to its sowing time is critical for flowering to start during the optimum flowering period for that region, which is when environmental and disease risks are balanced for the highest yield potential. More information on sowing windows to suit variety phenology can be found in the DPI’s Winter crop variety sowing guide 2020.
• Previous research has shown that the time from sowing to the start of flowering could be different in any one year in response to temperature and solar radiation.
• This phenology experiment will be repeated in 2020 with a slightly different variety set, including a number of unreleased lines that are also in the National Variety Trials (NVT).

• Bidgee and Djakal performed best at 45 plants/m2.
• N005A-80 and Snowy performed best at 30 plants/m2.
• Severe lodging occurred in all varieties at the 60 plants/m2 sowing density.
• Snowy has poor resistance to lodging, which was exacerbated at higher sowing densities.

• It is difficult to effectively control witch grass in summer.
• No single herbicide treatment achieved 100% control.
• Glyphosate-based herbicide treatments were the best performers, achieving 86–88% control.
• The mixture of glyphosate + simazine had residual control on subsequent emergences.

• Djakal has powdery mildew resistance.
• Other varieties are susceptible to powdery mildew.
• New chemistries are effective in powdery mildew control.
• Split fungicide application can have excellent results.
• BidgeeA and Djakal grain yields were not affected by powdery mildew.
• SnowyA and N005A-80 grain yields were reduced by powdery mildew.

• Seed colour change (SCC) is slower to develop on branches compared with primary stems, with the primary stem only contributing ~22% of grain yield.
• Relying solely on SCC on the primary stem can underestimate overall seed development on the plant, negatively affecting seed size, oil concentration and yield potential.
• Windrowing earlier than 40% SCC on the primary stem was shown to reduce yield by up to 36% and oil concentration by 6.5%.
• Results clearly demonstrated the penalties associated with an early windrow timing, before 40–60% SCC on the primary stem, and the benefit of delayed windrow timings related to SCC, with yield optimised at the upper end of current industry guidelines.
• Ideally, SCC should be measured on a whole plant basis, not based solely on the primary stem, as branches contribute a large proportion of grain yield. There is also a further need for a clear definition as to what constitutes actual SCC in order to develop robust industry guidelines around windrow timing.

• There are large differences in virulence at the seedling stage in southern NSW (sNSW).
• The variety grown in a region influences timebased changes in virulence.
• Strategic variety choice can affect the existence of virulent pathotypes.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the barley variety CommanderA. • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.

• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line LPB12-0494.

• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in
2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum
levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot
infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown
rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this
disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the
barley variety CommanderA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with
nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety
DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.
• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line
LPB12-0494.
• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in 2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the
barley variety CommanderA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with
nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety
DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.
• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line
LPB12-0494.
• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in 2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• High background crown rot inoculum levels existed at this site in 2015, resulting in high infection levels in all plots, so the actual extent of yield loss within each variety could not be determined.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine entries being between 0.34 t/ha to 0.84 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• The barley varieties CommanderA and La TrobeA and were 1.03 t/ha and 1.28 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona® Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in four of the bread wheat varieties up to 14.9% in the barley variety CompassA. • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with eight entries being between 0.29 t/ha and 0.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.9% in BeckomA up to 14.7% in the recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any other entry.
• Screening levels varied from 4.4% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat variety CoolahA up to 9.3% in the barley variety SpartacusA. Crown rot did not affect screenings in any other entry.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and LRPB FlankerA.

• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.

• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 10.5% in the barley variety La Trobe up to 61.1% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with ten entries being between 0.55 t/ha to 1.18 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe and were 1.66 t/ha and 2.37 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015 over the use of no seed treatment at planting.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA
up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and
LRPB FlankerA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five
entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not
affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat
varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

 

 

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA
up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and
LRPB FlankerA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five
entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not
affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat
varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

 

 

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 2.5% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety LRPB Gauntlet up to 21.9% in the bread wheat entry VO7176-69.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with ten entries being between 0.34 t/ha and 0.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 0.75 t/ha and 0.99 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown ot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the variety DBA LillaroiA and seven of the 13 bread wheat varieties, up to 32.9% in the durum variety JandaroiA.
• Only the bread wheat variety MitchA was higher yielding (0.41 t/ha) than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection.
• Grain protein levels were low across the site and varied from 7.7% in MitchA up to 10.1% in the durum line 190873. Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection caused a small (1–2%), but significant, increase in the level of screenings in the barley variety La TrobeA, and 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.
   

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 6.9% in the bread wheat variety Viking up to 31.9% in the durum variety Jandaroi.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with Suntop, Sunguard, Beckom and Viking, being between 0.37 t/ha to 0.62 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• The barley varieties La Trobe and Commander were 0.62 t/ha and 0.84 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

•  Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley variety CompassA, durum entries 190873 and JandaroiA and six of the bread wheat varieties, up to 19.7% in the barley variety CommanderA.
• Only the bread wheat variety BeckomA was higher yielding (by 0.58 t/ha) in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels were very low across the site (average 8.2%) and varied from 7.5% in LRPB ReliantA up to 8.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any entry.
• Screening levels were very low across entries, but crown rot infection caused a small (0.5–1.3%), yet significant, increase in the level of screenings in the barley varieties CompassA and CommanderA, as well as in the bread wheat varieties CoolahA and LRPB SpitfireA.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield in the absence and presence of added crown rot inoculum, which differed by 1.41 t/ha and 1.30 t/ha, respectively between the best and worst entries. Only the bread wheat variety BeckomA provided a yield benefit (15%) over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Merriwa in 2016. This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• Yield loss from crown rot was relatively low at this site in 2015 which ranged from 2.6% (not significant) in the barley variety La Trobe up to 15.2% in the bread wheat variety Sunmate.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with LRPB Lancer, Suntop, Beckom and Mitch being between 0.31 t/ha and 0.51 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 0.59 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 11.0% (not significant) in the barley variety La Trobe up to 70.0% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine varieties being between 0.46 t/ha to 1.69 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 2.08 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension provided a small (0.29 t/ha) yield benefit compared to no seed treatment in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015 but was far from providing complete control of the disease with 63% yield loss still occurring.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 1.4% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety Suntop up to 35.0% in the bread variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with all 12 entries being between 0.33 t/ha to 1.53 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The yield of the two barley varieties was impacted by late rain at this site in 2015 which resulted in considerable lodging, especially in La Trobe. The barley data from this site should be considered with caution.
• Rancona Dimension provided a small (0.22 t/ha) yield benefit compared to no seed treatment in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection (added CR) at this site in 2015 but was far from providing complete control of the disease with 29% yield loss still occurring.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 0.5% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety Sunguard up to 47.3% in the bread wheat variety EGA Gregory.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with eleven entries being between 0.65 t/ha to 1.35 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 1.64 t/ha and 2.47 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

•  Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the bread wheat varieties MitchA and BeckomA up to 18.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB FlankerA.
• The two barley varieties Spartacus A and La TrobeA along with nine of the bread wheat entries were higher yielding (0.28 t/ha to 0.86 t/ha) in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection than EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels were relatively low at across the site which varied from 9.2% in CoolahA up to 11.5% in the barley variety SpartacusA . Protein levels in all other entries were not affected by crown rot infection.
• Crown rot infection caused a small (0.6 to 1.4%) but significant increase in the level of screenings in the four barley varieties and four of the thirteen bread wheat entries but remained below 5% for all entries.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 6–20% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Parkes in 2016. This could have maximised profit in this growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in five of the bread wheat varieties, the barley variety CommanderA and the durum variety JandaroiA up to 12.9% in the bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• The recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA produced a protein level of 15% which was over 1% higher than the two other durum entries JandaroiA and 190873.

• Crown rot infection did not significantly impact on the level of screenings in any of the entries due to limited expression under the wet seasonal conditions at this site in 2016. However, genetic differences were evident with screening levels which ranged from 3.2% in the durum line 190873 up to 17.6% in the bread wheat variety BeckomA.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield in the absence and presence of crown rot infection, which differed by 2.26 t/ha and 2.24 t/ha, respectively between the best and worst entries. The three durum entries were higher yielding relative to bread wheat and barley entries in both the added CR and no added CR treatments at this site in 2016. This was likely due to seasonal conditions (near full soil water profile at sowing plus 472 mm of in-crop rainfall), which limited crown rot expression.

Cereal crop and variety choice still provided a 9% to 35% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Tamarang on the Liverpool Plains in 2016. This can maximise profit in the current season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the bread wheat variety LRPB ReliantA up to 16.9% in the barley variety CompassA

 • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with three entries being between 0.45 t/ha and 0.85 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels were low across the site (mean of 9.8%) and varied from 8.7% in MitchA up to 10.6% in LRPB SpitfireA Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.

• Crown rot infection caused a small (1–4%), but significant increase in screenings in the barley variety La TrobeA and all of the 13 bread wheat entries.

• Yield loss from crown rot was relatively low at this site in 2015 which ranged from 2.2% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety SuntopA up to 12.7% in the bread wheat variety LRPB Flanker.
• Bread wheat variety choice impacted on yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with LRPB Spitfire and Beckom being 0.30 t/ha and 0.48 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory, respectively.
• The barley variety La Trobe was 0.99 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 9.9% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety LRPB Spitfire up to 60.1% in the bread wheat entry VO7176-69.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with nine varieties being between 0.54 t/ha to 1.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 1.56 t/ha and 2.27 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

• Seasonal conditions reduced stress during grain fill at this site in 2016, which limited the effects from infection on yield.
• Although the effect of crown rot infection on yield was not significant, there was still a 52% (1.76 t/ha) difference between the overall yield of the best and worst entries.
• Grain protein levels were relatively low across the site, varying from 7.8% in MitchA up to 9.8% in the durum line 190873. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any other variety.
• Crown rot infection caused a moderate (2–6%) increase in the level of screenings in 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield at this site in 2016, which differed by 1.76 t/ha (52%) between the best (SpartacusA) and worst (DBA LillaroiA) entries when averaged across CR treatments. CR treatment did not significantly affect yield in any of the entries due to seasonal conditions (~120 mm of plant available water at sowing plus 555 mm in-crop rainfall), which limited stress during grain filling. The added CR treatment also did not affect grain protein levels, but resulted in a modest 2–6% increase in the level of screenings in 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.

It should be remembered that cereal crop and variety choice in paddocks with a medium crown rot risk can maximise profit in the current season, but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease. 

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 5.3% (not significant) in the bread wheat variety SuntopA up to 31.0% in the durum variety Jandaroi.
• Bread wheat variety choice had a large effect on yield where there were high levels of crown rot infection with Beckom, LRPB Lancer and Suntop being between 0.30 t/ha and 0.41 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory.
• The barley varieties Commander and La Trobe were 0.93 t/ha and 1.65 t/ha higher yielding than EGA Gregory under high levels of crown rot infection, respectively.
• Rancona Dimension did not provide a yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection at this site in 2015.

Lime increased soil pH and decreased the exchangeable aluminium percentage (Alex%) significantly.
• Organic amendments could be used to ameliorate soil acidity, but they were not as effective as lime.
• Crops responded more to nutrient addition than amelioration of soil acidity with organic amendments in the short term.
• The long-term effect of organic amendments on soil acidity and crop yield response needs further investigation.

• Lime is the most effective amendment to increase pH and reduce exchangeable aluminium (Al).
• Deep placement of organic materials had a limited effect on soil pH, but reduced exchangeable aluminium percentage (Al%) significantly.
• The combination of lime with organic materials could facilitate alkalinity downwards in the soil profile in the short term.
• However, applying a large amount of organic materials could acidify soil over a longer term due to nitrification.
• No crop response was observed over the past three years due to severe drought conditions.

• Deep placement of organic amendments (e.g. lucerne pellets) did not increase soil pH as high as measured in laboratory/glasshouse experiments, but it did reduce exchangeable aluminium (Al) significantly at 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm, indicating that the organic amendment would relieve Al toxicity by combining Al3+ to form insoluble compounds, hence reducing toxicity to plant growth.

• There was a large crop yield response to deep organic amendments in year 1 due to extra nutrients supplied from the lucerne pellets, but no crop response was detected in year 2, partly due to lack of soil moisture during the crop growing season. To date, soil treatments have had little effect on soil water.

• Soil chemical, physical and biological properties will continue to be monitored to understand the soil–plant interactions, the factors driving the differences in crop response to the various treatments, and the residual value of the amendments over the long-term.
 

• Grain shattering is a significant cause of grain yield loss in wheat, accounting for 11–13% of the variability in grain yield in this experiment.

• Genetic variation exists for grain shattering in Australian wheat varieties.

• However, grain shattering is also controlled by the environment, and this will influence choice of variety.

• 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.