• 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.

  Key findings:

Yield in the presence of crown rot was generally barley > bread wheat > durum across both sowing times, but significant differences were evident between varieties.

• Barley, bread wheat and durum varieties differ in their extent of yield loss from crown rot and their actual yield and grain quality (screenings) in the presence of this disease.
• However, all varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection and will not significantly reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops. Variety choice is not a sole solution to crown rot.

Conclusions

• Sowing date and variety maturity choice is a balance between frost risk and terminal heat stress in the northern grain region. Both can have a significant impact on grain yield. No frost damage was evident at this site in 2014 with either sowing time but terminal heat stress did occur which was more severe during grain filling with the second sowing time. A three week delay in sowing time resulted in an average 24% reduction in yield across the winter cereal entries.  Later sowing pushed grain-fill too far into hotter conditions. This can reduce yield by itself but if there is also an underlying issue with crown rot then delayed sowing significantly exacerbates the expression of this disease with negative impacts on both yield and grain quality.

  Varieties do differ in their extent of yield loss from crown rot and in their relative yield in the presence of high levels of infection, which is often referred to as tolerance. This is a function of a varieties level of partial resistance to infection but appears to also interact with its environmental adaptation and maturity relative to the timing of stress (moisture and heat) which exacerbates the expression of crown rot. Generally quicker maturing barley, durum and bread wheat entries were higher yielding in the presence of crown rot infection in this trial. This does not necessarily mean that these varieties have improved levels of resistance to crown rot infection but rather their quicker maturity allowed them to minimize stress during grain filling relative to longer season entries, reducing the expression of crown rot.

  If forced into planting a cereal crop in a high crown rot risk situation then some barley varieties may provide a yield advantage over bread wheat in that season, as long as early stress does not occur. Some of the newer bread wheat varieties do appear to be closing this gap to some extent. Barley tends to yield better in the presence of crown rot infection due to its earlier maturity relative to bread wheat, providing an escape mechanism which reduces its exposure to moisture stress during the critical grain filling stage. However, a key message is that this decision is only potentially maximising profit in the current season. Growing barley over bread wheat will not assist with the reduction of crown rot inoculum levels as barley is very susceptible to infection. Significant yield loss is still occurring in the best of the barley and bread wheat varieties in the presence of high crown rot infection. Variety selection can improve yield in the presence of crown rot, though all varieties still suffer yield loss, which can maximise profit in the current season but this will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops. 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.

• Short season variety, Condo yielded the highest (5.75 t/ha).
• There was no significant difference between applying 40 + 40 kg N/ha (5.77 t/ha) split application and the single 80 kg N/ha (5.75 t/ha).

• The 12 barley varieties were, on average 26%, higher yielding than the 4 wheat varieties in this experiment.
• the fast developing wheat varieties Emu Rock and Condo generally reached anthesis around the same date as the slow developing barley varieties Navigator, Oxford and Urambie.
• Long season barley varieties such as Oxford and Urambie performed well for early sowing (24 April) but most barley lines had their highest yield from main season sowing (12 May).
• The four early season wheat varieties generally had better yield from main season sowing than from early sowing. 

• 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.

• Three seasons of research have provided confidence that V071 is a superior rice variety to Reiziq in all agronomic attributes.
• The V071 grain yield was higher than Reiziq in all experiments by an average of 1.43 t/ha.
• V071 development does not slow during periods of low temperatures like Reiziq, which is very beneficial in cool seasons.
• V071 has strong emergence and establishment vigour like Reiziq, and a higher tolerance to grain shattering than Reiziq.
• Provided V071 meets market quality requirements, it is showing potential to be a welcome replacement for Reiziq, the current industry standard bold medium-grain rice variety for the past 18 years.

• The critical pHCa threshold is in the range of 5.2 to 5.4, below which faba bean growth is reduced.

• Variability for tolerance to low pH is present within the species with cultivar (cv) PBA ZahraA more tolerant at low pH than cultivars (cvv) PBA SamiraA, FarahA or PBA NasmaA.

• The sensitivity of uninoculated faba bean plants to low pH suggests it may not be sufficient to overcome the poor performance of faba bean on acid soils simply by developing more acid-tolerant rhizobium. Further research is warranted to address this question.

• Genotypic variability observed in response to wheat grain yield in alkaline sodic subsoil.
• MaceA, CorackA, ScepterA and Emu RockA were the top performing cultivars over three consecutive years.
• Higher grain yield was attributed to greater subsoil water extraction and capacity to maintain higher harvest index under drought conditions.

• 60 thrips per plant four weeks after cotton emergence.
• Cruiser® seed treatment reduced thrips larvae numbers at one week after cotton emergence.
• Thimet® in-furrow treatment reduced thrips larvae numbers at one and three weeks after cotton emergence. » Hand-harvest yields indicated the Thimet® treatment increased yields over no Thimet®-treated plots.
• Machine harvest yields were not significantly different between treatments.

• 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).

• N2O emissions at the Gunnedah site were approximately 10 times higher than at the Emerald site, due to the wet soil conditions and high pre-season rainfall at Gunnedah which led to denitrification of N from pre-season anhydrous ammonia application.
• Two nitrification inhibitors, DMPS (“Big N-sure”, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers) and nitrapyrin (“N-serve”, Dow AgroSciences) directly injected into anhydrous ammonia during pre-plant N application delayed the conversion of applied ammonium in the soil to nitrate for a period of 2–3 months.
• At the Gunnedah site, cumulative N2O emitted was reduced by 86% (DMPS) and 65% (nitrapyrin), compared to untreated ammonia.

Conclusions: 

In a season such as that experienced at the Emerald 2016–17 site, there were only minor environmental benefits from using a nitrification inhibitor in conjunction with anhydrous ammonia. However, these experimental conditions may not be typical as pre-plant fertiliser is usually applied earlier in the year at Emerald than it was at this site. A longer period of time between pre-plant application and plant establishment would provide greater opportunity for N2 O losses to occur, although the potential for heavy winter rainfall tends to be low in the Emerald region. While both inhibitor products clearly reduced emissions during the first two measurement periods, it was apparent that the effectiveness of these products had dissipated by the time of the second irrigation. The additional inhibitor application with the side-dressed urea boosted the N2 O reduction period for the DMPP treatment, while the application of untreated urea to the other treatments allowed further losses matching those of the untreated control after the initial pre-plant N application. The 2016–17 Gunnedah experiment provided the perfect testing conditions for nitrification inhibitors as the soil was very wet at application, and received frequent heavy rainfall during the next 3 months. These inhibitors were designed to retain mineral N from applied N fertiliser in the soil during periods of excessive rainfall that may otherwise lead to large losses of nitrate N through denitrification and leaching. Leaching occurs through downward movement of nitrate with water in the soil, but we found no evidence of this having occurred in the soil core samples we took just prior to sowing. For heavy clay soils such as this one at Gunnedah, denitrification of soil nitrate during periods of anaerobic soil conditions is the most likely major N loss pathway. The results of the gas sampling campaigns highlighted the almost complete mitigation of N2 O emissions during this period by adding nitrification inhibitors. The Big N-sure® inhibitor appeared to remain active for longer in the soil than the N-serve®.

• Soil water can be predicted from EM38 measurements made on the soil surface in southern dryland cropping soils.

• It is possible to estimate the amount of water and its distribution in the top 50 cm of soil.

• Rapid surveys of large areas and/or high numbers of experiment plots will be possible.
 

• Neither varying row configuration or hybrid affected yield at this site, given average site yields of 2.14 t/ha.
• Slightly higher yields were obtained from the 30,000 plants/ha and 50,000 plants/ha target plant populations.
• Thousand grain weight increased as row spacing widened, and decreased as plant population increased.
• Screenings were low across all treatments.
   

• Neither varying row configuration or hybrid affected yield at this site, given average site yields of 2.14 t/ha.
• Slightly higher yields were obtained from the 30,000 plants/ha and 50,000 plants/ha target plant populations.
• Thousand grain weight increased as row spacing widened, and decreased as plant population increased.
• Screenings were low across all treatments.
   

• In a low-yielding season varying row configuration had no effect on sorghum yield.
• Yield declined as plant population and hybrid tillering ability increased and staygreen levels decreased.

• 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.

• Onion thrips were the dominant thrips species observed during monitoring.
• Western flower thrips constituted less than 5% of thrips monitored.
• During early cotton establishment there were more tomato thrips larvae than onion thrips larvae. By December, onion thrips larval numbers exceeded tomato thrips larval numbers.

• The frequency of winter cereals in the rotation have a large impact on crown rot inoculum build up.
• Monitoring paddocks over time is a powerful way to help crown rot management and the PreDictaB™ soil tests are an effective method for achieving this.
• The dominant wheat–canola rotation in southern NSW is increasing the region’s level of risk to losses caused by crown rot.
• Not all paddocks behave the same way and factors other than crop type are affecting crown rot behaviour.

• 55% of paddocks tested in 2014 and 80% of paddocks in 2015 had crown rot.
• 90% of paddocks tested in 2014 and 2015 had take all.
• The previous crop grown in the paddock can greatly influence the pre-sowing levels of crown rot and take all in the following year, particularly in a cereal on cereal rotation.
• Most paddocks with pre-sowing levels of crown rot and take all had increased inoculum levels throughout the growing season.
• Crop rotation and duration, and stubble management can reduce crown rot and take all infection risk.

• In a season characterised by low frost severity, Nuseed Diamond was the highest yielding variety for all three sowing dates.
• In a low frost severity season, earlier sowing on 27 March and 11 April achieved a higher grain yield compared with the later sowing on 30 April.
• Triazine tolerant varieties were generally lower yielding compared with other varieties with a similar phenology.
• Winter type canola yield and oil performance were comparable with spring types when sown before mid April and could be worth considering as a dual-purpose crop due to the additional value generated from grazing.

• Seasonal conditions, characterised by low frost incidence combined with heat stress and terminal drought conditions, significantly affected grain yield and quality responses.
• The highest yields were associated with earlier flowering; there was a significant yield penalty associated with later flowering of slower developing genotypes or when sowing was delayed.

• Seasonal conditions significantly affected phenology and yield responses to sowing date among barley varieties in 2019.
• Phenology significantly influenced yield and quality responses, whereby later flowering incurred severe yield and quality penalties, affecting overall profitability.

• Fertiliser nitrogen (N) rates should be tailored to suit paddock history and soil mineral N levels at sowing.
• Sorghum yields without N fertiliser, although high in a favourable season, were still well below those achieved using additional N fertiliser.
• At Tamworth, in-season rainfall ideally suited a split-N application strategy resulting in the highest yields.
• At Breeza, drier conditions meant that neither split N application nor slowrelease N products boosted grain yields above those reached using urea all applied at sowing.
• Gross margins for most alternative N strategies were greater than that achieved when no N was applied.
   

• Fertiliser nitrogen (N) rates tailored to suit paddock history/ soil mineral N levels optimised N2O emissions.
• At Tamworth, withholding N fertiliser on a high mineral N soil reduced N2O emissions, but did not optimise grain yield.
• At Breeza, most strategies of urea + nitrification inhibitor, polymer-coated urea and split N application substantially reduced N2O emissions. Most alternatives produced similar grain yields to the current practice of urea all applied at sowing, so the N2O emissions intensity per tonne of grain produced was also reduced.
• A 1:3 blend of urea + polymer-coated urea all applied at sowing, increased N2O emissions compared with the urea all at sowing treatment. The treatment also reduced grain yield, so potential slow-release treatments need to be carefully evaluated from both an N2O emissions and grain production point of view.

• Fertiliser nitrogen (N) rates tailored to suit paddock history/ soil mineral N levels optimised N2O emissions.
• At Tamworth, withholding N fertiliser on a high mineral N soil reduced N2O emissions, but did not optimise grain yield.
• At Breeza, most strategies of urea + nitrification inhibitor, polymer-coated urea and split N application substantially reduced N2O emissions. Most alternatives produced similar grain yields to the current practice of urea all applied at sowing, so the N2O emissions intensity per tonne of grain produced was also reduced.
• A 1:3 blend of urea + polymer-coated urea all applied at sowing, increased N2O emissions compared with the urea all at sowing treatment. The treatment also reduced grain yield, so potential slow-release treatments need to be carefully evaluated from both an N2O emissions and grain production point of view.

• Fertiliser nitrogen (N) rates tailored to suit paddock history/ soil mineral N levels optimised N2O emissions.
• At Tamworth, withholding N fertiliser on a high mineral N soil reduced N2O emissions, but did not optimise grain yield.
• At Breeza, most strategies of urea + nitrification inhibitor, polymer-coated urea and split N application substantially reduced N2O emissions. Most alternatives produced similar grain yields to the current practice of urea all applied at sowing, so the N2O emissions intensity per tonne of grain produced was also reduced.
• A 1:3 blend of urea + polymer-coated urea all applied at sowing, increased N2O emissions compared with the urea all at sowing treatment. The treatment also reduced grain yield, so potential slow-release treatments need to be carefully evaluated from both an N2O emissions and grain production point of view.

• Very dry conditions during the 2013−14 summer meant that much of the nitrogen (N) fertiliser applied was not taken up by the sorghum crop, especially if it had been applied in-crop at booting. Between 46–65% of the applied N remained in the soil at harvest in 2013−14.
• A following crop of unfertilised sorghum accessed the remaining N for crop growth and, at rates of 100 kg N/ha and above in the 2013−14 crop, increased grain yield and protein above the control. Late N application by topdressing in the 2013−14 crop gave similar crop production results to treatments where N was sidebanded at sowing.
• Two-year gross margins showed a significant benefit from N application as urea either at sowing or incrop.
   

• For three seasons, we applied isotope-labelled urea (15N) to sorghum in small (0.75–1.0 m2) plots, then calculated nitrogen (N) recovery by comparing the amount applied with the total 15N found in grain, crop residues and soil.
• Between 55–85% of the N fertiliser applied was recovered at harvest, meaning a 15–45% loss, presumably during wet soil conditions when nitrate denitrification led to N2 and N2O gaseous losses.
• In very wet conditions, little of the applied N remained in the soil at harvest, while in a dry season there was more of the applied N found in the soil at harvest than in the plant.

• After stem elongation, mature prickly lettuce plants are difficult to control.
• Controlling mature prickly lettuce plants early achieves better results.
• No single treatments, except paraquat, achieved 100% control of mature prickly lettuce plants that emerged after a wheat crop was harvested. The paraquat, either used alone or as a follow-up application, was the only outstanding treatment, achieving 100% control.
   

• Sunflower yields were very low at this site in 2015–16, averaging 0.56 t/ha.
• Plant population affected plant measurements, with larger head diameters and 1000 grain weights resulting from lower populations.
• Hybrid selection also affected plant measurements. Ausistripe 14 had the longest arc length but the smallest head diameter. Ausigold 4 and Ausigold 62 had very similar plant characteristics.

• The more area of leaf removed, the greater the yield loss in sunflowers.
• The greatest effect on yield was from total leaf defoliation at the start of flowering or the end of flowering, which reduced yield by 1.16 t/ha (78%) and 1.02 t/ha (66%) compared to the control.
• Removing the top 10 leaves at the end of flowering had no effect on grain yield or any of the quality parameters measured.

• Yields from the 35,000 plants/ha and 45,000 plants/ha target plant populations were significantly higher than the 25,000 plants/ha treatment (by 0.52–0.56 t/ha). Plant population did not affect oil content.
• The solid 75 cm treatment achieved a yield significantly higher than the solid 100 cm and superwide (150 cm) configurations. Varying row configuration did not affect oil content.
• Ausigold 62 and Hyoleic 41 produced higher yields than the experimental sunflower hybrid. Ausigold 62 had significantly higher oil content than the other two hybrids evaluated.

• Chickpea pods can split open when harvest is delayed (harvest date (HD)3 and HD4), allowing easy access for water and an easier exit for seeds that can drop to the ground before or during the harvest process.
• HD3 averaged 28.6% split pods per plant (varietal range of 2.8–51.9%) while HD4 averaged 46.0% split pods per plant (varietal range of 30.0–64.9%).
• Averaging across HD3 and HD4 for the desi chickpeas, Howzat had the least split pods (10.5%) and PBA SeamerA had the most (55.6%). For the kabuli chickpeas, Genesis™ 090 had the least split pods (22.5%) and Genesis™ KalkeeA was the worst affected (55.6%).
• Loss of seed from split pods and pod abscission, seed shattering and reductions in grain weight caused from delaying harvest were shown to reduce grain yields by up to 44%.
• A delay of six days with one rain event (44.2 mm) was enough to reduce the grain yield in chickpeas (averaged across varieties) by 2%, due to lower seed density.
• Growers should aim to harvest chickpeas on time to avoid yield losses and grain quality penalties at receival.
   

• The 2013 Tamworth and 2014 Trangie environments were not conducive to high levels of seed markings, with all varieties having <5% tiger stripe/blotches.
• The later sown chickpeas had a lower incidence of seed markings in two of the three environments.
• The 2015 Tamworth experiment was conducive to seed markings for the first sowing date (SD1). In this case, the most susceptible commercial varieties were PBA PistolA and PBA BoundaryA, with 9.7% and 6.7% of individual seeds having tiger stripe/blotches respectively.
• All five kabuli varieties did not display any seed markings in any of the three environments.
• All desi varieties showed at least low levels of tiger stripe/blotch type markings in one or more of the three environments and two sowing dates

Conclusions

Time of sowing and variety influence the amount of seeds showing the tiger stripe/blotching type markings in chickpea. Kabuli chickpeas do not suffer from this defect. Desi chickpeas sown in mid-June at Tamworth and Trangie had a lower incidence of this type of seed marking. Research is ongoing to identify both the genetic basis and the environmental triggers of tiger stripe/blotch type markings in desi chickpeas to minimise any potential risk to the Australian chickpea industry.

• Applying a monolayer of ethylene glycol monooctadecyl ether polymer reduced evaporation by 50%–60% under small scale, controlled environmental conditions.
• Under field situations its efficacy is significantly reduced and produces inconsistent results with evaporation savings of less than 10%.
• Windy conditions and/or a decrease in the polymer’s longevity on the water surface under field situations probably cause this reduced effectiveness.
   

• In the unusually wet growing season of 2016, increasing the barley plant density did not increase the yield of all varieties.

• High tiller numbers reduced overall grain size.

• In ideal growing conditions, some varieties with lower plant densities of <125 plants/m2 out-yielded higher density treatments.

• Ancient barley germplasm from Ethiopia harbours resistance to scald and other diseases.
• Twenty-eight out of 355 Ethiopian lines were moderately resistant to scald.
• Careful selection for disease-resistant lines is important to retain other desirable traits.

• Nuseed Diamond achieved 5 t/ha grain yield from early sowing (watered for germination on 12 April).
• The high yield of Nuseed Diamond was due to its high biomass accumulation and high harvest index. ATR BonitoA was the lowest yielding variety, largely because it accumulated less biomass than hybrid non-TT varieties.
• Split nitrogen application resulted in higher grain yield than all nitrogen applied at sowing or all nitrogen
delayed to the 8-leaf stage.

• Pioneer® 45Y88 (CL) was the highest yielding variety, averaging over 4 t/ha, with Nuseed Diamond and Pioneer® 45Y25 (RR) also achieving high yields.
• Sowing on 5 April resulted in higher grain yield, reduced lodging and lower oil content compared with sowing on 26 April.
• A plant population of 35–56 plants/m2 resulted in higher grain yields than populations of 18 plants/m2 or 68 plants/m2.
• Applying 200 kg N/ha resulted in higher grain yields than 150 kg N/ha when the soil available nitrogen (N) at sowing was 64 kg/ha. Nitrogen rates above 200 kg N/ha resulted in no extra yield.
• Increasing N application rates above 200 kg N/ha reduced oil concentration.
• Crop lodging increased with plant populations above 35 plants/m2 and N rates above 150 kg N/ha.

• Correct varietal selection and optimal agronomic management can result in irrigated wheat yields of over 10 t/ha.
• LongReach CobraA, LongReach TrojanA and BeckomA were the highest yielding varieties.
• Delaying nitrogen fertiliser application by applying the greatest amount at booting was shown to improve grain protein concentration and reduce lodging compared with applying more nitrogen at sowing.
• A plant population of 120 plants/m2 was shown to yield more than higher plant populations whilst also minimising lodging.

• In 2015, two spring irrigations produced the highest wheat grain yield (7.61 t/ha), but one irrigation provided the highest water use efficiency (1.7 t/ML).
• Ponding irrigation water for 48 hours to induce waterlogging did not reduce grain yield in this experiment, but increased water use and reduced water use efficiency by 25%.
• If the number of spring irrigations is limited, it is important to find a balance between irrigating before significant moisture stress occurs and ensuring adequate moisture is available during flowering.
   

• Suntop was the highest yielding variety (4.48 t/ha).
• Lancer achieved high protein, high test weight and low screenings at all nitrogen application rates.
• Grain yield increased as nitrogen application rates increased, but there was no significant increase in yield above 20 kg N/ha applied nitrogen.
• Applying 160 kg N/ha resulted in a yield decrease.

• Sowing date and varietal phenology both affected the exposure of canola to rain days and potential disease infection.
• Early sowing increased the level of pod blackleg infection.
• Early sowing increased sclerotinia infetion in the early flowering variety Hyola 575CL but not in the slower variety Pioneer 45Y88 (CL). 
• Grain yield was higher from the later sowing date (22 April) than the early sowing date (7 April).
• Grain yild was closely correlated to total biomass accumulation, which was greater from the 22 April sowing time than 7 April sowing time.

• Early sown (9 April) Pioneer 45Y88 (CL) yielded similarly to later sown (20 April) Pioneer 45Y88 (CL) and Hyola 575CL.
• The irrigation treatment that stored 20mm plant available water did not increase grain yield or oil concentration.
• The maturity biomass was higher from the later sowing date, but the harvest index was slightly higher from the early sowing date.

 

• Variety phenology and sowing date need to match to avoid plants flowering and podding during periods of severe frost. The highest yield in 2017 came from the 6 April sowing of the long season varieties Archer and ATR WahooA that flowered in early August.

• ATR Stingray and Nuseed® Diamond flowered earlier than the optimum start of flowering (OSF) date (28 July) from both the 6 April and 20 April sowing dates with significant frost damage incurred at both sowing dates.

• Canola varieties have the ability to recover from severe frost damage where soil water is not limited.

• Sowing canola early (6 April) on 200 mm applied water reduced the time to the start of flowering by up to two weeks, compared with a later sowing (7 May).
• Significant yield increases were recorded across all varieties (for both sowing dates) where 200 mm water was applied pre-sowing, compared with 70 mm and 0 mm.
• The highest yield resulted from sowing a mid season hybrid (Pioneer® 45Y91 (CL)) early on 200 mm applied water.
• Sowing canola early on 200 mm applied water yielded around 900 kg/ha more than sowing later with the same amount of applied water, averaged across all varieties.

• Varietal selection again proved to be the major factor in achieving higher wheat yields in the second year of experiments in irrigated wheat production at Leeton.
• CobraA was the highest yielding variety in this experiment but CorackA, SuntopA and the durum breeding line 280913 also performed very well.
• Correct nitrogen timing significantly increased grain yield, grain protein and significantly reduced lodging.
• Managing plant population also significantly reduced lodging

• Varietal selection again proved to be the strongest determinant of irrigated canola grain yield in the second year of experiments at Leeton.
• The three highest yielding varieties were Nuseed® Diamond, Hyola® 50 and Nuseed® GT-50.
• Sowing time and variety interaction affected lodging, grain yield and harvest index (HI).
• Plant population alone only affected lodging but the variety interaction affected lodging and the harvest index.

• Total number, severity and length of frosts increased as surface residues increased.
• Increasing the amount of surface residue delayed plant growth, lengthened growth phase duration, and overall time to maturity for both chickpea and lentil.
• For both chickpea and lentil, high surface residues, above 9 t/ha, significantly reduced biomass accumulation and grain yield.