Yields (up to 2.5 t/ha)and profitability (up to $2400/ha) were extremely high in 2016 due to excellent environmental conditions. Trials highlighted the importance of cold tolerance with Sonali being one of the highest yielding lines in the trials.

• Early sowing generally showed the highest grain yields although there was large variation in yield stability between varieties. Several potential new breeding lines showed high yields and good stability across the sowing dates.

• Overall no fungicide treatment other than the fortnightly treatment of chlorothalonil did an adequate job in minimise disease and associated yield loss in the high rainfall season of 2016.

• The virulence of the new isolate of ascochyta blight in chickpea was assessed at Curyo and Rupanyup and confirmed to cause significant symptoms (including stem breakages) on all varieties and breeding lines.
• Grain yield loss in the most susceptible varieties and breeding lines was up to 100%, however the level of resistance in a number of kabulis including Gensis090, means that the disease can be proactively managed with fungicides to produce profitable grain yields.

• Environmental conditions of wet weather favoured AB disease development and allowed for evaluation of virulence of disease and susceptibility of different chickpea varieties/lines.
• The current trial established a change in susceptibility of AB pathogen in varieties previously rated as moderately resistant and resistant. This result indicates that there has been a change in virulence in the AB pathogen in chickpeas across SA. Consequently, this has resulted in all chickpea resistance ratings being revised to susceptible or moderately susceptible in the southern region.
• Application of fortnightly foliar sprays with Chlorothalonil at the registered rate of 2 L/ha ahead of rain effectively controlled AB pathogen and benefited yields similarly across all varieties irrespective of their AB category. A cost benefit analysis of this continuous protection was not carried out in the current trial and therefore the profitability of this strategy will require further evaluation.
• The current trial identified advanced breeding lines with improved level of AB resistance over the current commercial varieties such as Genesis™ 090 and PBA Slasher which are rated as being moderately resistant. These advanced breeding lines will be evaluated further and developed through our collaboration with Pulse Breeding Australia.
• Overall, chickpea production in the southern region will require close monitoring of disease together with adapting an integrated disease management strategy that incorporates agronomic practices including use of AB free seed, variety selection, use of thiram-based seed treatments and multiple foliar fungicides, maintaining adequate crop rotations with non-host crops and maintaining adequate distance from previous chickpea crops.

• The virulence of the new isolate of ascochyta blight in chickpea was assessed at Curyo and Rupanyup and confirmed to cause significant symptoms (including stem breakages) on all varieties and breeding lines.
• Grain yield loss in the most susceptible varieties and breeding lines was up to 100%, however the level of resistance in a number of kabulis including Gensis090, means that the disease can be proactively managed with fungicides to produce profitable grain yields.

• Compared to most pulses, chickpeas have a higher sensitivity to cold temperatures during reproductive growth stages of flowering and podding and also require cool long finishing conditions for grain filling due to the long maturity profiles.
• Sowing time influenced the yield of chickpeas in 2016 where earlier sown crops were: a) more susceptible to AB foliar disease as a result of bulk canopies, b) flowered and podded under non-conducive conditions of low temperatures and heavy rainfall and c) incurred yield loss compared with later sown crops.
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• On the other hand, later sown chickpeas commenced flowering under favourable conditions of warmer temperatures and non-limiting moisture conditions leading to higher yields.
• Chickpea production is currently receiving a lot of interest in South Australia, however, growers need to take into consideration the recent change in the AB pathogen virulence and develop effective strategies for disease management including less susceptible varieties and application of strategic fungicides.

• Compared to most pulses, chickpeas have a higher sensitivity to cold temperatures during reproductive growth stages of flowering and podding and also require cool long finishing conditions for grain filling due to the long maturity profiles.
• Sowing time influenced the yield of chickpeas in 2016 where earlier sown crops were: a) more susceptible to AB foliar disease as a result of bulk canopies, b) flowered and podded under non-conducive conditions of low temperatures and heavy rainfall and c) incurred yield loss compared with later sown crops.
• On the other hand, later sown chickpeas commenced flowering under favourable conditions of warmer temperatures and non-limiting moisture conditions leading to higher yields.
• Chickpea production is currently receiving a lot of interest in South Australia, however, growers need to take into consideration the recent change in the AB pathogen virulence and develop effective strategies for disease management including less susceptible varieties and application of strategic fungicides.

• Chickpeas produced highly profitable yields in the HRZ in 2016, but production risks are high and crops such as .faba beans, peas and lupins remain a more reliable option. Careful selection of soil types not susceptible to waterlogging is required for successful chickpea production

• Contrasting results were obtained from the application of PGRs at the three different sites indicating environmental conditions may be an important factor for effective PGR response. In high rainfall environments such as at Conmurra in South East, there was no response to PGR application while variable responses for plant architecture (plant height and biomass) and grain yield were obtained in the medium rainfall environments such as Hart (Mid-North) and Cockaleechie (Eyre Peninsula) depending on PGR and treatment. The above average rainfall may have favoured high biomass production in high rainfall environments therefore overriding any effects from application of PGRs as was observed at Conmurra, South East, SA.
• In medium rainfall environments such as Hart (Mid-North) and Cockaleechie (Eyre Peninsula) in SA, plant growth responses (plant height and biomass production) to PGR application were observed in some treatments. However where plant growth was reduced, a corresponding reduction in grain yield was also observed in comparison to the Nil treatment indicating that, in favourable seasons, a reduction in yield potential (biomass) may in-turn result in yields not being optimised.
• A reduction in grain yield was observed at Yeelanna in 2016, following application of Ethephon at early vegetative growth stage. This result has not been previously observed in our trials and the cause for such a reduction is still unclear.
• Further field evaluation across multiple application timings will occur to better understand the application timings that have the greatest effect on plant growth without a negative grain yield response.

• Contrasting results were obtained from the application of PGRs at the three different sites indicating environmental conditions may be an important factor for effective PGR response. In high rainfall environments such as at Conmurra in South East, there was no response to PGR application while variable responses for plant architecture (plant height and biomass) and grain yield were obtained in the medium rainfall environments such as Hart (Mid-North) and Cockaleechie (Eyre Peninsula) depending on PGR and treatment. The above average rainfall may have favoured high biomass production in high rainfall environments therefore overriding any effects from application of PGRs as was observed at Conmurra, South East, SA.
• In medium rainfall environments such as Hart (Mid-North) and Cockaleechie (Eyre Peninsula) in SA, plant growth responses (plant height and biomass production) to PGR application were observed in some treatments. However where plant growth was reduced, a corresponding reduction in grain yield was also observed in comparison to the Nil treatment indicating that, in favourable seasons, a reduction in yield potential (biomass) may in-turn result in yields not being optimised.
• A reduction in grain yield was observed at Yeelanna in 2016, following application of Ethephon at early vegetative growth stage. This result has not been previously observed in our trials and the cause for such a reduction is still unclear.
• Further field evaluation across multiple application timings will occur to better understand the application timings that have the greatest effect on plant growth without a negative grain yield response.

• Several PGRs reduced height, but also caused crop damage and in some cases resulted in significant yield loss. No PGRs resulted in grain yields significantly higher than the ‘nil’ treatment.

• Contrasting results were obtained from the application of PGRs at the three different sites indicating environmental conditions may be an important factor for effective PGR response. In high rainfall environments such as at Conmurra in South East, there was no response to PGR application while variable responses for plant architecture (plant height and biomass) and grain yield were obtained in the medium rainfall environments such as Hart (Mid-North) and Cockaleechie (Eyre Peninsula) depending on PGR and treatment. The above average rainfall may have favoured high biomass production in high rainfall environments therefore overriding any effects from application of PGRs as was observed at Conmurra, South East, SA.
• In medium rainfall environments such as Hart (Mid-North) and Cockaleechie (Eyre Peninsula) in SA, plant growth responses (plant height and biomass production) to PGR application were observed in some treatments. However where plant growth was reduced, a corresponding reduction in grain yield was also observed in comparison to the Nil treatment indicating that, in favourable seasons, a reduction in yield potential (biomass) may in-turn result in yields not being optimised.
• A reduction in grain yield was observed at Yeelanna in 2016, following application of Ethephon at early vegetative growth stage. This result has not been previously observed in our trials and the cause for such a reduction is still unclear.
• Further field evaluation across multiple application timings will occur to better understand the application timings that have the greatest effect on plant growth without a negative grain yield response.

• Contrasting results were obtained from the application of PGRs at the three different sites indicating environmental conditions may be an important factor for effective PGR response. In high rainfall environments such as at Conmurra in South East, there was no response to PGR application while variable responses for plant architecture (plant height and biomass) and grain yield were obtained in the medium rainfall environments such as Hart (Mid-North) and Cockaleechie (Eyre Peninsula) depending on PGR and treatment. The above average rainfall may have favoured high biomass production in high rainfall environments therefore overriding any effects from application of PGRs as was observed at Conmurra, South East, SA.
• In medium rainfall environments such as Hart (Mid-North) and Cockaleechie (Eyre Peninsula) in SA, plant growth responses (plant height and biomass production) to PGR application were observed in some treatments. However where plant growth was reduced, a corresponding reduction in grain yield was also observed in comparison to the Nil treatment indicating that, in favourable seasons, a reduction in yield potential (biomass) may in-turn result in yields not being optimised.
• A reduction in grain yield was observed at Yeelanna in 2016, following application of Ethephon at early vegetative growth stage. This result has not been previously observed in our trials and the cause for such a reduction is still unclear.
• Further field evaluation across multiple application timings will occur to better understand the application timings that have the greatest effect on plant growth without a negative grain yield response.

• Several PGRs reduced height, but also caused crop damage and in some cases resulted in significant yield loss. No PGRs resulted in grain yields significantly higher than the ‘nil’ treatment.

• Surprisingly, despite large differences in disease symptoms, there was no difference in grain yield between the disease management strategies and the control treatment at both sites.

• Surprisingly, despite large differences in disease symptoms, there was no difference in grain yield between the disease management strategies and the control treatment at both sites.

• The three crops that were tested, faba bean varieties, Nura and AF15369 and lentil variety, PBA Hurricane XT differed in the level of plant damage and grain yield from application of a range of Group B herbicides applied as simulated residual or in-crop applications. This indicated that a large genetic variation exist between the varieties tested.

• The three crops that were tested, faba bean varieties, Nura and AF15369 and lentil variety, PBA Hurricane XT differed in the level of plant damage and grain yield from application of a range of Group B herbicides applied as simulated residual or in-crop applications. This indicated that a large genetic variation exist between the varieties tested.

• The faba bean breeding had grain yields in all herbicide treatments similar to the respective nil treatments lines GpB-3 and AF15369 indicating a good level of tolerance. A low level of crop damage and was observed for some sulfonylureas and the triazolopyrimidine, but due to the long growing season and higher rainfall, there was adequate time for recovery, ensuring no yield loss.

General Summary/implications on faba bean Agronomy
Environmental conditions of above average rainfall during winter and early spring favoured early crop vigour and provided ideal conditions for the production of high plant biomass and large canopies. Further, cool and wet spring conditions during the pod-filling phase in late spring led to prolonged maturation contributing to very high yields across all sites. Pulse crop yields are strongly driven by environmental conditions in spring, particularly the length of grain filling period which is largely influenced by availability of soil water and optimum temperature. The current results should therefore be interpreted in the context of the highly favourable season of 2016. It is also interesting to note that despite the extremely high yields and favourable growing seasons, early sowing (mid-April) was still beneficial for faba beans in medium rainfall areas such as Hart in 2016 in contrast to higher rainfall areas of SA such as in the South East.
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The advanced breeding line AF09169 sown in mid-April, flowered 25 days earlier than varieties with similar flowering profiles (from assessments in PBA breeding trials which have generally been sown from Early May to late June). This suggests the existence of genotypic variation in sensitivity to environmental factors such as photoperiod and temperature. This variety along with AF11212 and PBA Zahra were the highest yielding varieties at Hart, which indicate, that the three varieties optimised yields under more favourable conditions in 2016. The two highest yielding advanced breeding lines, AF09169 and AF11212 produced the least amount of biomass compared with other varieties at Hart. Results from sowing date by variety trials over a number of seasons are highlighting differences between varieties in biomass production at the early sowing date and these associations with grain yield will be explored in our future trials. Compared to other commercial varieties, the newly released PBA Zahra is characterized by high biomass production and early canopy growth and it is more suited to favourable environments and seasons. The experimental determinate faba bean line AF13250 had low yields similar to Farah, which may be explained by susceptibility to disease (rust) and weather damage due to its determinate growth habit, where the inflorescence and pods are exposed at the top of the plants. Further field evaluation and breeding development will continue to gain a better understanding of the potential of the determinant trait in managing excessive canopy growth which is critical to optimise yields in faba beans.

• Sowing early did not benefit or penalise grain yield at this medium rainfall short season faba bean producing site under the favourable seasonal conditions of 2016. This result and previous results suggest early sowing (mid April) on average will be beneficial for faba beans and is unlikely to result in a yield penalty if disease can be managed.
• The advanced breeding lines, AF11212 and AF09169 yielded similar to the most newly released varieties PBA Samira and PBA Zahra under favorable conditions. Further evaluation across dryer and less favorable seasons is required to understand the suitability of these distinct faba bean types to the favorable short season environments such as the lower Eyre Peninsula.

• Under very favourable growing conditions of the 2016 season sowing early at Bool Lagoon did not benefit yields and led to a yield loss of about 10 % in most varieties.
• In high rainfall areas where high in-crop rainfall and cool spring finishing conditions are forecasted such as was in 2016, growers have an extended agronomic sowing window of between mid-May to the first week of June for most varieties.
• The most newly released varieties PBA Samira and PBA Zahra had superior yields compared to the varieties they have been released to replace, Farah and PBA Rana respectively. This shows that these varieties have improved agronomic traits over the older varieties.

• In the less favourable faba bean growing areas such as Hart, sowing early under favourable conditions increased the yield potential (biomass production) of most varieties therefore benefiting grain yields.
• Grain yields were increased by sowing early (mid-April to early-May) over later sowing (end of May) and varieties with agronomic characteristics of early flowering and high biomass production optimised yields even under the very favourable conditions.
• These results support previous findings in this region that early sowing regardless of seasonal conditions is beneficial for faba bean production if disease is managed. This is unlike in more favourable environments of the Mid North where early sowing often results in no yield improvement or a yield reduction.

• New faba bean lines will offer opportunities for growers in the Mallee with profitable yields (>140% of PBA Samira) produced in both dry (2015) and wet (2016) seasons. Similarly, in the high rainfall zone, a new breeding line AF11212, appears to be significantly higher yielding most other varieties.
• In the high rainfall season a sowing rate targeting 20 pl/m2 at Curyo and 30 pl/m2 at Rokewood was optimum for faba bean profitability.

• New faba bean lines will offer opportunities for growers in the Mallee with profitable yields (>140% of PBA Samira) produced in both dry (2015) and wet (2016) seasons. Similarly, in the high rainfall zone, a new breeding line AF11212, appears to be significantly higher yielding most other varieties.
• In the high rainfall season a sowing rate targeting 20 pl/m2 at Curyo and 30 pl/m2 at Rokewood was optimum for faba bean profitability.

• New faba bean lines will offer opportunities for growers in the Mallee with profitable yields (>140% of PBA Samira) produced in both dry (2015) and wet (2016) seasons. Similarly, in the high rainfall zone, a new breeding line AF11212, appears to be significantly higher yielding most other varieties.
• In the high rainfall season a sowing rate targeting 20 pl/m2 at Curyo and 30 pl/m2 at Rokewood was optimum for faba bean profitability.

• Application of fungicide profitably increased grain yield in some field pea varieties. A new fungicide product, similar to previous seasons is showing significant reductions in disease and concurrent increase in yield compared with the more traditional industry strategy using mancozeb. Similar to other field pea trials, P-Pickel T® reduced early growth of field peas.

• Application of fungicide profitably increased grain yield in some field pea varieties. A new fungicide product, similar to previous seasons is showing significant reductions in disease and concurrent increase in yield compared with the more traditional industry strategy using mancozeb. Similar to other field pea trials, P-Pickel T® reduced early growth of field peas.

• Application of fungicide profitably increased grain yield in some field pea varieties. A new fungicide product, similar to previous seasons is showing significant reductions in disease and concurrent increase in yield compared with the more traditional industry strategy using mancozeb. Similar to other field pea trials, P-Pickel T® reduced early growth of field peas.

• The recommended field pea industry practice of P-Pickel T® (PPT) seed treatment and 2 foliar fungicides of Mancozeb (Manc.Std) failed to significantly reduce disease infection levels or increase grain yield over untreated control treatments under high blackspot disease pressure in 2016.
• Early disease control applications (four weeks after sowing) were important for reducing initial blackspot infection levels at Minnipa, conversely later spring applications were important at the higher rainfall site of Hart.
• Over two consecutive years, a yield benefit of at least 15% has been obtained from application of new experimental fungicide actives over the current industry practice treatment of two foliar sprays of Mancozeb.
• Further research is required to understand the interaction in efficacy between fungicides and timing of disease infection, together with the drivers of ascochyta blight onset and progression in different field pea growing environments.

• The recommended field pea industry practice of P-Pickel T® (PPT) seed treatment and 2 foliar fungicides of Mancozeb (Manc.Std) failed to significantly reduce disease infection levels or increase grain yield over untreated control treatments under high blackspot disease pressure in 2016.
• Early disease control applications (four weeks after sowing) were important for reducing initial blackspot infection levels at Minnipa, conversely later spring applications were important at the higher rainfall site of Hart.
• Over two consecutive years, a yield benefit of at least 15% has been obtained from application of new experimental fungicide actives over the current industry practice treatment of two foliar sprays of Mancozeb.
• Further research is required to understand the interaction in efficacy between fungicides and timing of disease infection, together with the drivers of ascochyta blight onset and progression in different field pea growing environments.

• Application of fungicide profitably increased grain yield in some field pea varieties. A new fungicide product, similar to previous seasons is showing significant reductions in disease and concurrent increase in yield compared with the more traditional industry strategy using mancozeb. Similar to other field pea trials, P-Pickel T® reduced early growth of field peas.

• The breeding lines OZP1101 and OZP1305 were consistently high yielding in the wet season of 2016, with grain yield higher than or similar to the highest yielding released variety PBA Oura. The blue pea OZ1308 also showed excellent yields at the medium and low rainfall zone sites. P-Pickel T phytotoxicity appeared to affect early crop growth of the breeding lines and varieties and requires further investigation.

• The breeding lines OZP1101 and OZP1305 were consistently high yielding in the wet season of 2016, with grain yield higher than or similar to the highest yielding released variety PBA Oura. The blue pea OZ1308 also showed excellent yields at the medium and low rainfall zone sites. P-Pickel T phytotoxicity appeared to affect early crop growth of the breeding lines and varieties and requires further investigation.

• The breeding lines OZP1101 and OZP1305 were consistently high yielding in the wet season of 2016, with grain yield higher than or similar to the highest yielding released variety PBA Oura. The blue pea OZ1308 also showed excellent yields at the medium and low rainfall zone sites. P-Pickel T phytotoxicity appeared to affect early crop growth of the breeding lines and varieties and requires further investigation.

• In green lentils the use of fungicide strategies did not appear to affect grain yield or quality in 2016 even under high disease intensity.

• The AB isolate caused a moderately susceptible disease reaction in unprotected (Nil) plots on varieties which are currently rated as being MR (PBA Blitz) and MR/MS (Nipper, Nugget and PBA Greenfield) which indicates a change in virulence of the AB isolate resulting in a loss of foliar AB resistance in these varieties.
• Research conducted by SARDI Pathology group and reported elsewhere (Pulse Diseases 2017, GRDC Updates 2017 proceedings) has shown that the AB isolate tested in the current trial, caused susceptible reactions in PBA Hurricane XT and disease reactions in PBA Ace and PBA Bolt when tested under controlled environmental conditions. This results were however not confirmed under field conditions in the current trial.
• The current results suggest that there is a change of virulence in the AB pathogen which may be causing a loss in foliar resistance on varieties currently rated as being relatively resistant. The AB isolate tested was collected from the high intensity lentil producing area in the Yorke Peninsula region in SA.
• Protection of the plant foliage through application of fortnightly Chlorothalonil significantly increased yield in the most susceptible variety, PBA Flash (76 %) over unprotected (Nil) plots.
• Grain yields were also improved in varieties that had moderate disease reactions together with those varieties that showed no disease symptoms, indicating the importance of fungicide sprays in not only controlling disease but also enhancing plant growth.
• All commercial lentil varieties should be managed as having potential for risk from foliar AB especially under favourable conditions that promote disease. Varieties will need close monitoring for disease during the growing season and strategic fungicide sprays will be required in all varieties even in the absence of disease symptoms particularly in varieties rated as having foliar resistance to AB pathogen.

• Genetic similarities were observed between all the elite breeding lines and PBA Hurricane XT which showed reduced, albeit variable levels of herbicide damage from application of Group B chemistry compared with PBA Jumbo 2 which showed significant damage than the respective Nil treatments.
• PBA Jumbo 2 had significant visual damage (mainly chlorosis) from the application of all Group B chemistries, including Sulfonamide product (Flumetsulam) applied at label rates.
• PBA Jumbo 2 suffered a significant reduction in grain yield from the application of Group B chemistries compared the Nil treatment indicating the high level of sensitivities to this chemistries.
• Grain yield of elite breeding lines and PBA Hurricane XT was generally similar to their respective Nil treatments, although application of some chemistries, caused a significant yield reduction.
• Application of Sulfonylurea chemistry, SU-1 (high rate) as a simulated residual caused a yield penalty in two elite lines CIPAL1521, CIPAL1621 and PBA Hurricane XT. Sound agronomic principles of adherence to plant back periods and careful planning of crop rotations will be required in managing these lines and variety. Post emergence application of Imi-2 at high rate also led to a significant yield loss in PBA Hurricane XT and all elite breeding lines apart from CIPAL1522 which was not affected by application of Group B chemistries. This is indicative of genetic variation between CIPAL1522 and other lines/variety and this trait may be important for in-crop broadleaf weed control using this chemistry.
• The improved tolerance to Group B herbicide chemistries in elite breeding lines similar to PBA Hurricane XT could allow for more alternative in-crop weed control options to be developed in lentils. This will also lessen the overreliance of one variety, PBA Hurricane XT which is currently the only variety with improved herbicide tolerance trait for in-crop broadleaf weed control.
• Generally, grain yields of some elite breeding lines were comparable with those of PBA Jumbo 2 in the absence of herbicide, indicating improved agronomic traits of high yielding potential.
• Further agronomic evaluation of the elite breeding lines alongside commercial varieties will continue over the coming seasons to characterize tolerance levels to other groups of herbicide chemistries across seasons and soil types.

• New high yielding breeding lines, such as ‘CIPAL1522’ will have yields similar to PBA Jumbo2, with the additional benefit of improved tolerance to group B herbicides.

• Results have highlighted the yield stability of a number of lentils, but particularly PBA Jumbo2, which similar to previous seasons performed extremely well in 2016, highlighting its yield stability in both dry and wet conditions. It is a variety that reduces disease risks and benefits from sowing early to maximize yield potential. Potential net returns, based on yields in the Curyo trial in 2016 were around $2500/ha. Other varieties, with lower disease resistance ratings may benefit from delayed sowing where fungicide management of disease can be difficult.
• Disease management is critical to maximize yield and quality, particularly varieties with resistance ratings less than ‘R’. Applying the appropriate preventative fungicide early and just prior to canopy closure reduces disease pressure and losses. It is estimated that in the susceptible variety, BGM resulted in a yield loss of 1-1.5 t/ha ($650 - $975/ha).
• Similar to 2015, lowering the seeding rate of lentils from 120 pl/m2 to 80 pl/m2 is viable, particularly with early sowing and the use of varieties like PBA Jumbo2, but significant yield reductions have been observed in drier seasons below 80 pl/m2 and with delayed sowing. It is important that lower seeding rates are only utilised in paddocks where minimal weed competition is expected.

• Results have highlighted the yield stability of a number of lentils, but particularly PBA Jumbo2, which similar to previous seasons performed extremely well in 2016, highlighting its yield stability in both dry and wet conditions. It is a variety that reduces disease risks and benefits from sowing early to maximize yield potential. Potential net returns, based on yields in the Curyo trial in 2016 were around $2500/ha. Other varieties, with lower disease resistance ratings may benefit from delayed sowing where fungicide management of disease can be difficult.
• Disease management is critical to maximize yield and quality, particularly varieties with resistance ratings less than ‘R’. Applying the appropriate preventative fungicide early and just prior to canopy closure reduces disease pressure and losses. It is estimated that in the susceptible variety, BGM resulted in a yield loss of 1-1.5 t/ha ($650 - $975/ha).
• Similar to 2015, lowering the seeding rate of lentils from 120 pl/m2 to 80 pl/m2 is viable, particularly with early sowing and the use of varieties like PBA Jumbo2, but significant yield reductions have been observed in drier seasons below 80 pl/m2 and with delayed sowing. It is important that lower seeding rates are only utilised in paddocks where minimal weed competition is expected.

• Results have highlighted the yield stability of a number of lentils, but particularly PBA Jumbo2, which similar to previous seasons performed extremely well in 2016, highlighting its yield stability in both dry and wet conditions. It is a variety that reduces disease risks and benefits from sowing early to maximize yield potential. Potential net returns, based on yields in the Curyo trial in 2016 were around $2500/ha. Other varieties, with lower disease resistance ratings may benefit from delayed sowing where fungicide management of disease can be difficult.
• Disease management is critical to maximize yield and quality, particularly varieties with resistance ratings less than ‘R’. Applying the appropriate preventative fungicide early and just prior to canopy closure reduces disease pressure and losses. It is estimated that in the susceptible variety, BGM resulted in a yield loss of 1-1.5 t/ha ($650 - $975/ha).
• Similar to 2015, lowering the seeding rate of lentils from 120 pl/m2 to 80 pl/m2 is viable, particularly with early sowing and the use of varieties like PBA Jumbo2, but significant yield reductions have been observed in drier seasons below 80 pl/m2 and with delayed sowing. It is important that lower seeding rates are only utilised in paddocks where minimal weed competition is expected.

• The 2016 season was characterized by favourable growing conditions that enabled crops to establish early, develop bulk canopies and increase their yield potential. Crops were also exposed to environmental and biotic stresses however adequate moisture and cool temperature conditions during the reproductive phase led to a longer grain filling period resulting in above average yields.
• The benefit from early sowing may be less beneficial under favourable growing conditions where moisture and temperatures are non-limiting factors as was shown at Melton
• Grain yield was maximized in varieties with agronomic traits of early vigour, large canopies with improved lodging, shattering and disease resistance together with a late maturity profile such as PBA Jumbo 2 among others.
• Varieties with an early flowering and maturity profile such as PBA Blitz are best suited to shorter seasons and did not benefit from the long season.

• The 2016 season was characterized by favourable growing conditions that enabled crops to establish early, develop bulk canopies and increase their yield potential. Crops were also exposed to environmental and biotic stresses however adequate moisture and cool temperature conditions during the reproductive phase led to a longer grain filling period resulting in above average yields.
• The benefit from early sowing may be less beneficial under favourable growing conditions where moisture and temperatures are non-limiting factors as was shown at Melton
• Grain yield was maximized in varieties with agronomic traits of early vigour, large canopies with improved lodging, shattering and disease resistance together with a late maturity profile such as PBA Jumbo 2 among others.
• Varieties with an early flowering and maturity profile such as PBA Blitz are best suited to shorter seasons and did not benefit from the long season.

• Lentils produced profitable yields in the HRZ, but production risks are high and crops such as faba beans, peas and lupins remain a more reliable option. Careful selection of soil types not susceptible to waterlogging is required for successful lentil production.

• The breeding lines VL6, VL4 and VL17 had similar grain yield to the high yielding variety PBA Barlock, with an estimated gross margin of up to $654/ha. Jindalee was the latest maturing variety with the lowest grain yield.

• The breeding lines VL6, VL4 and VL17 had similar grain yield to the high yielding variety PBA Barlock, with an estimated gross margin of up to $654/ha. Jindalee was the latest maturing variety with the lowest grain yield.

• The season was characterized by above average rainfall conditions which provided good growing conditions for crops and also ideal conditions for weed establishment, particularly medic which was difficult to control at the site and may have masked variety differences from crop topping application timings in the trial.
• Crop topping lentils 10 days prior to the recommended ARG milky dough stage led to a significant (>50 %) yield loss when compared to the respective Nil treatments across all lentil varieties. This indicates that correct timing of this practice in critical in this crop and may be difficult to achieve in long favorable growing seasons like 2016.
• Grain yield of lentil varieties was affected similarly across the crop top timings in 2016. This conflicted with previous findings, which had shown that varieties like PBA Blitz were better suited to this practice, and highlights the large effect seasonal conditions have on this agronomic practice in lentil. Further varietal development work is required in lentil before the industry has a robust variety which is well suited to effective crop topping of ARG across environments and seasons.
• All varieties of field peas showed a high level of adaption to the agronomic practice of crop topping in the long and favorable season of 2016 which is consistent with previous findings in this crop (Southern Pulse Agronomy Results Summary, 2015)
• A significant grain yield loss was observed from crop topping chickpeas 10 days earlier and at the recommended ARG milky dough stage highlighting the poor relative suitability of this crop to the agronomic practice of crop topping. PBA has developed early maturing chickpea varieties which may be better suited to crop topping in some environments and seasons. Further evaluation is required with these lines as the ability to reduce ARG seed set in this highly uncompetitive crop is essential for its continued uptake in southern farming systems.

• The 2016 season saw higher yields than the previous two seasons in field pea, lentil and faba bean. Chickpeas however performed better at Minnipa in 2014 due to adequate rainfall during the growing season and warmer temperatures during critical flower and pod fill stages. A virulence change in the ascochyta blight (AB) pathogen in southern Australia now means that all current chickpea varieties are rated as either susceptible or moderately susceptible. Although often relatively lower yielding in low rainfall regions, moderately susceptible varieties GenesisTM090 and PBA Slasher will have a reduced production risk and require fewer fungicides than the higher yielding susceptible varieties such as PBA Striker. Chickpeas are generally less suited than other pulse options in many cropping regions in SA due to their relatively late maturity and increased sensitivity to cold temperatures during the flowering and pod filling phase.