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

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

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

• Yields were generally too low to draw specific conclusions about varieties and the interactions with sowing date due to the extreme climatic conditions (frosts and dry) in spring.

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

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

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

• Early sowing has maximised yields of field peas over the last three years at field sites in SA
  representing low, medium and high rainfall pea growing areas.
• Early sowing has been paramount for economical field pea production in low and medium rainfall areas over this period and continues to be the best management strategy providing consideration for black spot, weeds and frost risk occurs.

• Earlier sowing and standing residue was important to maximising grain yield in lentils in the Wimmera.
• Mid to mid/late maturing varieties like CIPAL0803 and PBA Jumbo, where highest yielding in the 2011 season with mild conditions and significant stored moisture.

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

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

• Delaying sowing reduced Faba bean yields by approximately 0.8t/ha.
• There was significant difference between varieties and with delayed sowing.
• There was little disease pressure.
• There was no significant yield difference between fungicide treatments.
• The merit of protecting faba seedlings with in furrow fungicide application requires further evaluation in a season with a wet winter.

• The 2011 season was well suited field pea at Wagga, resulting in high yields and little
  disease at either sowing.
• Field pea is less sensitive to delays in sowing compared to chickpea, faba bean & lupin.
• Yield declined by only around 11% when sowing was delayed from late May to early July.
• PBA Oura, PBA Percy and OZP819 were consistently in the top ranking group for both
  yield and seed size.

• This was a very dry but favourable field pea season at “Hillview”, resulting in erect growth, very little disease, blemish-free golden brown foliage, high DMs and grain yield.
• Varieties were only different at the earliest sowing date, where Pearl was the top yielder
• Yield dropped by around 20% as sowing was delayed from 20 May to 22 June
• Seed size increased by around 10% as sowing was delayed from 20 May to 22 June
• Seed size was greatest in Percy & Oura

• PBA Slasher is consistent the highest & most stable yielding variety across different sowing
  dates on acidic red brown soils in southern NSW.
• Target early May sowing in southern NSW to maximise grain yield.
• Low plant populations (<30plant/m2) decrease grain yields. Excessively high populations,
  particularly in favourable seasons, increase lodging and disease risks.

• Large yield reductions occurred from delaying sowing from 7 May to 10 June (34 days).
• There was no significant yield difference between varieties.
• There was little disease pressure.
•  The merit of protecting faba seedlings with in furrow fungicide appli

• Early sowing maximised yield potential resulting in a gain of 20%-120% dependant on the genotype grown. Wider row spacing (>=30cm) resulted higher grain yields for all genotypes.

• Similar to lentils it is important to interpret the grain yield results with caution as it was
  demonstrated that yield loss due to extreme rainfall events was between 0% and 55%.

• It is important to interpret the grain yield results with caution as it was demonstrated that yield loss due to extreme rainfall events was between 27% and 65%.

• No major agronomic interactions were observed in this trial.

• Potential grain yields were likely to be in excess of 3.5t/ha, however due to extreme rainfall events throughout harvest grain yield losses where likely to be greater than 50%.
• The new lentil genotypes, in particular CIPAL0801 continue to show potential in a season
  considerably different from that which we have had for the last decade, which is promising from
  a yield stability perspective.

• This was a very favourable field pea season at “Hillview”, resulting in high DM and grain
  production.
• There were only small differences between varieties
• Yield and seed size dropped by around 10% as sowing was delayed from 20 May to 22 June

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Early sowing, concurrent with previous research, was highest yielding in 2011. There appear to be several promising new varieties available for southern Victoria, offering a range of grain types and forage options, associated with excellent yield potential. Crop topping results highlights the importance for growers and advisors to be aware of both weed and crop growth stages, otherwise significant grain yield loss could occur.

• Early sowing, concurrent with previous research, was significantly higher yielding in 2011.
• Varietal differences in this trial were minimal. Yield loss from disease, primarily black spot, was significant and economically viable control measures are important to develop.

• Lentils grew well on acidic red brown soils of southern NSW
• PBA Ace (CIPAL0803) and CIPAL0901 were the highest yielding varieties.
• Sowing from 10 May to 7 June had no significant affect on yield in 2011 growing season.
• These yields (> 2 t/ha) support a viable and profitable lentil industry in southern NSW
• Lentils are more sensitive to commonly used herbicides and considerable care must be taken.

• CIPAL0803 and CIPAL0901 out yielded all commercial varieties.
  The favourable 2012 growing season conditions facilitated high yields at both sowing times.
• Established human consumption markets and yields over two tonnes per hectare suggest that lentil production could be profitable in southern NSW cropping zone
• This trial should be repeated in future seasons in order to compare and validate the 2011 findings across variable growing seasons.
• Lentils are more sensitive to commonly used herbicides and considerable care must be taken.

• Earlier sowing in the Mallee is critical to maximising grain yield in chickpeas.

• The results again highlighted that earlier sowing in field peas is generally beneficial in the Mallee.
• The new varieties, OZP0805, OZP0819, OZP0902 had the highest average grain yields in this trial.
• Results for the forage type indicate that it has significant potential as a dual purpose crop that can produce high biomass and good yields given appropriate seasonal conditions.

• Earlier sowing in the Mallee is crucial to maximising grain yield in lentils. If sowing is delayed it is important to carefully select the variety to grow.
• Early maturing types like CIPAL0901 and early to mid vigorous growing types like CIPAL0803, appear to have better adaption to delayed sowing in this trial.

• Grain yield and profitability was maximised in the Mallee by earlier sowing.
• In particular, in 2012, the larger seeded Kabuli types had very high profits as yields were similar to other varieties and grain size excellent.

• The data highlighted the yield stability of a variety like Sturt in drier seasons and the importance of early sowing to maximise yields in Kaspa. OZP0805, appears to have excellent yield and may provide an excellent replacement for Kaspa into the future.

• When sown early, grain yields of PBA Ace were significantly greater than all released varieties except Nugget. Earlier maturing varieties like PBA Flash, CIPAL0901 and PBA Blitz, generally have less yield decline at the later sowing dates, but this did not result in higher yields than PBA Ace at the later dates.

• Earlier sowing was significantly higher yielding for all varieties in 2014, increasing economic returns by an average of $500/ha. PBA Ace was again highest yielding sown early. The yields of PBA HurricaneXT were lower than expected and reflective of the pod drop that was observed and may also be related to its relatively early maturity.

• CIPAL0803 and CIPAL0901 were the highest yielding varieties and show great potential for
  future lentil production in this region.
• Delayed sowing reduced yields in 2011 at Yenda in most varieties with significant effects in the
  longer seasoned Boomer, and breeding lines CIPAL0803 and CIPAL0901.
• Established human consumption markets and yields over two tonnes per hectare suggest that
  lentil production could be profitable in southern NSW cropping zone
• This trial should be repeated in future seasons in order to compare and validate the 2011
  findings across variable growing seasons.

• PBA Ace and CIPAL0901 were the highest yielding varieties and show great potential for future lentil production in this region.
  Delayed sowing reduced yields in 2012 at Yenda by an average of 40%
• Established human consumption markets and yields over two tonnes per hectare suggest that lentil production could be profitable in southern NSW cropping zone
• This trial should be repeated in future seasons in order to compare and validate the 2011 and 2012 findings across variable growing seasons.

• PBA Pearl continued to show its broad adaption, producing profitable yields at both sowing dates. Earlier sowing was not beneficial for field peas at Pimpinio in 2014, with all varieties showing a yield decline.

• Yields were generally too low to draw specific conclusions about varieties and the interactions with sowing date. Despite the severe weather conditions during spring, most treatments would have produced yields that would have resulted in greater than break even economic.

• The results again highlighted that delayed sowing in field peas will generally reduce yields.
• The new varieties, OZP0805, OZP0819 had the equal highest average grain yields 
• The new forage line, OZP0902, produced significantly more biomass at maturity than Kaspa or Morgan at all sowing dates.

• Bacterial blight had a significant impact on the grain yield of varieties in 2012. Sturt and OZP0805 were highest yielding varieties in this trial, similar to Curyo. Sturt and PBA Percy still seem to have the higher bacterial blight tolerance that needs to be achieved in the semi-leafless types.

• Delays in harvest, due to weather condition particularly for early sown treatments, is likely to have resulted in significant yield loss. Despite these limitations, the results indicate the relative yield benefit of the newer varieties across a range of sowing dates and environments.

• OZP0703 which has bacterial blight resistance was one of the higher yielding genotypes sown early and the highest yielding genotype sown later.

• Genotypes compared in this trial responded differently to sowing dates.
• Early sowing was optimal for all genotypes, particularly for AF05073, which was the highest yield genotype when sown early

• Since soil moisture was not limiting, and a soft finish to the season was observed, sowing date trials at Minnipa in 2010 showed no differences in yield between stubble treatments under these conditions.
• This trial will be repeated in the same environment to validate across seasons.

• Chickpeas produced profitable yields in the HRZ, but production risks are high and crops such as faba beans, field peas and lupins remain a better option.

• Lentils again produced profitable yields in the HRZ, but production risks are high and crops such as Faba beans and Lupins remain a better option.

• See discussion from trial L12.

• Yield of all varieties were largely unaffected across the range of plant density (12 to 80
  plants/sqm) during the highly favourable season of 2010.
• As densities increased, seed size increased.
• Varieties differed significantly in grain yield and seed size. Sturt was the highest yielder,
  followed by OZP0901 and OZP0703.

• Site background weed levels increased total weed competition levels to very high numbers
  masking differences between genotypes for grain yield. However genotype differences still
  occurred for competition score and final ryegrass tiller numbers in the low ryegrass
  treatment.
• Limited findings suggests there is variation in the current chickpea genotype for competition
  with ryegrass, particularly in reducing tiller numbers. Tall types (CICA512) and types with
  wide branching angles (Sonali) were generally more competitive than short and narrow
  branching angle types.
• The concept trial had limited success in 2007 due to trial methodology and site selection
  issues. Further refinements to trial methodology are required for 2008. These are:
  o Lower rye grass numbers (40 and 100 plants per sq.m) are required than those used
  in 2007 (adapted from work undertaken in wheat).
  o A site with very low background weed numbers is essential due to limited herbicide
  options available.
  o The ability of the chickpea variety to reduce ryegrass tiller numbers is likely to be a
  greater assessment of the competitive rating of the variety than its grain yield.
• A number of lines with a greater variation in vigour, plant height and plant shape (degree of
  angle of branches) than those evaluated in 2007 have been selected from advanced breeding trials in 2007 for assessment in 2008.

• Although chickpea yields were higher than previous years, the rapid finish to the season
  favoured earlier flowering and maturing varieties such as GenesisTM079 and Sonali.
• Ryegrass competition at 31 and 86 plants/m2 reduced chickpea grain yield by 31% and 56%, respectively. Similarly, at Turretfield ryegrass at 41 plants/m2 corresponded to 33% yield loss, and 62% at 123 plants/m2.
• Similarities between moisture stresses caused by lack of finishing rainfall in 2009 and from
  competition with ryegrass meant that the same varieties yielded well with or without  ryegrass competition eg GenesisTM079.
• Breeder’s line “Chickpea 4” recorded the lowest yield loss from ryegrass competition at both
  sites (9% at the low ryegrass density at Hart), and also displayed 35% better tiller suppression than other varieties at Hart.
• Early vigour appeared an important trait in chickpea for improved competivness with ryegrass, plant height was a disadvantage, but further work is required on a larger set of
  phenotypes and in a more favourable growing season.
• Some ambiguous results in 2009 (eg PBA Slasher and Chickpea 2) may be due to the
  unfavourable seasonal conditions for chickpea production which prevailed in SA last year.
  However they do indicate the need for more work in a more favourable growing season, and
  potentially on a larger set of phenotypes.