• 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.

Environmental conditions were not conducive for disease development. Good biomass yields were achieved due to favorable rainfall and likely to provide good profits. Varieties did not differ in biomass production but sowing earlier resulted in greater biomass. Timok produced more grains when sown early but Morava preferred late sowing. Although differences in grain yield due to fungicide were observed these are unlikely due to disease.

Environmental conditions were not conducive for disease development. The variety Timok produced more biomass and grain yield than Popany and thus appeared to be better suited to the Pyramid Hill climate during the 2019 season. Biomass yields were good and likely to provide higher profits than grain yields given the seasonal conditions. There was a good start and a drier finish to the season, which resulted in decreased grain yields than the projected outlook.

All varieties produced greater biomass and grain yields when sown early. Disease control strategies did not have significant effects on growth and yield because the site had low disease prevalence. PBA Butler produced greatest biomass at flowering (4.36 t/ha) and grain yield (2.16 t/ha) across both times of sowing. Vetch varieties were similar in biomass yield but Timok performed well when sowing was delayed, indicating a higher tolerance to delayed sowing.

Inoculant and MAP fertiliser improved biomass yield and plant height of vetch during early vegetative stage at Kimba, Coomandook and Mundulla. This highlights the importance of adequate fertiliser and inoculant for early plant growth.

A negative grain yield and harvest index response to inoculant and MAP fertiliser was observed at Kimba under drought conditions.

There were no production responses in vetch to sulphur application.261 Very few positive responses or more often negative responses were observed in response to gibberellic acid. Further work needs to be done in this area to determine the best use for gibberellic acid in pulse production.

Narrow disc seeding system resulted 72% and 87% more biomass than wide row knifepoint and paired row systems across all varieties. Timok yielded 1.5 t/ha of biomass when averaged across all harvesting dates, which was 13% and 25% higher than Studenica and Morava.

Establishment and plant growth: The different seeding systems had a large effect on plant establishment with greater number of plants emerging in the disc sown treatments. As the trial was dry sown, the discs were not able to penetrate as deep as the tine-based systems (Root Boot and PSS) and therefore it is possible that the shallower sowing has resulted in an establishment advantage. However, the seed bed was noticeably more cloddy following seeding with the tine-based systems, which may also have had a negative effect on the establishment, as seed-soil contact was likely to be poorer.

Biomass: The disc seeding system resulted in 99 – 166% more biomass than the tine systems at each harvest date. By the final September harvest data, the narrow row disc system with the highest SBU resulted in over 1 t/ha (117 – 166%) more biomass than the other seeding systems.

Field pea and vetch hay was most economical due to strong hay prices this year. Field peas were the best performing grain crop (Table 1). Early sowing maximised biomass (hay) and grain yield.

Field pea and vetch hay was most economical due to strong hay prices this year. Field peas were the best performing grain crop (Table 1). Early sowing maximised biomass (hay) and grain yield. Table 1. Potential gross margins from the highest yielding varieties and treatments selected from these trials.

• 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.