• Farmers can continue to use retained OP seed for at least three years.

• Four field trials in 2018 assessed the influence of plant density, nitrogen timing and grazing on yield and quality of three long maturing wheat varieties sown early April in Western Australia.
• Based on yield, Forrest and Longsword wheat varieties are more suitable for the early sowing opportunities in April than growing a mid winter (ie EGA Wedgetail) earlier.
• If there are establishment issues sowing in early April, there is generally no penalty if establishment is down to 50 plants/m². Some varietal specific responses were observed although these responses were also driven by nitrogen timing.
• For early April sown crops, delaying nitrogen application until stem elongation improved yields at Esperance, Katanning and Yuna.
• Grazing did reduce yields by up to 0.9t/ha depending on environment and variety choice, but could be achieved with minimal yield loss for some varieties and environments.

2019:

• Dry sowing did not significantly compromise nodulation and nitrogen fixation in chickpea in 2019.
• Peat slurry and granular inoculants led to satisfactory nodulation and nitrogen fixation in dry and wet sowing conditions in 2019.

2020:

• Chickpeas inoculated with peat based or bentonite clay granule inoculant and sown either dry or into moisture provided similar growth and production in a subsequent wheat crop in 2020.
• No significant differences in final grain yield of wheat was observed between inoculant types of sowing times.
• Some differences were observed in plant growth where the previous chickpea crop had been inoculated compared to uninoculated however inoculant type had no effect on wheat growth.
• Wheat grain quality was better when grown after an inoculated chickpea crop compared to an uninoculated crop and would contribute to a higher quality grade.

• Spray topping remains the most effective control option for matricaria in pastures.
• Sheep did not graze matricaria at any growth stage and the use of MCPA in a spray-graze scenario did not increase grazing of matricaria. Grazing would not be a reliable control method for matricaria, even when paired with chemical manipulation, in an average year.
• Matricaria had good feed value but had less crude protein and metabolisable energy than the other green feed in the paddock.
• Mowing or weed wiping to control matricaria at the flowering stage was significantly less effective in reducing biomass and number of flowers and had significantly more regrowth compared to district practice of spray topping.

• Group 1 (A) selective herbicide in 2019 gave good barley grass control, with an early application (2-4 leaf) better than a late application (Z31). Group 2 (B) herbicide in 2021 pasture gave similar results but control was not as effective.
• Paraquat spray topping in 2019 did not reduce seed set.
• Slashing in 2021 gave excellent seed set control.
• Effective Group A weed control in 2019 combined with Sakura® + Treflan® in 2020 successfully reduced this very dense barley grass population by 98% compared to a rotation of grazing (no herbicide) in 2019 and Treflan® alone in 2020, but barley grass was still dense in 2021.
• The seedbank lasts 3-4 years, particularly in dry years where not all seed has the opportunity to emerge.

In 2019, herbicides ensured that barley grass density was low throughout the trial.

In spite of good crontrol in 2019, there was high barley grass density in 2020, potentailly from the 2019 seed production and dormant seed bank.

The 2020 use of Intercept® herbicide reduced barley grass across the whole trial, with higher crop yield following Intercept® at 500 mL/ha compared to 375mL/ha.

In 2019, herbicides ensured that barley grass density was low throughout the trial.

In spite of good crontrol in 2019, there was high barley grass density in 2020, potentailly from the 2019 seed production and dormant seed bank.

The 2020 use of Intercept® herbicide reduced barley grass across the whole trial, with higher crop yield following Intercept® at 500 mL/ha compared to 375mL/ha.

In 2019, herbicides ensured that barley grass density was low throughout the trial.

In spite of good crontrol in 2019, there was high barley grass density in 2020, potentailly from the 2019 seed production and dormant seed bank.

The 2020 use of Intercept® herbicide reduced barley grass across the whole trial, with higher crop yield following Intercept® at 500 mL/ha compared to 375mL/ha.

In 2019, herbicides ensured that barley grass density was low throughout the trial.

In spite of good crontrol in 2019, there was high barley grass density in 2020, potentailly from the 2019 seed production and dormant seed bank.

The 2020 use of Intercept® herbicide reduced barley grass across the whole trial, with higher crop yield following Intercept® at 500 mL/ha compared to 375mL/ha.

• Barley grass can have late, staggered cohorts, and so full control requires pre- and post-emergent control.
• Clearfield® crops or pasture ‘break crops’ allow excellent in-crop control and reduction of barley grass seed production.
• Resistance remains very low at this site. A diverse crop rotation allows a rotation of herbicide groups to avoid resistance development.

• Pre-emergent herbicides were equally as effective at controlling broadleaf weeds as post-emergent herbicides in this faba bean trial
• Reflex® is a new pre-emergent herbicide option for control of broadleaf weeds with good residual activity and is effective at reducing weed density and biomass
• If a post-emergent herbicide is required Ecopar® is best for broadleaf weed control in non-imi-tolerant varieties and Intercept® is good for imi-tolerant varieties

• RR canola which was sown into plots to mimic wild radish produced 4.1 t/ha of biomass by maturity and reduced the seed yield of CBA Captain chickpea by 47% compared to weed free plots.
• Majority of the herbicides and herbicide mixtures registered 95-100% weed control efficiency against RR canola and produced similar seed yields to weed free plots. Application of flumetsulam 800 at 25g/ha at 4-5 node stage of chickpea reduced canola biomass by 99% and increased chickpea seed yield by 74%.
• Post-seeding pre-emergent application of a three-way mix of Simazine 900 835g + diuron 900 333g + isoxaflutole 750 100g/ha and post-emergent application of REDPI21 at 4-5 node stage caused significant seed yield loss of chickpea.
• Pre-emergent application of fomesafen, flumioxazin, terbuthylazine + isoxaflutole, and simazine + diuron + isoxaflutole had no significant negative effect on root nodules of CBA Captain.

• Chickpea varieties - CBA Captain and Neelam showed similar competitiveness against broadleaf weeds. Competition of RR canola (mimicked wild radish) and broad leaf weeds with these varieties to maturity accumulated 4.2t/ha dry biomass and reduced chickpea seed yield by 35% compared to weed free plots.
• Majority of the herbicides and herbicide mixtures registered 95-100% weed control efficiency against RR canola and broadleaf weeds and yielded on par with weed free plots. Application of flumetsulam 800 at 25g/ha at 4-5 node stage of chickpea reduced canola/weed biomass by 69% and increased chickpea seed yield by 25%.
• Incorporated by sowing application (IBS) of herbicides/mixtures appeared safer than their post-seeding pre-emergent application (PSPE). IBS application of fomesafen, flumioxazin, terbuthylazine + isoxaflutole, and simazine + diuron + isoxaflutole had no significant negative effect on root nodules of CBA Captain.

• Majority of the pre-emergent herbicides and herbicide mixtures registered 88-100% weed control efficiency against wild radish. Post-emergent application of flumetsulam 800 at 25g/ha alone at 4-5 node stage of chickpea reduced wild radish number by 86%.
• Interaction of post-emergent flumetsuam with pre-emergent herbicides/mixtures for wild radish control was positive, whereas for chickpea seed yield it was negative in majority of the cases.
• Pre-emergent application of flumioxzin alone and in mixture with other herbicides, BADPI21 and simazine + diuron + isoxaflutole caused 21 to 41% loss in chickpea seed yield.
• Pre-emergent application of fomesafen, flumioxazin, terbuthylazine + isoxaflutole, and simazine + diuron + isoxaflutole had no significant negative effect on root nodules of CBA Captain.

• Sclerotinia disease ratings were low in this trial as is expected in a season with a dry and late start (Bennett et al. 2018) but there was more disease in the Hyola 404 at the higher plant density than the other treatments.
• Pioneer 43Y23 had significantly more branching than the Hyola 404 and a reduced length to the first branch. There was no significant difference in plant height between the two varieties but stem diameter was narrower in Hyola 404 than Pioneer 43Y23
• Overall, the plant architecture dimensions or row spacing trial did not indicate a mechanism for increased or reduced disease control.
• Grain yields decreased with increasing row spacing and reducing plant density.
• This trial demonstrates that refining the agronomic package for wide row spacing in canola could lead to reduced up front and in season input costs

• Average establishment was 5, 8, 16 and 36 plants m-2 from seeding rates of 0.5, 0.9, 1.8 and 3.7 kg/ha.
• Differences in canopy cover (assessed by NDVI) persisted through to the start of flowering.
• The yield of the lowest seeding rate (2.8 t/ha) was significantly lower than the other seeding rates (3.4-3.6t/ha, not statistically different).
• Quadrat cuts indicated that yield reductions at low plant densities (e.g. 5 plants m-2) were likely the result of bare areas rather than the inability of canola to compensate where 5 plants m-2 were established.
• Although plant stands of as low as 8 plants m-2 maintained yield relative to higher seeding rates, suboptimal or variable establishment that results in bare areas is likely to significantly reduce yield and so aiming for at least 20 plants m-2 is recommended.

• Overall yield from May 17 sowing was impressive for this AgZone, at 1.6 t/ha.
• Delayed sowing by 34 days, to June 20, led to 1042 kg/ha less yield – 30 kg/ha/day.
• Short season hybrids could extend the safe sowing window later in this environment.
• Difficulty establishing canola in hot conditions could limit how far the sowing window can be brought forward.
• To take advantage of early autumn rains in this environment larger seeded broadleaf species that can be sown deeper should be tested.

• Yield were impressive; 1.9t/ha from April 26 and 2.2t/ha from May 17.
• Mid-season maturity varieties showed the greatest plasticity in plant development across sowing dates and may be a good option over a wide sowing/establishment period.
• Short season hybrids may enable the sowing window to be extended later with reduced risk.
• Long season varieties yielded poorly from these sowing dates.

• Yields were relatively stable across sowing times ranging from 2.2 to 3.1 t/ha.
• Early and mid-season hybrid varieties out-yielded the open pollinated varieties of the same season length.
• These hybrids combine early flowering, high biomass and in some cases a long flowering period.
• In general varieties had substantial plasticity and growers may be able to use a few varieties across a wide range of emergence dates; this is important if pre-ordering hybrid seed and/or dry sowing.

• Increasing the nitrogen rate from 100N to 150N increased canola grain yield from 1.8t/ha to 2.5t/ha, with yield plateauing at the 200N and 250N rates (2.6-2.7t/ha).
• There was an obvious response to sulfur applications at this site, with applied sulfur increasing yield by 300kg/ha with 100N applied, and by over 800kg/ha with 250N applied. There was no significant response to applied phosphorus or potassium at this site.
• With the large yield responses to nitrogen at this site, even at a theoretical 3:1 urea to canola price, applying 150N resulted in the largest gross margin.

• Increasing applied nitrogen from 100N to 150N increased yield from 2.8 to 3.2 t/ha and was profitable under both standard and high fertiliser prices. Yield responses up to 200N at least covered fertiliser costs, while increasing to 250N reduced gross margin under high fertiliser pricing scenarios.
• Despite reasonable Colwell P levels in the top 10cm (22 mg/kg), responses to banded phosphorus were evident early in the season. Applying 15 kg P/ha provided yield responses that broke even under high fertiliser prices or were profitable under average prices, while yield responses generally did not justify the significant costs of applying more than 15P.
• Despite yields of 3.8 t/ha with 300N-31P-50K-31S applied, incorporation of manure at seeding or applying high rates of synthetic fertiliser over multiple application timings increased yield by up to 0.5 t/ha, indicating that nutritional deficiencies may still be present even with these high fertiliser rates

• Despite similar soil P levels to the nearby 2021 trial that saw no P response, there was significant response to fertiliser P applications evident from early growth to harvest.
• While treatments with banded P increased from 3.0 to 3.5 t/ha as N increased from 100N to 250N, treatments with no applied P showed a more modest N response (from 2.5 to 2.7 t/ha).
• Applying 150N and 15P was profitable under a range of fertiliser prices, while the profitability of higher N and P rates were more dependent on fertiliser and grain prices.
• Post-emergent P applications alleviated significant deficiency in-season, while benefits to incorporation of manure or to high rates of synthetic fertiliser applied over multiple applications suggest that there may be merit to alternative nutrition strategies to address transient nutrient deficiency.

NDVI taken June 13 and July 11 showed no treatment differences.  Similarly we found no significant treatment effects on seed yield, oil, oil yield or gross margins in this experiment.  The surrounding crop was also of adequate density and in contrast to some years in this region the farmer did not have any low density areas on his farm.  Thus we did not really have conditions similar to those reported by the farmers in previous years and the experiment did not add to our knowledge base. 

• PBA Amberley faba bean produced yields over 5 t/ha.
• Faba bean did not respond to Phosphorus or Nitrogen inputs.
• Additional fungicide and nutrition treatments increased yield by 400 kg/ha – however treatments tested were not economically viable.

• PBA Amberley faba bean produced yields over 3 t/ha.
• Faba bean did not respond to Phosphorus (> 10 kg P/ha) or Nitrogen inputs.
• Our ‘Extra: treatment in late August during a dry period scorched the leaves which resulted in a reduction in seed yield of 250 kg/ha.

• 2019 had below average growing season rainfall, which led to very little disease development
• No difference in fungicide treatments was observed due to good environmental control of disease

• 2019 had below average growing season rainfall, which led to very little disease development
• No difference in fungicide treatments was observed due to good environmental control of disease

Foliar fungicide application on West Australian faba bean crops can be safely delayed until flowering begins, even if chocolate spot is present at low levels earlier in the season.

DPIRD’s current recommendations of the first spray at flowering and a follow up spray produced similar yields to regular spray treatment which had four fungicide applications. The SARDI alert system was set to Red Alert if temperate was above 15°C and 70% humidity for 12 consecutive hours - which appeared to put too much emphasis on temperature. Whereas if we had used humidity alone the alerts may have occurred much earlier in the year in early August and most likely closely tracked the ‘regular spray’ treatment.

Management of Ascochyta remains critical to growing successful chickpea crops, and application of an appropriate seed dressing, followed by a foliar fungicide 4-6 weeks later is an essential first step.

• Ascochyta did not progress at this site in 2021 due to low rainfall during the warmer part of the season when temperature better suits disease development.
• Management of Ascochyta remains critical to growing successful chickpea crops and application of an appropriate seed dressing, followed by a foliar fungicide 4-6 weeks later is an essential first step.
• Overall, yields were very good with a site average of 1.70t/ha.

Management of Ascochyta remains critical to growing successful chickpea crops and application of an appropriate seed dressing followed by foliar fungicide 4-6 weeks later are essential first steps

• Lupin yielded 3.0 t/ha and canola 2.0 t/ha from late May emergence.
• Lupin gross margins were competitive with canola, and lupin gave the highest return on investment.
• For both lupin and canola variety selection was important, in particular Jurien lupin performed well from all sowing dates.

• Peat-based inoculant methods (slurry or granules) had more root nodules than nil and ALOSCA® with fertiliser treatments.
• There were no biomass differences measured between any of the treatments at any stage in the season.
• Nodulation differences did not lead to yield differences, likely due to good growing conditions through most of the season.

• Peat-based inoculant methods (slurry or granules) had more root nodules than those that were not peat-based.
• Peat-based inoculant methods also had higher biomass until flowering.
• Nodulation and biomass differences did not lead to yield differences, likely due to low Spring temperatures.

Early application of selective herbicide (Group 1, A) gave excellent control of barley grass. While fewer barley grass plants meant less pasture biomass, it’s important to remember that the seeds on the mature barley grass would injure livestock. Further, these barley grass plants could host cereal crop disease.

Spray topping prevented viable seed set of barley grass while leaving the greatest pasture biomass.

Good barley grass control in the 2019 pasture was still evident in the 2020 and 2021 crops.

Late sowing of barley in 2020 (delayed 4 weeks) was relatively ineffective in controlling barley grass and crop yield was slightly reduced.

Late sowing of oats in 2021 (delayed 7 weeks) gave excellent weed control, but the crop yield was severely reduced.

Three years of control reduced barley grass density from over 1000 plants/m2 to 2-14 plants/m2 across the whole site.

The diverse rotation, including pasture and canola break crops, allowed a range of herbicides from different mode of actions and control of late emerging barley grass cohorts.

Two years of seed set prevention was not sufficient to remove the barley grass. Barley grass has a seedbank that lasts at least 3-4 years.

Soil DTPA was 0.27 mg/kg soil.

Grain yield increase by 32 % for both granular and fluid applied Cu.  About 1.3 kg Cu /ha was required for maximum grain yield of 3.2 t/ha.

Foliar application reached 85% of the maximum yield when applied at flag leaf before flowering; earlier application at first node was effective but only reached about 75% of the maximum.  

At this site seed coating had a small effect on germination of seedlings and was insufficient Cu for wheat seedling to recover from Cu deficiency.

Flag leaf Cu concentrations were 1.3 mg Cu/kg and grain Cu concentration from nil Cu treatments were 1.3  mg/kg

Soil DTPA was 0.32 mg/kg soil.

Grain yield increased by 2 % for both granular and fluid applied Cu.  About 1.5 kg Cu /ha was required for maximum grain yield of 3.32 t/ha.

Foliar application reached 97% of the maximum grain yield when applied at flag leaf before flowering; earlier application at first node was effective but only reached about 95% of the maximum.  GY

At this site seed coating had no effect on germination of seedlings..

Flag leaf Cu concentrations were 1.5 mg Cu/kg and grain Cu concentration from nil Cu treatments were 1.4  mg/kg

• Deep ripping did not affect depth to free water in 2018 or 2019; however these were decile 2 and decile 1 growing seasons at Kendenup West.
• Yield data was limited; however deep ripping may have produced a cultivation effect that slightly increased yield.
• Deep ripping is unlikely to be a reliable management option for waterlogging in forest gravel soil.

• Rip to below your compacted layer
• Ripping to 60cm reduced soil strength, and this effect continued into the second year after ripping
• Wheat yield response to the 60cm rip treatment paid for deep ripping in the first year
• Important to understand potential yield benefits of ripping before you rip

A demonstration to showcase options for managing water repellent soils was established in 2017. Mace wheat was sown into sand over gravel (below 20cm) on 24 May following 209mm summer rain, with no rain in April and 14mm in May.

• One-way plough reduced subsoil compaction to 30cm depth and improved soil wettability, crop establishment and yield.
• Deep ripping reduced compaction to 30 cm depth, improved crop establishment and yield, but not soil wettability.
• Knife point sowing established and yielded better than the splitter boot when sowing on deep ripped and one-way ploughed plots.

• For the growers surveyed, the main reasons for cross ripping were to mitigate uneven plant establishment from wheel track sinkage lines and to break up the tramlines to increase crop area
• Other reasons for cross seeding included; for more uniform seed placement, trash flow management, to stop the bar sinking, stop bogging and to get soil throw to cover spray tracks.
• There was less wheel sinkage with cross ripping than ripping in the same direction as the main traffic.

• Native budworm moths frequently fly into wheat crops, but they are deterred from laying eggs on wheat plants.
• Native budworm moths prefer to lay eggs on wild radish and (volunteer) lupins in wheat crops so weed control is a critical part of preventing damage to wheat.
• Larvae prefer to feed on wild radish over vegetative (tillering) wheat but prefer to feed on wheat heads in advanced wheat over wild radish.
• Larvae either starve to death or have reduced performance and smaller pupae when forced to feed on wheat, indicating that wheat is not a preferred host.
• Thresholds for native budworm larvae in wheat are likely to be higher than 50 per 10 sweeps or 5 per square metre. 
• At a density of 5 per square metre, larvae account for a yield loss of $1.71 per ha loss given a 2 tonne/ha crop valued at $360/tonne.
• Field inspections of wheat crops during 2022 showed presence of both native budworm and armyworm, so it is important to identify species in the field.

• PBA Amberley which is rated MR to chocolate spot did not respond to fungicides at Wittenoom Hills when crop humidity was low in 2021.
• Using in-crop sensors which send data wirelessly in real time may provide a useful guide to help spraying decisions – particularly when not to spray fungicides.

• The monitoring undertaken showed no evidence for significant reduction of soil borne disease by ripping and cultivation.
• The spatial variability of soil borne diseases dictates that careful site selection, small plots, multiple replications and intensive sampling is required to obtain meaningful results.

• Fungicide spray significantly reduced the disease severity of spot type net blotch (STNB) in barley in Muntadgin in 2017.
• There was no yield penalty from not applying fungicide in the 2017 growing season in Muntadgin.
• There was no economic benefit from fungicide spray for controlling STNB in Muntadgin in 2017.

• Deep ripping to 500mm increased plant biomass, tiller numbers and ultimately yield, by 500kg/ha
• There was no significant difference in weed numbers between ripped and un-ripped treatments; however, weeds in the deep ripping treatment were bigger and had more seeds, therefore potentially a greater seed bank.
• The root lesion nematode species P. neglectus population increased over the season with a ten times higher increase in un-ripped compared to ripped soil. 

• Baiting with metaldehyde baits resulted in approximately 50-60% mortality.
• Baits had most effect on snails larger then 6mm.
• This trial highlight the need for further research into the growth rates and fecundity of snails under different environmental conditions and availability of sources of food and refuges.

A profitable canola crop can be grown from March seeding. Early sown canola had normal growth and development, albeit starting to flower earlier. There was a longer flowering period with earlier sowing time, for all varieties. This is likely to be a key contributor towards potential yield.

In this trial, the highest yields and gross margins were achieved from the early April seeding of InVigor T4510 (2.04 t/ha) and ATR Bonito (1.90). Yields from earlier (March 8) and Later (April 29) sowing were similar to each other, although lower than TOS2. Yields were severely reduced by seeding on May 24. 

The early-mid varieties had highest overall yields and proved to be more adaptable than the long season varieties. The early-mid varieties had similar yield to the longer maturity varieties with March sowing, but significantly outyielded them for April sowing. This indicates there may be no need to source long season varieties for early sowing in this short season environment.

• PBA Samira was damaged by Intercept, with damage including stunting, chlorosis and coupled leaves
• Double the rate of standard rhizobia and the new acid tolerant strain improved root nodulation compared to the recommended rate of the standard strain
• Fertiliser rate impacted on lodging only, with standard rate of P standing up  slightly more
• All treatments achieved excellent yields >2.5 t/ha
• PBA Bendoc looked better all year and out yielded PBA Samira for all herbicide treatments

• Soil amelioration, particularly liming with incorporation to depth, increases break crop options.
• Faba beans can be successfully grown on light soil types if pH is managed.
• Subsequent nitrogen fertiliser programs should take account of residual N to optimise the benefits of pulse crops.

• Canola yield increased up to 17% when plants were spaced evenly apart compared to the spacing observed in commercial paddocks.
• Lupin yield improved up to 7% when plants were spaced evenly apart, but this was not statistically significant.
• Moving towards improved plant spacing without achieving perfect spacing is likely to improve yield.

• Both barley varieties out yielded wheat by approximately 1000kg/ha in all treatments
• Barley yields responded to the highest rate of early post emergent nitrogen (75kgN/ha) with wheat yields plateauing at the 50kgN/ha rate
• Ryegrass biomass was two to three times higher in wheat than barley, and this may have significantly reduced wheat yield

Desi chickpea varieties CBA Captain, Neelam and PBA Striker, and Kabuli chickpea variety Genesis 079 showed good tolerance to a range of chickpea herbicides or herbicide mixtures at the label rates and timings with good crop safety margin.

A new herbicide Ultro® 900 WG at 1.1 kg/ha applied before seeding reduced seed yield of PBA Striker (9%) significantly.

Desi chickpea varieties CBA Captain, Neelam and PBA Striker showed good tolerance to a range of chickpea herbicides or herbicide mixtures at registered rates and timings with good crop safety margin.

IBS application of simazine + Balance® appears safer than PSPE application especially on PBA Striker.

A new herbicide Ultro® 900 WG at 1.1 kg/ha IBS was tolerated well by all the varieties.

Lentil varieties PBA Bolt, PBA Hallmark XT and PBA Jumbo2 showed good tolerance to a range of lentil herbicides or herbicide mixtures at registered rates and timings with good crop safety margin.

Unregistered use pattern of Brodal® (diflufenican) at 200 mL/ha as PSPE and of Metribuzin 750 at 100 g/ha in mixture with Brodal® 100 mL/ha as post-emergent application reduced seed yield of PBA Bolt and PBA Jumbo2 significantly.

 

Lentil varieties PBA Bolt, PBA Hallmark XT and PBA Jumbo2 showed good tolerance to a range of lentil herbicides or herbicide mixtures applied at the label rates and timings with good crop safety margin.

Unregistered use pattern of Brodal® (diflufenican) at 200 mL/ha as PSPE and of Metribuzin 750 at 100 g/ha in mixture with Brodal® 100 mL/ha as post-emergent application reduced seed yield of PBA Jumbo2 significantly.

Note: Always follow label recommendations. The Department Primary Industries and Regional Development, does not endorse the use of herbicides above the registered rate or off-label use of herbicides or off-label tank mixes. Crop tolerance and yield responses to herbicides are strongly influenced by seasonal conditions.

Pre-emergent simazine and propyzamide (IBS) at maximum label rates recorded low crop safety margin.

Higher uptake of simazine following good soil moisture appeared to have made lupins varieties sensitive to damage by normally safe rates of post-emergent broadleaf herbicides.

A new herbicide Ultro® 900 WG at 2.3 kg/ha applied before seeding was tolerated by all the lupin varieties.

For blue lupin control/suppression, Garlon® 600 (triclopyr) at 30 mL/ha applied at 8-leaf stage and at pod setting on main stem of narrow leafed lupins caused statistically significant yield loss across all the lupin varieties. Triclopyr use on narrow leafed lupins is not registered.

 

All the lupin varieties tolerated the registered pre and post-emergent herbicides at the label rates and timings with good safety margin.

A new herbicide Ultro® 900 WG at 2.3 kg/ha applied before seeding was tolerated by all the lupin varieties.

For blue lupin control/suppression, Garlon® 600 (triclopyr) at 30 mL/ha applied at 8-leaf stage of narrow leafed lupins was tolerated well by all the varieties, whereas its application at pod setting on main stem of narrow leafed lupins caused statistically significant yield loss across all the lupin varieties (18-24%). Triclopyr use on narrow leafed lupins is not registered.

• Faba bean sown in 2019 significantly reduced Pratylenchus neglectus (root lesion nematode) numbers. Lentil and canola also reduced P. neglectus but to a lesser extent. This carried through to 2020 sown wheat where populations remained low.
• In 2019, faba bean was the lowest risk non-cereal option in the break crop phase to manage a late start or dry finish, although wheat outperformed all crop types in terms of yield and gross margin in 2019.
• Wheat sown in 2020 yielded more when sown after pulses (faba bean, lentil, chickpea) compared to when sown after canola or wheat,
• In a poor season or low rainfall situation the low nitrogen strategy (30N basal) offered the best returns, there was no yield response to higher rates of nitrogen applied in-season.
• Wheat after pulses had the greatest yield response to applied nitrogen.
• Protein response to nitrogen rate was higher in wheat-wheat compared to when sown after break crops.

• Yield and quality response to nitrogen program and seeding rate was difficult to observe due to moisture stress throughout grain-fill.
• Seeding rate had no significant effect on grain yield or quality.
• Nitrogen program significantly affected N uptake and grain protein, but not yield or other quality parameters. Grain protein was very high overall.

• Results from a two-decade annual survey continue to show the success of integrated weed management strategies in controlling ryegrass weed numbers in 27 paddocks in the Geraldton port zone.
• Growers in the study continue to manage herbicide resistance and have reduced weed numbers by over 99% since 2001.
• Once ryegrass numbers were markedly reduced, farmers including harvest weed seed control (HWSC) in their regime have consistently kept weed numbers close to zero, while those without have experienced more volatility.

• An integrated weed management (IWM) approach was used incorporating integrated Harrington Seed Destructor (iHSD), herbicide, hand picking, crop rotation and early grazing opportunities
• After seven years wild radish numbers were controlled on paddocks that previously had high densities 
• Between 2018 and 2020 the radish population was reduced by 71%

• In 2021 lentils produced similar yields from April 1 to May 14.
• Chickpeas sown in April were lower yielding, with high rates of flower abortion. Highest yield was achieved by sowing in mid-May.

• In 2020 lentils produced similar biomass from all times of sowing.
• Seed yields were highest from June sowing.

 

• Over the longer term PBA Hallmark XT has outperformed PBA Hurricane XT and growers interested in IMI tolerant lentils are encouraged to try this variety on their farm

• Timely harvest can make a big difference to yields when lentils produce high biomass. • Over the longer term PBA Hallmark XT has outperformed PBA Hurricane XT and growers interested in IMI tolerant lentils are encouraged to try this variety on their farm

• PBA Hallmark XT – the new imi tolerant variety released in 2018 –performed well at Mingenew matching the yield of all other released varieties.
• Over the longer term PBA Hallmark XT has outperformed PBA Hurricane XT and growers interested in IMI tolerant lentils are encouraged to try this variety on their farm.

• Lentils are well suited to the heavier soils of Dalwallinu
• The newly released variety PBA Highland XT produced the highest yields of 1 t/ha in tough conditions.

• Lentils are well suited to the heavier soils of Mingenew
• The newly released variety PBA Highland XT produced the highest yields
• XT lines will prove useful if farmers have SU residues or use IMI herbicides

 

• PBA Hallmark XT handled SU residues better than PBA Bolt
• Lentils should not be sprayed with Metribuzin on light lands until metribuzin tolerant varieties are made available. 
• Until that time IMI herbicides and XT lentils are probably the safest option on light lands in WA or consider alternative species.

• PBA Highland XT produced higher yields than the standard variety PBA Bolt
• PBA Highland XT appeared to have better herbicide tolerance than PBA Bolt
• Deeper sowing and rolling immediately after sowing increased crop safety and yields
• Applying soil active herbicides prior to sowing increased crop safety

• The impact of nitrogen rate and fungicide strategy on canola grain yield and seed quality was investigated at two field sites.Increasing nitrogen rate decreased oil % in seed.
• 280kg/ha nitrogen increased protein compared with the 100kg/ha treatment.
• There was no impact of fungicide applications although the season was not conducive to disease development. Observations failed to detect disease in either trial.
• Analysis of coarse and fine stubble fractions showed increasing N concentration and yield of each fraction with increasing N rate.
• Higher amounts of soil mineral N were present at end of autumn 2021 following high rates of fertiliser N in the previous season.
• High N fertiliser rates increase the N concentration of stubble residue and the total amount of stubble.
• The higher soil N in the following season is only a small proportion of the additional fertiliser N, a small compensation for over fertilising should the previous canola crop yield well below expectation.

• Liming decreases surface soil acidity.
• The incorporation of lime increased the movement of the lime to the 10-20cm layer neutralising subsoil acidity.
• Subsoil aluminium levels at this site fit WA relationships that toxic Al above 2 mg/kg occur when pH (CaCl2) is below 4.5

• Rip to below your compacted layer
• Ripping to 60cm reduced soil strength, and this effect continued into the second year after ripping
• Wheat yield response to the 60cm rip treatment paid for deep ripping in the first year
• It is important to understand potential yield benefits of ripping before you rip

• Decision support tools such as ‘Select Your Nitrogen’ and ‘CliMate’ can help decision making with in-season nitrogen applications.
• In a decile 1 year there are limited benefits from in season nitrogen applications when yield does not increase with additional N fertiliser.
• Better economic returns result when both yield and protein are increased in higher decile years.
• It is important to understand production goal and the potential economic return of your nitrogen inputs.

• Aim to bait from mid-March to mid-April before seeding, and consider baiting again immediately post seeding. This timing will increase bait efficacy, increase likelihood of conditions suitable for snail movement, and be timed before most snails lay eggs.
• Bait in autumn not summer even if there is a lot of summer rain as control from baits can be low during summer
• Relative humidity above 85% is when snails are most active, so plan baiting to be before forecast periods of extended high humidity. Throw out test area before baiting whole program to be sure.

• In 2018 and 2019 Sothis increased soil levels of the root lesion nematode P.neglectus when compared to chemical fallow trial strips.
• During the 2020 season Rhizoctonia levels increased from zero to high risk levels in oats with Sothis germinating underneath.
• Monitoring of soilborne diseases through different rotations and seasons helps increase understanding of the impact on our farming systems

• One or two well timed fungicide applications increased yield 10% and full control a further 15%.
• Newer fungicides were more effective at supressing ascochyta but this did not translate to increased yield.
• Further testing of new fungicides is required in more locations and seasons.

• One or two well timed fungicide applications increased yield 10% and full control a further 15%.
• Newer fungicides were more effective at supressing ascochyta but this did not translate to increased yield.
• Further testing of new fungicides is required in more locations and seasons.

•  There was no protein or yield penalty in delaying all nitrogen to four weeks after emergence.
•  Delaying all nitrogen application to 10 weeks after emergence resulted in reduced grain yield due to little follow-up rain.

 New variety Bilby  (breeding line 06204-16) out-yielded Carrolup (by 0.3 t/ha), but did not out-yield Williams, and was between Williams and Carrolup in grain quality. 

Similar to 2017, a mild finish to the growing season meant all varieties met Oat1 quality specifications, and reduced the response of varieties to changes in plant density and applied nitrogen.

 

 New variety Bilby  (breeding line 06204-16) out-yielded Carrolup (by 0.7 t/ha), but did not out-yield Williams , and had lower grain quality than Carrolup in grain quality. 

Similar to 2017, a mild finish to the growing season meant all varieties met Oat1 quality specifications, and agronomy had a reduced impact on grain quality.

 Kowari and Williams yielded similarly, and out-yielded newly accredited variety Bilby  (breeding line 06204-16) (by 0.15 t/ha) and Carrolup (by 0.25 t/ha).

Bilby was the most sensitivity to increasing nitrogen, with N increasing from 0 to 60kg N/ha significantly reducing Bilby’s hectolitre weight.

• No crop type on any soil achieved optimum plant density at this site, with canola treatments having extremely poor establishment.
• Overall, wheat had a significantly higher biomass than canola, lupins or chickpeas.
• Wheat yields were average to above average for the area depending on the soil type, which is a favourable result given the average decile 4 growing season rainfall.
• Canola yielded extremely poorly and proved to be a risky crop choice for the given season and soil types

• Crop establishment, biomass, yield and harvest index of wheat was largely unaffected by break crop rotation from the previous two seasons.
• Wheat yield was above district average for both the light and heavy soil site which was not expected on the average decile 4 rainfall.
• Grain produced from wheat following a pulse-canola rotation had higher protein content compared to the canola-chickpea rotation.

• Seasonal conditions during 2020 were not conducive to chocolate spot development and no significant yield difference was measured between fungicide spray regimes.
• Unnecessary application of fungicides reduces gross margins.
• Real-time IoT sensors (data loggers) used for crop microclimate monitoring can support timely fungicide use and reduce unnecessary prophylactic sprays.
• Further trials are required in disease-conducive seasons to increase confidence in the use of this technology for spray decision support.

Canola yield increased significantly up to, but not above, 200 kg N/ha.

There was little benefit to applying above 15P or any K, S or trace elements.

Fertilisers (both banded and top-dressed) significantly decreased plant establishment and early growth.

Increased crop density reduced annual ryegrass density.

Herbicides offered effective weed control, and performance of Sakura® and Boxer Gold® was similar in this season.

Triflur X® provided excellent control of barley grass over the entire site, although by August, weed density was lower following Triflur X® at 3L/ha rather than 2L/ha.

In 2020, Intervix® provided excellent control in-crop, preventing panicle production. In 2021 the field was too wet to spray in-crop herbicides.

Increased seeding rate increased crop density, and resulted in a non-significant reduction to barley grass panicles.

• Chaff lining is an evolving harvest weed seed control method
• It presents as a low cost, easy weed management tool
• It is considered to be good control for ryegrass and radish but not as successful for brome grass

•  Legume break crops reduced populations of RLN (Pratylenchus neglectus) in the soil while canola increased the population.
• RLN levels increased across the site after one season of Scepter wheat (a susceptible host) to medium risk levels on legume plots and high risk levels where canola had been a break crop.
• A single break crop in the rotation may be insufficient to effectively reduce disease inoculum beyond the season following a break crop year.

• Canola is not a break crop in paddocks if root lesion nematodes (RLN) and Rhizoctonia solani are both present
• Weed free legumes, pulses and pastures are the best options where RLN and R. solani co-exist in a paddock
• Cereals substantially increase RLN and R. solani levels while canola will also increase RLN

• Residual effects of high rates of nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus applied to canola could be detected in soil tests prior to seeding wheat in the following season.
• Nitrogen applied to the wheat crop had a much larger impact (1 t/ha grain yield increase) than carryover effects of nitrogen applied to the canola crop (up to 0.6% grain protein concentration increase).
• Phosphorus rates applied to canola influenced the yield of the following wheat crop only when no P was applied to the wheat, with no difference in yield when 27 kg P/ha was applied at seeding of the wheat.
• Growers in WA’s high rainfall zone are unlikely to see meaningful carryover effects in the cereal phase from high rates of nutrition applied to canola the year prior. They should, therefore, continue to focus on expected responses in the current year only when determining the most profitable rates of fertiliser to apply to their crops.

• Chickpea seed yield responded to 50 kg N/ha applied 8 weeks after sowing at Grass Patch in 2020
• Higher rates did not increase yields when applied at 8 weeks after sowing or in a split application at 8 and 12 weeks after sowing.
• Within plot variation resulted in no significant difference in the gross margin.

• Chickpea seed yield responded to 25-50 kg N/ha applied 18 weeks after sowing at Ridely in 2020
• Yield responses were not large enough to pay for the cost on applied nitrogen.
• Kabuli variety Gen090 produced similar yields to desi variety CBA Captain

• Applying 100 kg N/ha 8 weeks after sowing increased yield, but did not lead to increased gross margins
• Trial site was flooded in August – treat results with caution

• Applying nitrogen to lentil had no positive effect in 2020

• At Grass Patch in 2018 hybrid TT’s produced higher yields and gross margins than most of the OP TT canola variety ATR Bonito treatments.
• Retaining ATR Bonito seed ‘on-farm’ for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years produced similar yields, oil and higher gross margins than purchasing new OP seed.
• Using ATR Bonito seed stored for 4 years produced plants lacking in vigour and overall poorer performance than growing out and retaining seed each year or purchasing new commercial seed.