• A single slug baiting was ineffective at controlling slug populations.
• Direct drilling into a heavy cereal stubble from a previous crop can result in significant slug damage to canola, even with a single baiting.
• Cereal stubble removal by burning, will significantly reduce the amount of slug damage.
• Cultivation prior to sowing will have a positive effect on reducing slug numbers and damage to canola.
• An integrated pest management approach is required to control slugs effectively. Each treatment alone does not adequately control slug populations.

• The presence of oats reduced barley yields from no significant reduction up to 31.27%.
• Varieties FathomA and CommanderA were the most effective varieties at suppressing oat development.
• BassA and BulokeA demonstrated no significant yield reduction in the presence of oats.

• Two trials were conducted to compare dry matter production and subsequent grain yield from cereal crops. In one trial four cereal crop species wheat (Mackellar), barley (Urambie), triticale (Breakwell), and oats (Bass) were compared. With a longer vegetative period, a second DM cut was able to be taken from Bass oats and consequently total DM production was significantly higher than from Mackellar which in turn produced significantly more DM than Breakwell and Urambie. Grain yield was significantly higher from Breakwell (9.4 t/ha).
• In a second trial, 7 wheat varieties and breeding lines were compared. There were statistically no differences in DM production between the wheats. The CSIRO line 95102.1 and Alberic were the highest grain producers.

Mackellar wheat showed the most potential as a dual purpose crop with the highest grain yield and DM production comparable to all other varieties except Bass. The latter produced the most fodder but the lowest grain yield. There was no significant difference in DM
production between Mackellar, Breakwell, Urambie and Franklin however there was a large difference in when this was produced. Franklin barley (and a Chinese line) were far more vigorous early whereas the later developing varieties, in particular Bass, tended to produce less DM but extra cuts ensured a higher total DM.

Due to unforseen circumstances, results for 2011 aren’t available for the Seedmark pasture evaluation sites. Seedmark do however look forward to continuing their work with MFMG in 2012 to explore the most appropriate Forage/Pasture rotation options.

The Field Days did however see the release of the new pasture variety “Monti” bred and developed by SARDI’s pastures group and released by the Australian Pasture Alliance (APA), an alliance between SARDI and Seedmark. Struan based SARDI researchers Andy
Craig and Freya Hawker lead the development of Monti with an extensive evaluation program run across a number of research site for the last 4 years. Below are some photos from the event.

• Pie-sowing treatments of trifluralin herbicide are effective in increasing yields in a barley crop infested with Vulpia. Application rates of 3.0 1/ha produced a significant result, while application rate of 1.5 1/ha produced a strong trend.
• No significant differences could be demonstrated between Post-sowing treatments employed in this trial due to large variations between plots. However averaged results indicate trends that can be further explored with more trial work. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.
   

• Mungbean yield potential ranged from a low of 0.81 t/ha up to a high of 2.70 t/ha in three years of irrigated variety evaluation experiments at Trangie in the Macquarie Valley.
• Jade_AUA (released 2013) is the recommended variety for Macquarie Valley mungbean growers with the highest yield potential, largest seed size (an important quality attribute for marketing) and best disease tolerance package. CrystalA would be an adequate second-best option based on yield and potential seed size.
• Niche mungbean varieties such as Regur (black gram type), and the two small-seeded lines Celera IIA and Green DiamondA, would have to command a substantial premium for their respective seed quality attributes to compensate for the poorer yield potential demonstrated in these experiments.

• Brome grass is increasing in prevalence across southern Australia and control in cereals is heavily reliant on Group B herbicides (sulfonylurea and imidazolinones).
• Experimental herbicides evaluated in this study were effective on brome (>90% control), but were also unsuitable for barley causing severe crop damage; trials undertaken this season (2017) will focus on wheat.
• Identifying effective but safe herbicide options for brome in cereals remains a high priority.

There was no take-all evident in the second cereal (wheat on wheat) trial and as a consequence no seed treatment differences in yield, however there was evidence of late season leaf rust control in the second wheat trial.

Removal of subsoil compaction by deep ripping resulted in a 370 kg/ha (45%) yield benefit with spading giving an additional benefit of 12% (100 kg/ha) and mouldboard ploughing 39% (320 kg/ha) compared with the deep ripping treatment. Higher biomass and increased head density in the cultivation treatments are indicative of improved nutrient access and effcient use of available water through the season. Water use efficiency was 4.9 kg/ha/mm of growing season rainfall for the control treatment compared with 7.1 kg/ha/mm for ripped, 7.6 kg/ha/mm for spaded and 8.9 kg/ha/mm for mouldboard ploughing. Recent research is showing that nutrient availability is improved when top soil is buried by spading or mouldboard 
ploughing because nutrients become concentrated in the rootzone and less suscpetible to soil drying from evaporation, which can be the case when majority of the nutrients are on the soil surface, (Davies et al, 2012).

Key messages:

• Treating EGA GregoryA seed with Rancona Dimension reduced establishment losses associated with the addition of crown rot inoculum to 7% compared with 26% when no seed treatment was used.
• In this instance, Rancona Dimension did not provide a significant or consistent yield benefit in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection across the 12 trial sites in 2015.
• Growers should not expect Rancona Dimension to provide a significant and consistent reduction in yield loss from crown rot infection when used as a standalone management strategy.
• Growers considering the use of Rancona Dimension should follow the manufacturer’s advice and only consider it as part of an integrated management strategy against crown rot.

Conclusions

Rancona® Dimension is registered in Australia for the suppression of crown rot infection. Rancona® Dimension reduced establishment losses associated with severe early infection, created by the addition of crown rot inoculum to the seed furrow at sowing, to 7% compared to 26% in the absence of a seed treatment. Further research is required to determine if this improvement in establishment is associated with reduced Fusarium seedling blight. It should also be established whether such severe establishment losses are an artefact of the inoculation process used in the trials or occurs naturally in paddocks with high stubble-borne inoculum loads. In a separate larger trial conducted at Tamworth in 2015 in which infected stubble at the surface was the inoculum source Rancona® Dimension did not have a significant impact on the establishment of EGA Gregory compared to the Nil seed treatment (data not presented). Establishment benefits apparent in the 12 trials unfortunately did not translate into any improvement in grain yield. Rancona® Dimension did not provide a significant yield benefit over the use of no seed treatment or the two other commonly used seed treatments examined in this study under high crown rot pressure across 12 sites in 2015.

Although Rancona® Dimension is registered for the suppression of crown rot, with activity against early infection and potential establishment losses evident in this study, growers should not expect this to translate into a significant and consistent reduction in yield loss from crown rot infection when the product is used as a standalone management strategy. Integrated management remains the best strategy to reduce losses to crown rot. Growers may like to consider including Rancona® Dimension (320 mL/100 kg seed) as one additional component in their integrated management of crown rot.

There were significant increases in tissue tests levels where boron and moly had been applied. Plant tissue levels were also significantly lower in phosphorus where 18 kg/ha had been applied versus 25 kg P.

• Both Aramo and Bounty performed as expected in the field in accordance with the label recommendations.
• Conditions at time of spraying and for the rest of the season were not favourable, however, both products stood up and performed quite well when compared to the unsprayed areas.

• Seasonal conditions can affect the disease complexes that exist for sub-clovers in any season (eg. the drier summers in 2014 & 2015 would be expected to cause a higher incidence of Rhizoctonia, whereas the wetter season in 2016 saw Pythium sp., Aphanomyces sp. and Phytophthora sp. more likely to be the dominant diseases).
• Current sub-clover establishment management practices (knockdown herbicide, cultivation, use of Apron seed dressing and sowing newer varieties or those that are widely adapted to the region) appear to be reducing the risk posed by root disease across the region.

• Sowing late into a high disease burden may offset any benefits of varietal disease resistance or the benefits of chemical control methods (i.e. seed treatments).
• Seasonal conditions can affect the disease complexes that exist in any season (eg. the drier summers in 2014 & 2015 would be expected to cause a higher incidence of Rhizoctonia, whereas Pythium sp., Aphanomyces sp. and Phytophthora sp. are likely to be more dominant in wetter seasons).
• Varietal differences were observed in establishment and persistence, however it is yet to be determined if this was due to root disease tolerance.

• The timing of brownout had no significant effect on the germination rate. This may have been due to a simulated “cultivation” immediately prior to sowing.
• Significant differences were found in the germination levels between varieties; Woogenellup is an older variety that is thought to be more susceptible to root diseases. The varietal difference suggests that root disease may be an issue across the region.
• Demonstration site responses to metalaxyl seed treatments in sub-clover germination suggests that root disease may be present and affecting establishment and persistence.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• Early sowing, concurrent with previous research, was highest yielding in 2012
• 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 highlight the importance for growers and advisors to be aware of both weed and crop growth stages, otherwise significant grain yield loss could occur.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• An advanced breeding line (AF07125) has been developed with improved resistance to CLS.
• There was no CLS in the trial, and the fungicide amended fertiliser (Impact-in-furrow) provided no additional benefits in terms of grain yield.
• Disease levels were low, and grain yield was high, averaging 4.3t/ha across the trial.
• The potential release AF07125 was the highest yielding variety, outyielding Farah and Nura by 5%

• The late break (12 June) and prevailing seasonal conditions were unfavourable for the spread of disease, although chocolate spot and rust did infect the trial plots early in the season. Disease was not a yield limiting factor in this trial this year.
• No significant difference was recorded between any of the different fungicide spray programs within varieties or between varieties.
• Fiesta VF plots had a reduced plant population compared to the other varieties due to poor seed quality of the commercial seed sourced.y treatment.

• A low level of rust infection occurred during October and was the only foliar disease affecting bean performance.
• 7% higher grain yields occurred in the fortnightly sprayed (improved rust control) and single
  cercospora treatment (reasons unclear) compared with the nil treatment.
• Grain yields decreased by 14% when sowing date was delayed from May 1 to May 18. No
  further yield loss occurred when sowing date was delayed to June 6.
• Nura was higher yielding than Farah at the mid sowing time and equal at the others, unlike
  in previous trials where Nura has been lower yielding at later sowing dates. Late rainfall events in 2007 were of more benefit to Nura than Farah.
• Necking (collapsing of top part of bean plant) was greater at the early sowing time. Nura
  had a higher level of necking than Farah sown early, but yields were the same. Similar
  necking and yield occurred between the two varieties when sown late.

• There was low disease pressure in 2018 and there was no difference in grain yield between the nil control and various fungicide programs. 

• There was low disease pressure in 2018 and there was no difference in grain yield between the nil control and the fungicide programs.  
   

• In a year with high rust pressure, fungicide application provided beneficial to all genotypes, even those with a good level of rust resistance.
• Several advanced breeding lines from the northern breeding program show promise, with high yield and large seed size combined with rust and chocolate spot resistance equal to or better than the current northern varieties.

Conclusion:

The high rust pressure and frequent rainfall towards the end of the season was likely responsible for the poor fungicide response in the LF experiment in terms of reducing symptoms and improving yield and seed size. In the HF experiment, mancozeb and
tebuconozole were most effective overall in reducing symptoms and improving yield and seed size. Four of the five fungicides were effective in increasing yield in the HF experiment compared with only one in the LF experiment, indicating the need for repeated sprays when disease pressure is high.

Note that the permit for tebuconazole allows for only three applications of 145 mL/ha in commercial crops.

 

• Adding phosphorus (P) did not significantly increase yield or seed weight in the varieties PBA WardaA and PBA NasmaA.
• PBA NasmaA produced greater yield and seed size than PBA WardaA.

Conclusions:

In this experiment, additional P did not increase yield, however, on a lower P site, a positive response to P might occur. The reduction in yield caused by adding N might be due to reduced nodulation in N-treated plots, although nodulation was not measured in this trial. The greater yield and seed size of PBA NasmaA compared with PBA WardaA supports other experimental data.

• In a year of high disease pressure, most fungicides did not provide a yield and seed size benefit when used at low frequency.
• A high frequency fungicide strategy provided yield benefit using a number of products.
   

Either moly treatments had any increase in yield or nodulation. Tisue tests aso showed increase moly levels but the control was above deficiency threshhold.

• The optimum time to sow faba beans in southern NSW was late April–mid May.
• Even in a favourable season such as 2016 there was a 10% yield penalty when sowing was delayed from 7 May to 2 June.
• Average seed size reduced by 8% when sown outside the recommended window.
• PBA Nasma, Fiesta VF, and PBA Zahra were the highest yielding commercial varieties.
• Advanced breeding lines AF10089 and AF09169 had significantly higher grain yields, particularly at the 28 April sowing date when compared to other sowing dates.
• Flowering duration for PBA Samira and PBA Zahra was stable across sowing dates, but reduced for PBA Nasma as sowing was delayed.

• PBA Samira and PBA Zahra have consistently been among the highest yielding commercial entries at teh Westmere site in 2015-17, out-yielding older faba bean varieties.
• There is a continued improvement in yield of faba bean linies with teh top breeding lines out-yielding current varieties at the Westmere site in 2015-17
• Seed wt was lower in 2017 than 2016 and this is most likely due to lower rainfall during the seed development phase in 2017.

Cu greatly increased yield fro 560 kg/ha to 1570 kg/ha.  Copper was applied as copper sulfate at 6.6 kg/ha.

Highlights of the results are:

(a) preseeding cultivations after drilling the Cu in 1979 markedly increased Cu uptake;

(b) medium sized Cu-OSP was inferior ti fine granule size

(c) the effects of granule size & 1979 pre-seeding cultivations were not reflected in 1980 Cu uptakes.  The effectiveness of the treatments which were relatively ineffective in 1980 as those treatments which were most effective in 1979

(d) Cu drilled with the seed in 1980 was much less effective than all Cu treatments applied the previous year

(e) although all grades of Cu-OSP drilled with the seed in 1980 were relatively ineffective compared with that applied the previous year, the inclusion of 15% fine material with 85% medium material increased Cu uptake from the fertiliser by 40%, 50% fine material increased Cu uptake from fertiliser by 80%.

GRanules > 3 mm are much less effective than medium sized granules.

REsearch suggests that 1 kg/ha copper sulfate at early boot is required for the first crop where Cu fertiliser is applied at recommended rates.

 

This demonstration showed that there was little difference in yield between Premium seed and farm-retained seed.

The farming systems trial is in its first yera of operation and has collected base line information so that the effects of each farming system on soil characteristics, weed composition and disease burden  an be assessed as the trial progresses.

• Reliance on chemicals as the only weed control option is difficult (almost impossible) in a run of dry years.
• This trial will cease at the end of 2004 (3 years too early to obtain meaningful results) unless other funding is found.
• The trial showed, in the 2003 season, that there was no yield penalty for waiting until rain for sowing, although grain protein was lower in these crops.

Ryegrass and barley grass were the dominant weed species along fence-lines.

Higher sowing rates resulted in higher dry matter yield at late flowering and higher seed yield with no significant differences between varieties 'Fenugreek' and 'A287'.

Spinnaker at 150ml/ha was the safest post-sowing-pre-emergent herbicide for use in fenugreek. Post-emergent herbicides with good crop safety included Broadstrike 25 g/ha + Uptake 0.5%, Buttress 2 L/ha, Buticide 2.5 L/ha and Broadstrike 25 g/ha + Buttress 1 L/ha.

• Post-Sowing-Pre-Emergent Spinnaker caused significant visual damage and significant yield loss in fenugreek in the very dry 2002 season.
• Few differences were observed among post-emergent treatments.
• Of the new varieties, little difference in herbicide tolerance was observed, however further work is needed in more typical growing conditions.

150118 and 150265 were the highest yielding fenugreek lines in this trial. At least two fenugreek varieties are being commercialised. Seed should be available in 2003.

Sowing more than 20kg of N with seed (seeder set at 9inch spacings) resulted in seedling burn and poor crop establishment.

• Crop nitrogen requirements should be applied at or before sowing as poor spring conditions can reduce crop responses to topdressed nitrogen.
• When drilling nitrogen with the seed, rates should not exceed 25 kg/ha (7" rowing spacing).
• Grain protein levens under 10.5% indicate crop yields are below thier optimum potential - apply additional nitrogen.

• Zinc (Zn) has been shown to be a clear limiting factor in achieving maximum fertiliser response from N and P on all soils sown in the SA Operation FerTill experiment program.
• Increased wheat grain yield of 4-6% has been achieved with Zn as a coat to DAP applied in each year over 3 years.
• This clearly questions the current practice of Zn application once every 3-4 years.
• These results suggest that Zn when used in combination with higher P and application should be considered every year.
• P and Zn placement are very effective management tools to reduce the severity of Rhizoctonia spp, in crops.
• Some P and Zn placement in the seed row of cereal crops is beneficial in reducing the severity of Rhizoctonia patch by up to 50%, increasing grain yield.

It is important to remember what the primary objective of seeding equipment is. Some farmers have been disappointed in the overall performance of banding fertiliser due to poor seed placement.

• Both desi and kabuli chickpea varieties suffered severe plant establishment reductions from fertiliser placement with the seed and with increasing fertiliser rates.
• Fertiliser rates of 20 kg P/ha and above placed with the seed had a significant negative effect on grain yields.
• The dry spring conditions have compressed achieved yields to that possible from the limited water supply. Differences in plant population still negatively influenced achieved yields. Yields increased with fertiliser rate up to about 20kg/ha of P in this particular season.

• Both desi and kabuli chickpea varieties suffered severe plant establishment reductions from
  fertiliser placement with the seed and with increasing fertiliser rates.
• All amounts of fertiliser placed with the seed had a significant negative effect of kabuli grain yields.
• Desi type PBA Slasher can tolerate low rate of fertiliser with the seed.
• Yields increased with fertiliser rate up to about 20kg/ha of P in this particular season and soil type

• Applying MAP with the seed at sowing resulted in a 25% increase in plant emergence compared to using DAP at Piednippie.
• Applying MAP at sowing resulted in higher grain yields and better water use efficiency (WUE) in plots which had high seeding rates at Nunjikompita.
• In combination with a high seeding rate, a blend of DAP and triple super phosphate (TSP) applied at sowing at Piednippie and Nunjikompita (plus urea) resulted in grain yields which were closer to the crop yield potential than the control.

• Kaspa continues to show a yield advantage over earlier maturing varieties and blends in regions with high yield potential (eg Turretfield) due to its later maturity and subsequent higher yield potential.
• Earlier maturing varieties and blends may confer a yield advantage over Kaspa in lower yielding situations/seasons.
• This work will continue for a number of years reusing the seed from each location to identify any potential benefit for growers using a mix of these varieties to manage pea yields across variable seasonal conditions.

• Commercial viability has been difficult to demonstrate.
• Field trials demonstrated that the H Senor was able to accurately classify annual ryegrass in several broadleaf crops, including canola, faba bean, lentil and field pea.
• Other grass weeds such as brome grass and wild oats were also correctly identified as grasses in these crops.
• Broad leaf weeds were accurately classified in cereal crops, however this was more difficult due to the overlapping nature of the cereal crops at the time when the broadleaf weeds had emerged.
• Classification accuracy was lower for detection of grass weeds in cereal crops and broadleaf weeds in broadleaf crops, and these scenarios were not pursued for that reason.  

• See Milestone 2 for weather interpretation.
• Emergence was 55 plants/m2 for Kaspa, 45 plants/m2 for Moonlight and 42 plants per/m2 for Sturt. Targeted densities were 50 plants/m2 for Kaspa and Moonlight and 40 plants/m2 for Sturt.
• All varieties responded similarly to the herbicide treatments. No visual damage was observed for any of the herbicide treatments. This was probably due to the dry conditions experienced.
• Grain yields were strongly correlated with weed populations, i.e. herbicides that gave good
  weed control resulted in highest grain yields. To overcome this affect, we used weed score as a covariate. This showed that Imazethapyr applied at double rates caused a significant reduction in yield (approximately 40%). This implies that the safety margin for this chemical is relatively low, therefor growers need to use caution and avoid overlapping within their crops.
• Sturt appears to have the best adaptation to dry environments with yields 50% greater than
  Kaspa and Moonlight. This is the same trend as has been observed in the breeding program.

• Despite a late break to the season (12 June), very favourable conditions followed resulting in exceptionally well grown plants and above average yields with very little disease.
• Yield declined in all varieties when densities were below 35-40 plants/ sq m.
• There were no significant yield responses above 35-40 plants/ sq m in all varieties except 96-262*1.
• Seed size increased with density for Kaspa, Moonlight & Parafield but unaffected in others
• Increasing density increased lodging in the semi-dwarf types (Kaspa, Moonlight, Yarrum and 96*262*1).

• Establishment of Moonlight was very poor any yield was still very responsive at the highest
  seeding rate
• Excell and Yarrum had similar response curves with an optimum density of 40-50 plants/m2
• Parafield and Kaspa had similar response curves with a noticable decline in yield at the higher
  seeding rates. Optimum plant densities were around 30 plants/m2 for Parafield and 40 plants
  /m2 for Kaspa.
• Increasing seeding rate in most varieties resulted in a quicker finish to flowering, increasing
  lodging and earlier maturity
• Seed size was unaffected by seeding rate

• New varieties of field peas are available for southern Victoria, offering a range of grain types and forage options, associated with excellent yield potential.
• Kaspa continues to perform well with new line OZP1101 consistently producing the highest yields.
• Crop topping saw a yield reduction in most varieties due to crops not being advanced enough when ryegrass was at milky dough stage.
• In 2013, a fortnightly fungicide program proved profitable to control disease in field peas (particularly black spot).
• Sowing earlier has been found to be most profitable in this region, but disease management needs to be a priority.
• Based on yields achieved where disease was managed (4.7 t/ha) peas could have achieved a net profit of approximately $1000/ha based on management costs of $370/ha and grain price at $300/t.
   

• Field pea trial yields across the Mallee were variable, ranging between 0.8 and 2.5 t/ha, reflecting those achieved in commercial crops in the region.
• The main factors affecting yield were low spring rainfall and presence of powdery mildew and downy mildew.
• Many of the new varieties show a significant advantage in yield, disease resistance, harvestability, early vigour, shatter resistance and seed quality compared to the commonly grown variety Dundale.
• A series of late maturing breeding lines have given superior yields in the Mallee over the last three years.
• The yield advantage due to shatter resistance in PSL4 was clearly demonstrated at the North Central sites where heavy rains fell prior to harvest.
• The dun pea PSL4 with its excellent shatter resistance and the white pea PSL10 will be multiplied as potential variety releases.

• Weather patterns experienced early in 2015 resulted in growers in many districts being advised by DAFWA’s Blackspot Manager Prediction model to delay sowing of field peas in SA. This sowing was often out of alignment with optimal sowing times based on best agronomic practice for some districts.
• Under high disease risk situations, growers in low rainfall areas may be best suited to choose alternative break crop options to field peas to avoid significant yield losses through delayed sowing or disease infection. If field pea remains the preferred crop it is important that growers consider the current recommended fungicide strategy of PPT and Mancozeb treatments, selecting paddocks with little or no field pea history, avoiding close proximity to previous field pea stubbles, and delaying sowing as long as possible.
• Several experimental fungicides with greater efficacy than Mancozeb showed improved blackspot control and significant yield increases over the nil and Mancozeb treatments in 2015.
• Disease progression and grain yield were both reduced by dry and hot spring conditions in early October at all sites in 2015. Further evaluation is warranted in years and environments with more favourable spring conditions. Earlier application timings than the 8 week treatment used in these experiments may also be warranted, along with additional ‘spring’ treatments in longer more favourable seasons.
• A number of industry support groups have reported the economic benefit of using fungicide in controlling blackspot in field pea. Results in 2015 showed the current fungicide application strategy, using PPT and two Mancozeb applications suppressed blackspot at most sites, but previous yield benefits reported from this treatment were not realised due to the hot and dry spring conditions experienced in 2015.
• New fungicide actives and formulas being evaluated showed significant increases in efficacy for controlling blackspot compared to untreated plots and those treated with Mancozeb. Furthermore, a significant yield benefit (approx. 15%) were also identified in these treatments this year. Further trials are planned in 2016 to explore these results.

Despite the lack of significant disease, grain yields were reduced by 20% (0.54t/ha) in a ‘nil’ treatment compared with a fortnightly fungicide application regime.

• Early sowing of field pea is essential for economic yields in dry years in low rainfall environments, providing frost, weed and blackspot risks are considered.
• Kaspa & OZP0602 had lower disease severity and slower build up of blackspot than the old Alma cultivar.
• Strategic applications of foliar fungicides led to a small but significant reduction in blackspot.
• Sowing field peas on the season break will increase blackspot risk however exposure to risk can be reduced through the use of the blackspot predictive tools (Blackspot Manager and DIRI) and careful paddock selection.

• 2013 was a year of multiple germinations of radish and products with good residual were required.
• Velocity + MCPA, Precept + Lexone and Flight are currently the best performing products on the market to control radish in situations of multiple germination.
• Wild Radish with Group B and I resistance was found in 50% of surveyed paddocks.

• Intake (on fertiliser) and Jockey (on seed) is current standard practice for lower EP canola and reduced Blackleg stem infection. In 2014 this practice also increased grain yield. This remains the recommended practice.
• The application method for the fungicide, either as seed treatments or in-furrow, did not increase canola yields in 2015 or 2016.
• The source of nutrients and application method, either fertiliser, in-furrow or foliar had no effect on canola yield in 2014, however further research should be undertaken in this area before final conclusions are drawn.

• Phosphoric acid showed a yield response at Streaky Bay in 2014 of 13% and 2015 of 8%.
• Fungicides did not reduce Rhizoctonia infection or significantly increase yield in 2015 at either site despite high levels of inoculum.
• Including fungicides will increase input cost and risk over a cropping program.
• The addition of trace element or manganese treatments did not improve yield at Streaky Bay or Warramboo in 2015.

• In 2016 there was a small yield response to phosphoric acid over granular P at Warramboo.
• Fungicides and the addition of extra 40 kg/ha urea at seeding separately reduced Rhizoctonia seminal root infection compared to the control at both sites.
• Including fungicides will increase input cost and risk over a cropping program.
• The addition of a trace element mix or manganese did not improve yields at Streaky Bay or Warramboo.

• Application of trace element (Mn,Cu, Zn) mix or manganese did not improve yield at the two sites.
• Application at sowing of fungicide with the separate (split) addition of 40kg/ha urea reduced Rhizoctonia seminal root infection at both sites.
• Phosphoric acid resulted in higher yields than granular P in two of the three years of the trial at the highly calcareous site (Streaky Bay) but not in the wet year; whereas at the other site (Waramboo) on the red sandy loam there was a small yield response in the wet year.

• Phosphoric acid as a liquid fertiliser resulted in 13% and 8% higher yields in 2014 and 2015 respectively at Streaky Bay, and an 8% yield increase at Warramboo in 2016 when compared to the same rate of P delivered in granular fertilisers.
• Despite the yield increases at Streaky Bay and Warramboo, the economics showed granular fertiliser had greater returns in $/ha compared to using phosphoric acid at 9 units of P.
• The guidelines for moving to the adoption of phosphoric acid as a P source exist in the Fluid Fertiliser Manual which adequately covers the principles, economics, recommendations and chemistry of adopting fluid delivery systems. The manual is available at www.fluidfertilsers.com.au.
• Knowing the responsiveness of a soil type to phosphoric acid is an important factor to consider before investing in a fluid delivery system. The responsive soil types are generally higher n calcium carbonate (greater than 25%). P source responses may also be driven by soil moisture conditions because in 2016, which had wetter seasonal conditions, phosphoric acid and granular P performed similarly in the same soil type at Streaky Bay.
• The adoption of fluid fertiliser systems to place fungicides in-furrow for rhizoctonia disease management is not recommended in this environment. The addition of fungicides showed small and variable yield advantages at Warramboo in 2014 and 2016 and Streaky Bay in 2016. Using fungicides in above average seasons the greatest yield benefit was only 0.22 t/ha with an in-furrow application with granular phosphorus and trace elements. This is lower than the benefits achieved in other regions where yield increases of up to 0.49 t/ha in wheat with split applications of fungicides were achieved. Inluding fungicides on wheat up front will increase input costs and risk over a large cropping program. 
• Large scale demonstrations by growers across Eyre Peninsula with in-furrow fungicide applications at seeding did not reduce rhizoctonia or produce yield benefits over three seasons.
• The adoption of fluid fertiliser systems will depend in growers' soil types for phosphorus responses, the existence of trace element deficiences and ease or timing of application (in-furrow at seeding) and machinery ability to deliver fluids.

• Zn deficiency was evident at mid-tillering at one site only (Streaky Bay) in treatments where zinc had not been applied.
• Manganese deficiency was not identified via tissue testing at Streaky Bay despite treatments with added manganese having better earlier growth.

• There were no differences in canola Blackleg infection or yield using fungicides as seed treatments or in-furrow in 2015.
• In 2014 combined protection of a fungicide on seed and in the furrow as a banded fluid reduced Blackleg infection and increased yield.
• The selection of Blackleg resistant varieties in the rotation is important.

• Fungicides as seed treatments or in-furrow did not increase canola yield in 2015 or 2016.
• In 2016 Intake (on fertiliser) and Jockey (on seed) which is current standard practice, lowered Blackleg stem infection, and in 2014 this treatment increased yield.

• An aggressive fodder species with good herbicide options is effective at controlling weeds.
• Grazing in summer or winter has no significant effect on weeds. Instead, controlling the late-in-crop weeds that survive grazing and preventing them setting seed is what’s important.
• The timing of seed removal operations is critical. Hay can be just as effective at reducing weeds as silage if it is timed correctly to prevent seed set.
• Modelling has shown that the longer the pasture phase, the greater the weed control. Early work indicates that this may be the case but future trials will need to confirm this.
   

• Fungicides are an effective management tool in protecting faba bean crops from grain yield and quality losses caused seasonally by Chocolate Spot and Ascochyta blight.
• Owing to the late break in the season crop growth rates were low until late September and the canopy remained open minimising the risk of a severe disease infestation.
• Fungicide treatments did not significantly affect yield (average yield 2.6 t/ha) or grain quality at this site.
• Seasonal conditions and disease pressures must always be taken into account when making a fungicide decision.

 

The 2001 season was a low disease pressure year, Botrytis grey-mould was not detected in this trial and Ascochyta appeared late in the season at low to moderate levels. Fungicide treatments did not affect grain yield regardless of fungicide type, application timing or the number of applications made. Fungicide timing affected seed discolouration with late season fungicide treatments on Cassab and Digger having cleaner seed than those treated earlier or not treated at all.

At the time of first visit (30th May), plants were at ~3 leaf stage and no foliar disease was evident.  Seedling establishment showed no spatial differences, with average emergence of >100 plants / m2 in all treatments except those with triadimenol seed treatment where >20% reduction in emergence was noted.

Minimal foliar disease was evident at 7th July (~Z31) assessment, minor levels of Stagonospora nodorum (septoria nodorum blotch) (SNB) were evident in the lower canopy but severity was too low for fungicide differences to be assessed.  

Trace levels of powdery mildew (PM) were evident on stems and lowest canopy leaves of untreated plots at booting (27th July) when the second foliar spray was applied. Development of PM was slow and on 15th September (~Z69) average severity in untreated controls was <1% leaf area affected on top 3 leaves, with infection primarily restricted to Flag-2 (Table 1).

PM was also present on heads and stems at low severity at this time, however the distribution of disease, particularly on heads, was patchy across the trial making differentiating between treatments difficult. At this time only the booting foliar spray provided consistent significant reduction in incidence of powdery mildew on stems and leaves.

SNB was present at low levels throughout the season, assessments at head emergence (23rd August) showed a small but significant effect of foliar treatments (Z31 and Z45) and flutriafol and Uniform in-furrow on necrotic leaf area. Assessments 3 weeks later at Z69 indicated that flutriafol in-furrow, triadimenol seed dressing and both foliar spray timings were providing a small reduction (~8-15% leaf area) in necrosis associated with SNB infection (Table 1).

With late and patchy onset of PM, yield responses to fungicides were 0-320kg/ha, with only the flutriafol in-furrow treatment having significantly greater yield than the untreated control, this response is likely due to the reduction of SNB rather than any effect on powdery mildew. Neither foliar spray timing gave significant yield response. Reduced emergence in triadimenol treated plots resulted in a 15% yield reduction (Table 2).

At two other sites (Geraldton, Dalwallinu), where powdery mildew infection commenced during stem elongation, all tested seed dressing and in-furrow fungicides had significant impact on disease severity and incidence. At the one site (Geraldton) where powdery mildew was yield limiting, in-furrow and foliar fungicide treatments gave a significant yield response.

• Fungicide seed treatment or in-furrow did not affect germination or emergence.
• Root disease levels were too low for fungicide responses to be evident.
• Foliar assessments at Z25 & Z30 indicate low levels of necrotrophic disease, both yellow spot (YS) and Stagonospora nodorum (SNB) present with SNB dominant, with no significant impact of at-seeding fungicides on disease expression.
• Foliar fungicide applications at Z31 and Z39 significantly reduced foliar disease severity (YS and SNB) at flag leaf and head emergence.
• Warm dry spring conditions limited fungicide response to late fungicide (Z55) application.
• Yield and quality results were not available.

• Forage pea varieties produced similar levels of biomass to other peas and less than vetch at Hart in 2014. They were also more susceptible to blackspot than other pea varieties.
• The value of PBA Hayman as an alternative to vetch will depend largely on being able to sow it early and control blackspot disease infection. This will often be difficult to achieve and sowing dates will need to be as early as possible around safe “black spot manager” predictions.
• Where sowing of field peas was delayed, biomass was maximised by increasing sowing densities above 50 plants/m2 with little negative effect on grain yield.

Populations of fumitory are now exhibiting resistance to commonly used broadleaf herbicides, including Clearfield®.

Avoid cultivation which promotes the germination of fumitory.

In this trial, Precept®, Velocity® + MCPA LVE and Affinity Force® + MCPA Amine, were most effective in controlling fumitory. On-duty® and other Group B herbicides were amongst the worst performers.

• Ascochyta rabiei can be controlled in chickpeas using chlorothalonil (Bravo).
• The fungicide needs to be applied early (six weeks after sowing) and be applied, at a minimum, every three weeks after the first application.
• Kaniva chickpeas sprayed with Bravo applied at two litres per hectare, every three weeks, produced a clean sample, free of infected grain (premium priced grain).

When spraying for stripe rust in susceptible crops spraying should take place during the early stages of disease development and generally not before the flag leaf stage of the crop. Spraying when the disease has fully developed and/or waiting until the crop is past the flowering stage is unlikely to be beneficial. See also “Fungicide strategies in wheat and barley” articles in this manual.

Ascochyta blight still has the potential to threaten a chickpea crop, as varieties available to the farmer today are still susceptible to the disease. Without a fungicide plan a chickpea crop is at risk of being devastated by ascochyta. In this trial, chickpeas that had no fungicide applied during the season had significantly lower yield than those treated with some sort of fungicide plan. Those plots treated with three fungicide applications during the year had the highest yield response (1.34t/ha and 1.39t/ha) compared to 1.1t/ha for the unsprayed control.

There was general trend for those treatments that produced the best disease control to produce the highest yields e.g. Tilt Xtra/Amistar Xtra 2 spray programme and 2 spray Opus programme (however there were notable exceptions).

• Foliar applications of blackleg fungicides such as Aviator Xpro or Prosaro achieve the largest gains on varieties such as Bayer 3000TR and Bonito which are both rated MS-MR or lower for blackleg resistance.
• Canola varieties rated R-MR or better are unlikely to benefit from foliar blackleg sprays for disease control,
  however some secondary benefit from green leaf retention may be seen in years where moisture is not limiting.
• Blackleg management should be tackled with an integrated approach using buffer zones, rotations, varietal selection and fungicides.

Delaying the onset of a stripe rust outbreak can be achieved using fungicide seed dressings or fertiliser treatments. In situations where this is beneficial such as in the Wimmera where conditions may be too wet for fungicide application late in the season, this could be a good strategy.

• Stripe Rust (SR) caused yield losses in all but the highly resistant variety Sunstate (8) at most sites.
• Fungicides helped to protect yield potentials in susceptible varieties, except when SR pressure was either very low or very high.
• Timely early and late protection appeared more important than fungicide choice at Z39
• The genetic resistance in Sunstate (8) was clearly the most outstanding form of SR control when disease pressure was very high, exceeding any fungicide strategy used on susceptible varieties.
• Fungicide protection of SR on susceptible varieties is a practical and profitable option in the absence of resistant wheat varieties with desired agronomic traits.

• To date field trials funded by GRDC project DAS00136 have not been able to show that application of fungicides to seed provide significant reductions in yield loss caused by crown rot.
• Fungicides applied to seed or in-furrow at seeding can provide some suppression of pathogen growth through the plant early in the season (as measured using DNA techniques) but this effect is gone by early grain fill.
• In crop spray applications targeted at the base of plants have shown small yield benefits, but these benefits are not consistent between sites and across seasons.

• H45 proved far more susceptible to stripe rust than Diamondbird in 2004.
• With the dry conditions of 2004, when yields were higher (2-3 t/ha) stripe rust infection significantly decreased yield in H45 by 16%-17%. Grain quality effects were also recorded at the site with the highest level of infection.
• Jockey seed treatment provided some residual control of stripe rust at two out ofthe three sites.
• Foliar fungicides proved very effective at reducing stripe rust infection.
• Only the combination of seed applied + foliar fungicide resulted in a significantlyhigher yield and quality than the nil treatment with H45 wheat.
• Yellow leaf spot had no effect on yield or quality of the susceptible varietyDiamondbird.

One way ploughing slightly improved establishment, head numbers, biomass production and yield but is not a viable long term solution for the severe non wetting on this soil type.

Deep ripping and spading improved head numbers by over 60% and biomass production by 87% compared to the control.

Grain yields were improved by over a 1 t/ha and gross margin by about $200/ha when treatment costs were amortized over 5 years in the combined ripping and spading treatments.

•  A survey of 80 winter cereal crops across central and northern NSW in 2016 established that low levels (generally <1%) of Fusarium head blight (FHB) were evident with the causal pathogen predominantly being Fusarium pseudograminearum (Fp).
• This was the crown rot fungus (Fp), reminding growers that it does not disappear in a wet season.
• FHB infection caused by Fp has a reduced risk for mycotoxin accumulation in infected grain, but could have detrimental impacts on crop establishment if seed is retained for planting.
• Planting Fusarium-infected grain can also introduce seed-borne crown rot infection into clean paddocks, negating the rotational benefits associated with growing non-host crops.
   

• No impact on crop emergence, head count or yield observed 
• No indication of any benefit from application of fungicide as seed treatment 
• Significant increase in Fusarium colonisation when sorghum sprayed out with glyphosate 
• Increase in Fusarium colonisation following glyphosate spray-out was significantly greater in MR Bazley than MR Buster

• The random survey found that button grass infests approximately 45% of cotton fields.

• The species shows a high level of physical seed dormancy.

• Seedlings of this species can survive a moderate level of water stress.

• Southern populations of this species are sensitive to saline conditions.

• Clover content in kikuyu can be increased by hard grazing of the kikiyu stand prior to the opening rains (insure RLEM are controlled, lime if soil is pHCaCl<5).
• Sowing legumes can increase legume content. If grass suppression is used, weeds may also increase unless control measures are taken.
• Legume content can be increased after the break by using a grass selective herbicide to suppress the kikiyu, if you have an adequate clover seedbank.
• If clover needs to be added, drill seed in, don't broadcast.

• No-Till is a whole farming system, not just a change of machinery. If farmers only get part of the package right, the potential to succeed with no-till is greatly reduced.
• Paddock selection, stubble management, weed control, nutrition, disease management and seed placement all play a vital role in the success of no-till.
• 2007 has many advantages for the first year no-tillers with low stubble loads, residual nutrition and low disease carryover.
• Ask others who have successfully made the change to no-till what works for them. Don’t try to re-invent the wheel and make the same mistakes all over again.

• Clethodim sprayed with medium droplets provided better control of annual ryegrass (ARG) than very coarse droplets when at the 4 leaf growth stage of the weed
• Clethodim effectively controlled ARG at mid-tiller and late-tiller growth stage, irrespective of nozzle type
• Delaying spraying until ARG is at late-tiller stage may compromise canola yield 

• There has been no measured grain production or soil health decline associated with grazing sheep on pastures and crop stubbles over a 4 year pasture-wheat rotation. Grain yields were higher as a result of increased wheat seed and fertiliser rates in 2013.
• Higher applied crop seed and fertiliser rates with an improved medic pasture increased estimated gross margins by $16/ha/annum over a 6 year wheat-wheat-pasture-wheat-pasture-wheat rotation