For results please see the attached trial report.

• Residual control of herbicides applied before crop emergence was not effective for short to medium term control or suppression of radish.
• It appears that in-crop control techniques are more effective.

• Group D herbicides should not be used alone – it is important that resistance to this very important group of herbicides does not develop.
• There was no difference in yield between the trifluralin in mixes with metribuzin, diuron or avadex applied; however there was a reduction in ryegrass heads at flowering due to the addition of Dual Gold (metolachlor) to trifluralin.

Trifluralin use has increased in the last decade and the threat of ryegrass developing resistance to group D herbicides (including trifluralin) is real, already occurring on some farms. In this trial a number of herbicides with activity on ryegrass were tested as mixes with trifluralin on their efficacy in controlling ryegrass as well as on grain yield.

• Seasonal conditions reduced the potential impacts of the pre-emergent herbicides evaluated in this trial with sowing taking place under dry conditions. The top 5 cm was dry with little follow up moisture although there was enough to get the crop out of the ground. The effects of pre-emergent herbicides are generally more pronounced under very moist conditions particularly under intense heavy rain events at seeding or when the top soil is saturated for an extended period at plant establishment.
• In this trial neither yield or weed density were significantly different between the herbicide treatments.
• Weed plant densities were extremely variable within each treatment so caution should be taken when comparing grass weed efficacy in this trial.

Standard farmer practice of 'pasture topping' in the previous year, followed by a knock down around the seasons break, remain the best practice before sowing saltbush or bluebush by seed.

Standard farmer practice of 'pasture topping' in the previous year, followed by a knock down around the seasons break, remain the best practice before sowing saltbush or bluebush by seed.

Using precision agriculture (PA) to apply variable rate of fertilise is an easy way to test new idea on farm. Precision agriculture can be used to apply different rates of fertiliser to different areas of a paddock. Wheat responded to applied phophorus, even though soil tests indicated it had a high level of Colwell P (56mg/ka).

Reducing sowing rates to 50 kg/ha did not impact on yield, which is consistant with 2009 trial results. Yield at the site did not respond to applied phosphorus or nitrogen fertiliser even following early plant growth responses.

• Yields at very low seed rates of 0.3 and 0.5 kg/ha were comparable to yields at higher seed rates of 1.0 and 2.5 kg/ha when using a precision seeding machine.
• Yields in excess of 2.0 t/ha were achieved when sowing at 50 cm row spacing.
• These results suggest we should continue investigating more precise seed delivery systems.

• Yields at very low seed rates of 0.3 and 0.5 kg/ha were comparable to yields at higher seed rates of 1.0 and 2.5 kg/ha when using a precision seeding machine.
• Yields in excess of 2.0 t/ha were achieved when sowing at 50 cm row spacing.
• These results suggest we should continue investigating more precise seed delivery systems.

• Nodulation can be very poor and very patchy, and measures to improve both the level and consistency of nodulation are needed.
• Growers are encouraged to take root samples of legume crops in late winter or early spring to assess nodulation. A nodulation assessment guide that includes photos of plants with poor and good nodulation is available online.
• AgKI has received funding through GRDC for bean nodulation trial work in 2015 – so hopefully next year’s Ag Trial booklet will have good news about how to improve nodulation.

The important message from these trials is that any post seeding treatment is better than none at all.

Two significant weather events that had an important influence over the results in this project, in 2016, frost and 2017, summer rain. In 2016, there were multiple severe frost events during the critical, flowering stage of the growing season. Oats being a relatively frost tolerant species proved to be the best performing species for yield and gross returns in 2016. The broadleaf crops, both legumes and canola were severely impacted by frost.

For barley in 2016 the accumulated gross returns for two years was higher in rotation, fallow 2015; barley 2016 when compared with wheat 2015 barley 2016. This supports previous work by CFIG that including fallow in the rotation can increase gross returns over a two year period.

In season 2017 frost damage was minor when compared to 2016. Season 2017 was dominated by heavy summer rainfall and a very dry start to winter. The fallow plots were impacted by the summer rain due to lack of soil cover. The loamy, morrell soil set hard at the surface as a result of the heavy summer rain which severely impacted penetration of the seeding equipment and subsequently, crop establishment was poor. The very dry start to the season likely exacerbated the poor establishment on the fallow plots.

Oats performed well again in 2017 in terms of yield but barley produced higher gross returns. Chickpeas and lentils were the best performing of the broadleaf crops in 2017.

When the gross returns in 2017 were compared by rotation (2015-2017), it is interesting to note that 2017 cereals grown in rotation with legumes in 2016 generally performed well.

The gross returns for every rotation tested in the trial were compared on an accumulative return over 3 years (2015-2017) and the rotation with the highest accumulative return was year 1; wheat year 2; chickpeas and year 3; barley. This demonstrates the value of a legume in a rotation which contributed to the highest yielding plot, which was barley in 2017.

The top two highest total gross return rotations over three years had a legume crop in one year of the rotation. The third highest return rotation had a fallow phase which confirms fallow as a rotation option. In the top 10 highest returning rotations, 4 had fallow in one year of the rotation.

This trial has run for the past 3 years at the SFS Gnarwarre site. Chick peas have shown consistently good returns. We now have the local knowledge to help grow pulses in this area.

• Sowing depth had no effect on emergence, biomass production or grain yield in lentils and field peas.
• Field peas - Early sowing (early - mid May) beneficial at the Mallee sites for newer varieties (PSL4, Snowpeak and Excell).
• Lentils - Later sowing (mid June - early July) beneficial this year due to late rainfall.

Pulses have a major role to play in the cropping rotation in the high rainfall zone. Many growers are already achieving good results due to sound management and the ability to ensure that operations such as sowing and spraying are done on time. These growers have shown that if done successfully, pulses can form a profitable part of the rotation. In the high rainfall zone they can be high yielding and produce a sound gross margin, as well they provide opportunities for disease breaks and herbicide rotations and the grazing value of some pulse stubbles, such as beans and peas, should not be under estimated

• Peas are the most robust pulse option in low rainfall environments, but erosion risks must be well managed.
• Early sowing is essential for maximising pulse yields.
• Kaspa is an option for low rainfall regions, but has generally performed best in the more favourable years.
• No significant yield difference occurred in Kaspa by increasing plant density from 45 to 55 plants/m2 in 2003.
• Beans and chickpeas are opportunity crops only in low rainfall environments and suited to better years and more favourable conditions.

• Peas are the most robust pulse option in low rainfall environments, but erosion risks must be well managed.
• Early sowing is essential for maximising pulse yields.
• Kaspa is an option for low rainfall regions, but has generally performed best in the more favourable years.
• No significant yield difference occurred in Kaspa by increasing plant density from 45 to 55 plants/m2 in 2003.
• Beans and chickpeas are opportunity crops only in low rainfall environments and suited to better years and more favourable conditions.

• A range of pulse agronomic and variety trials were sown across the Medium Rainfall Zone of the South
East in 2018

• New faba bean PBA Bendoc, may be an option for growers in the Medium Rainfall Zone of the South East

• The use of Gaucho®600 on lentil to reduce the occurrence and impact of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus was evaluated at Keith
• Chickpea yields of over 1.0 t/ha were obtained at Sherwood
• At Keith average field pea yields were similar between a May sowing and a July sowing
• Average lupin yields of 2.68 t/ha at Sherwood, show it is a productive pulse option on suitable soil types

 

• In the dry conditions there was no significant differences between the two pea varieties and no significant difference between the faba bean varieties. The yields for all of the varieties was disappointing and is due in part to the hot dry conditions at flowering but also due to the late sowing of the beans. There are also some indications that a frost may have had some affect on the final yields.
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

After two years of trials it appears that the 30cm row spacing is the better option sowing width for both field peas and faba beans. These results should still be treated with caution however as disease levels were extremely low in both years and 2002 was an extremely dry year.

The 1998 season in the southern mallee of Victoria was characterised by an early break, a dry winter and spring, and severe frosts in October.

• In the dry conditions there was no significant differences between the two pea varieties and no significant difference between the faba bean varieties. The yields for all of the varieties was disappointing and is due in part to the hot dry conditions at flowering but also due to the late sowing of the beans. There are also some indications that a frost may have had some affect on the final yields. 
• For further conclusions please see the attached trial report.

• The effect of sowing dates and rates on lentil, field pea and chickpea cultivars was investigated. The only experiment that was harvested was field peas; yields ranged from 0.2 to 0.7t/ha.
• The lentil and chickpea trials were not harvested due to the drought conditions. Similar trials were also conducted at Rupanyup, but were not harvested due to the drought and several frosts.

PBA Striker has a good fit in Mallee rotations, but ascochyta needs to be more carefully managed than with resistant varieties like PBA Slasher and Genesis 090. Early sowing was still beneficial for all pulses, but particularly lentils, despite the dry start. PBA Percy and PBA Gunyah are showing good potential for the Mallee, as is PBA Wharton.

Earlier sown beans and lupins proved that pulses can yield in a very dry year. Although yields were comparatively low, an economic analysis has revealed that this enterprise selection was still profitable. Later sowing of peas, chickpeas and lentils showed little benefit due to the lack of follow up rainfall.

• In 2009, field peas were the only pulse crop to produce measurable yields in the trials run at Condobolin and Euabalong.
• All field pea varieties produced similar yields at Condobolin.
• Harvest was difficult due to stunted plant height and lodging.
• Sowing pulse crops early is essential to maximise yield.

• Five new pulse varieties were released for southern Australia in 2013. It is important to carefully assess the agronomic, disease and marketing strengths and weakness of each variety, and their overall role in the farming system.
• The warm, wet winter favoured biomass production and early botrytis grey mould onset in lentil and faba beans in 2013. Timely canopy closure fungicide application was critical for reducing yield loss in varieties with intermediate resistance.
• Weed competition was a major constraint to pulse production in 2013. A GRDC funded project has successfully developed alternative herbicide tolerances in lentil and faba bean and field validation is expected in 2014.  
• Clethodim resistant ryegrass is becoming a major issue in pulse production and alternative weed control strategies require investigation.

• In 2009, field peas were the only pulse crop to produce measurable yields in the trials run at Condobolin and Euabalong.
• All field pea varieties produced similar yields at Condobolin.
• Harvest was difficult due to stunted plant height and lodging.
• Sowing pulse crops early is essential to maximise yield.

• Five new pulse varieties were released for southern Australia in 2013. It is important to carefully assess the agronomic, disease and marketing strengths and weakness of each variety, and their overall role in the farming system.
• The warm, wet winter favoured biomass production and early botrytis grey mould onset in lentil and faba beans in 2013. Timely canopy closure fungicide application was critical for reducing yield loss in varieties with intermediate resistance.
• Weed competition was a major constraint to pulse production in 2013. A GRDC funded project has successfully developed alternative herbicide tolerances in lentil and faba bean and field validation is expected in 2014.
• Clethodim resistant ryegrass is becoming a major issue in pulse production and alternative weed control strategies require investigation.

• Pulses last season were affected by both drought and frosts.
• Prices were exceptional in 2006/07, with high demand and low supply.
• Herbicide residues may influence crop rotations more than diseases in 2007.
• Seed quality and availability will also be a big issue for pulses in 2007.
• Timeliness of sowing is becoming a greater issue with pulses.
• Pulses cut as forage proved to be a worth while option last season .

• Winter habit canola has been successfully sown in spring, grazed over summer and harvested for grain in 2012 and 2013.
• Establishing canola in spring means larger, more resilient plants in autumn with less impact from slugs and waterlogging.
• Forage value comparable to commercially available dedicated forage rapes over summer and autumn with added benefit of oil seed production.
• In 2012, grazing over summer increased grain yield compared with no grazing.  Ungrazed yield was 1.9 t/ ha; grazed was 2.7 t/ha.  Taurus sown at the conventional time (April) yielded 2.3 t/ha.
   

Currently, growers with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) non-RTK, non-subscription autosteer equipment obtain accuracies of ~0.1m. Our original expectations were that this level of accuracy could not be reliably achieved with any of the tested signals. The level of accuracy initially anticipated from the SBAS signals was 0.5 – 1.0m @95%, significantly worse than available from growers COTS systems. These expectations of the SBAS signal were largely confirmed by the testing completed as part of this project. We believe that the testing results and survey feedback clearly demonstrate that the SBAS signals should not be attempting to compete with or replace COTS systems at the <10cm level.

However, whist the COTS systems are widespread and grower’s accuracy expectations are driven by COTS system performance, they are aimed at high value tasks (harvesting, sowing, spreading) and as a result are expensive and lack flexibility. Based on the testing conducted and survey feedback from growers, we believe that growers will need accuracies of <=20cm for less critical high value tasks (such as spreading ameliorants and spraying chemicals) and >20cm for general tasks. It is these areas that we believe SBAS signals will offer the greatest benefit, primarily in terms of cost, reliability, and flexibility.  

Our thoughts with regards to grower’s accuracy requirements changed over the course of the year. In particular we recognised different levels of accuracy are needed for different tasks (although this is not necessarily recognised by the growers). With increasing adoption of cm-level NRTK technology by growers (particularly in WA) future SBAS signals need to deliver as close as possible to cm-level accuracies. If reliable performance at accuracies of<20cm can be achieved, the reduced costs associated with SBAS may encourage some farmers to compromise on accuracy for high value tasks.

• Winter feed options trial to value add to the MFMG day at Keith.
• Range of winter feed options evaluated under specific local conditions.

Post sowing pre-emergent and early post emergent herbicide applications all reduced radish numbers but not sufficiently to be commercially acceptable. High rates of triazines were more effective in controlling radish and were quite well tolerated by the broadleaf lupins in this trial. For effective control of radish in lupins, a post sowing application of triazine followed by a post emergent application of either Brodal or Eclipse is required.

Post-sowing pre-emergent treatments were not active enough to reduce a large radish population to a commercially acceptable level. Early post emergent treatments were more effective in reducing radish populations to a manageable level but did not eliminate the radish problem. Product mixes containing Brodal were the most effective in controlling to low levels quite a dense radish population.

• Row spacing and seeding rate made no difference to yield when sown on 4 May.
• When sown 24 May, yield decreased with wider row spacing’s, and slightly increased with higher seeding rates.
• The variation in this trial was large due to previous seasons header rows.

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

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

• Frost and heat shock events can cause significant damage to grain crops during flowering and grain filling.
• To reduce the risk of frost or heat events reducing yield, it is advisable to sow different varieties with different maturity lengths right through the sowing window to ensure that not all he wheat sown on hte farm flowers at the same time.
• An alternative practice would be to sow a mix of two different maturity length varieties in the same paddock. 

• For the 3 phases of methane measurement reported, methane emission intensity (L CH4/hr/100g ADWG) was significantly lower for lambs on a better quality forage with high metabolisable energy, digestibility and crude protein.
• Feedlotting is an option that gives producers the flexibility to finish lambs when pasture availability is limited or light soils are at risk of erosion.
• Spray-topping cereal crops is a good management strategy for weed control and feed management for livestock, however, livestock productivity gains can be compromised when spray-topped cereals are grazed without offering lambs better quality fodder supplements.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the barley variety CommanderA. • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.

• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line LPB12-0494.

• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in
2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum
levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot
infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown
rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this
disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the
barley variety CommanderA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with
nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety
DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.
• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line
LPB12-0494.
• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in 2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from 7.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB SpitfireA up to 29.1% in the
barley variety CommanderA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with
nine entries being 0.30 t/ha to 1.33 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 12.0% in MitchA up to 15.8% in the recently released durum variety
DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot infection did not affect any grain protein level in any entry.
• Screening levels varied from 2.2% in the barley variety CompassA up to 9.5% in the bread wheat line
LPB12-0494.
• Crown rot infection did not affect screening levels in any entry.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–33% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Bullarah in 2016. This could have maximised profit in the growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in four of the bread wheat varieties up to 14.9% in the barley variety CompassA. • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with eight entries being between 0.29 t/ha and 0.76 t/ha higher yielding than EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.9% in BeckomA up to 14.7% in the recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any other entry.
• Screening levels varied from 4.4% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat variety CoolahA up to 9.3% in the barley variety SpartacusA. Crown rot did not affect screenings in any other entry.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and LRPB FlankerA.

• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.

• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA
up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and
LRPB FlankerA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five
entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not
affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat
varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

 

 

Key findings
• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley varieties SpartacusA and CommanderA
up to around 20% in the barley variety CompassA and bread wheat varieties EGA GregoryA and
LRPB FlankerA.
• Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with five
entries being between 0.32 t/ha to 0.57 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety
EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels varied from 11.3% in MitchA up to 14.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot infection did not
affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection increased the level of screenings in all four barley varieties and the two bread wheat
varieties SunmateA and LRPB ReliantA.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 7–13% yield benefit over growing the susceptible
bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Garah in 2016.
This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels
for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection.
Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather
just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

 

 

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the variety DBA LillaroiA and seven of the 13 bread wheat varieties, up to 32.9% in the durum variety JandaroiA.
• Only the bread wheat variety MitchA was higher yielding (0.41 t/ha) than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection.
• Grain protein levels were low across the site and varied from 7.7% in MitchA up to 10.1% in the durum line 190873. Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.
• Crown rot infection caused a small (1–2%), but significant, increase in the level of screenings in the barley variety La TrobeA, and 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.
   

•  Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the barley variety CompassA, durum entries 190873 and JandaroiA and six of the bread wheat varieties, up to 19.7% in the barley variety CommanderA.
• Only the bread wheat variety BeckomA was higher yielding (by 0.58 t/ha) in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels were very low across the site (average 8.2%) and varied from 7.5% in LRPB ReliantA up to 8.9% in LRPB SpitfireA. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any entry.
• Screening levels were very low across entries, but crown rot infection caused a small (0.5–1.3%), yet significant, increase in the level of screenings in the barley varieties CompassA and CommanderA, as well as in the bread wheat varieties CoolahA and LRPB SpitfireA.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield in the absence and presence of added crown rot inoculum, which differed by 1.41 t/ha and 1.30 t/ha, respectively between the best and worst entries. Only the bread wheat variety BeckomA provided a yield benefit (15%) over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Merriwa in 2016. This could have maximised profit in this growing season, but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

•  Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the bread wheat varieties MitchA and BeckomA up to 18.6% in the bread wheat variety LRPB FlankerA.
• The two barley varieties Spartacus A and La TrobeA along with nine of the bread wheat entries were higher yielding (0.28 t/ha to 0.86 t/ha) in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection than EGA GregoryA.
• Grain protein levels were relatively low at across the site which varied from 9.2% in CoolahA up to 11.5% in the barley variety SpartacusA . Protein levels in all other entries were not affected by crown rot infection.
• Crown rot infection caused a small (0.6 to 1.4%) but significant increase in the level of screenings in the four barley varieties and four of the thirteen bread wheat entries but remained below 5% for all entries.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice provided a 6–20% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Parkes in 2016. This could have maximised profit in this growing season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in five of the bread wheat varieties, the barley variety CommanderA and the durum variety JandaroiA up to 12.9% in the bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• The recently released durum variety DBA LillaroiA produced a protein level of 15% which was over 1% higher than the two other durum entries JandaroiA and 190873.

• Crown rot infection did not significantly impact on the level of screenings in any of the entries due to limited expression under the wet seasonal conditions at this site in 2016. However, genetic differences were evident with screening levels which ranged from 3.2% in the durum line 190873 up to 17.6% in the bread wheat variety BeckomA.

Conclusions

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield in the absence and presence of crown rot infection, which differed by 2.26 t/ha and 2.24 t/ha, respectively between the best and worst entries. The three durum entries were higher yielding relative to bread wheat and barley entries in both the added CR and no added CR treatments at this site in 2016. This was likely due to seasonal conditions (near full soil water profile at sowing plus 472 mm of in-crop rainfall), which limited crown rot expression.

Cereal crop and variety choice still provided a 9% to 35% yield benefit over growing the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA under high levels of crown rot infection at Tamarang on the Liverpool Plains in 2016. This can maximise profit in the current season but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops, because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

Key findings

• Yield loss from crown rot ranged from not significant in the bread wheat variety LRPB ReliantA up to 16.9% in the barley variety CompassA

 • Bread wheat variety choice affected yield in the presence of high levels of crown rot infection with three entries being between 0.45 t/ha and 0.85 t/ha higher yielding than the susceptible bread wheat variety EGA GregoryA.

• Grain protein levels were low across the site (mean of 9.8%) and varied from 8.7% in MitchA up to 10.6% in LRPB SpitfireA Crown rot infection did not affect protein levels in any entry.

• Crown rot infection caused a small (1–4%), but significant increase in screenings in the barley variety La TrobeA and all of the 13 bread wheat entries.

• Seasonal conditions reduced stress during grain fill at this site in 2016, which limited the effects from infection on yield.
• Although the effect of crown rot infection on yield was not significant, there was still a 52% (1.76 t/ha) difference between the overall yield of the best and worst entries.
• Grain protein levels were relatively low across the site, varying from 7.8% in MitchA up to 9.8% in the durum line 190873. Crown rot did not affect protein levels in any other variety.
• Crown rot infection caused a moderate (2–6%) increase in the level of screenings in 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.

Conclusions:

Cereal crop and variety choice affected yield at this site in 2016, which differed by 1.76 t/ha (52%) between the best (SpartacusA) and worst (DBA LillaroiA) entries when averaged across CR treatments. CR treatment did not significantly affect yield in any of the entries due to seasonal conditions (~120 mm of plant available water at sowing plus 555 mm in-crop rainfall), which limited stress during grain filling. The added CR treatment also did not affect grain protein levels, but resulted in a modest 2–6% increase in the level of screenings in 10 of the 13 bread wheat entries.

It should be remembered that cereal crop and variety choice in paddocks with a medium crown rot risk can maximise profit in the current season, but will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops because all winter cereal varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot, but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease. 

Row Spacing: Most pulse crops are adapted to wider row spacings:

• Lupins 18 - 50cm
• Chickpeas 18 - 75cm
• Faba beans 18 - 75cm

Wider rows can reduce foliar fungal disease incidence (increasing airflow) and allow better stubble clearance by sowing machinery. However, good weed control is essential with wider rows.

Ally applied as per label recommendations with a 9 month plant back period for pulses and canola grown on alkaline soils did not appear to have a negative effect on the growth of chickpeas, field peas, lentils, faba beans and canola.

  Key findings:

Yield in the presence of crown rot was generally barley > bread wheat > durum across both sowing times, but significant differences were evident between varieties.

• Barley, bread wheat and durum varieties differ in their extent of yield loss from crown rot and their actual yield and grain quality (screenings) in the presence of this disease.
• However, all varieties are susceptible to crown rot infection and will not significantly reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops. Variety choice is not a sole solution to crown rot.

Conclusions

• Sowing date and variety maturity choice is a balance between frost risk and terminal heat stress in the northern grain region. Both can have a significant impact on grain yield. No frost damage was evident at this site in 2014 with either sowing time but terminal heat stress did occur which was more severe during grain filling with the second sowing time. A three week delay in sowing time resulted in an average 24% reduction in yield across the winter cereal entries.  Later sowing pushed grain-fill too far into hotter conditions. This can reduce yield by itself but if there is also an underlying issue with crown rot then delayed sowing significantly exacerbates the expression of this disease with negative impacts on both yield and grain quality.

  Varieties do differ in their extent of yield loss from crown rot and in their relative yield in the presence of high levels of infection, which is often referred to as tolerance. This is a function of a varieties level of partial resistance to infection but appears to also interact with its environmental adaptation and maturity relative to the timing of stress (moisture and heat) which exacerbates the expression of crown rot. Generally quicker maturing barley, durum and bread wheat entries were higher yielding in the presence of crown rot infection in this trial. This does not necessarily mean that these varieties have improved levels of resistance to crown rot infection but rather their quicker maturity allowed them to minimize stress during grain filling relative to longer season entries, reducing the expression of crown rot.

  If forced into planting a cereal crop in a high crown rot risk situation then some barley varieties may provide a yield advantage over bread wheat in that season, as long as early stress does not occur. Some of the newer bread wheat varieties do appear to be closing this gap to some extent. Barley tends to yield better in the presence of crown rot infection due to its earlier maturity relative to bread wheat, providing an escape mechanism which reduces its exposure to moisture stress during the critical grain filling stage. However, a key message is that this decision is only potentially maximising profit in the current season. Growing barley over bread wheat will not assist with the reduction of crown rot inoculum levels as barley is very susceptible to infection. Significant yield loss is still occurring in the best of the barley and bread wheat varieties in the presence of high crown rot infection. Variety selection can improve yield in the presence of crown rot, though all varieties still suffer yield loss, which can maximise profit in the current season but this will not reduce inoculum levels for subsequent crops. Winter cereal crop and variety choice is therefore not the sole solution to crown rot but rather just one element of an integrated management strategy to limit losses from this disease.

• 10 chickpea genotypes were grown in the field with and without added zinc.
• Zinc sulphate was applied to the soil at sowing and later as a foliar spray at the start of flowering.
• Zinc fertilisation increase shoot dry matter by 13% at maturity.
• There were differences between cultivars in zinc efficiency.
• Gains in yield by improved to sink efficiency are possible in chickpeas.
•  The ranking of cultivars was consistent between sites and in pot studies in the glasshouse.
•  Significant responses to zinc fertiliser confirmed that zinc deficiency was a limitation to chickpea yield.

• The Italian ryegrass responded well to phosphorus additions in the range of 15-60 kg P/ha and required the higher rates to be applied unless nitrogen, potassium and sulphur were also included.
• In regard to the addition of potassium, the relatively wet year meant there was unexpectedly no negative affect on plant establishment by banding potassium fertiliser in the soil at sowing which is generally not recommended.

Potassium levels are low in this soil and this site should have been responsive to applied potassium, however due to seasonal and soil conditions there where no differences between treatments in this trial. The very dry June-August had a marked impact on crop growth, particularly tillering. This can be seen by the lack of differences in the head counts taken in September. Very hot conditions in early August also affected flowering in wheat and limited any response in grain yeild with later rains. Soil penetrometer readings in the paddock near the trial site showed hard pan and this in conjunction with the pH and Aluminium levels below 10cm would have restricted root growth and limited the wheat plants ability to access soil miosture at depth during the dry winter period. Without yield responses to applied treatments, crop return decreased as fertiliser rates increased.

• The 12 barley varieties were, on average 26%, higher yielding than the 4 wheat varieties in this experiment.
• the fast developing wheat varieties Emu Rock and Condo generally reached anthesis around the same date as the slow developing barley varieties Navigator, Oxford and Urambie.
• Long season barley varieties such as Oxford and Urambie performed well for early sowing (24 April) but most barley lines had their highest yield from main season sowing (12 May).
• The four early season wheat varieties generally had better yield from main season sowing than from early sowing. 

• Trial sowing at 11 June was later than optimal but plant growth was showing strong response to nitrogen (N) and some response to potassium (K) at 28 August.
• By harvest, Mace wheat showed significant grain yield response to nitrogen application but potassium response had moderated.
• No significant differences were seen from Cu application.
• Late sowing decreased yield potential from the start. Harvest yields ranged from 2 to 3 t/ha, with maximum yield and $/ha return at 80 kg N/ha and 12.5 kg K/ha.

• A field trial was conducted at Pthara in 2009. Twenty-four wheat breeding lines from various Australian breeding companies were selected and sown at three times of sowing in a randomised block design with three replications.
• At this site, most of the AH varieties achieved more than 13% protein at all sowing times times except TOS1.

1. Wheat at Condamine and late barley at Jimbour West both had yield increases with starter and deep-P independently.
2. Chickpea at both Roma sites had no effect of starter or deep-P on grain yield, with little in-crop rain restricting yield potential.
3. Potassium (K) had no yield effect on late barley at Jimbour West.

• Sowing in early June 2009 resulted in wheat yields on 3 soil types being similar but only achieving 50% of potential water use efficiency.

• After two good seasons a variable rate approach is as profitable as a low input blanket approach and more profitable than a standard blanket approach.

• The profitability of VRT, excluding capital outlay, was just better than standard practice over the last two seasons at Minnipa.
• The long term impacts of reducing inputs and any consequent yield reductions in above average seasons are yet to be determined.

• In 2009 47 ha of barley sown for feed at the break of the season sustained 300 ewes and lambs for 3 months during the period of late autumn-winter, a traditional period of pasture deficit.
• Hay freezing the forage crop ensures grass weeds are controlled.
• Use of strip grazing better utilises feed on hand and helps control erosion (especially around watering points).

• In 2010 Axe sown 1 July produced a similar grain yield and gross margin to Wyalkatchem sown 11 June. These results continue to show that matching varietyselection with sowing date can help to maximise profits.

• The early to mid season varieties Wyalkatchem and Mace performed well if sown early, while Axe performed well against the other varieties if sown later, facing a shorter growing season.
• Matching wheat variety selection with sowing date and soil type can help to maximise returns.

• Winter cereal varieties differ in their levels of yield loss and responsiveness to crown rot and growers can use these rankings to improve production in the presence of this disease.
• Grain yield and responsiveness to crown rot appear strongly correlated in these experiments.
• Grain yield losses vary between seasons with up to a 25% reduction measured in southern NSW.

• In dry years open-pollinated canola can produce small seed in low rainfall areas. Sowing the small seed at a low seeding rate of 2 kg/ha reduced yield and farmers could benefit by increasing the seeding rate to 4 kg/ha  in the following year or purchasing fresh seed.
• Grading small seed hard was not as reliable as increasing the seeding rate to 4 kg/ha.
• F2 hybrid seed produced lower yields than F1 seed unless seeding rates are increased to 4 kg/ha or mixes are made with F1 seed.
• Hybrid TT was less productive than open pollinated TT canola.