Field peas trials

To demonstrate growth of three lines of peas from Seednet.

To investigate the questions:

• What if there was a simple way to improve the top soil depth to encourage plants to grow deeper root systems?
• Could we grow the massive crops you seen grown overseas where they measure top soil in feet not inches?

To investigate the idea of Pasture Cropping (PC), which involves seeding a crop into an existing summer-active pasture stand without killing the pasture.

• To investigate posture cropping - involving seeding an annual winter active species (peas) into an existing summer-active perennial pasture stand (kikuyu).

• To investigate the effect of different types of inoculant on nodulation and yield in field peas grown in KI conditions.

To investigate the effectiveness of BTH (benzothiadiazole) to increase a crops resilience to disease.

To discuss abiotic stresses of cool season pulses in Australia.

The aim of this trial was to investigate alternative chemicals for the control of ryegrass in wheat; and in broadleaf crops, canola, lentil and field pea.

To compare varieties of canola, peola an lentils.

To answer the question 'What if there is no break until June or July?'

To test a new AgrEvo product on fieldpeas and lentisl for Ascochyta control activity.

To compare two new field pea varieties (Parafield and Kaspa) to Dundale.

To discuss disease issues with pulse-on-pulse cropping.

To evaluate emerging and newly released medic, vetch and forage peas varieties for their ability to produce dry matter and nutritive value for stock in the Mallee and Wimmera environments.

To discuss the BCG Farming Systems 2000 season.

To report on the Farming Systems trial 2003.

To report on the Farming Systems trial 2006.

To compare the yields of crops in the southern Mallee under various farming systmes in 2010.

To compare the yields of crops grown under four different farming systems common to the southern Mallee region.

To determine the optimum sowing date(s) and sowing rate(s) for new field pea cultivars.

To develop inproved cultivars of field peas for all regions in southern Australia.

To conduct a field pea variety trial.

To compare the performance of four field pea varieties in the Mallee.

To improve the yield potential, adaptation and grain quality of field pea in southern Australia by breeding superior varieties for growers.

To investigate the effects of soil type and climate on the yield of commercial varieties and advanced breeding lines in Victoria and thereby assist in the selection of superior varieties for farmers in this state.

• To compare field pea variety performance for Victoria’s grain growing regions.
• To assess the relative performance of advanced breeding lines identified as potential commercial releases by the national field pea breeding program.

To conduct a field pea variety evaluation.

To identify the best varieties available and potential commercial releases from the breeding program for growers in Victoria.

To discuss field pea varieties and issues.

To demonstrate a range of crop types and end-uses that could have a role in the low rainfall farming systems of the Mallee.

To increase our understanding of how relative grain yields in different parts of a paddock in the Mallee region vary year to year (and between crop types) and how these changes are related to soil type and seasonal rainfall.

To discuss grain legume harvesting and way to reduce losses from grain harvesting.

To demonstrate the yield and dry matter responses of field peas, lentils and chickpeas to the application of phosphorus and zine in the southern Mallee.

To demonstrate the grain yield and dry matter responses of field peas, lentils and chickpeas to the application of phosphorus and zinc in the southern Mallee.

To evaluate commercial and new pulse (grain legume) cultivars on sandy, calcareous soils, in terms of both the crop performance and its benefit in a rotation.

To provide a gross margin calculation method for 1994.

To trial a number of herbicide treatments applied to field peas, chickpeas, lentils and lupins to determine effective weed control and their effects on the crops.

• To compare a number of herbicides and herbicide mixes to control broadleaf weeds in a variety of legume and canola crops.
• To compare a number of herbicides and herbicide mixes to control broadleaf weeds in a variety of legume and canola crops before sowing another crop.

To evaluate adaptive farm systems using a case study farm and then to develop simple approaches which farmers can use to help their decision making, especially in the fact of continuing uncertain seasons and profit margins.

To demonstrate the effects on plant density, nodulation and yield from inoculating legume seed using the correct method, applying inoculum dry and sowing 7 days after inoculating seed.

To determine whether crop growth and yield responses are likely from inoculating legumes on alkaline clay-loams in the Southern Mallee.

To provide a calendar as a guide to insect pests that could be expected during each of hte major crop and pasture growing phases.

To provide results of a legume herbicide tolerance trial.

To assess the impact of rhizobial inoculation on the performance of four different legumes: chickpeas, lentils, faba beans and peas in the Victorian Wimmera.

To conduct a lucerne establishment trial.

To assess the impact of different establishment techniques on lucerne plant densities.

To investigate options for managing hostile subsoils.

To test whether the organic fertiliser, Natrakelp, increases crop growth or yield.

To provide some points to consider when choosing which crop types to grow and what to consider in growing them.

The aim for nutrient management in 2007 is to supply the crop requirements without over- or under-investing.