To improve knowledge of Rosinweed and Star of Bethlehem biology in grain growing regions of western Victoria and collect preliminary evidence of effective control options for further validation and extension.

This investment is designed help build growers’ confidence and address gaps in knowledge relating to the agronomic management of recently ameliorated soils in the upper South East of South Australia. The project will include a three-year series of trials, soil characterisations, pit demonstrations and associated extension activities to:

• improve the agronomic management of ameliorated soils to the newlyestablished yield potential;
• reduce risks related to crop establishment and wind erosion in theamelioration transition phase; and
• improve understanding of soil physical and chemical properties andcharacterisation of PAW, and identification nutrition and soil constraintlimitations in ameliorated soil and how soil settles over the transitionphase.

Six distinct phases of amelioration have been identified through the planning and implementation of soil amelioration as follows:

1. Identification and ranking of constraints phase (byseverity and depth). Also includes selection of constraint specificamelioration strategies;
2. Pre-amelioration site preparation phase;
3. Amelioration implementation phase (large logistical andtime input);
4. Transition phase 1 to 2-year post amelioration , oftencharacterised by soft soil, a large flush of nutrition, acute short-term wind erosion risk, crop seeding difficulties and high cropresponsiveness;
5. New stabilised yield potential where the site has settledand immediate tillage effects on nutrient release havedissipated.
6. Mature phase where yields subside and constraints redevelop.Consideration given to re-amelioration of residual orredeveloped constraints.

This investment is designed to address gaps in grower confidence and knowledge around phases four and five (transition and new stabilised yield potential).

This research aims to trial and demonstrate different management practices which could be used by growers to ameliorate saline soil patches:

1) Amending soil with sand, straw or gypsum - application of amendments to the soil surface can improve crop emergence by reducing evaporation leading to more soil moisture, or by reducing the moisture required to germinate a seed by increasing the sand content of the soil surface. Gypsum was also included to increase the amount of calcium relative to the level of sodium (salt) and address sodicity in the longer-term.  

2) Selecting crop types/varieties – to investigate the differences in crop performance on saline soils between crop types and varieties with improved salt tolerance.

The aim of this project was to work with growers to maximise harvester throughput capacity with acceptable losses in the Western region and compare data to that collected in 2022.

To observe the effect of fungicide application timing in controlling Septoria tritici blotch in wheat in the MRZ and LRZ of the Southern Australia.

To evaluate the impact of Septoria tritici blotch on wheat of different resistant ratings and determine yield loss in the MRZ and LRZ of the Southern Australia

Managing N fixation in pulses

The goal of the project was for grain growers in the Western Region to understand the current level of grain losses (tonnes and cost) from harvesters, for all of the major grain crops in Western Australia and understand where these losses occur. Growers will be able to calculate acceptable losses irrespective of varying yield levels.

To investigate the potential improved tolerance of a faba bean breeding line to metribuzin in comparison with PBA Samira 

Metribuzin tolerant lentils
 

To evaluate the impact of header front adaptation on mungbean grain loss at harvest

This project aimed to quantify the level of grain loss under commercial conditions and also the impact of management changes to reduce thoselosses. This trial evaluated the impact of air assist on grain losses from an AWS air bar mounted on a John Deere 640D draper front.

This project aimed to quantify the level of grain loss under commercial conditions and also the impact of management changes to reduce thoselosses. This trial evaluated the impact of air assist on grain losses from an AWS air bar mounted on a John Deere 640D draper front.

To evaluate strategies for season long control of tarvine.

This current experiment investigated the potential of using farm grown crop residues as ameliorants for alkaline dispersive subsoils in the medium rainfall region of southern NSW.

To evaluate split application timing of metolachlor for extended pre-plant and in-crop grass control 

To evaluate split application timing of metolachlor for extended pre-plant and in-crop grass control 

To evaluate split application timing of metolachlor for extended pre-plant and in-crop grass control.

To evaluate the impact of Dual Gold split applications on summer grass weed management both prior to and in sorghum.

To evaluate the impact of Dual Gold split applications on summer grass weed management both prior to and in sorghum.

The trials aim was to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of mid-row banding (MRB) nitrogen, to improve N use efficiency and yields.

The trial involved both a small plot trial at South Stirlings and a broadacre site at Kendenup. 

The broadscale trial contained two treatments where 125kg/ha of Urea was applied at seeding. Treatment one was via MRB, treatment two was via top-dressing.

The small plot trial contained 6 treatments, which had a N application seeding and at tillering. Treatment 1, MRB 125kg/ha Urea at seeding & MRB 100L/ha of flexi N at tillering. Treatment 2, MRB 125kg/ha Urea at seeding & Top-dressing 100L/ha of Flexi N at tillering. Treatment 3, Top-dressing 125kg/ha Urea at seeding & MRB 100L/ha of flexi N at tillering. Treatment 4, Top-dressing 125kg/ha Urea at seeding & Top-dressing 100L/ha of Flexi N at tillering. Treatment 5, nil Urea at seeding, & MRB 100L/ha of flexi N at tillering. Treatment 6, Nil Urea & Top-dressing 100L/ha of Flexi N at tillering. 

This article reports a trial at Minnipa which investigated mixed species cover crops grown over winter and their impact on wheat production the following year. 
 

To support grower groups to identify and demonstrate the establishment and management of suitable multi species cover crops across a range of environments and assess the impacts of cover cropping on soil health, nutrient cycling, organic carbon, invertebrate populations and soil moisture.

To demonstrate the feed value of high biomass summer forage crops for increasing stocking rates and live weight gain of prime lambs and beef cattle compared to current systems used in the high rainfall zone. 

To evaluate the impact of header front adaptation on mungbean grain loss at harvest.

To explore how much nitrogen is required to maximise mungbean yield and whether well-nodulated mungbean achieve the same yield as fertilised crops.

Pulses are growing in popularity as a result of good prices and rotational benefits such as decreased N input and enhanced grass weed control options. However frost and combinations of water and heat stress at critical growth stages can compromise crop yield. Previous work in pulses has established that the most important time to maintain growth and limit stress is the period around pod set. Sowing date and variety choice are the two main tools to manipulate time of flowering and pod-set, and thus manage the risk of extreme temperatures, water stress and the trade-off between frost and heat risk.

This research aims to identify the safer temperature windows for the critical period for yield for faba bean and lentil in cropping regions of southern Australia. This work follows on from EPFS Summary 2016 p62, EPFS Summary 2017, p146 and EPFS Summary 2018, p62.

To optimise wheat and barley protein by better understanding response to high nitrogen rates in a given season.

Two MacKillop Farm Management Group (MFMG) wheat variety trials were sown in 2019 at Sherwood and Frances. These trials are conducted annually to enable growers to evaluate a selected number of varieties under specific local conditions. Varieties evaluated include released cultivars and experimental lines. An additional trial was conducted at Conmurra evaluating potential high yielding varieties for the high rainfall zone. Conmurra results are reported in Chapters 2 and 3. 

Crop intensive farming systems are running down soil carbon, requiring increased inputs to maintain or increase yield without necessarily improving profitability. Mixed species cover cropping offers a new approach to reverse this trend in the Australian context. It is a key component of some farming systems overseas but is yet to be adopted widely in southern Australia. In the context of this project, mixed species cover crops refers to a diverse mix of plant species grown together but often outside the main growing season to build fertile and resilient soils.

Potential benefits of cover crops include improving soil organic carbon, structure and health, while decreasing weed and disease levels for following crops, but these must be balanced against the cost of growing the cover crop and the water and nutrients it will use. Many potential cover crop options exist and while growers are beginning to investigate these, local guidelines are yet to be developed to inform decisions.

A trial at Minnipa is investigating mixed species cover crops grown over winter. The principle behind growing a mixture of species rather than a monoculture is that it mimics naturally occurring diverse ecosystems. Different root systems host different microorganisms, fungi and soil biota that improve the dynamic properties of soil leading to healthier soil that has higher infiltration rates for water and are better able to retain that moisture. This retained water can potentially be used for the following cereal crops. Different root systems also inhabit different parts of the soil profile and therefore access water and nutrients more completely, so no single section is severely depleted. Organic matter is distributed more evenly throughout the soil profile and more carbon is available to soil organisms. The qualities of two or more different species may also improve the overall productivity. Legumes fix nitrogen that can be used by other plants. Tall plants provide shade for emerging seedlings, reducing their exposure to water and temperature stress. Climbing plants such as peas will often use the taller plants as a trellis. The fibrous root systems of many cereals and grasses bind the soil to protect it from wind erosion, particularly under dry conditions. Brassicas can function as biofumigants, suppressing soil pests, especially root pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes. Leaving residue on the soil surface lowers the soil temperature, reducing soil water loss through evaporation and providing protection from erosion. A diverse cover crop also offers a more balanced diet to livestock.

Barley grass continues to be a major grass weed in cereal cropping regions on upper Eyre Peninsula (EP). The use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology to identify and assess barley grass populations in paddocks and monitor potential resistant populations may be a useful tool for farmers. This approach was tested in three paddocks on upper EP Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC), Minnipa Hill and Yaninee using a UAV during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 growing seasons at three different timings, with paddock transects conducted to verify grass weed density in paddocks. In 2019 grass weed escape paddocks were targeted at MAC and Condada in the final flights.

The aim of the research was to determine if the UAV imagery could monitor the grass weed populations across seasons in crops and pastures, if resistant weed patches were continually in the same area of the paddock and if the information could be useful for farmers to adopt this method to better target grass weed control.

To determine environmental triggers that initiate movement, feeding and formation of the albumen gland in small conical snails.

To explore:

• how much nitrogen is required to maximise mungbean yield;
• could well-nodulated mungbean achieve the same yield as fertilised crops?
• how differing the concentrations of soil nitrogen impact nitrogen fixation?

The trial aimed to address the lack of long-term lime trials taking place in the Albany Port Zone. 

The aim was to evaluate five different lime sources from the southwest to determine were differences in their effect on soil pH and yields. 

• To determine the impact of N and K supply on yield and quality, on ameliorated non-wetting soils in the Geraldton Port Zone.
• To determine the most effective way to apply nutrients (granular, banded, top dressed or liquid) on non-wetting soils after amelioration, in the Geraldton Port Zone.
   

• To quantify the impact of nitrogen and potassium fertiliser on wheat yield and quality, after mouldboard ploughing non-wetting soils in the Geraldton Port Zone.
• To determine the most effective way to apply nutrients (granular, banded, top dressed or liquid) on non-wetting soils after amelioration, in the Geraldton Port Zone.

Experiment 1: To investigate the suitability of new and pre-release winter wheat varieties to the Wimmera and Mallee and define their optimal time of sowing.
Experiment 2: To investigate the amount of rainfall required to establish an early sown winter wheat crop in the Wimmera and Mallee.

To identify plant varieties or mixtures that can increase dry matter production of the pasture break phase on the highly alkaline soils of upper Eyre Peninsula. Current cropping and grazing systems are mostly based on monocultures and the potential feed base of the break phase could be broadened to be more productive for grazing and available for a longer time period in the season. Current oat varieties, mixed break crops and newer pasture species were trialled at Piednippie in 2018 to investigate whether a more productive and prolonged feed base is possible.

To examine barley germplasm management interaction

These trials are conducted annually to enable growers to evaluate a selected number of varieties under specific local conditions.

Frances. These trials are conducted annually to enable growers to evaluate a selected number of varieties under specific local conditions.

The aim of the trial was to evaluate wheat production with the use of either granular fertiliser or liquid fertiliser inputs at seeding on three different soil types.

The objectives of this project are to quantify the size and efficiency of response to mid-row banded nitrogen in irrigation systems within the southern Riverina of Australia. This will include the assessment of the effect of mid-row banded N on growth, yield and apparent nitrogen recovery efficiency (ANRE), of wheat as compared to the current best-practice method of topdressing at GS31 and the control.

Another key objective of this project is to assess the loss of banded nitrogen during waterlogging events to determine if denitrification losses are reduced in banded nitrogen and compared to topdressed nitrogen and the control.

Barley grass weed density was monitored in three paddocks on upper EP (Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC), Heddle’s at Minnipa and Wilkins’ at Yaninee using an UAV during the 2017 (EPFS Summary 2017, p 83) and 2018 growing seasons at three different timings, with paddock transects conducted to verify grass weed density in paddocks.

To evaluate the impact of N rate, timing and method of application in Mungbean.

To examine managing bean crop canopies to optimise yield potential

To demonstrate that crop competition afforded by a hybrid canola in combination with pre-emergent herbicides can reduce ryegrass seed set.

To investigate the suitability of new and pre-release winter wheat varieties to the Wimmera and Mallee, and define their optimal time of sowing.

To explore whether sowing canola into legume stubble can reduce N fertiliser requirement and provide a risk management strategy.

• To assess simple nitrogen management strategies to determine the best return on investment from fertiliser nitrogen applications.
• To determine within a crop rotation (wheat, barley and canola) where was your fertiliser dollar best spent over a number of seasons.