Department of Primary Industries NSW trials

• To examine the effect of CR on the yield of two barley, one durum and 13 bread wheat varieties.
• To evaluate the efficacy of Rancona® Dimension as a standalone option to control CR was also conducted across the same 12 sites in the northern region. 

To evaluate a range of varieties and advanced PBA breeding lines.

Phytophthora medicaginis, the cause of phytophthora root rot (PRR) of chickpea is endemic and widespread in southern QLD and northern NSW, where it carries over from season to season on infected chickpea volunteers, lucerne, native medics and as resistant structures (oospores) in the soil.  Although registered for use on chickpeas, metalaxyl seed treatment is expensive, does not provide season-long protection and is not recommended.  There are no in-crop control measures for PRR and reducing losses from the disease are based on avoiding risky paddocks and choosing the right variety.

Detailed information on control of PRR in chickpea is available at:

http://www.pulseaus.com.au/growing-pulses/bmp/chickpea/phytophthora-root-rot

Current commercial varieties differ in their resistance to P. medicaginis (Pm), with Yorker and PBA HatTrick having the best resistance and are rated MR (historically Yorker has been slightly better than PBA HatTrick), while Jimbour is MS - MR, Flipper and Kyabra are MS and PBA Boundary has the lowest resistance (S).

From 2007 to 2015 PRR yield loss trials at the DAF Qld Hermitage research Facility, Warwick QLD have evaluated a range of varieties and advanced PBA breeding lines. 

To predict the risk of PRR disease and potential yield losses in chickpea, and detect P. med inoculum in soil from commercial paddocks. 

1. To examine the effect of CR on the yield of two barley, one durum and 13 bread wheat varieties. 
2. To evaluate the efficacy of Rancona® Dimension as a standalone option to control CR.

To better understand and quantify potential production losses incurred from foliar, crown and root diseases by developing response curves.

To examine the effect of CR on the yield of two barley, one durum and 13 bread wheat varieties. 

To evaluate the relative resistance of each variety to Pt under field conditions. 

To report on the 2016 season assessment of the capability of this test to:

1. detect Pm in soil from commercial paddocks, and
2. predict the risk of PRR disease and potential yield losses in chickpea.

To assess the effect that N fertiliser timing (all applied pre-planting vs pre-planting + in-crop) had on soil N2O emissions and cotton production.
 

To assess the impact of two alternative cotton irrigation strategies on soil mineral N: crop production and N2O emissions. 

The objectives of this study were to assess the current level of infestations of Button grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) both in dryland and irrigated cotton farming systems and also to investigate the germination biology for future phenology/biology studies of this species.

To determine the optimal plant density for lentil in southern NSW cropping systems, and if the optimum plant density remains consistent accross varieties. 

To establish agronomic guidelines for sowing time and sowing rate for current commercial lentils varieties and advanced breeding lines at Yenda. 

This experiment compared the different Rhizobia innoculation formulations on nodulation, growth and yield of field pea, lupin, faba bean, lentil and chickpea under varying rain-fed and soil moisture conditions on an acidic, sandy loam at Yenda in the south western cropping zone of southern NSW.

This experiment aimed to improve the infiltration and water holding capacity of red–brown earth irrigated by furrow.

Improving canola harvest management decisions with remote sensing

To explore systems to control the air–water interface to reduce evaporation from water storages.

1. To examine the effect of Crown Rot on the yield of two barley, one durum and 13 bread wheat varieties.
2. To evaluate the efficacy of Rancona® Dimension as a standalone option to control Crown Rot.

Crown rot (CR), caused predominantly by the fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum (Fp), remains a major constraint to winter cereal production in the northern grains region. Cereal varieties differ in their resistance to crown rot, which can have a significant impact on their relative yield in the presence of this disease. This experiment was one of 11 conducted by NSW DPI in 2016 across central/northern NSW extending into southern Qld; to examine the impact of crown rot on the yield and quality of four barley, three durum and 13 bread wheat varieties.

1. To examine the effect of Crown Rot on the yield of two barley, one durum and 13 bread wheat varieties.
2. To evaluate the efficacy of Rancona Dimension as a standalone option to control Crown Rot.

To evaluate the relative resistance of each variety to Pratylenchus thornei under field conditions. 

To quantify the contribution of different sunflower leaves to yield and oil quality by applying 12 leaf defoliation treatments.

Sunflowers are generally considered a minor crop in the northern grains region. However, they play an important role in providing a broadleaf summer crop rotation option. An individual sunflower plant produces on average 2000–6,000 cm2 of leaf area, which drives yield and oil content.

Identifying which leaves contribute most towards yield and oil content helps inform decisions around disease, pest and general crop management in sunflower crops. Whether it is because the crop is infected with a disease such as powdery mildew, or has insect damage e.g. loopers, the end result is a need for growers and advisors to know where and when to spend money in crop protection to achieve the best economic return on investment through maintaining green leaf area.

The project has two components: an agronomy component that will assess the impact of varying surface irrigation management strategies (scheduling and frequency) on nitrogen use efficiency, water use efficiency and overall system profitability; and a hydrology component that will develop irrigation design criteria that will allow precise application of water in basin irrigation layouts, such as bankless channel systems, allowing flexible management to match recommendations from the project’s agronomy component.
 

This research aimed to identify the impact of irrigation opportunity time and fertiliser N rates on fertiliser N response, lint yield and fertiliser N recovery in a sub-surface drip irrigation system.

 To investigate the influence that sowing date had on the phenology, grain yield and quality of 12 wheat genotypes.
 

Recently, breeders have released a number of new winter wheat genotypes suited to early sowing. In 2019, field experiments were conducted at two sites: Wallendbeen (southern NSW) and Wongarbon (central NSW) to determine the influence of phenology on grain yield responses for a set of 16 commercial and newly released genotypes in response to sowing date (SD).

This experiment was conducted at Wallendbeen, typically a high rainfall area in the South West Slopes, to assess canola’s yield potential across different sowing dates in a high yielding environment. Varieties were chosen to represent a diverse range of canola types to compare the different phenologies (including winter types), the breeding type (OP – open pollinated vs hybrid) and herbicide tolerance (TT vs non-TT – triazine tolerant) on three sowing dates: late March, mid April and late April.

To asses optimum sowing date and variety  type for Canola for the South West Slopes region of NSW

To assess the influence of sowing date and species phenology on yield dynamics of barley, oats and wheat in frost conditions

The aim of this experiment was to determine the Critical Growth Period (CGP) of field-grown canola so that sowing date and variety can be selected to ensure that the CGP (the period when the crop is most sensitive to environmental stresses) occurs when the growing environment is likely to be the most favourable (a balance between adequate moisture, heat and frost stress, and adequate solar radiation).
 

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the role of flowering time in upper canopy infection development, and determine any associated yield penalty.

To examine the effects of sowing time on the phenology, grain yield and quality of 36 wheat varieties. 

This experiment was designed to test the response of 12 canola varieties with varying phenologies and plant type to early sowing, compared with the more traditional sowing date in late April.
 

The main purpose of this study was to produce HMT wheat flour under different treatment conditions in terms of flour moisture content and treatment time, and then to investigate the effects that the HMT had on the flours’ pasting properties, water solubility and water absorption. 

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of two commonly used PGRs on root growth. It was hypothesised that if root growth modification occurred due to PGR application it would be a result of either the PGR altering the allometric balance between roots and shoots; a modification of the allocation of photoassimilates between the root and shoot as a consequence of inhibiting shoot growth; or a translocation of PGR from the point of application to the roots to directly influence root growth.

To investigate the current herbicide resistance status of problem weeds in northern cotton farming systems.

To determine whether optimising agronomic inputs could further increase barley yield in southern NSW

To compare growth, development and yield of current commercial lentil varieties and advanced breeding lines sown on three dates on a red–brown earth at Wagga Wagga in southern NSW. This information will be used to confirm and update current agronomic recommendations for lentil in this region.

The petal survey was conducted to identify the drivers for Sclerotinia development in different districts, with the aim of understanding how background inoculum levels and environmental conditions influence the disease development in a given year.

The aim of this research was to identify effective post-emergent herbicidal options for witch grass control.

This study serves to identify the crown rot risk to the industry and link with research on rotation impacts and grower practice at a whole-paddock scale.

To compare variety response with time of sowing (TOS) and nitrogen (N) management with the objective to develop variety recommendations and tactical agronomy guidelines. 

To examine the effect of two sowing dates on final Pt populations in a range of durum, bread wheat and barley varieties near Tulloona in north-western NSW in 2015.

To examine the impact of crown rot on yield and grain quality in a range of durum, bread wheat and barley varieties across two sowing times near Tulloona in north-western NSW in 2015. 

To benchmark yield potential across a range of growing environments in the NGR of NSW, over two consecutive seasons, and to quantify the impact of genotype, management and environment on yield.

To conduct mungbean variety evaluation experiments to assess how effective new mungbean varieties for the Maquarie Valley were under irrigated conditions.

Soybean variety evaluation experiments (in collaboration with more variety-specific agronomy experiments) at Trangie Agricultural Research Centre (Trangie ARC) were conducted for three consecutive summer seasons (2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16) to assess if new soybean varieties for the Macquarie Valley under irrigated conditions were a suitable option for growers.

To determine the effect of N application and sowing time on the yield and grain quality of eight popular bread wheat varieties at Trangie in central NSW in 2015.

Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient wheat most needs for growth, development and yield. In recent seasons in Central West NSW there has been a significant trend towards above average yields and very low grain protein levels with more than 30% of grain receivals meeting ASW or lower specifications. Protein levels of <10.5% in a prime hard variety usually indicate that insufficient N levels have not only limited grain protein concentrations, but also yield. Soil testing for N levels before sowing remains an important budgeting tool. It is the most useful indicator within that season if additional applied N is needed to maximise yield and grain protein levels, along with starting soil water and target yield. This trial aimed to determine the effect of N application and sowing time on the yield and grain quality of eight popular bread wheat varieties at Trangie in central NSW in 2015. 

Crown rot (CR) caused predominantly by the fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum (Fp), remains a major constraint to winter cereal production in the northern grains region. Cereal varieties differ in their resistance to crown rot, which can have a significant affect on their relative yield in the presence of this disease.

This experiment was one of 11 conducted by NSW DPI in 2016 across central/northern NSW extending into southern Qld; to examine the effects from crown rot on the yield and quality of four barley, three durum and 13 bread wheat varieties.

1. To examine the effect of Crown Rot on the yield of two barley, one durum and 13 bread wheat varieties. 
2. To evaluate the efficacy of Rancona Dimension as a standalone option to control Crown Rot.