trials

To quantify the main factors limiting grain yield in a water-repellent sandy gravel soil.

To assess the growth and yield of barley and wheat growing in a range of different established perennial pasture species.

To identify companion annual legumes for perennial grass based pastures and to develop reliable, low cost methods of establishment

To determine whether successful establishment of sub-tropical grasses is affected by seeding machine configuration

1. To quantify the survival and growth of alternative shrub species for grazing.
2. Determine how these shrub species respond to grazing by sheep, and what preferences animals show for the different species.

To evaluate the performance of crops (barley in 2009) when pasture cropped over different perennial species established on deep pale sands.

To compare Fortune, Wyalkatchem, Wedgetail wheat and Baudin barley as grazing crops.

The objective of this trial is to demonstrate that growing canola (with effective weed control options) followed by a high value legume (with higher economic value) can lead to an effective and profitable double break crop sequence. The contribution of an early sowing date versus a traditional sowing date to increase the profitability of these crops will also be evaluated.

This project will determine the economic value of growing canola followed by a high value legume, and the impact of this rotation on the grain yield and profitability of a cereal crop in the first year following the double break crop sequence.

In Western Australia, break crop options are currently limited and there is a high proportion of wheat and barley grown in rotation. Cereal crops account for 60-70% of paddocks sown in any one year, with the remaining area sown to a range of crop and pasture types including canola, lupin, clover, volunteer pasture, or left as fallow. In addition, there is an interest in chickpea and lentil to add a high value legume to the crop rotation. The application of these break crops is dependent on the grain price per tonne and on the level of severity of biological constraints present that lead to a reduction in grain yield and which varies from paddock to paddock. The use of a single break crop in rotation has been shown to be an effective tool in managing both weed and diseases that affect wheat production to remove biological constraints to crop production and allow the sustained production of cereal crops. However, with a change in resistance status of many common weeds and diseases, and a change in soilborne pathogens, a single break crop applied to a cropping system that is largely based on cereals has limited effect in reducing the biological constraints, with the longevity of the break crop benefit being reduced. Recent studies into the break crop benefits for highly herbicide resistant weed populations has found that a break of at least two years was needed to prevent grass seed set and substantially reduce grass seedbank numbers. 

Considering the high percentage of cereal crops grown in Western Australia, there is the need to evaluate the use of double break crop sequences to improve wheat grain yield and profitability. In particular, the Eastern Wheatbelt region has very limited break crop options, and there is the need to investigate the better use of tools such as fallow periods to improve break crop outcomes.

To demonstrate the rotational benefits of a sequence of broadleaf, legume, and pasture crops for the production of wheat in the Kwinana West and East zones of WA. 
 

To demonstrate the rotational benefits of a sequence of broadleaf, legume, and pasture crops for the production of wheat in the Kwinana West and East zones of WA.

This was a small trial in which alternative break crops were sown into a deep sand.

To test ‘Lupin Bud’ for improvement in the main stem pod set in lupins.

To conduct a field evaluation of the stage 3 lupin cultivars and breeding lines.

To evaluate the performance of crops (Lupin in 2012) when pasture cropped over different perennial species established on deep pale sands.

To demonstrate responses to manganese (Mn) in lupins.

• To evaluate yield and competition with weeds of new wheat cultivars selected by recurrent selection for early vigour compared to common commercial cereal cultivars. 
• To evaluate current commercial wheat varieties for their ability to suppress weed seed set and to yield under high weed pressure.

This trial aimed to compare the production of different annual legumes in the West Midlands and the associated seed loss to native budworm particularly in regards to serradella.

• To identify impact of amelioration on maintaining productivity of adapted varieties in a district.
• To compare effect of amelioration on soil pH.

To determine how serradella performs when introduced to a sub tropical pasture stand.

• Serradella is a useful pasture species on the sandy soils of the West Midlands. But it has two major weaknesses: weed control (particularly radish and capeweed) and a lack of early biomass production. By sowing serradella with a Clearfield Barley variety (Scope or Spartacus) and using Clearfield (Imidazolinone) herbicides both of these weaknesses can be overcome.
• The aim of this demonstration was to highlight the pro’s and con’s of using Clearfield Barley as a cover crop when sowing serradella pastures.

To investigate and demonstrate means to ensure effective control of wild radish in Roundup Ready canola grown on non-wetting sand.

To address the need for a non-cereal crop and pasture options to provide profitable rotational crops, disease breaks and weed control opportunities for cereal production in low rainfall regions of south-eastern Australia.

GRDC has funded a programme to address this issue and one of the projects within this programme is developing an improved understanding and implementation of management practices for brassica and pulse crops, pastures and other options to reduce the risk of crop failure and improve whole farm profitability in low rainfall south-east Australia.

This project is investigating where and how perennials, including fodder shrub species can fit into our farming systems and the benefits they can have on production andsustainability.

A key aim of this project is through three years of trials to deliver key elements of a demonstrated and communicated variety specific HRZ Noodle Wheat production package. This purpose of the HRZ package is to increase noodle wheat quantity and quality and reduce downgrade risk.

A second aim of the project is to provide greater diversity and options for crop rotations in the southern HRZ – the current dominant rotation of canola: barley is under threat with more disease and chemical resistance.

Growing noodle wheat in the HRZ, has traditionally been considered a risky, due to the risk of not making ANW1, this project aimed to quantify this risk, by comparing wheat varieties, and how the perform in the HRZ.

To test whether disturbance seeding systems overcome water repellence in non-wetting gravels and other soil health issues over time.

To compare three legume crops in farmer scale seeding strip trials at three locations in the Albany Port Zone. Demonstrations will compare several legume crops in different soil types in different micro-environments. The same trial sites will be monitored in 2019 to determine the effects (positive or negative) of the legume break crop on the subsequent barley/wheat crop and soil nitrogen status. The legume demonstration trials will provide growers with current agronomic information for pulses/legumes as a break crop in farming systems for the Albany Port Zone. Information from both the legume demonstration and effect on the subsequent crop will complement the Crop Sequence Calculator Workshops to be run concurrently by Farmanco.  

This investment aimed to locally validate previous R&D investment relating to spring sown crops (albeit include newer crop types and varieties where suitable), building local grower and adviser knowledge to inform decisions when managing excess soil moisture. It aimed to provide production and economic information from both farm-scale demonstrations and a small plot trial to inform good business decisions in regard to spring/summer sown crops.

The trials evaluated the crop performance on a range of metrics to provide a thorough assessment of summer crops, and the role they can play in agronomic systems, and the potential they have to reduce the waterlogging risk.

GRDC Outcome:

By February 2023, 20% of Western Region Growers who farm in areas with a medium to high-risk of regular waterlogging will have built the knowledge and confidence to profitably sow a crop in spring or summer on paddocks were winter crops/pastures have failed due to excessive waterlogging or where soil moisture levels permit in future years.

To achieve this outcome, Stirlings to Coast Farmers (SCF) worked with a number of other Grower Groups to ensure the key learnings of the trial were broadly and successfully extended to growers in the Great Southern Region of WA.

To, through three years of trials, deliver key elements of a demonstrated and communicated variety specific HRZ Noodle Wheat production package.

By 2023, growers will have increased the value of the cropping phase in the HRZ farming system by 10% by addressing both crop yield potential and the gap between potential and realised yields.

This trial aims to explore ways to optimise crop production in the HRZ. 
This trial looks at verity types, deep ripping and sowing times as ways to maximise yields in the HRZ. 

This trial aims to assess different treatments and there effectiveness in maximising water limited yield potentials.  

By 2023, growers will have increased the value of the cropping phase in the HRZ farming system by 10% by addressing both crop yield potential and the gap between potential and realised yields.

To evaluate species and pasture phase systems (including hard seeded annuals) for light sand-plain soils (with low pH and low available soil water) in crop-based rotations.

To demonstrate establishment, management and viability of legume phase options in cropping rotations with appropriate agronomic management packages.

100% of Albany and Esperance port zone growers who frequently experience waterlogging will know if ripping and/or summer/cover crops are viable tools to improve crop establishment, crop rooting depth, and yield in a waterlogging year on their property.

To provide the UAV rhizo summary.

To investigate the effect of variety and sowing rate on grain yield in spring-sown chickpeas

To investigate the effect of variety and sowing rate on grain yield in spring-sown faba beans

To evaluate the effects of break crop species on the yield of subsequent wheat crop.

To evaluate the suitability of different pulse species as break crops for different climatic, soil and biotic stress conditions.

• To compare three time of sowing dates across five newly released and commercial varieties of field peas, lupins and vetch and evaluate their contribution to soil nitrogen and the benefits to the following wheat crop.

Improve canopy management and harvest index of Faba beans

Evaluate the response of cultivar, seeding density and canopy management (PGR and defoliation) to manipulate canopy architecture in a high yielding faba bean Amberley compared to current practice Samira and Bendoc.

• To determine the effect of agronomic practices, various herbicides and a plant growth regulant canopy architecture and grain yield of faba bean.

To evaluate the impacts of the soil amelioration practices of deep ripping and organic matter inputs on the growth and production of lupin, lentil and chickpea grown on deep sandy soils in the Mallee.

• To identify lines with improved adaptation (through earlier maturity) to this practice.

To evaluate mixed species cropping on harvestability and input costs, which include weed and disease management, and, harvest desiccation. This work investigates the mixed species crop combinations most grown in Canada.

To investigate adaptability chickpea, faba bean, field pea, lupin, vetch and lentil varieties and breeding lines to spring sowing. Specifically, in chickpea there was a focus on new early flowering breeding lines with improved cold tolerance during the pod set phase.

• To test the adaptability and yield potential of current and new field peas varieties to crop topping over a range of timings in southern NSW to provide an additional weed control method for problem weeds ie ARG.

• To investigate the suitability of a range of lentil varieties and breeding lines differing in flowering
  and maturity characteristics for crop-topping/desiccation.