2012 trials

To measure the effect of retaining hybrid sowing seed on plant growth, blackleg resistance and grain yield compared to the original hybrid (i.e. as purchased from seed supplier; referred to as ‘commercial’ here after) for a range of herbicide tolerance options in a range of rainfall zones in southern Australia.

To assess water repellent soil amelioration options and to determine whether a one-way plough can be used to ameliorate non-wetting sand for much lower cost than mouldboard ploughing or rotary spading.

To demonstrate if there are any benefits of applying biochar to increase crop and pasture production in the West Midlands

To compare commercial seeding machines that have specifically been set up to sow sub-tropical grasses.

Crop safety and yield of barley grown from seed treated with EverGol Prime compared to Dividend and Vibrance for the control of rhizoctonia. The trial was conducted to

• To compare efficacy of EverGol Prime compared to Dividend and Vibrance for rhizoctonia control.
• To compare barley covered smut control of EverGol Prime to current standards.

To identify the optimum sowing time for establishment of sub-tropical grasses to the east of Eneabba.

To evaluate a range of seeding modifications or additions with the aim of improving crop establishment and yield on water repellent sandplain soil.

To determine the impact that grazing of crops in winter had on subsequent grain yield and quality, production factors such as weeds, disease and nutrition, and livestock carrying capacity.

To investigate rotary spading and other soil amelioration techniques on yellow sandplain soils west of Moora.

To determine how soil inversion and banded surfactants change the availability of soil nutrients.

To improve understanding of the range of tillage implements and techniques available to incorporate lime into acidic soils, their respective costs and benefits.

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 evaluate banded wetting agent (SACOA ‘Irrigator’) for crop establishment and yield on non-wetting soils in the West Midlands.

To evaluate banded wetting agent (SACOA ‘Irrigator’) for crop establishment and yield on non-wetting soils in the West Midlands.

To determine value of agronomic management (sowing rate and nitrogen) on production of quality grain for profitable wheat systems.

To investigate responses to phosphorus and nitrogen in wheat.

To determine the residual value of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) applied in 2011.

To assess the whole farm implementation of water repellence management strategies.

The Upper North Farming systems group is involved in several Carbon Farming projects, which are trying to identify areas which have the greatest potential for soil carbon sequestration or reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Presence of increased seed dormancy in this grass weed species has enabled it to escape pre-sowing control tactics used by the growers. This explains why barley grass is a problematic weed in cereal crops. However, in some locations like Port Germein and Baroota districts, it has now become largely impossible to control in pulse crops. This islikely due to the presence of group A (fop & dim) herbicide resistance. Currently in these locations barley grass control is reliant on growing Clearfield wheat and the use of imidazolinone (group B) herbicides. This management strategy is at high risk of collapsing from the additional development of group B herbicide resistance. Previous studies have shown that resistance to group B herbicides can develop relatively quickly. Presence of large densities and repeated exposure to group B herbicides could rapidly lead to group B resistance in such barley grass populations. The extent of this resistance needs to be understood and effective management strategies to manage resistant barley grass in pulse crops developed.

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.

In 2012 the UNFS attempted to validate this early work conducted by the CSIRO. Seed of a long season variety Eaglehawk was sourced. This variety is Prime Hard Quality in NSW and so would be AH in SA.The aim was to conduct a time of sowing trial using three varieties at three times of sowing:- an early maturing variety (Axe), mid season maturing (Frame) and late maturing (Eaglehawk). Ideally the three sowing times were to be 1) mid April 2) early to mid May and 3) early to mid June.

• 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.

• To identify optimum ascochyta blight management strategies for maximising grain yield of new varieties.

• To evaluate ascochyta blight response of new varieties by comparing their susceptibility to known cultivars.

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

• To investigate the effects of fertiliser rates and its placement on the germination and establishment of deci and kabuli type chickpeas.
• Tto measure the grain yield responses to fertiliser rates.

• To maximise yield, quality and agronomic performance of new chickpea varieties through the identification of optimum sowing dates.

• To study timing of post-flowering applications of desiccants on
  1. sterilisation of developing ryegrass seeds and
  2. seed-filling, development and yield of range of field pea varieties.
• The objective is to time a single “crop-topping” spray to kill all developing ryegrass seeds and at the same time desiccate the field pea crop with minimal or no loss of yield or seed size.

• To investigate the effect of chocolate spot and rust management strategies across a range of faba bean varieties.

• To investigate if optimum chocolate spot management strategies change in different row spacing’s and standing and burnt residue across a range of faba bean varieties.

• To investigate if optimum disease management strategies change in different row spacings in standing and burnt residue across a range of chickpea varieties, differing in ascochyta blight susceptibility.

• To determine whether fungicide-amended-fertiliser (eg Impact-in-furrow) can be used for effective control of Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) in faba bean.

• To determine optimum disease management practices for new faba bean varieties, and confirm disease ratings on recently released varieties.

• To determine the correct maturity timing required in faba bean for successful crop topping practice.

• To determine optimum disease management practices for faba bean varieties in a district characterised by acidic red soil types and traditionally not considered suited to faba bean production.

• To determine whether certain plant growth regulants (PGR’s) or non-selective herbicides can be used to modify canopy height and increase grain yield of faba beans in high rainfall regions of SA.

• To assess the effect of various inoculum and liming techniques on the yield of faba bean in a district characterised by acidic red soil types and traditionally not considered suited to faba bean production.

• To determine optimum sowing dates and sowing densities for maximising yield of new faba bean varieties in high rainfall areas.

• To determine optimum sowing dates and sowing densities for maximising yield and agronomic performance of new faba bean varieties in high rainfall areas.

• To investigate the effects of fertiliser rates and its placement on the germination & establishment of deci and kabuli type chickpeas.
• To measure the grain yield responses to fertiliser rates.

• To provide a long term yield evaluation of “Kaspa type” field pea varieties and their self-regenerating blends in five key field pea production regions across the state.

• To compare new lentil varieties with current commercial varieties as well as current commercial field pea varieties and Kaspa type pea blends on two different soil types.

• To determine the correct maturity timing required in field pea for successful crop-topping practice.

• To compare grain yield and biomass potential of current and potential field pea varieties.

• To compare and identify optimum sowing times of 6 field pea varieties to maximise grain yield and agronomic performance.
• To investigate whether field pea production in low rainfall areas is improved through stubble management in terms of grain yield, disease infection or harvestability.

• To determine whether sowing inter-row in standing stubbles varying in stubble height will benefit yield of field pea, lentil and chickpea varieties.

• To investigate the adaptability of a range of new herbicide tolerant lentil varieties to a range of Group B herbicides.