2019 trials

This project aimed to explore different management strategies to overcome copper deficiency in cereals. The project compared the effectiveness of copper sulfate and copper chelate applied either as liquids banded at seeding or as a foliar spray. The project also evaluated the effect of different timings of application of the foliar sprays and their efficiency.
This project aimed to benefit local and South Australian farmers by establishing an independent best practice management guide for copper applications for the future.

Why do the trial? 
Barley grass possesses several biological traits that make it difficult for growers to manage it in the low rainfall zone, so it is not surprising that it is becoming more prevalent in field crops in SA and WA. A survey by Llewellyn et al. (2015) showed that barley grass has now made its way into the top 1 O weeds of Australian cropping in terms of area infested, crop yield loss and revenue loss. 
The biological traits that make barley grass difficult for growers to manage in low rainfall zones include: 

- early onset of seed production, which reduces effectiveness of crop-topping or spray-topping in pastures,
shedding seeds well before crop harvest, reducing harvest weed seed control effectiveness compared to weeds such as ryegrass which has a much higher seed retention,•    increased seed dormancy, reducing weed control from knockdown herbicides due to delayed emergence, and
•    increasing herbicide resistance, especially to Group A herbicides, used to control grass weeds in pasture phase and legume crops. 

Barley grass management is likely to be more challenging in the low rainfall zone because the growing seasons tend to be more variable in terms of rainfall, which can affect the performance of the pre-emergence herbicides. Furthermore, many growers in these areas tend to have lower budgets for management tactics, and break crops are generally perceived as more risky than cereals. Therefore, wheat and barley tend to be the dominant crops in the low rainfall zone. This project is undertaking coordinated research with farming systems groups across the Southern and Western cropping regions to demonstrate tactics that can be reliably used to improve the management of barley grass. 

Over the past three decades there has been a shift from integrated crop-livestock production to intensive cropping in dry areas, which has significantly reduced the resilience of farms in low to medium rainfall areas. Intensive cropping is prone to herbicide resistant weeds, large nitrogen fertiliser requirements, and major financial shocks due to frost, drought or low grain prices. 
A pilot project with MLA and AWi in WA and southern NSW has demonstrated how novel pasture legumes such as serradella, biserrula and bladder clover can improve livestock production while reducing nitrogen requirements, weeds and diseases for following crops. The extent to which these new legumes establish, grow and persist on South Australia's alkaline sandy soils requires clarification. 
The demonstration sites are primarily an extension tool, unlike research trials requiring detailed data collection. The purpose of these sites is to gather information on regional legume performance, including benefits to the crops that follow. 

This article will report on findings from two pasture trials conducted on the lower Eyre Peninsula in the 2019-2021 growing seasons. The trials are part of the demonstration component of the Dryland Pasture Legume Systems (DLPS) project developed with the former LEADA committee/AIR EP Medium Rainfall RD&E committee to answer several questions about how pasture performance could be improved in the region. 
Demonstration 1: What is the best pasture species/ mix of species to plant in paddocks with differing soil types? 
Background 
Paddocks across the region often have soil types that vary, ie. changing from heavier flats to sandier rises, with pH varying from below 6 to above 8. Getting pasture species established and maintaining good production levels across this landscape is often challenging. 

Why do the trial? 
Barley grass possesses several biological traits that make it difficult for growers to manage in the low rainfall zone, so it is not surprising that it is becoming more prevalent in field crops in SA. A survey by Llewellyn et al. (2015) showed that barley grass has now made its way into the top 1 0 weeds of Australian cropping in terms of the area infested, crop yield loss, and revenue loss. In this survey, barley grass was ranked as the 7th most costly weed to control by the growers in SA and VIC Mallee and Mid-North, Lower Yorke and Eyre Peninsula. In a previous random survey in SA in 2012, Shergill et al. (2015) identified resistance to quizalofop in 15% of barley grass populations from Upper North and Eyre Peninsula. Additional herbicide-resistant populations have been identified since the previous survey. Growers in these regions have observed many control failures and have been collaborating with this GRDC-funded project to confirm the resistance status of their barley grass populations. 

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. 
 

The trial has 6 treatments with 4 replications and compares various BioAg products and rates against an annual application of single super.

The BioAg fertiliser trial was established in 2019. The trial has 6 treatments with 4 replications and compares various BioAg products and rates against an annual application of single super.

From 2019 to 2021 Agriculture Kangaroo Island (AgKI) received funding and support from the Australian Government National Landcare Program, ‘Smart Farms Small Grants’ (through the KI Landscape Board) and PIRSA, to assist landholders to undertake soil testing on their properties and provide interpretation of soil test results.

A three-year research trial aims to investigate the impact of precision lime application rate, placement and product on cropping land and will evaluate cost effective ways to ameliorate subsoil acidity.

A guide to weather and climate on Kangaroo Island

To compare and showcase the broad range of strategic tillage options for amelioration of yellow sandplain soils and to assess their effectiveness at overcoming a range of soil constraints including non-wetting soil surface, compaction and subsoil acidity and increasing crop productivity.

This project will demonstrate to growers the most profitable tyned seeding system for improved cereal crop establishment on medium to heavy textured soils in the eastern wheatbelt. This will be achieved by establishing a trial site to assess a range of furrow closing options (4) and down force pressures (2) over two years to account for varying seasonal conditions. The results will be compared to standard practice of growers within the region.

1. To investigate the effects of dry sowing on the nodulation and nitrogen fixation of chickpea in a low rainfall environment.

2. To investigate the residual effects on the growth of a subsequent wheat crop.

Barley grass is becoming an increasingly problematic weed in Western Australia. A GRDC funded project sought to increase the adoption of integrated weed management tactics for barley grass, by working with grower groups to develop regionally appropriate rotations for optimal control.

A survey indicated that in the central-eastern wheatbelt, barley grass is mainly an issue in pasture. While barley grass also grows in crops, it is rarely the most prominent cropping weed. The KDG group aimed to investigate grass selective herbicides and late-season control in pasture, and pre-emergent herbicides in-crop, to find the best combination of practices that would control barley grass while also removing other grass weed species in a three-year rotation.

The trial aimed to investigate Group 1 herbicides and spray topping in 2019, pre-emergent herbicides and knockdowns in 2020 and Group 2 herbicides and spray topping in 2021.

Barley grass is becoming an increasingly problematic weed in Western Australia. A GRDC funded project sought to increase adoption of integrated weed management tactics for barley grass, by working with grower groups to develop regionally appropriate rotations for optimal control. A survey indicated that in southwest Australia, many growers thought their barley grass was resistant to grass selective herbicides and may have developed late germination to avoid pre-seeding herbicides. In this area barley grass was a major problem in pastures, and often in break crops too.

A three year trial aimed to investigate pre-emergent herbicides and autumn tickle in wheat in 2019, pre-emergent herbicides and crop density in barley in 2020 and grass selective herbicides and crop topping in pasture in 2021.

Barley grass is becoming an increasingly problematic weed in Western Australia. A GRDC funded project sought to increase adoption of integrated weed management tactics for barley grass, by working with grower groups to develop regionally appropriate rotations for optimal control. A survey indicated that in southwest Australia, many growers thought their barley grass was resistant to grass selective herbicides and may have developed late germination to avoid pre-seeding herbicides. In this area barley grass was a major problem in pastures, and often in break crops too.

A three year trial aimed to investigate pre-emergent herbicides and autumn tickle in wheat in 2019, pre-emergent herbicides and crop density in barley in 2020 and grass selective herbicides and crop topping in pasture in 2021.

Barley grass is one of the major weeds in the southern region. Many southern growers think their barley grass is resistant to grass selective herbicides and may have developed late germination to avoid pre-seeding herbicides. In this area, barley grass is a major problem in pastures, and often in break crops as well.

The trial aims to investigate pre-emergent herbicides in wheat in 2019, crop density and post-emergent herbicides in barley in 2020, and pre-emergent herbicides and grass selective herbicides in vetch in 2021.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of newly registered fungicides on ascochyta in chickpeas.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of newly registered fungicides on ascochyta in chickpeas.

Barley grass is becoming an increasingly problematic weed in Western Australia. A GRDC funded project sought to increase the adoption of integrated weed management tactics for barley grass, by working with grower groups to develop regionally appropriate rotations for optimal control.

A survey indicated that growers in the southern lakes region of Western Australia often had pasture as the main rotation choice after cereal. In contrast to other areas of the wheat belt, some growers in this region considered barley grass a valuable (early) feed in pasture as well as a weed in crops. However, growers found that barley grass could have a large impact on crop yield. Growers were interested in either controlling barley grass or suppressing barley grass in crops while allowing it to survive in pasture.

Most group members felt their barley grass was resistant to herbicides (especially low-level resistance to Group A, Targa^®). However, growers were unwilling to stop using Targa^®, even if efficiency was reduced against barley grass, as it effectively controlled other grass weeds. Growers wanted to pair Targa^® with other products in the pasture to kill barley grass, and then control surviving barley grass in crop with best practice pre-seeding herbicides.

The trial aimed to investigate pasture barley grass control in 2019, pre-emergent herbicides in barley in 2020 and oats in 2021.

Barley grass is becoming an increasingly problematic weed in Western Australia. A GRDC funded project sought to increase adoption of integrated weed management tactics for barley grass, by working with grower groups to develop regionally appropriate rotations for optimal control.

A survey indicated that in growers in the northern wheatbelt felt that barley grass was most likely to be a major problem in pasture, and a common response is use of Group A herbicide to remove grass in pasture. However, given how easy it is to develop Group A resistance, the group wanted to investigate other chemical and non-chemical options in pasture, as well as the impact of late seeding and pre-emergent herbicide for barley grass control in crop.

This three year trial aimed to investigate slashing and spray topping in pasture in 2019, and then time of sowing and pre-emergent herbicides in wheat in 2020 and canola in 2021.

To measure the effect of deep ripping on depth to free water (waterlogging) and the associated yield response of canola (2018) and wheat (2019) after deep ripping on this soil type.

To determine how long the ripping effect lasts for in a controlled traffic farming (CTF) system and when to repeat the deep ripping on deep sands

• Assess the influence of soil renovation treatments on soil borne diseases.

Investigate the effect of delayed baiting on snail mortality immediately post baiting and the longer-term impact on presence of smaller snails during the harvest period. 

For newly released faba bean varieties: demonstrate production packages, including herbicide, fertiliser

and rhizobia options that are the ‘best bet’ to maximise yield.

A case study to demonstrate that faba beans can serve as a much needed break crop in the dominant canola-barley rotation on the South Coast sandplain

To identify herbicide sensitivities of new or potential new chickpea varieties with the view to reduce their yield losses due to herbicide damage.

To identify herbicide sensitivities of new or potential new chickpea varieties with the view to reduce their yield losses due to herbicide damage.

To identify herbicide sensitivities of new lentil varieties with the view to reduce their yield losses due to herbicide damage.

To identify herbicide sensitivities of new lentil varieties with the view to reduce their yield losses due to herbicide damage.

To identify herbicide sensitivities of new lupin varieties with the view to reduce their yield losses due to herbicide damage. Mandelup was included as a standard variety for comparison in the trial.

Blue lupins are problematic in narrow leave lupin production, especially in the Northern Agriculture Region of WA Wheatbelt and no herbicide is registered for their control in this crop. There were earlier reports that blue lupins could be controlled/suppressed with triclopyr (e.g. Garlon®) safely applied at pod setting on main stem of narrow leave lupins (Quinlan and Fleay, 2016). Two timing of application of Garlon® at 30 mL/ha were included in the trial to determine their safety on new narrow leafed lupin varieties.

To identify herbicide sensitivities of new lupin varieties with the view to reduce their yield losses due to herbicide damage. Mandelup was included as a standard variety for comparison in the trial.

Blue lupins are problematic in narrow leave lupin production, especially in the Northern Agriculture Region of WA Wheatbelt and no herbicide is registered for their control in this crop. There were earlier reports that blue lupins could be controlled/suppressed with triclopyr (e.g. Garlon®) safely applied at pod setting on main stem of narrow leave lupins (Quinlan and Fleay, 2016). Two timing of application of Garlon® at 30 mL/ha were included in the trial to determine their safety on new narrow leafed lupin varieties.

To investigate the fit of high value pulse crops (faba bean, lentil, and chickpea) in the sowing program and their rotational (agronomic and economic) benefits to the following cereal crop.

• To monitor how wild radish populations change under a range of integrated weed management (IWM) methods
• To investigate the economic advantages to spraying versus hand weeding.

Identify suitable lentil varieties for Western Australian farming systems.

Identify suitable lentil varieties for Western Australian farming systems.

To demonstrate tolerance of latest lentil varieties to herbicides.

To monitor the long term effects of incorporated lime versus no incorporation.

This trial aims to establish the long-term value of deep ripping on compacted deep south coast sands. It investigates the longevity of the ripping benefit in a fully controlled traffic system (CTF).

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

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

To monitor the presence of soilborne disease levels in the farming system following the legume pasture, Sothis.

To evaluate different sequences of pulses and canola after soil amelioration when transitioning into cereal cropping to capture maximum benefit from amelioration.

To evaluate the rotational benefit of different sequences of pulses and canola after soil amelioration when transitioning back into cereal cropping following amelioration.

Annual ryegrass at high density reduces crop yield. However, this weed is highly sensitive to crop competition. Initial control with pre-emergent herbicides combined with high seeding rates in cereal crops may be sufficient to control this species.

The trial aims to investigate pre-emergent herbicides and high density crop seeding in a wheat crop.

The aim of this field experiment is to compare the viability of different break crop options for the management of RLN (P. neglectus) and Rhizoctonia. This involved monitoring the RLN population in response to different break crops in the break crop year (2018), as well as under susceptible cereal crops in following years (wheat 2019 and oats 2020).

To investigate the most effective and profitable break crops in rotation with cereals (wheat) for growers with RLN and R. solani in the same paddock, a two-year (2018 & 2019) break-crop rotation trial was implemented in Dumbleyung and Grass Valley.

This research aims to evaluate the yield and economic benefits of using the Reefinator on ironstone sheet soils in the Lake Grace area.