2021 trials

Varied. Please see article. 

To understand the effects of row spacing and row direction on plant growth, grain yield and pod drop of lentil varieties differeing in architecture and tolerance to pod drop.

To understand the effects of stubble, row spacing and row direction on plant growth, grain yield and pod drop of lentil varieties differeing in architecture and tolerance to pod drop.

Development of best management practices to increase the production of high-quality grade peanut kernels

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 phenology and grain yield responses of 3 albus lupin, 6 faba bean, 6 narrow-leaf lupin, 6 chickpea, 8 field pea and 12 lentil varieties.

To evaluate the phenology and grain yield responses of various albus lupin, faba bean, vetch, lentil and chickpea varieties. 

To investigate establishment, crop phenology, days to flowering, flowering duration, and grain yield responses of commercially available pulse and legume varieties.

This trial was designed as a scoping study to investigate various aspects of long coleoptile wheat relative to WA farming systems for eventual grower integration. However, this report outlines both observations as well as extensive data that was collected and analysed, despite the original aim of the trail to be more investigatory than data-driven in nature.
The main area of research was investigating the novel Rht18 gene in wheat, which allows for an elongated coleoptile: a protective sheath around the emerging shoot from a seed. Mace/Scepter typically have 40-60 mm coleoptiles (depending on environmental factors). New varieties developed by CSIRO with the Rht18 gene can extend to 12-140 mm by comparison.

This 2-year project has assessed long coleoptile wheat applications to farming systems in WA across emergence, establishment, weed competition, rhizoctonia impacts, herbicide interactions and yield. Extension across sites has aided in discussions with growers and areas requiring further study for integration to grower systems. While investigatory in nature, 2022 trials outlined in this report aimed to be more data driven in nature than trials conducted in 2021.

The two-year scoping study aimed to achieve the following objectives for investigate various aspects of long coleoptile wheat relative to WA farming systems for eventual grower integration:
• Extend long coleoptile findings and discussions to growers across agricultural regions of Western Australia
• Quantify differences in emergence from deep and shallow sown varieties with varying coleoptile lengths.
• Investigate emergence through furrow fill from wind and rain events.
• Investigate emergence from uneven soil platforms, such as from deep-ripping
• Investigate emergence through both low and high soil temperatures.
• Explore biomass and vigour differences between varieties with and without the Rht18 gene.
• Quantify differences in annual ryegrass competition and wheat vigour interactions with grass weeds.
• Explore herbicide interactions across depths of sowing to investigate crop safety and ways of adjusting/changing IBS and EPE herbicides.
• Explore rhizoctonia wheat root infection between depths of sowing.
• Analyse grain yield of various varieties and coleoptile lengths, including Rht18 wheat.

This project sought to maximise the profitability of barley in the northern Geraldton Port Zone by providing information to growers to allow them to make informed decisions around barley variety choice, sowing time, in season management and management of their rotations in order to maximise barley productivity and improve the overall profitability of their farming business.

The project sort to answer specific questions of -

Do barley’s have specific adaptation which can be exploited.

Can varieties attain malt quality in the Geraldton Port zone.

Do variety maturity and planting times influence yield and grain quality, particularly with early sowing opportunities.

Does barley out yield wheat, sown early, or sown late.

Was barley profitable compared to wheat.

Can early sowing of short season varieties provide a maturity window and low risk option to avoid late season hot/dry finishes and produce a profitable yield.

To gather data on barley performance when late sowing on ameliorated soils. Can barley provide a more profitable option than wheat for late sowing on ameliorated soils?

Gain a better understanding of nitrogen management with different rotations or soil types (including soil amelioration) for barley yield with feed quality and for malt production.

Did barleys differ in their response to nitrogen.

Can early sowing and fertilising for high yield feed deliveries be more profitable than wheat.

Did project sample an adequate range of seasons.

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 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.

What can we learn from Barley Waterlogging damage?

Maximise Faba bean productivity and benchmark Faba bean production (Biomass and N fixation) with other higher value crops such as Broad beans 

To compare efficacy of new and old herbicides and herbicide mixtures for broadleaf weed control in chickpea.

To compare two chickpea varieties for their competitiveness against broadleaf weeds and evaluate efficacy of new and old herbicides and herbicide mixtures for broadleaf weed control in chickpea.

To compare efficacy of new and old herbicides and herbicide mixtures for broadleaf weed control in chickpea.

This trial was designed to evaluate herbicide options for the knockdown control of ‘hard to kill’ weeds in grain sorghum.

This was the second year in a three-year project that is focusing on building resilient farm businesses and strengthening farm decision making.

to explore how biological approaches to restoring soil health and holistic grazing practices lead to improved soil health, increased soil carbon, increased soil water holding capacity, improved plant health, improved production, increased on farm diversity and a reduced need for synthetic inputs.

To determine whether macronutrient supply (phosphorus, potassium, sulfur) becomes limiting as canola growers target high yields with high nitrogen rates in the high rainfall zone of WA.

To examine the nitrogen use efficiency of canola grown under overhead irrigation when increasing rates of nitrogen fertiliser applied (Prilled Urea 46%N)

To examine the nitrogen use efficiency of canola grown under overhead irrigation

To assess whether the optimum timing for applied N interacts with N rate

To assess whether the optimum timing for applied N interacts with N rate in canola

To compare identical plant population x cultivar trials under overhead and surface irrigation

Cereal disease management and diagnostics: What we learned in 2021 to improve management in 2022

A field experiment was conducted at Dirnaseer in 2021 to evaluate the differences between wheat and barley for phenology, grain yield and quality in response to sowing time. This paper presents the results and discusses the influence of sowing date on the phenology, grain yield and quality for 24 wheat and 12 barley varieties.

We aim to determine if faba beans in the high rainfall zone respond to high rates of phosphorus, in-crop nitrogen and/or a complete/intensive nutritional and disease management package.

We aim to determine if faba beans in higher rainfall zone respond to high rates of phosphorus, in-crop nitrogen and/or a complete/intensive nutritional and disease management package.

Chickpea disease management

Chickpea disease management

Chickpea disease management

Chickpea inoculant and nutrient management

To assess the relative importance of fungicide input for Genesis 090 and PBA Monarch under overhead irrigation.

Disease Management Strategies for Chickpeas Grown Under Overhead Irrigation

To evaluate the yield influence of granular inoculants and nitrogen fertiliser applied to chickpeas grown under surface irrigation.

To compare identical chickpeas plant population x cultivar trials under surface irrigation

To compare identical Chickpea plant population x cultivar trials under overhead irrigation

To assess the relative importance of fungicide input for Genesis 090 and PBA Monarch under overhead irrigation.

To compare identical plant population x cultivar trials at two times of sowing under surface irrigation

To identify best approach for chocolate spot management in PBA Amberley

Demonstrate the effectiveness of different fungicide timing options on chocolate spot management and evaluate a new spray decision support tool.

We aim to compare the current recommended WA fungicide spray strategy with the more regular fungicide applications common in other states, and with a spray timing based on canopy humidity and temperature to determine if this could be a useful decision support tool by West Australian growers.

We aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of using clean seed and seed applied fungicide to minimise the amount of Ascochyta in a chickpea crop, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of early season foliar fungicides to keep disease levels at bay.

We aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of using clean seed and seed applied fungicide to minimise the amount of Ascochyta in a chickpea crop, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of early season foliar fungicides to keep disease levels at bay.

We aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of using clean seed and seed applied fungicide to minimise the amount of Ascochyta in a chickpea crop, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of early season foliar fungicides to keep disease levels at bay.

We plan to demonstrate a range both peat and granular inoculant options for chickpeas, placement of these products with seed vs. with fertiliser, and the interactions of these products with seed applied fungicide.

We plan to demonstrate a range both peat and granular inoculant options for chickpeas, placement of these products with seed vs. with fertiliser, and the interactions of these products with seed applied fungicide.