Pulses in the Mallee, opportunity awaits
Jason Brand, Southern Pulse Agronomy
Background
Pulses are an integral part of many farming systems in southeastern Australia, delivering well known and proven rotational,
economic and environmental benefits to growers. In recent seasons
we have continued to see pulses expand their areas of production into dryer cropping zones in line
with improvements in varieties and modern farming systems. These improvements combined with
good prices for some pulses and a clearer understanding of economic benefits in rotation have seen
pulses as a profitable option for many growers.
Research from the Southern Pulse Agronomy Program and Pulse Breeding Australia demonstrates
some great opportunities moving forward. Several PBA field pea, lupin, chickpea, faba bean and lentil
lines display improved adaptation to the low-medium rainfall zone (LRZ) having been developed in the
run of drought years, through the late 2000’s. Current advanced PBA breeding lines will have even
greater adaptation to the LRZ and climate change, encompassing traits such as different flowering
times and durations, boron and salt tolerance and high relative yield under drought conditions.
Correct agronomic management of these superior lines in these environments will enable successful
incorporation into the farming system.
Below we highlight some research that has been ongoing at the southern Mallee site (Curyo) of the
Southern Pulse Agronomy program (SPA) that may have implications for the future of pulses in the
Mallee. Further results and implications will be presented during the forums.
Improved weed control in lentil
Research by SPA and PBA has focused on improving Group B herbicide tolerance in lentil. Group B
herbicides (including Imidazolinone (Imi) and Sulfonyl Ureas (SU)) applied in cereal phases of the crop
rotation can aid weed control across the whole farming system due to their residual activity. However,
their use can also reduce subsequent pulse production, particularly on alkaline, high pH, light textured
soils where their residual life is often extended. Two lentil varieties, PBA Herald XT and PBA Hurricane
XT are now commercially available with a permit, allowing the post-emergent use of Imazethapyr.
Previous research by SPA has demonstrated the tolerance to Imazethapyr and relative tolerance to
other Imi’s. More recently (2013 and 14), research has explored the potential benefits of improved
residual tolerance. Trials were set up at various locations across South Australia and Victoria to
simulate residual Group B herbicide carry-over through the application of treatments at either very
low rates post sowing pre-emergent (PSPE) or commercial rates pre-sowing in autumn (Figure 1).
Key findings from the agronomic herbicide trials:
• Response of lentils to herbicide treatments varied with seasonal conditions, method of
herbicide incorporation, stubble coverage, soil texture and fertility.
• XT lentil varieties showed improved tolerance compared to conventional lentil varieties to all
treatments, however they still incurred yield loss to some chemistries under certain
conditions, indicating low safety margins to these chemistries (Figure 1).
• Chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron were the most damaging treatments in the trials. Metsulfuron
was found to be the safest of the sulfonylurea chemistries tested.
• It is important to note that all existing product label rates, plant-back periods and directions
for use must still be adhered to. Further research is required to identify if sufficient crop safety
exists in XT lentils to seek changes to label recommendations for other Group B herbicides.
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Figure 1 Effect of various Group B chemistries and application rates on grain yield of PBA HurricaneXT
and PBA Flash, Curyo, 2014. “Residual” treatments were applied on the 15th of April, PSPE treatments
were applied on the 19th of May.
Bright future for weed control in pulses
Building on the success of the lentil research, the SARDI pre-breeding project has developed Group B
tolerant faba bean and Group C tolerant lentil germplasm. Agronomic field trials in SA in 2014
confirmed faba bean lines with tolerance to a range of Imi chemistries and early generation PBA yield
trials have identified lines with good adaptation to southern Australia. Preliminary field validation
trials also confirmed a very high level of metribuzin tolerance (10-20 times) in lentil germplasm. This
material has now been ‘crossed’ with the Group B tolerant lines with the aim of developing dual
herbicide tolerant (Group B+C) varieties. The project is now expanding into the development of novel
herbicide tolerance in both kabuli and desi chickpea.
Can faba beans fit in the Mallee?
In line with increasing interest in faba beans throughout the dryer cropping regions, SPA has be
conducting a series of agronomic trials at the southern Mallee trial site. Yields of beans averaged 2.8
t/ha in 2013, the highest of all pulse crops on site that year, about 10% greater than lentils and 70%
higher than chickpeas. In 2014, profitable yields of above 1t/ha were still achieved, despite the dry
season (similar to lentils) and the crop being affect by frost and brackling (Tables 1 and 2). The results
also highlighted the potential of several new breeding lines and the adaptability of beans to a range
of row space configurations.
Moving forward we are asking questions like:
• How far can we push beans?
• Are there opportunities to manure them similar to vetch as there is strong evidence that they
contribute as much if not more N to the farming system?
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Table 1 Grain yield (t/ha) of faba bean varieties grown at Curyo in 2014 in various row spacing’s.
Row Space AF09169 AF07125 AF05095-1 AF09167 PBA Samira
18cm
1.30
0.98
0.86
0.92
0.89
36cm
1.06
1.26
1.15
1.09
1.02
72cm
1.24
1.11
1.22
1.15
1.03
Average
1.20
1.12
1.07
1.05
0.98
lsd(P<0.05)RSxVar = NS; lsd(P<0.05)Var = 0.18; lsd(P<0.05)RS = NS
Farah
0.92
0.79
1.23
0.98
Nura
0.91
0.96
0.99
0.95
AF10089
0.96
0.85
0.87
0.89
Average
0.97
1.02
1.10
1.03
Table 2 Gross Margins of faba bean varieties grown at Curyo in 2014 in various row spacing’s (based
on production costs of $200/ha and grain returns of $420/t).
Row Space
18cm
36cm
72cm
Average
AF09169
$347
$244
$319
$303
AF07125
$211
$331
$265
$269
AF05095-1
$161
$283
$310
$251
AF09167
$186
$257
$281
$242
PBA Samira
$174
$228
$234
$212
Farah
$185
$132
$315
$211
Nura
$183
$202
$217
$201
AF10089
$201
$155
$166
$174
Average
$206
$229
$263
$233
Medium seed sized kabuli chickpeas profit!
While grain yield is important in chickpeas, overall grain size and the proportion of seed within each
size category for kabulis is critical determining the potential profitability of a variety. More recently it
has been apparent that the smaller sized kabulis, like Genesis090 can be difficult to market,
particularly when there is oversupply in the world market. Medium and large kabulis potentially can
offer growers greater returns and ease of marketing, provided grain yields are similar to the traditional
smaller varieties and a high proportion of larger seed is achieved. Various field trials were conducted
in the Wimmera and southern Mallee of Victoria from 2012-2014, aiming to determine the optimum
sowing date, row spacing and disease management for chickpeas, particularly focussing on the
medium sized kabulis.
Key findings from the trials include:
• Agronomic trials conducted in 2012 and 13 demonstrated the benefits of increased seed size
on potential profitability of kabuli chickpeas. The net income of from PBA Monarch, a new
medium sized kabuli, was about $70/ha/annum and $200/ha/annum greater than Genesis090
and more than double the desi, PBA Striker in the Wimmera and southern Mallee,
respectively, even though grain yields were similar (Fig. 2). This was primarily due to a greater
proportion of seed in the 8-9mm and 9-10mm categories than Genesis090 (Fig. 2). Seed in
these categories receives $200-$300/t more than the 7-8mm category. It is also anticipated
that seed in the 8-9mm and 9-10mm categories will be easier to market, preventing the need
for growers to store seed on farm for long periods, as has been the recent history for
Genesis090.
• Further research in 2014 indicated there is potential to continue improving profitability of
kabuli chickpea, with one breeding line showing improved profitability over PBA Monarch. It
also highlighted the importance of assessing and understanding seed size distribution to
maximise returns for growers, with some lines showing potentially high yields, but smaller
seed size, resulting in lower returns.
• The larger seeded varieties like GenesisKalkee are likely to be a viable option in medium
rainfall environments like the Wimmera, but do not appear to have the yield stability required
to be consistently produced in dry areas, such as the southern Mallee.
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•
Other agronomic lessons included:
•
Utilising the most appropriate disease management package for the variety as
recommended on the brochure is essential to maintain profitability.
•
Delaying sowing in the southern Mallee always resulted in losses; up to $450/ha in
comparison with sowing the first week of May.
•
Chickpeas appear to be widely adaptable to a range of row spacing with no difference
observed from 18cm to 72cm in the trial in 2013.
Figure 2. Average grain yield, net income and seed size distribution of representative kabuli chickpeas
in comparison with the desi PBA Striker, grown in the Wimmera (2012-13) and southern Mallee (201214) of Victoria.
Net income based on the following grain prices: Desi = $450/t; Kabuli = <7mm-$330, 7-8mm-$550, 8-9mm-$750, 9-10mm$850, 10-11mm-$1000 with fixed management costs of $220/ha and fungicides at $15/ha per application (No. of sprays
based on varietal resistance: resistant (Genesis090) = 1, moderately resistant (PBA Striker) = 2, moderately susceptible (PBA
Monarch and Kalkee) = 3 southern mallee and 6 in Wimmera).
Biography
Dr Jason Brand is a Senior Research Agronomist – Pulses at the Department of Economic Development,
Jobs, Transport and Resources, with more than 15 years experience in pulse research and
development. He leads the tri-state (Vic, SA and sNSW) program, ‘Southern Pulse Agronomy’, funded
by GRDC and state agencies. He also works closely with the various Pulse Breeding Australia programs
to ensure the best management options are delivered with the best varieties to industry.
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