Pulse varieties and agronomy update (Ballarat)

Jason Brand, Matt Rodda, Peter Kennedy, Michael Lines, Larn McMurray, Jeff Paull and Kristy Hobson,

Take home messages

• A broad range of pulse varieties are available with improved adaptability to a range of environments. Five new varieties were released for southern Australia in 2013. It is important to carefully assess the agronomic, disease and marketing strengths and weakness of each variety to ensure maximized productivity and profitability from your pulse.
• Crop damage from herbicide residues, particularly Group B, was observed in many pulse crops in 2013, primarily due to the extremely dry spring and summer of 2012/13. It is important to carefully choose your pulse crop and variety to minimize these risks. The availability of herbicide tolerant lentil varieties (XT) reduces the risks of production in this crop.
• Plant disease levels and seed quality issues were generally moderate in 2013 and varied widely across crops and regions in Victoria. Ascochyta blight was observed at low to moderate levels in several crops of chickpeas, including some of the ‘resistant’ varieties. Similarly in lentils, ascochyta blight was observed in crops relatively early and reduced grain yield and quality in the more susceptible varieties where it was not adequately controlled. In some regions insect damage (Etiella and Heliothus) resulted in some seed quality issues.
• Extreme weather events were generally limited in 2013, with no major heat stress during the reproductive phase.  However, in some regions frost caused significant losses in grain yield and quality.
• Area sown to field pea and faba bean continues to grow in Victoria due to good grain prices and the need for an alternative rotation crop that provides a different weed control option with the added benefit of nitrogen inputs. With the new varieties available we also see broader adaptability and opportunity for forage rather than grain.

2013 in review

• Pulse grain yields were variable in 2013, ranging from below average to well above average, depending on rainfall distribution and the impact of frost during October. Grain quality was generally good standard with issues of insect damage (Etiella and Heliothus) and ascochyta blight seed staining in some crops and some Pea Seed borne Mosaic Virus staining in some faba beans.

• Many regions of Victoria experienced rainfall totals equivalent to the long term growing season average or less. There was generally no or very little summer rainfall, with the break occurring as late as the 4th week of May in many areas. Despite the relatively low annual rainfall totals, there was generally a good distribution of rain and this combined with relatively mild spring temperatures and minimal extreme events (heat or cold) meant that in many areas pulses set and filled pods better than expected. However, in some cases pod set of beans was poor early on due to the cooler temperatures and overcast conditions during early flowering, and in some crops of chickpeas a number of empty pods were observed because temperatures failed to reach critical levels for seed set.

• Residual herbicide damage (primarily from Group B chemicals) was observed in many pulse crops in 2013. It is believed that this was due to the extremely dry spring and summer of 2012/13, so that in many instances growers did not see enough rainfall to meet suggested label requirements for the sowing of pulses crops, despite the timeframe being met. These observations have again helped to remind us in the pulse industry that it is extremely important to carefully choose crop and variety to minimize these risks, and where necessary not a pulse crop. The availability of herbicide tolerant lentil varieties (XT) reduces the risks of production in this crop. Also it is important to be clearly aware of the residue risks that a chemical may impose to proceeding crops. In addition, to herbicide residues, weed control, both broadleaf and grass proved challenging in some regions for pulse crops in 2013 due to the many rain days that were experienced during early growth, not allowing growers to traffic paddocks. This meant that there were many ‘weedy’ looking pulse crops in late spring and at maturity, but it is not believed to have significantly impacted on the yields achieved.
• Plant disease levels and seed quality issues were generally moderate in 2013 and varied widely across crops and regions in Victoria. Ascochyta blight was observed at low to moderate levels in several crops of chickpeas, including some of the ‘resistant’ varieties, due to highly conducive winter conditions. Work is ongoing to investigate the races and virulence of these ascochyta blight isolates. Similarly in lentils, ascochyta blight was observed in crops relatively early and reduced grain yield and quality in the more susceptible varieties, like PBA Flash, where it was not adequately controlled. Improved resistance in newer varieties like PBA Ace and PBA Bolt also help to ensure lower risks of yield and quality loss from this disease. In some regions insect damage (Etiella and Heliothus) resulted in some seed quality issues. This caught many growers by surprise as in many cases multiple insecticide sprays had been applied. It also indicates that flights were later than expected and highlights the importance of monitoring until late in the season.

Update of new variety releases and agronomic research

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Lentil

The amount of disease seen in 2013 was higher than what’s been seen in many years previous. In breeding trials at medium-high rainfall sites, unsprayed plots of PBA Flash commonly had ascochyta blight, which severely affecting yields.  Higher levels of disease are now being reported on the varieties Nipper and Nugget than seen previously, evidence that the pathogen population is evolving to overcome some resistance genes. Despite this, however, the resistance of new varieties PBA Ace, PBA Bolt and PBA Herald XT is holding up well.

A high incidence of BGM was seen at all South Australian sites and Horsham, with susceptible varieties such as Aldinga, PBA Bolt and PBA Jumbo suffering yield loss. Rain late in the season also contributed to shattering in the Wimmera, impacting yields of varieties prone to shattering, such as Boomer and to some degree PBA Ace.

PBA Ace continues to be the best performing lentil variety available, yielding highest on average, especially in Victoria. PBA Bounty, was a close runner up, performing well in 2013, especially in the long growing season available at Horsham. PBA Blitz and PBA Flash were the highest yielding (released) varieties in South Australia in 2013. PBA Flash yields in the Wimmera were well down on normal because of disease, however, across the country at shorter season sites lacking disease pressure, or those sprayed with fungicide, PBA Flash outperformed Nugget and occasionally PBA Ace.

The significant yield advantage of the new line PBA Hurricane XT over PBA Herald XT and Nipper was seen again in 2013, in both NVT and breeding trials, averaging yields 20% higher than PBA Herald XT and 10-15% higher than Nipper (this was especially seen in long season locations, with Hurricane yielding 40% above PBA Herald XT at Horsham).

PBA Hurricane XT (CIPAL1101)

PBA Hurricane XT builds on the success of the first herbicide tolerant lentil, PBA Herald XT. It incorporates the same improved tolerance to some Group B herbicides, but with higher grain yields and improved agronomic characteristics. PBA Hurricane XT has an APVMA permit for imazethapyr use (product label rates, plant-back periods and all label directions for use must be adhered to).

PBA Hurricane XT is the highest yielding small red lentil with a 5-12% long term yield advantage over PBA Herald XT and Nipper. It is lower yielding than PBA Ace and PBA Bolt, but may be preferred where more flexible weed control is desired or for marketing reasons. It is a mid-maturity, broadly adapted variety with earlier flowering, improved vigour and increased plant height over PBA Herald XT and Nipper, with resistance to ascochyta blight. Seed is slightly larger in size than PBA Herald XT and Nipper with a grey seed coat. Seed is available through PBSeeds.

A green future

In Australia we have yet to develop a substantial green lentil industry, despite significant opportunities on the world markets (Canada produce and export in excess of 0.5M tonnes annually). Primarily this has been due to a lack of suitably adapted varieties and an understanding of the agronomy to maximise yields and quality. In 2013, agronomic trial work conducted by the Southern Pulse Agronomy project assessed the impact of harvest timing and desiccation on the yield and quality of two new breeding lines with improved yields and adaption from Pulse Breeding Australia. In agronomy and breeding trials, the yields on one variety were 10% above Nugget on average, similar to PBA Ace and PBA Bounty. When harvested on time, the grain quality was excellent. Further information will be available at the updates.

Field Pea

Mild temperatures, low disease pressure and reasonably consistent growing season rainfall throughout many parts of the state created ideal conditions for the variety Kaspa, which was the best performing commercial line in Victorian breeding trials overall. PBA Pearl, a white seeded variety, was another standout, reinforcing its place as the highest yielding Australian variety (long term average). Given the consistently high yield of varieties like PBA Pearl, further market development of white pea in the Australian industry is becoming increasingly attractive especially as potential market opportunities in China develop.

The presence of ascochyta blight in SA has provided the breeding program with some of the best field data for ascochyta resistance in years. Furthermore, powdery mildew incidence in the Wimmera breeding trials allowed for greatly improved selection of resistant varieties in early generation material. This data will enable the breeding program to identify superior sources of resistance within the current germplasm and eliminate excessively susceptible varieties.

The field pea breeding program continues to make yield gains, with unreleased breeding lines often yielding 10% higher than Kaspa and Pearl in the Mallee this season.  Further gains will continue to be made through improved resistance to Bacterial blight in the Kaspa type background and a continued emphasis on salt and boron tolerance, disease resistance and improved phenology.

PBA Wharton  (OZP0805)

PBA Wharton is a new superior yielding “Kaspa type” field pea. PBA Wharton combines disease resistance to the viruses PSbMV and BLRV and powdery mildew and relatively higher soil boron toxicity tolerance. It is widely adapted across southern cropping regions of Australia and best suited to districts with a short to medium growing season or those that are prone to powdery mildew and virus diseases (e.g. south east SA). PBA Wharton is early to mid-season flowering and early maturing (e.g. similar PBA Gunyah). It has a semi-leafless erect growth habit, pink flowers and shatter resistant pods like Kaspa. Its grain colour and size is similar to Kaspa but more spherical and smoother. PBA Wharton can be marketed as “kaspa type” grain. Seed is available through Seednet.

PBA Coogee (OZP1103) 

PBA Coogee is a high yielding conventional (trailing) type dun pea that provides the flexibility of a forage option if frost or drought limit grain yield. PBA Coogee has a conventional plant type similar to the variety Parafield but with increased early season growth, more basal branching and longer vines. It is a long season variety that flowers mid to late season but pods rapidly and combines resistance to powdery mildew with high tolerance to soil boron and salinity. This variety has moderate resistance to bacterial blight. PBA Coogee produces grain that can be marketed as “Australian dun type” suitable for stockfeed or human consumption. Seed is available through Seednet.

Forage peas - biomass production for forage

In the last two years, two varieties (PBA Hayman and PBA Coogee) have been released for suitability to forage (hay/silage) or green/brown manuring. The southern pulse agronomy program has been assessing the biomass accumulation and grain yields in comparison with current standards, Kaspa (the predominant grain yield variety in south eastern Australia) and Morgan (a dual purpose field pea variety). Results to date show:

• The ideal timing of hay cutting for both maximum biomass production and ease of drying (i.e. before pod set) is likely to be approximately 7-14 days after commencement of flowering (i.e. early pod development).
• Varieties with later flowering and pod set (e.g. PBA Hayman) are likely to be better suited to hay production as this allows maximum vegetative growth prior to cutting, and extends hay cut timing into better (warmer and quicker) drying conditions.
• PBA Coogee may not produce more biomass than Kaspa or Morgan at the early pod stage.
• PBA Hayman will generally produce more biomass at flowering than grain or dual purpose varieties (due to its later flowering). This variety shows more rapid growth in early spring than other varieties.
• Kaspa and PBA Coogee produce significantly higher grain yield than Morgan or PBA Hayman.
• PBA Hayman has shown the lowest yield and lowest harvest index, indicating that grain retrieval may be difficult in low rainfall areas. However, due to its lower seed weight (averages 14g/100 compared with 20-25g/100 seeds in other varieties); seed requirements for sowing will be significantly lower than other varieties.

Faba Bean

The overall yield of faba beans was quite varied throughout the southern region and much of this variation can be attributed to dry conditions at the end of the growing season. Good winter rains set the trials up for high yield potential and sites that were mild or received reasonable spring rain achieved around 4t/ha, but where there was little late spring rain yields were less than 2t/ha. Overcast conditions and low temperatures during late winter and early spring impacted on podding and there were numerous reports of poor pod set in the lower canopy. The high humidity and vigorous winter growth also increased risk of chocolate spot and multiple fungicide sprays were required to control this disease. Symptoms indicative of Pea Seedborne Mosaic Virus (PSbMV) appeared on seed from a number of faba bean crops and in severe cases resulted in downgrading of quality. It is likely that the source of the virus was nearby infected field pea crops. Nura appears to be more prone to expression of symptoms of PSbMV than other faba bean varieties, while PBA Rana expresses very few and mild symptoms. It is not known if the variation in seed symptoms is indicative of variation in plant resistance to the virus.  Research is being undertaken to assess the risk of seed transmission of PSbMV in faba bean.

There was little variation in yield among current faba bean varieties across the southern region, and in particular Fiesta VF and Farah were very similar in all trials. The average yield of Nura across all trials was similar to Fiesta VF and Farah, while PBA Rana averaged 1-2% less than other varieties across 16 trials. In view of the small variation in yield, factors such as disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, seed quality and access to particular markets should be considered when selecting varieties.  

No new releases in 2013

Potential New Releases -AF05069-2

This breeding line has very good yield (generally 8-10% greater than current varieties), wide adaptation and very good ascochyta resistance. Resistance to other diseases is equal to or better than current varieties. It is a moderately late flowering type, similar to Nura and PBA Rana, and has improved standing ability compared to Farah. Seed is comparable in size and colour to Fiesta and Farah. A release in 2014 for cultivation in 2015 is likely.

High rainfall zone opportunities

Faba beans are arguably the best adapted pulse crop for the high rainfall zone. The Southern Pulse Agronomy program, in conjunction with Southern Farming Systems, has been conducting a range of agronomic and varietal trials in south western Victoria. Results have highlighted significant yield improvements in new breeding lines (up to 30% in 2012; Table 1) and opportunities for optimising management through appropriate disease management and agronomy. It has also highlighted the improvement in resistance of new varieties, further lowering risks of yield loss for growers

Table 1. Grain yield of faba bean varieties grown at Westmere, south West Victoria, in 2012

lsd_P<0.05 = 0.37

Chickpea

In the 2013 kabuli evaluation trials, preliminary yield data suggests that the medium seeded PBA Monarch yielded similarly to the smaller seeded Genesis™090. The large seeded Genesis™Kalkee yielded well in the longer Wimmera season, particularly considering the 45 % increase in seed size this variety offers over Genesis™090. The PBA chickpea program is making good progress combining improved ascochyta blight resistance with larger seed, and new breeding lines with this combination are expected to enter NVT this season.

In the desi trials, preliminary yield data indicates that the newly released PBA Maiden yielded similarly to PBA Slasher. In fact most of the recent desi releases: PBA Striker, Ambar and Neelam performed similarly at most of the sites that had yield data available. Using long term yield analyses is critical to make informed decisions about variety performance. Desi breeding lines with southern adaptation, improved plant type and harvest ability are showing good yield potential.

The PBA chickpea program continues to work closely with a GRDC funded project, led by the University of Melbourne that monitors the variability of the causal pathogen of Ascochyta blight. This project will assist the breeding program to understand the risk to our resistance sources in Victoria.

A new GRDC funded project, led by SARDI will develop herbicide tolerant chickpea lines. This new technology will provide greater options to manage weeds in chickpea crops and the farming system in the future.

PBA Monarch (CICA0857)

PBA Monarch is a high yielding medium sized kabuli chickpea. It is particularly well adapted to the shorter medium rainfall environments of south eastern Australia, due to improved adaptation through earlier flowering and maturity compared to Genesis™090, Almaz and Genesis™Kalkee. It has shown a consistent yield advantage of 5 - 13 % over current medium and large seeded kabuli varieties. It also has shown similar yields but larger seed size than the small sized Genesis™090. Seed size is predominantly 8 - 9 mm (larger than Genesis™090 and similar to Almaz).

PBA Monarch has a semi spreading plant type and is early flowering and maturing (earlier than Genesis™ 090 and Almaz). It is moderately susceptible (MS) to ascochyta blight (similar to Almaz and Genesis™ Kalkee but more susceptible than Genesis™ 090) and susceptible (S) to phytophthora root rot. Seed is available through Seednet.

PBA Maiden  (CICA0717)

PBA Maiden is a large seeded desi chickpea suitable for the medium to low rainfall environments of southern Australia. It is broadly adapted to these regions and has shown similar yields to PBA Slasher. PBA Maiden is moderately resistant (MR) to foliar infection by ascochyta blight (equal to PBA Striker). Seed size is greater than current southern desi varieties (28 % larger than PBA Slasher) with a yellow-tan seed coat. PBA Maiden is well suited to whole seed desi markets such as those in Bangladesh. It has a semi-spreading plant type and height similar to PBA Slasher, with early to mid flowering and maturity (earlier than PBA Slasher but later than PBA Striker). Seed is available through Seednet.

Profitability in seed size

Agronomic trials in the southern Mallee in 2012 and 2013 have shown that the increased seed size of the kabuli variety, PBA Monarch, could result in significant benefits to gross margins. In both seasons the profitability of PBA Monarch was higher than other varieties, despite yields equivalent or less than other varieties (data from 2013 shown in Figure 1). For example in 2013, PBA Monarch yield about 10% less than the desi variety, CICA1229, but had gross margins about 30% higher. Also, as indicated above it has shown similar long term yields but larger seed size than the smaller sized Genesis 090, meaning that its gross margins are a likely to be higher than Gensis090.

Figure 1. Grain yield (t/ha) and Gross Margins ($/ha) of chickpea varieties grown at Curyo, southern Mallee Victoria, in 2013.

Gross Margins 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 (Fortnightly = 8, Strategically = 3, Podding = 1, Nil = 0).

Contact details

Jason Brand

DEPI Victoria PB Bag 260 Horsham, Vic, 3401

jason.brand@depi.vic.gov.au