Life Sciences Commons^™

Crop Updates 2011 - Cereals, David Bowran, Bill Crabtree, Peter Carberry, Peter Burges, Bevan Buirchell, Ben Curtis, Sarah Ellis, Brenda Shackley, Christine Zaicou, Siva Sivapalan, Penny Goldsmith, Gae Plunkett, Darshan Sharma, Mario D'Antuono, Art Diggle, Peter Mangano, Sally Peltzer, Michael Renton, Bill Macleod, Fumie Horiuchi, George Wyatt, Geoff Anderson, Richard Bell, Ross Brennan, Wen Chen, Penny Riffkin

Crop Updates

This session covers eleven papers from different authors:

OPENING, NEW CROP VARIETIES & DECISION SUPPORT

Opening

1. Overview of the 2010 season, David Bowran, Director, Practice and Systems Innovation, Department of Agriculture and Food,

2. My experience in a drought as a farmer and consultant, Bill Crabtree, Morawa, Western Australia

3. Meeting the productivity and sustainability challenges to Australian agriculture until 2030, Peter Carberry, CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture Flagship

New Crop Varieties

4. National Variety Trials (NTV) wheat variety performance – captivity vs broadacre, Peter Burgess, Kalyx Agriculture

5. WALAN2289 – a new lupin variety to replace …

New Medics Show Promise In The Northern Wheatbelt, Colin Mcdonald, Bradley Nutt

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

For more than 20 years Cyprus barrel medic has been the mainstay of pastures grown on the medium to heavy red clay loamss of Western Australia'slow rainfall wheatbelt. However, since the early1980s its resistance to aphids has declined followed by reduced productivitymand persistence.

Fortunately, a six year research program at Tenibdewa, near Mullewa, is on target to prove the superiority of Parabinga barrel medic and a mixture of Serena and Santiago burr medics. These varieties, which had not been widley tested in the region, generally out-perform Cyprus in all aspects because of their higher tolerance of aphids.

Development Of Redglobe Table Grapes For Export, Ian Cameron

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Exports wereonce a major outlet for the Western Australian table grape industry.

Over the last 20 years however, exports have fallen from 500 to 00 tonnes per year, despite an increase in the area planted to table grapes and an increase on overseas demand for our produce.

By 1993 less than 3 per cent of the table grapes produced in the State were exported.

The introduction of Redglobe, a new table grape varietyy from California, is expected to increase the export of table grapes from Western Australia to 1000t by 1997, when the variety will represent 90 per cent of …

Three New Late-Midseason Subterranean Clovers Released For High Rainfall Pastures, Phil Nichols, Donald Nicholas

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Three new subterranean clovers - Denmark, Gou/bum and Leura - have been released in 1992 by the National Subterranean Clover Improvement Program. These subterranean clovers are black-seeded, have low oestrogen levels and improved disease resistance. Their release offers the potential for substantial improvements in pasture productivity in areas of southern Australia that have long growing seasons.

This article outlines some of the testing procedures and subsequent selection of these varieties and describes their characteristics and potential role in Western Australia.

Breeding Phomopsis-Resistant Lupins, John Sylvester Gladstones

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The release of Gungurru and Yorrel lupins marks the coming of age of the narrow-leafed lupin as a crop plantt. These are the first cultivars of the species th have substantial resistance to Phomopsis stem blight, which will make the stubbles much safer for grazing stock.

This article describes the new lupins, their background, and how they were bred. It also acknowledges the contributions of colleagues who helped in important ways.

Seed Production And Hard Seededness Of Trifolium Subterraneum Subsp Brachycalycinum, Michael D A Bolland

Technical Bulletins

Ungrazed swards of some subsp. brachycalycinum strains produced reasonable seed yields compared with subsp. subterraneum on the sandplain soils and annual Medicago species on the alkaline mallee soils. However, in swards which were grazed by sheep up to the start of flowering, subsp. brachycalycinum produced disappointing seed yields compared with subsp. subterraneum and annual Medicago species. On a sandy soil, prevention of burr burial compared with covering developing burrs with sand drastically reduce ation an inhibiting light factor operates to drastically reduce seed production.

Santiago Extends The Range Of Burr Medics, Clinton K. Revell, Michael Ewing

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The release of Santiago follows an extensive Department of Agriculture testing programme conducted primarily in the 325 to 425 mm rainfall zone. Santiago substantially outperformed both Serena and Circle Valley and was the best amongst the large number of non-commercial medic varieties tested. About 500J000 ha were sown to burr medic between 1983 and 1988 and the Department of Agriculture expects that the release of Santiago will result in additional new plantings from

Murex Medic : A New Pasture Species, Dennis J. Gillespie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Murex medic (Medicago murex) is a new species of medic not previously used commercially anywhere in the world. The first variety, Zodiac, was developed by the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and released to seed producers throughout Australia in 1988. Other varieties are being evaluated and further releases are likely in a few years.

Serradella, Subterranean Clover And Medic Research, Esperance, Western Australia, Michael D A Bolland

Technical Bulletins

Strains of O. compressus which originate from Paros in southern Greece were the earliest flowering serradellas tested. They consistently produced amongst the highest seed yields, are relatively hard-seeded and are worthy of further investigation for deep sands and very acid soils in low rainfall areas. Monthly applications of nitrogenous fertilizer about doubled the herbage yields of serradella in winter.

Serradella Prospects At Esperance, Michael D A Bolland

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Yellow serradells is a promising introduced annual legume suitable for some of Western Australia's well drained sandy acid soils where other pasture legumes failto persist.

In the Esperance area serradella grows siccessfully on some sandy soils more than 0.5 metres deep. I develops deep roots rapidly - up to three times deeper than subterranean clover - and this is probably the main reason for its persistance.

At present only two late maturing, registered serradella cultivars are available to farmers in southern Australia. This article describes research at Esperance to delect earlier flowering cultivars for persistence in areas with less than …

Reduced-Branching Lupins, R J. Delane, J. Hamblin, J. S. Gladstones

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The flowering time of present narrow-leafed lupin varieties is now probably correct for most of Western Australia's grain growing areas. However lupin yields are frequently not as high as might be expected, in either low or high yielding sistuations, and further marked yield improvements seem theoretically possible. A likely reason for seed yields being below expectations is the growth and development pattern of present lupin varieties.

Some new lupin types in which branching is suppressed genetically - known as reduced-branching types - are being studied. These types could be useful in some lupin growing areas to help overcome seed yield …

Preventing Lupinosis With Phomopsis-Resistant Lupins, Jeremy G. Allen, W. A. Cowling

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Lupinosis is one of the major livestock siseases in Western Australia. It is caused by stock eating toxins produced by the fungus Phomopsis leptostromiformis which colonises the stems of dead lupin plants.

In 975, the Department of Agriculture started a breeding programme to develop Phompsis-resistant lupins to overcome or control lupinosis. In the previous issue of this Journal the results of small plot evaluations of new lines of Phompsis-resistant lupins developed in this programme were reported. This article describes the first trial involving grazing of Phompsis-resistant lupins.

Breeding Wheat Varieties For Acid Soils, I R. Barclay

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Wheat varieties with improved tolerance of acid soils cold increase yeilds be perhaps 20 per cent or more over a substantialarea ofWestern Australia's eastern wheatbelt.

Aluminium toxicity is probably the main cause of poor root growth and therefore reduced yields on these soils.

Crop Variety Testing And Recommendations, H M. Fisher

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

From 1984 onwards, the Department of Agriculture's crop variety recommendations for Western Australia will be set out in a new format directly related to the 18 variety testing areas into which the South-West has been divided. These divisions should enable growers to more readily identify the recommendations which apply to their area. In addition, yield data on the varieties are provided for each area.

The recommendations are the culmination of a lenghty process of breeding, selection and testing of crop varieties. This article gives the background to the tests and how the results are used as the basis for the …

New Grape Varieties For Premium Wines, A C. Devitt

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The quantity and style of wine consumed in Australia has changed dramatically since the 960s.

Besides the increase in consumption from 9 to 19.9 litres per head in the past 10 years, the major changes have been the greater importance of table wine, particularily white table wine, and the more exacting standards set by consumers and wine producers.

Also more importance has been placed on distinctive regional and varietal wines and the role of premium varieties.

Another Variety For Northern Areas : Illyarrie Lupin, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The Department of Agriculture has released another new lupin variety for the northern agricultureal areas. It is a sweet narrow-leafed lupin named Illyarrie.

Tincurrin : A New Biscuit Wheat, J T. Reeves, H. M. Fisher, G. B. Crosbie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Although a demand has existed both locally and overseas for soft wheat suitable for biscuits, cakes and various confectioneries, production has been very limited.

In 1978 farmers in the soft wheat area will be able to grow the higher yielding variety Tincurrin.

It is recommended for general sowing to replace all varieties grown at present in the soft wheat areas as defined.Exceptions may prevail in areas prone to rust snd septoria problems.

Wesreo : A Blackleg Resistant Rapeseed, N N. Roy

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A new rapeseed variety, Wesreo, has recently been released after an unusually rapid and successful breeding programme by the Department of Agriculture.

Wesreo has fairly good resistance to the disease blackleg, which virtually halted the expanding rapeseed industry in 1973.

Seed Kikuyu Performs Well, K E. Hawley

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The kikuya variety, Whittet, which can be established from seed has performed well in a trial at Denmark.

Lupin Wild Types Introduced Into Western Australia To 1973, G B. Crosbie, John S. Gladstones

Technical Bulletins

Collection site data, preliminary rating of field characteristics and disease reactions, and measurements of seed protein oil contents.

Five New Clovers Bring Change In Pasture Recommendations, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The release of five new subterranean clovers should improve pastures throughout farming areas.

This article summarises the new recommendations.

Crop Recommendations (1975) And Variety Trials (1973-1974), Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Variety recommendations for 1975 were derived mainly from results of 259 trials conducted at 60 sites in 1973. The main programme included wheat, oat, barley and lupin trials sown at 43 sites in wheatbelt areas; biscuit wheat trials on 12 sites in southern medium and high rainfall areas, and special hard wheat trials on 12 heavy land sites in low rainfall areas.

Also included was a series of early-sowing trials with lupins, wheat and barley; linseed trials in southern coastal areas, and preliminary wheat, oat and barley variety trials on research stations.

Forage Production From Shrubs On Saline Land, C V. Malcolm

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In the first volume of the Journal of the Department of Agriculture in the year 1900, the results of experiments at Tulare Experiment Station in California on the growing of Australian saltbushes are reported.

Seed was first sent from Australia by Baron von Mueller in June, 1881. Three species of saltbush (A. semibaccata, A. numularia and A. vesicaria) are all reported to have grown well.

Although C. A. Gardner in 1929 suggested the growing of saltbushes for forage, the earliest and clearest recommendations are those of Teakle and Burvill in 1945.

Early research tended to concentrate mainly on the possibility …

Summary Of Experimental Results, R Weir

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Wheat protein survey - Seeding rate x grain protein - 72NA33, Seeding rate x grain protein - 72M28, Temperature effects on flower set of lupin - 72GL4.

Testing Grain Crops, H M. Fisher

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

TODAY'S competitive markets for crop products stress the need for greater awareness of buyers' requirements and more detailed knowledge about our ability to supply them.

Crop varieties and their performance in different environments are important aspects of production potential.

The Making Of A New Pasture Variety, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

FARMERS who attend field days at Department of Agriculture research stations are reasonably familiar with the procedure for producing a new cereal variety. It involves a painstaking and tedious process of crossing, followed by many years of segregation, selection and testing for yield, disease resistance, and other characters.

Although there are many pitfalls, the procedure for the creation of a new cereal variety is at least fairly well systematised.

Until recently the making of a new pasture variety was far from a systematic undertaking.

Glasshouse Trials 1970, M G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Two glasshouse trials were carried out - ( 1) Ef'fect of Placement of' Urea and Soil Moisture Level on Germination of Wheat. (2) Effect of Placement of Urea on Germination of Wheat Oats, Barley, Linseed and Rape. ·

Cropping Investigations, M L. Poole

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The Mexican semi-dwarf wheat varieties have performed very well under high fertility conditions overseas. There is considerable evidence that they have greater potential for yield than the Australia spring varieties because of greater number of flowers set per spikelet. In this trial Falcon and Pitic were grown under almost optimal conditions for dryland wheat growing in Western Australia. The trial was planted early (21st May) into a completely weed free seedbed. Nutrition was near optimal. Seasonal conditions were near perfect. Grain yields were extremely high for Western Australia. Pities reputed superior potential for yield/unit area was not expressed under these …

Wren Wheat Unimpressive In West Australian Trials, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WREN WHEAT, the subject of current controversy in the Eastern States, has been tested in trials in Western Australia and the results have indicated that it is not likely to yield well in this State.

New Varieties Top 1967 Yield Tests, H M. Fisher

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

LARGE gains can result from using improved cereal varieties and in recent years activity in breeding varieties adapted to local conditions has increased.

The varieties available and their suitability for different areas and conditions need constant review.