Break crop selection in the Mallee

Page 1

2019

Break crop selection in the Mallee Authors: Sarah Day1, Helena Oakey2, Richard Saunders3, Penny Roberts1 1 SARDI Agronomy, Clare, 2University of Adelaide, 3Rural Directions Funded By: GRDC DAS00162-A Project Title: Validating recent research on break crop options in the low rainfall zone to determine the best options for different climate, soil type and biotic stress situations. Peer Review: Phil Davies Key Words: break crop, low rainfall, pulse, farming systems, canola

Key Messages • • •

@RISK analysis model outcomes indicate chickpea, vetch hay and lentil are lower risk break crop species, and are profitable in more than 50% of years. Top performing varieties of their respective crop species were Nuseed Diamond canola, Volga vetch, PBA Striker chickpea, PBA Bateman lupin, and PBA Samira faba bean. PBA Hallmark XT lentil, PBA Bolt lentil, PBA Butler field pea and PBA Wharton field pea were the top performing varieties for their respective crop species, depending on the environment.

Background

Current farming systems in the low rainfall zone of southern Australia are dominated by cereal production. There is increasing concern about grass weed and soil-borne disease pressure, as well as diminishing soil fertility (particularly nitrogen), and water use efficiency, as a result of continuously cropping cereals. Break crops have a key role to play in addressing these issues, as well as diversifying crop production and economic risk, and maintaining long-term sustainability of the system. However, there remains a lack of information available to growers about choosing the break crop best suited to their situation, as break crop development to date has largely occurred in medium and high rainfall zones. The aim of this research is to identify the best break crop options for different climate, soil type and biotic stress situations within major cropping regions of the southern low rainfall zone.

About the trial

A break crop species-by-variety trial was conducted at two Mallee sites in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (Table 1) to compare varieties of seven break crop species. This trial was part of a wider program, with similar trials undertaken at four key locations across the southern low rainfall zone. The trials include three to six varieties (to represent major potential options for the low rainfall zone) of canola, lupin, field pea, vetch, lentil, chickpea and faba bean. Varietal options included herbicide-tolerant varieties and those with potential for different end-uses. Rainfall was recorded at each trial site during the season (Figure 1). Measurements taken include site soil characteristics (Table 1), soil moisture, grain yield (Figure 2), biomass yield and gross margin. Plot arrangement was in a split plot randomised design with three replicates, with random assignment of break crop species to the whole plot and variety to the sub plot. The use of this design ensures each break crop species receives appropriate management. Biomass measurements were taken at late flowering to early podding growth stage to identify potential use as a hay, forage or manure crop. Table 1. Trial site locations 2017-2019, annual rainfall, growing season rainfall (GSR), soil texture and soil pH.

Site Ouyen 2017 Wargan (Mildura) 2017 Yarrara (Werrimull) 2018 Pinnaroo 2018 Pinnaroo 2019

Rainfall Annual 350 281 162 237 211

GSR 195 145 100 137 175

Soil texture 0-10 cm 10-30 cm Sand Sand Sandy loam Sandy loam Sandy loam Sandy loam Sandy loam Sandy loam Sandy loam Loam-clay

Soil pH (CaCl2) 0-10 cm 10-30 cm 6.2 6.4 7.3 7.7 7.6 8.0 7.9 8.2 7.7 8.2


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