The role of varieties in the farming system is pivotal to increasing whole farm profitability. However, adopting a new variety without refining the other management practices that are crucial to its success, will inevitably lead to disappointment. Each variety has a different level of risk; whether it is to frost, heat stress, sprouting or disease, they all need to be weighed up and understood in order to maximise yield, quality and subsequent profitability.
TAKE HOME MESSAGES
- Corack and Mace have topped BCG and the NVTs since 2011. Both have very good resistance to yellow leaf spot, making them suitable for wheat on wheat paddocks. Although Corack provides a lower risk for stripe rust, its APW quality rating will reduce its uptake by growers.
- Crown rot affected wheat yields in the southern Mallee. Emu Rock has slightly better
tolerance to crown rot than other varieties, which could also be linked to maturity. - Grain quality (test weight and screenings) was exceptional across all trials however, low
proteins would reinforce that crops required more nitrogen in 2013.
2013 SEASON REFLECTION
After a year that would have been described by many as ‘tough’ for wheat, most growers were quietly pleased in the end.
No soil moisture, low soil nitrogen (N), a late break and low grain prices failed to create enthusiasm for growers in early May and many paddocks were sown dry. The effects of the very dry summer had implications for rotations and sowing plans. Without enough rain to break down residual group B herbicides (imis), growers faced plantback dilemmas, particularly for conventional wheat varieties.
Subsequently, there was a significant increase in the area sown to Clearfield wheat, in particular Kord CL Plus.
In terms of the growing season, both Wimmera and Mallee experienced well above average rainfall in June which, for a time, restored enthusiasm. In the Mallee, smaller rainfall events occurred thereafter but these were followed by quite windy conditions, diminishing the benefit of the rain. The dry conditions in August took a lot out of most areas in the central and northern Mallee, particularly north and west of Ouyen. On 15 September, a crop-saving rain fell with in excess of 20mm recorded in most places. Significantly, this occurred when most wheat varieties were flowering (with the exception of Yitpi and later maturing varieties). All varieties would have benefited greatly from this rain.
At BCG’s annual Trials Review Day in February 2013, growers were asked which varieties they grow. There were 156 growers surveyed, the majority being from the Mallee (113 respondents) and the rest from the Wimmera (43 respondents). The growers were asked to nominate their main wheat variety and their second most commonly grown variety. The survey showed that in the Mallee, Yitpi is still the dominant variety, despite many believing Scout and Mace had superseded it since 2011 when stem rust was found in crops for the second year in a row. When looking at the second variety grown, the per cent (%) of Scout, Kord CL Plus and Mace all increased, while Yitpi decreased from 39 per cent to 13 per cent.
In the Wimmera there was an even spread of several varieties; which is what you would expect given the higher rainfall and greater adaptability of wheat varieties to the region. Gladius and Derrimut were the most commonly grown variety and have been for a number of years. Clearfield varieties such as Kord CL Plus did not seem to feature. More rotational options, and the common use of hay in the Wimmera, have reduced the need for Clearfield varieties to be grown. That said, many of the growers suggested they grow three or more varieties and that Kord CL Plus is grown but only in smaller amounts.
Of the second variety grown, Scout was shown to be most common amongst growers. Despite the higher stripe rust risk, growers appear comfortable growing Mace which is commonly grown in the Wimmera (23%) as a second variety.
VARIETY DESCRIPTIONS
Corack – Early-mid season APW variety derived from Wyalkatchem. It has a very good fit as a Mace competitor with suitability to sandy soils. It has a high yield potential with large grain size and low screenings. It has performed very well in the NVT since 2011. Good CCN resistance and good wheat-on-wheat option. MR to stem rust, MS to leaf rust and stripe rust. S to black point. Released 2011, developed and marketed by AGT. EPR $3.
Elmore CL Plus – Mid season AH variety with similar adaptation to Janz. Suited to moderate to high yielding areas. A two gene Clearfield variety tolerant to label rates of Intervix® herbicide. Suseptible (S) to CCN and yellow leaf spot. MR to stem rust, MR-MS to stripe rust, RMR to leaf rust. Released 2011, developed and marketed by AGT. EPR $3.55.
Grenade CL Plus – Early-mid season AH variety with two gene tolerance to label rates of Intervix® herbicide. Its biggest advantage over Kord CL Plus is it is less susceptible to sprouting. Moderately resistant (MR) to CCN and stem rust, MR-MS to stripe rust, MS to leaf rust, S to yellow leaf spot. Boron and acid soil tolerant. Released in 2012 and marketed by AGT. EPR $3.80.
Kord CL Plus – Semi dwarf mid-season AH variety with two gene tolerance to label rates of Intervix® herbicide. Based on Gladius with similar adaptation. Moderately resistant (MR) to CCN and stem rust, MR-MS to stripe rust, MS to leaf rust, MS-S yellow leaf spot. Susceptible to pre harvest sprouting. Released in 2011 and marketed by AGT. EPR $3.55.
LRPB Cobra – High yielding early-mid season AH variety suited to acid and alkaline soils. Compact habit, moderately resistant to lodging. Good resistance to stem and leaf rust, MS-S to stripe rust. MR-MS to CCN, MR-MS to yellow leaf spot. Able to capitalise on above average rainfall. Released 2012, marketed by Pacific Seeds. EPR $3.50.
LRPB Dart – Very early maturing AH variety suited to acid soils. Short to medium plant height that is low tillering, long coleoptile. Moderately resistant (MR) to stem rust, MR to stripe rust, R-MR to leaf rust, S to CCN and MR-MS to yellow leaf spot. Released 2012, marketed by Pacific Seeds. EPR $4.
LRPB Phantom – A mid-late season AH variety, suited to early April sowing, with boron and acid soil tolerance. It has an acceptable disease package, with its greatest susceptibility occurring in yellow leaf spot (S-VS). Good black point tolerance. Has potential for early growth yellowing. Commercial paddocks sown to Phantom last year had mixed results with some seed affected by a grain fumigant that affected germination and vigour. Released in 2012, marketed by Pacific Seeds. EPR $3.80.
LRPB Scout – A mid season AH variety with wide adaptation across Victoria. Adapted to alkaline soils and moderately resistant to lodging. Moderately resistant (MR) to stem rust, MS to stripe rust, R to leaf rust, R to CCN and SVS to yellow leaf spot. Susceptible to black point. Released in 2009, marketed by Pacific Seeds. EPR $2.80.
Mace – A consistently high yielding AH variety of medium height topping the BCG and NVT yields in the last three seasons. It has a very good disease package (MR to stem rust, MR to leaf rust, MR-MS to CCN, MR-MS to yellow leaf spot) however, is very susceptible to stripe rust. It has tolerance to higher levels of boron. Released in 2008, marketed by AGT. EPR $3.
Shield – Early-mid season AH variety with short to medium plant height and short coleoptile.
Moderate tolerance to acid soils. Good rust package and CCN tolerance. MSS to yellow leaf spot. Potential for moderate test weights. Released in 2012, marketed by AGT. EPR $3.25.
Wallup – Mid season AH variety suited to medium rainfall environment with good straw strength and black point resistance. Good CCN tolerance, yellow leaf spot MSS, stem rust RMR, stripe rust MRMS, leaf rust MS. Released 2011, marketed by AGT. EPR $3.
Source: DEPI winter crop summary 2013 and SARDI sowing guide 2014.
