Wheat NVT results explained

What wheat varieties should I be growing in 2023

BCG researchers have been busy compiling the wheat GRDC National Variety Trial (NVT) results for the Mallee, Wimmera and North Central to help inform decision making.

Many growers are considering introducing alternative varieties for the 2023 season, given the high disease exposure risk from some commonly grown varieties, such as stripe rust in Scepter wheat.

2022 NVT results

• Sunmaster, Sunblade CL Plus and Beckom were the highest yielding varieties in 2022 in the Mallee and were 10 per cent above the region mean.
• In the North Central region, Sunblade CL Plus, Sunmaster and RGT Zanzibar were the highest yielding in 2022.
• Long-term yield data suggests Vixen, Rockstar, Scepter, Catapult and Beckom have yielded higher than the region mean over the past six years in the Mallee.
• Calibre, Rockstar, Ballista, Brumby, Scepter and Vixen were the highest yielding varieties long term (2017-2021) as a percentage of region mean in the Wimmera.
• Calibre, Sunmaster, Brumby and Reilly are new varieties worthy of consideration in the future.

Varieties are constantly changing as breeding brings new varieties to the market. Choosing which varieties to grow is an area many growers find difficult each year. On occasions the variety is not the problem, when time of sowing and overall management have major impacts on final grain yield.

Multiple factors at play

Choosing a wheat variety is an ongoing process, with many growers chasing the most rust resistant variety. However the presence of a green bridge over summer, rotation, in-season management and the season itself, often play a bigger role in disease levels.

Consider how often we see a decile 10 season.

Selecting multiple maturity length varieties is also crucial for spreading risk and management on farm.

2022 results explained

In 2022 fungicide management and disease profile played a big part in grain yield. BCG saw varieties that have done consistently well during the past few years perform poorly.  All trials in the NVT were managed for disease. . Growers faced the same challenges in 2022, in such a high-pressure disease situation.

Table 1. Variety and quality characteristics for commonly grown varieties and some new releases (number in brackets denotes how many years in NVT).

p = provisional rating. R = Resistant RMR = Resistant to moderately resistant, MR = Moderately resistant, MRMS = Moderately resistant to moderately susceptible, MS = Moderately susceptible, MSS = Moderately susceptible to susceptible, S = Susceptible, SVS = Susceptible to very susceptible. Maturity, Q = quick, M = mid.   

(*APH – Australian Prime Hard, minimum protein 13%)

Scepter has been a commonly grown variety, however each year there are new varieties released with greater yield potential. It is worthwhile assessing all aspects of a new variety before changing after just one season.

Anecdotal evidence from 2022 showed that for many growers where disease was managed in Scepter, grain yield was not affected and in some cases – with four fungicide applications – it topped grain yields. In such a high disease year there may also have been diseases other than stripe rust affecting grain yield. Consider the cost associated with achieving four fungicide applications as well as the time, labour commitment and frequency of these seasonal conditions.

Conclusion

In a season with a decile 10 GSR, high spring rainfall and an elongated grain filling period, disease was a big factor in wheat yields in 2022. While these conditions will not be experienced every year, it is important to understand variety choices and management when the forecast of a high rainfall year is upon us.

If selecting an alternative to Scepter, consider including a second variety in your rotation where you can spread your risk as well as lessen the management (spraying) pressure. Consider Sunmaster, Beckom or Reilly which are MRMS for stripe rust as a second variety on farm, not as a whole program replacement, but to mitigate risk by having part of the program with a slightly better rating, allowing for a wider spraying window.

In the North Central it is a similar situation to the Mallee in terms of selecting an additional variety. Choose a variety that has been a consistent performer for a few years and has the characteristics that suit your rotation or can be managed in a timely manner.

Given the expression of so many diseases, it will be important to ensure clean seed is sourced for the 2023 sowing program. Going into the 2023 season it is important to have seed tested if there’s any chance it may carry over disease, such as white grain disorder or fusarium. High soil moisture levels will also be present in many regions and there will be a green bridge to consider.

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