Erratic grain yields, poor phenological adaptation, diseases, viruses, water logging and poor adaptation to both low and high pH soils have limited the effectiveness of pulse crops in northern New South Wales and Queensland.

New varieties of field pea bred specifically for the northern region should go a long way to solving those problems, the officer in charge of the University of Sydney's Plant Breeding Institute at Narrabri, Steve Moore, told a recent Grains Research Update for advisers at Goondiwindi.

Mr Moore said the Yarrum and Boreen varieties bred at the Institute were adapted to a wide range of soil types (pH 4.5 to 9), had fast and vigorous winter growth, were relatively frost tolerant in the vegetative stage and had indeterminate flowering patterns to lessen the effect of individual frost events.

Other features attractive to growers would be the varieties' relatively short growing seasons and the availability of a wide range of registered herbicides.

"Yarrum and Boreen will suit both the human consumption and intensive livestock markets and they also make excellent quality hay," Mr Moore said.

Contact Steve Moore 02 6799 2203