Source: Grains Research & Development Corporation

Canola varieties made easier

Northern graingrowers are a step closer to finding a suitable canola variety that will offer disease-break benefits and good oil content with the release of the first localised and independent canola variety trial results.

Results from the 2005 National Variety Trials (NVT) are now available at www.nvtonline.com.au. Growers can compare trial results within their district and across Australia.

NVT manager Alan Bedggood said northern growers had been faced with the double dilemma of having few local variety trial results but access to a plethora of new canola varieties released each year.

"Last year, 14 new canola varieties were released. That's a huge number of varieties and many of them are being marketed to Northern Region growers," Mr Bedggood said.

"The canola industry is continually turning over new varieties and breeders release a large number, eight to 10 every year and it's becoming a minefield for growers trying to determine which varieties suit their conditions."

Mr Bedggood said NVT assessed all new canola varieties last year with trials held as far north as Gurley and Bellata, south of Moree.

"The trials help growers understand just how those varieties performed in their area (or under similar conditions) and they can view the results at no cost on the NVT online database," he said.

"Growers should be aware that 2005 was a rather exceptional year and care should be practised when interpreting the performance of a variety."

New varieties are included alongside other commercial varieties in regional trials, and the trials include elite material from all the breeding programs across Australia.

"Growers can look on the database and find a trial in their area on a map - they don't have to know where the sites are - and use the web-based search engine to view trial results where all of those varieties have been tested," Mr Bedggood said.

With 2006 trials currently underway, northern region growers will also be keenly following the fortunes of four new wheat varieties, including Carinya, released by Narrabri-based wheat breeder SunPrime Seeds.

Eight new barley varieties will be assessed this year, including the Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (QDPI)-bred Grout* and Fitzroy*, a variety bred by DPI Victoria and released by QDPI.

While the trials are being hampered by dry conditions for the second year running, Mr Bedggood says farmers can be assured of the validity of the result as any data deemed too variable is not included.

To access a full list of barley, canola, lupin, faba bean, oat, field pea and chickpea varieties that will be trialled in 2006, visit the NVT website at www.nvtonline.com.au.

* Varieties protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994.