March 28, 2007
Source: E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation
Interest in the specialty grain, spelt, is growing and researchers from the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (an alliance between New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University) are developing an agronomic package for producers to optimise the yield and quality of spelt.
Organic grain producers are looking at the agronomic advantages of spelt as a means of diversifying and increasing profitability under organic farming systems, according to NSW DPI organic farming liaison officer, Robyn Neeson,
Spelt is a relative of wheat and although it can be used for livestock, either for grazing or as grain, the nutritional attributes of spelt offer the specialty health food market an alternate flour source for bread, liquorice, spelt flakes and pasta.
The protein in spelt gluten is different to the protein of wheat gluten, meaning that spelt may be suitable for people with a slight intolerance to wheat gluten.
Australia currently imports half of the 10,000 tonnes of spelt grain used on the domestic market.
Ms Neeson said the first stage of a three-year Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and Biological Farmers of Australia funded project has produced some promising results.
“Spelt has had a very short research history compared to wheat, so there is potential for significant improvements in yield by simple selection on the basis of agronomic characteristics,” she said.
“One of the challenges we have is to ensure the quality characteristics that the processors and consumers want is not affected by the selection process or crop management.”
The research team sowed more than 60 spelt lines under irrigation on the organic site at NSW DPI’s Yanco Agricultural Institute in 2006. The lines included selections from organic spelt growers and 43 sourced from the Australian Winter Cereal Collection at NSW DPI’s Tamworth research station.
Ms Neeson said this was the first time many of these lines had been seen and the large range of characteristics, such as maturity, growth habit and grain form, was very encouraging.
“Prior to harvesting the Yanco plots, organic growers were asked to assess and rank the lines for key characteristics which made them most suitable to their organic production systems.
“The spreading, prostrate lines tended to score well over the more erect lines as most growers want competitive ability against weeds as a key characteristic.
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The 60-plus lines of spelt sown at Yanco showed the large variations in characteristics with the prostrate forms favoured by organic growers looking for competition against weeds. (Photo: R. Neeson) |
“The prostrate lines tend to be the later maturing, so they may not be the best option for growers in the lower rainfall areas,” she said.
The next step in the project is to collect more data on the agronomic characteristics and grain quality of the outstanding lines.
These lines will be trialled on organic sites at Yanco and Rutherglen this year to develop agronomic guidelines for growers including optimal sowing dates, sowing rates, weed competitiveness and phosphorus requirements.
“There is very little information available on the agronomy of spelt and we’ve often had to rely on information from the more experienced growers,” Ms Neeson said.
“We’re aiming for several lines that will provide options for growers over a range of climatic zones.”
There have been reports of spelt having good resistance to some common cereal diseases and this certainly appears to be the case with the current strains of stripe rust attacking wheat.
“Of the 60 or so lines we had in the field this year, only one succumbed to stripe rust,” Ms Neeson said.
“That is great news for spelt producers, but there may also be benefits for the wheat industry, if breeders can transfer this resistance to wheat varieties.
“At this stage of the project, we are seed increasing the superior lines and are really looking forward to starting the next phase, when we assess the physiological and quality characteristics of these lines more closely.
“If we find characteristics in spelt that can benefit the grain industry in general, that is a bonus.”
Other articles about this project:
- Ancient wheat makes a 21st century comeback
- Selection of spelt varieties for organic production in New South Wales
Other news from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries