Western Australia
October 1, 2008
Alan Meldrum, Pulse Development
Officer for the GRDC
supported Pulse Australia,
speaking to growers at the recent Liebe Group Spring Field Day
2008, said many growers last year reported grain loss before and
after harvest in
Mandelup*.
"This is the first time in more than 10 years of the variety's
development and four years of commercial production that we've
seen shedding occur," he said.
"It probably resulted from unusual growing conditions last
spring, when poor winter growth was followed by a season saving
rain, which caused rapid pod fill.
"We suspect rapid growth weakened the pod wall and the
connection between pod and stem."
Mr Meldrum advised growers to continue with Mandelup*, the top
yielding variety in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia
since its release in 2004.
Its benefits include: high yield in most areas of WA; early
maturity, allowing safe crop-topping to control weed escapees;
high tolerance of metribuzin, allowing better management of
doublegees and radish; tall height for harvesting efficiency.
*
Variety protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994. |
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