Australia
August 31, 2015

Grain growers are being offered a special insight into some of Australia’s leading research work on legumes and breeding for heat and drought tolerance in wheat during a field day at Narrabri on Wednesday, September 9.

Presented by the IA Watson Grains Research Centre and supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the day will feature presentations from renowned agronomists, researchers and breeding companies.

The IA Watson Grains Research Centre’s agronomy and farm management director Richard Heath (pictured) said the field day was an excellent opportunity for participants to gain a practical overview of the processes involved in cultivar development as well as current research projects that have the potential to significantly boost northern crop productivity.

“The field day offers growers an opportunity to understand our research and development processes from pre-breeding work to trait selection, variety development and hybrid commercialisation, which at the end of the day is critical for productivity and yield improvements,” he said.

“This year there is a focus on drought/heat tolerance in cereals, as well as legumes including breeding and pre-breeding programs for faba beans, field peas and chickpeas, and attendees will hear presentations from PBI researchers, AGT and NSW Department of Primary Industries as well as getting out in the field.

“We have a number of new and innovative field displays and our field walk will provide growers and advisors with the chance to interact with researchers one-on-one to discuss the current trials and their practical implications.”

Scan the above QR code with your smartphone to view a video of Richard Heath discussing important role the IA Watson Grains Research Centre and PBI plays in northern grains research . The video is also available on the GRDC YouTube channel www.YouTube.com/theGRDC

The I. A. Watson Wheat Research Centre at Narrabri is the main field testing site for crops being developed by the University of Sydney’s Plant Breeding Institute (PBI).

The field day will be held at the IA Watson Grains Research Centre, 12656 Newell Hwy, Narrabri between 8:45am and 4pm.

Morning tea, lunch and closing drinks will be provided and RSVP is essential for catering purposes. Contact 02 6799 2200 or email pbi.narrabri@sydney.edu.au.

To hear Mr Heath discussing important role the IA Watson Grains Research Centre and PBI plays in northern grains research, click on the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGSIIcANByM&feature=youtu.be 

 

Website: http://sydney.edu.au/agriculture/plant_breeding_institute/index.shtml

Published: August 31, 2015