Putting experimental field pea lines into the paddock and testing how they stack up in terms of stem strength and disease resistance is how Dr Cameron Beeck will give growers a return on his recent GRDC-supported Bureau of Rural Sciences award.

The GRDC originally supported his PhD at the University of Western Australia, when he worked on black spot resistance in field pea.

"Black spot and poor harvestability severely limit adoption of field pea where it would boost soil nitrogen, provide a disease break and help control weeds to lift subsequent wheat crop yields," Dr Beeck said.

"This award allows me to evaluate my previous research and help direct future research into basic plant breeding and I appreciate that the GRDC sees value in that."

GRDC Pulse and Oilseed Breeding Manager, Brondwen MacLean, congratulated Dr Beeck after he received his award at Parliament House and said field pea's soil adaptability and relative drought tolerance made it an ideal legume for up to half a million hectares of southern Australia, but black spot slashed yield by 20-40 per cent.

Contact: Dr Cameron Beeck, Tel 08 9285 8087