Pulse variety guide 2017
Compiled by Don McCaffery Technical Specialist (Pulses and Oilseeds), NSW DPI and Pulse Australia
Any choice about a pulse crop or variety will be influenced by several factors including location and rainfall, likely disease pressure, intended market and purpose within the rotation (e.g. soil fertility, profit, weed control, forage). Australian pulse breeders have provided growers with a suite of varieties to suit wide ranging purposes and circumstances. This guide aims to assist with the identification of the pulse crops and varieties that best suit your farm in 2017.
The notes provided are very brief and are primarily aimed at production systems in NSW and Queensland. More extensive notes and links to the variety management packages are available in the ‘Growing pulses’ section of the Pulse Australia website.
Chickpea varieties
Desi types
PBA Boundary (2011). Moderately resistant (MR) to Ascochyta blight (AB) but susceptible (S) to PRR. Higher yielding (3%) than PBA HatTrick and Jimbour in northern NSW. Also an option for southern NSW where a tall, erect plant type is required, but is lower yielding than PBA Slasher in this environment.
PBA HatTrick (2009). Moderately resistant (MR) to PRR. MR to AB. High yielding, medium-seeded line to replace all previous varieties in northern NSW and southern Qld. PBA Maiden (2013). Southern adapted variety with early to mid-flowering and maturity. Moderately resistant (MR) to AB, susceptible (S) to PRR. Large seed targeted for whole seed markets.
PBA Seamer (2016). Resistant (R) to AB and moderately resistant (MR) to PRR. Similar yielding to PBA HatTrick in the absence of disease, but significantly higher in the presence of AB. Semi-erect plant type with good lodging resistance at maturity. Early to mid-flowering and mid-maturity. Not recommended for southern NSW where other current varieties are higher yielding.
PBA Slasher (2009). Resistant (R) to AB and S to PRR. Medium-seeded line. Superior yield to all other varieties in the south.
Kyabra (2005). MS to PRR and S to AB. Tall, lodging resistant and high yielding variety with large seeds highly preferred for the direct human consumption market.
PBA Striker (2012). Southern adapted variety with earlier flowering and earlier maturity than PBA Slasher. Moderately resistant (MR) to AB, susceptible (S) to PRR. Medium to large seeded variety. High yielding in short season environments.
Kabuli types
Genesis™ 090 (2005). Very susceptible (VS) to PRR. R to AB (may still need a pod spray in AB-prone areas). High yielding, small-seeded (mainly 7–8 mm grades) variety potentially well suited to southern NSW. Likely to command a premium over desi types.
Almaz (2005). VS to PRR. MS to AB, therefore requires multiple fungicide applications to control AB. Medium to large seeded (mainly 9 mm grades). May be suitable for southern NSW and northern areas where there is a low risk of PRR.
Genesis™ 425 (2006). S to PRR (but least susceptible amongst kabuli varieties) and R to AB (may still need a pod spray in AB-prone areas). High yielding, small-seeded (mainly 7–8 mm grades) variety for northern NSW. Higher sensitivity to Balance herbicide.
Genesis™ 114 (2010). VS to PRR. MS to AB. A tall erect, medium-seeded (mainly 8–9 mm grades) line potentially suited to southern NSW and northern areas where there is a low PRR risk. Genesis Kalkee (2012). Large seed (mainly 9-10 mm grades). VS to PRR and MS to AB. A tall erect variety more suited to irrigation areas of southern NSW and northern areas where there is a low PRR risk.
PBA Monarch (2013). Susceptible (S) to PRR and moderately susceptible (MS) to AB. Early flowering and early maturing (earlier than Genesis 090) and higher yielding than Almaz and Genesis Kalkee. Medium seeded (mainly 8–9 mm grades). Suited to southern and northern areas where there is a low PRR risk.
Faba bean varieties
Northern NSW and southern Qld
PBA Nasma (2015). Higher yielding than PBA Warda. Readily acceptable to the human consumption market. Its flowering and maturity time is similar to PBA Warda. PBA Nasma is similar to PBA Warda for resistance to chocolate spot and tolerance to frost and Bean leafroll virus. Its rust resistance is slightly inferior to Doza, but far superior to Cairo.
PBA Warda (2012). Higher yield and bigger seed than Doza. Being superseded by PBA Nasma.
Southern NSW, Victoria and South Australia
While the newly released varieties have steadily improved disease resistance, none have complete resistance to rust, chocolate spot or Ascochyta blight. In a disease favourable environment (because of frequent rain or high inoculum) yield losses will occur. Growers are therefore advised to adhere to the disease management package and apply a fungicide spray earlier in the season. This early spray can control the establishment of disease inoculum in the paddock and will therefore have a season-lasting effect.
Crops of Farah should be monitored carefully for the presence of Ascochyta blight. Since 2013 a new pathotype of Ascochyta fabae has become established in the Mid North region of South Australia and found at low frequencies in other districts. This new pathotype has overcome the resistance in Farah. Though this change has not been reported in southern NSW, to date, growers of Farah should be vigilant. Nura and PBA Samira remain resistant while PBA Rana and PBA Zahra are MS/MR to the new pathotype.
Nura (2006). More resistant to chocolate spot and rust than Fiesta and Farah, and is resistant to both pathotypes of Ascochyta blight. Nura is a shorter plant, with better standing ability than Fiesta and Farah, although will still lodge under extreme conditions. It is a later flowering type and best yields are obtained when sown early.
It is resistant to both pathotypes of Ascochyta blight.
PBA Rana (2011). Medium to large seed, about 20% larger than Fiesta and Farah and well suited to the Middle East market. PBA Rana has a greater level of resistance to Ascochyta blight and chocolate spot than Nura and Farah, and is moderately susceptible to rust. Vigorous early growth and good stem strength and standing ability, although could lodge under very high biomass situations.
It is resistant to Ascochyta blight in most districts in the southern region, although MS/MR to the emerging new pathotype.
PBA Samira (2014). Very high yield potential. Resistant to Ascochyta blight, and less susceptible to both chocolate spot and rust than Fiesta VF and Farah. It flowers at the same time as Nura and PBA Rana and matures at the same time as Fiesta VF and Farah. Reduced number of early stems and good standing ability. Acceptable to co-mingle with other varieties for the Middle East market.
It is resistant to both pathotypes of Ascochyta blight.
PBA Zahra (2015). Is particularly responsive to high yielding situations. It is resistant to Ascochyta blight in most districts in the southern region, although MS/MR to a new pathotype in the Mid North of South Australia. It is less susceptible to chocolate spot and rust than Fiesta and Farah. Flowers at the same time as Nura and PBA Samira, but can mature slightly later if seasonal conditions are conducive. Can be co-mingled with PBA Rana for a large seeded category in the Middle East market.
It is resistant to Ascochyta blight in most districts in the southern region, although MS/MR to the emerging new pathotype.
Farah (2004). Slightly later maturity than Fiesta. Farah is very similar to Fiesta but with improved Ascochyta resistance and more uniform seed characteristics. The Ascochyta resistance of Farah has been overcome by a new pathotype of Ascochyta fabae in the mid-north of South Australia. It is resistant to the most prevalent strain of Ascochyta blight but susceptible to the emerging pathotype.
Fiesta VF (1998). Medium seed size aimed at higher value human consumption markets. Medium maturity, susceptible to rust and chocolate spot, good early vigour. Is being superseded by varieties with improved disease resistance and more uniform seed characteristics.
It is moderately susceptible to both pathotypes of Ascochyta blight.
Field pea varieties
Long term (2011-2015) performance of varieties in NSW
For southern and central NSW, preferred varieties are PBA Oura, PBA Percy or PBA Wharton. In areas prone to bacterial blight, choose PBA Percy or PBA Oura. In areas prone to powdery mildew, choose PBA Wharton or Yarrum. For white peas, choose PBA Pearl or Sturt.
Morgan is the preferred forage/brown manure variety. Maki is the variety for blue pea, but Excell is still grown in certain areas.
For the northern region, Yarrum and PBA Wharton are both powdery mildew resistant, the highest yielding and best performing varieties.
(All varieties susceptible to blackspot, bacterial blight, pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) and powdery mildew unless otherwise stated)
Dun
Yarrum (2003). Yarrum is consistently among the top yielding commercial lines across northern and southern NSW. Dimpled dun pea, purple flowered, semi-leafless, medium height. Late flowering but fills pods and finishes quickly. Erect growth, tends to lodge at maturity. Resistant (R) to powdery mildew, R to PSbMV, MR-MS to bacterial blight.
Maki (2008). Higher yielding, better disease resistance and better seed quality compared to Excell, but much shorter. Blue pea, green cotyledons, white-flowered, semi-leafless, medium height. Good resistance to bleaching, mid maturity. R to powdery mildew, PSbMV and BLRV viruses. Will require management for blackspot, bacterial blight and downy mildew in disease-prone areas. Potential for niche blue pea market.
PBA Oura (2011). Early-mid flowering, erect, semi-dwarf, semi-leafless type with good tolerance to bacterial blight (P. syringae pv syringae). Note, PBA Oura does develop bacterial blight but is much better able to recover. Early uniform maturity, suited to crop topping. Broad adaptation and is one of the highest yielding varieties across all environments.
PBA Percy (2011). Very early flowering, tall, scrambling, conventional type with excellent tolerance to bacterial blight (P. syringae pv syringae), better than PBA Oura. Note, PBA Percy does develop bacterial blight but is much better able to recover. Purple flowers, dimpled dun seed. Broad adaptation and is one of the highest yielding varieties across all environments.
Kaspa-type
PBA Wharton (2013). Kaspa plant and seed type with the added advantages of earliness, resistance to PSbMV and BLRV viruses. R to powdery mildew and higher tolerance to soil boron toxicity. Widely adapted across southern Australia and northern regions of NSW. Superior to PBA Gunyah and PBA Twilight.
White
PBA Pearl (2012). Early-mid flowering, erect, semi-dwarf, semi-leafless type. Broad adaptation and the highest yielding commercial variety across southern Australia. Early uniform maturity, suited to crop topping. Suited to human consumption or for stockfeed. Conventional pods, moderate resistance to pod shattering. Soft seeded, therefore no self-sown plants in following crops.
Sturt (2005). Conventional tall plant type, scrambling growth habit, early to mid-season flowering, small smooth round white seeds. A high yielding white pea in the drier production zones of NSW. MR-MS to bacterial blight.
SW Celine (2003). Main feature is its early flowering, early maturity and superior pod set. This gives it superior drought tolerance and a distinct yield advantage in dry seasons. Best suited variety to crop topping. Conventional pods requiring timely harvest to prevent shattering. MR-MS to downy mildew.
Forage
Morgan (1998). MR to bacterial blight. Very competitive with weeds, best choice for hay, forage, silage and green/brown manure, lodges at maturity. Holds up well in dry seasons and tight finishes because of its height.
Lupin varieties
Lupinus albus (Broad-leaf or white lupin)
Luxor (2005). Classed as resistant to Pleiochaeta root rot, compared to Kiev-mutant (VS) and Ultra (MS). Luxor is especially suited to all low-rainfall and medium-rainfall areas. It is the variety of choice where Pleiochaeta disease pressure is expected to be high (although it is not immune to the disease and good agronomy and suitable rotations should still be practiced). Luxor is susceptible to anthracnose (as are Kiev-mutant and Ultra) but that disease has not been found in NSW lupin crops. Luxor is 100% ‘sweet’ (low-alkaloid) and has protein content and seed size similar to Kiev-mutant and Ultra. Suited to all existing albus lupin markets.
Rosetta (2005). Rosetta is moderately-resistant to Pleiochaeta root rot (less resistant than Luxor, much better than Kiev-mutant, slightly better than Ultra). Is suited to high-rainfall, cool-season sites where maximum yields can be obtained. Rosetta is 100% ‘sweet’ (low-alkaloid), and has good protein content and seed size. Suited to all existing albus lupin markets.
Amira (2012). An anthracnose resistant albus variety released for Western Australia. Anthracnose has not been found in the main lupin growing regions in eastern Australia. Amira was tested in NSW NVT trials for the first time in 2016.
Kiev-mutant (1982). Now outclassed. Existing seed stocks must be checked annually for bitter seed contamination.
Ultra (1976). Still a popular variety in central and northern NSW. Now outclassed. Existing seed stocks must be checked annually for bitter seed contamination.
Note: To maintain the seed quality standards for sweet albus (low seed alkaloid), growers are reminded to get their sowing seed tested for possible bitter seed contamination. Contaminated seed should not be used for sowing and must be delivered or used for feed. An ultraviolet lamp test is available which rapidly detects high-alkaloid (‘bitter’) seeds in a grain sample. Growers can get seed tested through Futari Grain Technology Services (Tel. 02 6792 4588).
Lupini beans are 100% bitter, must only be grown in isolation, and cannot be fed to stock. Contact Pulse Australia (www.pulseaus.com.au) for further advice.
Lupinus angustifolius (narrow-leaf lupin) types
PBA Jurien (2015). A high yielding, early flowering variety, with both phomopsis and anthracnose resistance. It also is tolerant to metribuzin herbicide.
PBA Gunyidi (2011). Replaces Mandelup as a high yielding narrow-leafed lupin variety with good resistance to pod shatter. PBA Barlock (2013). Resistant to anthracnose and tolerant to metribuzin herbicide. Yielding similar to Mandelup, it has good lodging resistance and moderate phomopsis resistance. It is shorter in height than Mandelup, with slightly later flowering and maturity. It has improved resistance to pod shattering over Mandelup.
Jindalee (2001). Jindalee is a late flowering variety and provides an early-sowing option after good April rains. High yielding in high-rainfall or long-season areas, combined with very good Phomopsis resistance and excellent lodging resistance. It is susceptible to brown leaf spot, and has poor CMV seed transmission resistance.
Jenabillup (2007). Jenabillup has moderate resistance BYMV infection. BYMV can cause significant damage in eastern states when seasons are suitable, like 2014. Jenabillup has performed very well in NSW. MR to anthracnose and intolerant of metribuzin herbicide. It is also MS to Phomopsis stem infection.
Wonga (1996). The most anthracnose-resistant variety (although anthracnose is not present in NSW lupin crops). Earlier flowering than Jindalee but later than Mandelup, Quilinock and Jenabillup. Wonga has Phomopsis resistance, brown leaf spot resistance, and CMV seed transmission resistance in good combination. Can be lower yielding than earlier maturing varieties in short seasons, and is intolerant of metribuzin herbicide.
Mandelup (2004). High yield, Phomopsis resistance and large grain size. Moderately resistant to anthracnose. The earliest flowering and maturing of current varieties. Prone to frost damage if sown earlier than normal sowing window as it is a non-vernalising type. Tolerant of metribuzin herbicide. Prone to pod shattering if harvest is delayed after reaching maturity.
Lentil varieties
Varieties with ascochyta blight and botrytis grey mould resistance, including PBA Ace, PBA Herald XT and PBA Jumbo2, are suited to localities prone to foliar diseases.
PBA Blitz, PBA Bolt and PBA Flash are earlier maturing than some older varieties and suit shorter growing season areas or delayed sowing. PBA Hurricane XT, Herald XT, PBA Bounty are small-seeded red lentils that also handle a quick seasonal finish. PBA Jumbo2 and PBA Jumbo have superseded Aldinga as large-seeded red lentils. PBA Hurricane XT and PBA Herald XT are agronomically similar to Nipper but have improved herbicide tolerance to applied flumetsulan and residuals of some ‘SU’ and ‘imi’ herbicides.
PBA Greenfield and Boomer are medium-sized green lentils with improved seed size, growth and disease resistance over Matilda. Tiara, a long season green lentil with very large seed size, is not widely grown and is only suitable for spring sowing in high rainfall areas. PBA Giant is the only large-sized green lentil variety, which opens up new market opportunities for growers.
Acknowledgments
Leigh Jenkins, Research and Development Agronomist, NSW DPI, Rohan Brill, Research and Development Agronomist, NSW DPI, Dr Kristy Hobson, Chickpea Breeder, NSW DPI, Kevin Moore, Plant Pathologist, NSW DPI, Jeff Paull, Breeder, University of Adelaide, Kedar Adhikari, Breeder, University of Sydney, Mark Richards, Research Agronomist, NSW DPI, Garry Rosewarne, Breeder, DEDJTR, Jonathan Clements, Breeder, DAFWA.
More variety information: