Pulse variety experiments – faba bean, lentil, lupin, field pea, chickpea and vetch – Wagga Wagga 2023

Abstract

Key findings • Unfavourable seasonal conditions restricted yield potential at Wagga Wagga with terminal drought limiting yield potential of all pulse species. Despite these conditions, some species and varieties performed well, particularly those that flowered earlier. • Despite unfavourable spring conditions, average grain yield across the 5 pulse species was 3.1 t/ha. • The highest yielding faba bean varieties were the early flowering PBA Nasma[PBA], FBA Ayla[PBA] and PBA Warda[PBA]. Flowering started in early August and continued until the end of September. In 2023, higher grain yield was associated with an earlier and longer flowering period. • The highest yielding lentil varieties were PBA Jumbo2[PBA], PBA Kelpie XT[PBA], GIA Thunder[PBA], PBA Ace[PBA], GIA Lightning[PBA], PBA Hallmark XT[PBA] and ALB Terrier[PBA]. Most varieties started flowering in early September and finished in mid October. • Grain yields for the 6 narrow-leaf lupin varieties ranged from 2.83 t/ha to 2.54 t/ha and were all statistically equal. • The highest yielding field pea varieties were PBA Taylor[PBA], PBA Percy, PBA Wharton[PBA], PBA Noosa[PBA] and APB Bondi[PBA]. PBA Percy was the first to flower in late August and all varieties finished flowering in October. • Volga[PBA] was the highest yielding vetch variety at 1.91 t/ha, significantly higher than all other varieties. Studencia[PBA] was first to flower in early September, 6 days before the next.