Chickpeas In 2010: PBA Hattrick - Performance And Management

 

Kevin Moore¹, Ted Knights¹, Paul Nash¹, Gail Chiplin¹ and Mal Ryley²

¹NSWI&I, Tamworth and ²DEEDI, Toowoomba

Only small areas of PBA HatTrick were grown commercially throughout the GRDC northern region in 2009 and growers were happy with its performance. In a few districts, yields of HatTrick and other varieties were reduced by low temperatures and frosts during flowering and pod fill. Like any new variety, HatTrick’s place in northern farming systems will require several seasons’ evaluation.    The following yields should be considered in that context.

 

Mungindi was sown 14 May 09. Moree1 was sown 4 May 09 and sustained some low temperature and frost damage. Moree2 was sown 1^st week June. The grower at Armatree planted Yorker on 11 May 09 and HatTrick on 18 May. When inspected on 10 Sep 09, the HatTrick had 2-3 pods (3 pods where the crop was moisture stressed) compared with 0-1 pods in the Yorker . In this particular case, HatTrick’s quicker development (10 days earlier to flower) contributed to its lower yield – flowers and pods aborted by low temperatures, estimated by the grower to have reduced yield by 30%. 

HatTrick’s parents are Jimbour and an ascochyta resistant Iranian line, so basically it is an Ascochyta resistant Jimbour . Five trials conducted at Tamworth since 2006 have demonstrated HatTrick’s outstanding resistance to ascochyta, significantly better than Flipper . This means in most seasons HatTrick will require no ascochyta fungicide sprays. However, in situations where your neighbours are growing an ascochyta susceptible variety and are not adequately managing the disease, spraying HatTrick may be warranted especially at podding. HatTrick also has useful resistance to phytophthora root rot. Three trials conducted at Warwick since 2007 have confirmed HatTrick’s moderate resistance to phytophthora, as good as or slightly better than Jimbour but not quite as good as Yorker . HatTrick’s virus rating is similar to Jimbour i.e. susceptible. Its root lesion nematode ratings are unknown, but are assumed to be similar to Jimbour i.e. susceptible.

 

Table 3: Chickpea yields in 2008 and 2009 Ascochyta blight, AB management trials at Tamworth. Trials were inoculated with Ascochyta at the 6-7 leaf stage. Low AB plots received chlorothalonil sprays before rain; High AB plots were unprotected. The % Yield loss is the difference in yield between Low AB & High AB expressed as a % of Low AB yield.

 

In both seasons the difference in grain yield for HatTrick between Low and High AB was not significant. In contrast, Jimbour sustained 99% loss in 2008 and 75-76% in 2009. The other varieties performed as expected.

Table 4: Chickpea yields in 2007 and 2008 phytophthora root rot, PRR yield loss trials at Warwick, QLD. Trials were inoculated with phytophthora at sowing. Low PRR plots received metalaxyl seed treatment plus regular soil drenches with metalaxyl. High PRR plots received neither seed treatment nor soil drench. The % yield loss is the difference in yield between Low PRR & High PRR expressed as a % of Low PRR yield.

 

In spite of discrepancies between 2007 and 2008, the results confirm that HatTrick has useful (but by no means complete) resistance to phytophthora. In earlier trials with a highly susceptible variety, Sonali, yield loss was 100% in plots not protected with metalaxyl. Survival data from our 2009 Warwick PRR trial (yield date not yet available) confirm the 2008 finding that Yorker >HatTrick >Jimbour .

HatTrick is seen as a replacement for Jimbour . Its fit and management in the farming system are thus the same as Jimbour (with the exception of ascochyta management). Like all current chickpea varieties HatTrick is sensitive to herbicide injury. Pay particular attention to herbicide residues from previous crops and remember that plant back periods start from the time the rainfall requirement is met, not from the time the herbicide was applied. Be careful with triazines especially when double cropping after sorghum and be aware that some Group I herbicides can persist on cereal stubble.

 

For specific information on agronomic management, consult HatTrick’s VMP available at http://www.pulseaus.com.au/pdf/PBA%20HatTrick%20VMP.pdf, and the DPI Winter Crop Variety Sowing Guide, WCVSG available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/field/field-crops/winter-cereals/guides/winter-crop-variety-sowing-guide.

 

PBA HatTrick’s MR/R rating for Ascochyta does not mean the disease poses no threat to HatTrick . Indeed, in 2008, we saw the consequences of complacency when ascochyta caused widespread damage even in the MR rated Flipper . Follow the general disease management recommendations for chickpeas in the WCVSG and at http://www.pulseaus.com.au/pdf/Chickpea%20Disease%20Management%20Strategy%20-%20Northern%20Region%20A4.pdf

PBA HatTrick performed well in 2009 and is well worth evaluating in 2010. Agronomically, manage HatTrick as you would Jimbour .  Follow general disease recommendations (consult VMP for specific recommendations). Do not be complacent about Ascochyta.

Thanks to Willy Martin, Kris King and Lisa Keller, DEEDI for help with the PRR work.

Kevin Moore, NSW Department Industry & Investment

Tamworth Agricultural Institute, 4 Marsden Park Rd, Calala, NSW, 2340

Tel: 02 6763 1133, Mob: 0488 251 866, 
Fax: 02 6763 1222,
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