Chickpea varieties selecting horses for courses

Varieties displaying this symbol beside them are protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994.

Author

Gordon Cumming, Pulse Australia

GRDC code: PAL00019

Take home message

• Varietal selection should be made on; adaptation, yield potential, disease resistance and grain marketability.
• Disease free yield advantages can be quickly negated in situations of high diseased pressure.
• Growers need to determine their disease risk profile as they may be better served by selecting the variety with the greatest varietal resistance rather than the highest yield.
• Regardless of variety, best agronomic practices are needed to ensure maximum yields are achieved in any given environment and season.

Introduction

An increasing number of pulse variety options exist. Careful variety selection through knowing the agronomic, disease and marketing strengths and weakness of each variety is required to maximise pulse production and returns.

Best agronomic practise need to be employed regardless of variety to achieve maximum returns. These include, careful paddock selection, the planting of high quality seed and suitable crop protection practices including weed, disease and insect management, followed by careful harvest, handling and storage practices.

Consideration of market access and options, even prior to crop establishment can also have a significant impact on the crops value and profitability.

Choosing a variety

A component of risk assessment is to understand what different varietal ratings mean with respect to a given disease and its management.

The availability of varieties resistant to ascochyta blight now provides growers with low disease risk options for growing chickpea in northern Australia.  Ascochyta blight of chickpeas has been a widespread and devastating disease in northern, southern and Western Australia and unless resistant varieties are used, can be a major limitation to overcome when growing this crop.

Some ascochyta blight resistant varieties available to growers may have other agronomic, disease or marketability limitations and will not suit all areas or situations (e.g. PBA Boundary, which is susceptible to phytophthora root rot).  When choosing varieties to grow, it is essential to consider their susceptibility to ascochyta blight and phytophthora root rot along with yield potential, price potential, marketing opportunities, flowering cold tolerance, maturity timing, lodging resistance and other agronomic features relevant to your growing region.

When comparing yields between varieties, growers need to be aware that under high ascochyta blight pressure, varieties with moderate resistance, or less, are more likely to suffer greater yield losses than the resistant lines, even with regular applications of foliar fungicides.

Area of adaptation

Chickpea varieties are bred for and selected in a range of different environments. Hence individual varieties have specific areas of adaptation for maximised yield and reliability. Specific adaptation of a variety depends on rainfall, geography, temperatures, disease pressure and soil types of where it is grown.

The national chickpea area has been categorised by Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) into five regions based on rainfall and geographic location.

• Region 1 – Low rainfall tropical
• Region 2 – Medium rainfall, sub-tropical
• Region 3 – Low rainfall, sub-tropical
• Region 4 – Medium/high rainfall Mediterranean/temperate
• Region 5 – Low/medium rainfall Mediterranean/temperate

Text description

• Region 1 (low tropical rainfall) includes the towns of Clermont, Emerald, Biloela, and Theedore (just inland from Bundaberg).
• Region 2 (medium rainfall sub-tropical) includes Dalby, Toowoomba, Warwick, Inverell and Tamworth.
• The towns of Goondiwindi, Moree, Narrabri and Dubbo are on the border of both regions 2 and 3.
• Region 3 (low rainfall sub-tropical) includes Roma, St George, Walgett and Nyngan.
• Parkes is on the border of both regions 2 and 4.
• Region 4 (medium/high rainfall mediterranean / temperate) includes Forbes, Wagga Wagga, St Arnaud, Horsham, Narracoorte, Eudunda, Maitland, Kadina, Clare, Cummins, Katanning, Northam, Wongan Hills, Moora and Mingenew.
• Birchip, Deniliquin, Narrandera and Lake Grace are on the border of both regions 4 and 5.
• Region 5 (low / medium rainfall mediterranean / temperate) includes Griffith, Narranderra, Swan Hill, Booleroo Centre, Wuddinna, Mullewa, Dalwallinu and Merredin. 

These regions cross state borders, and are target zones for national breeding and variety evaluation. Breeding trials and National Variety Trial (NVT) results help indicate specific adaptation even within a region.

There have been variety releases specific for central Queensland (PBA Pistol and Moti) southern Queensland and northern New South Wales (PBA HatTrick and PBA Boundary).

Area of adaption is specified for each variety so that potential users are aware of their best fit.

Paddock selection criteria

• Chickpea crops should be separated from previous year’s crop by at least 500 m and up to 1 km in areas where old stubble is prone to movement i.e. down slope and on flood plains. This helps to reduce the spread of ascochyta blight, a foliar/stubble borne disease.
• Avoid poorly drained paddocks and those with a history of water logging.
• Check herbicide use over the previous 12 months to 2 years to determine any potential residue problems prior to sowing.
• Check any soil tests and/or grower records, paying particular attention to the following soil characteristics and advise growers accordingly;
  • pH 5.2 – 8.0
  • Soil type – Loams to self-mulching clays
  • Sodicity, avoid ESP levels 3
  • Salinity/Chloride, avoid ECe levels above 1.5 ds/m
  • Potential water logging problems
  • Amount of stored soil moisture and received rainfall, noting their potential impact on herbicide residues.
  • Have an understanding of the crop management and harvest problems created by unlevelled paddocks and/or paddock obstacles i.e. sticks and stones.
  • Avoid major variations in soil types.
  • Avoid deep giligai or heavily contoured country.

Evaluation of Yield potential

The most accurate prediction of a varieties performance is a stable yield in many locations over several years.

Yield results from Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) and National Variety Trials (NVT) are available from the NVT website www.nvtonline.com.au as well from the specific Pulse Variety Management Package (VMP) brochure. Long term yields can be represented in several different ways but are typically displayed as either site specific, averaged over multiple years (Figure 1), or for each year averaged over multiple sites for a region (Table 1). All trial sites are disease free.

Figure 1. NVT Long term yield report – chickpea – desi – SWQ – Billa Billa (2005 to 2012)

Source: National Variety trials (NVT) 

Figure 1 text description

Results lists are approximates for the following varieties (ordered from highest t/ha to lowest): 

• PBA Boundary - just above 2 t/ha, 17 trials
• Kyabra - just below 2 t/ha, 23 trials
• Moti - just below 2 t/ha, 11 trials
• Ambar- just above 1.9 t/ha, 4 trials
• Jimbour - 1.9 t/ha, 24 trials
• Howzat - 1.9 2 t/ha, 8 trials
• PBA HatTrick - 1.9 t/ha, 19 trials
• Yorker - just below 1.8 t/ha, 17 trials
• Flipper - just below 1.8 t/ha, 15 trials

Table 1. Long-term desi chickpea yields in north-eastern Australia (R2 & R3) as a percentage of PBA HatTrick 2006-2010

Variety	2010		2009		2008		2007		2006
	R2	R3	R2	R3	R2	R3	R2	R3	R2	R3
Flipper	95	86	97	92	96	90	97	86	96	89
Jimbour	72	78	104	103	99	96	103	102	102	100
Kyabra	78	72	106	105	99	96	105	104	106	-
PBA Boundary	109	104	104	109	105	106	106	106	109
PBA HatTrick	100	100	100	100	100	100	100	100	100	100
Yorker	88	98	100	96	98	89	92	88	94	91
PBA HatTrick (t/ha)	2.12	2.28	1.78	1.56	2.14	1.96	1.27	1.10	1.86	1.68

Region 2 (R2): Central/North-Western Slopes (NSW) and Darling Downs (Qld).

Region 3 (R3): Central/North-Western Palins (NSW) and Western Downs/Maranoa (Qld).

Source: Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) and National Variety trials (NVT)

Disease management and varietal resistance

Considerable advances have been made with recent varietal releases in terms of ascochyta blight resistance. However, there are several other diseases that need to be considered in terms of individual situation risks when selecting both varieties and paddocks. The most important of these is the soil borne disease phytophthora root rot (PRR).

Table 2; shows the relative yield responses of various varieties to both ascochyta blight and phytophthora root rot, in high disease pressure situations. The yield advantages of varieties like PBA Boundary and Kyabra can be quickly lost if they are exposed to diseases for which they are susceptible.

Growers need to determine their disease risk profile as they may be better served by selecting the variety with the greatest varietal resistance(s) to the expected disease pressures, even if the variety is lower yielding in disease free situations.

These decisions also need to be made in conjunction with an understanding of what management options are available.

Table 2. Disease resistance rating and yield loss of desi chickpea in north-eastern Australia

Variety	Ascochyta blight (AB)*					Phytophthora root rot (PRR)**
	Resistance rating	Yield (t/ha) 2009#	Yield (t/ha) 2010#	% Yield loss 2009	% Yield loss##	Yield (t/ha) #	Resistance rating	% Yield loss 2010
Flipper	MR/MS	1.69	-	9	-	MS	-	-
Jimbour	S	0.44	0.00	77	100	MS/MR	2.70	66
Kyabra	S	-	0.00	0	100	MS	2.83	78
PBA Boundary	MR	1.84	2.32	4	4	S	2.58	85
PBA HatTrick	MR	1.71	1.71	8	34	MR	2.56	64
Yorker	MS	1.80	-	5	-	MR	2.52	35

* Ascochyta blight yield loss trial, Tamworth 2009 & 2010 – NSW-DPI

** Phytophthora root rot yield loss trial, Warwick 2012 – Qld DAFF and NSW-DPI

# Yield (t/ha) in absence of infection

## % Yield loss due to inoculation with phytophthora root rot

Source: NSW-DPI and Qld DAFF Plant pathology teams

Phytophthora root rot (PRR)

Is a soil and water-borne disease that can establish permanently in some paddocks. 2010 was particularly conducive to PRR because damage is greatest in seasons with above average rainfall. However, only a single saturating rain event is needed for infection, as was seen in 2012.

The most effective control strategy is to not plant chickpeas in high-risk paddocks, which are those with a history of waterlogging and PRR in previous chickpea crops, or a history of lucerne, annual medic or perennial legumes.

Management options for phytophthora

Once a plant or crop is infected with phytophthora, there is nothing a grower can do.

There are no effective chemical sprays as there are for ascochyta blight.  Thus, phytophthora root rot can only be managed by pre-sowing decisions and assessing risks for individual paddocks.

Development of the disease requires both the pathogen in the soil, and a period of soil saturation with water. Losses in a phytophthora-infested paddock may be minor if soil saturation does not occur.

The most effective control strategy is to not sow chickpeas in high-risk paddocks, which are those with a history of:

• Phytophthora noted in previous chickpea or lucerne crops.
• Lucerne or annual or perennial medics.
• Waterlogging or prone to flooding.

If you choose to sow chickpeas in high-risk paddocks, the following measures may reduce losses from phytophthora:

• Grow a chickpea variety with the highest level of resistance (see Table 2).

Particularly in medium risk situations, where medic, chickpea or lucerne crops have been grown in the past 5 - 6 years.

• However, the level of protection offered by varietal resistance remains low.

Nematodes

Two species of root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus neglectus and Pratylenchus thornei, occur in the cropping regions of northern Australia. Both species cause root damage and yield losses. Root lesion nematodes have a wide host range, including cereals and grassy weeds, pulses, pasture and forage legumes and oilseeds.

Chickpeas are susceptible to both Pratylenchus thornei and P. neglectus.  Mungbean, fababean, soybean are susceptible to P. thornei  but resistant to P. neglectus.

However, chickpea will result in increased levels of Pratylenchus after the crop, although there does appear to be some varietal differences. The newer varieties PBA HatTrick and PBA Boundary have consistently showing lower Pratylenchus levels compared to Jimbour and Kyabra.

Figure 2. Comparison of Pratylenchus population remaining as a % of Jimbour.

Source: Northern Grower Alliance (2010-2012)

Figure 2 text description

Results lists are approximates for the following varieties:

• PBA HatTrick (8) - just above 60%
• PBA Boundary (8) - approximately 70%
• Jimbour - 100%
• Yorker (5) - just over 100%
• Kyabra (8) - just below 120%

Viral diseases

There are over 14 viruses that cause significant losses in chickpea and currently all northern chickpea varieties are considered to be susceptible (S) to them.

The occurrence of virus in chickpea changes dramatically from season to season and location.

Control measures for viruses in chickpea are not adequate at the present time.  Application of seed and foliar insecticides, aimed at preventing feeding by aphids, has failed to prevent infection by viruses in field experiments.

Best agronomic management can help to reduce damage by viruses and includes; 

• retention of cereal stubble to deter aphids; 
• sowing at recommended times to avoid autumn aphid flights; 
• sowing at recommended seed densities to achieve early closure of the crop canopy (closed canopies deter aphids).

Future breeding directions

The current Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) program continues to focus on regional adaptation, higher grain yields and greater levels of varietal resistance to the main two chickpea diseases of ascochyta blight and phytophthora root rot.

The next most likely release for southern Queensland and northern New South Wales is the coded line CICA0912 which is combining the yield potential of the current commercial lines as well as the best ascochyta blight and phytophthora root rot that is currently available into a single variety.

Additional valuable traits that the breeding program is working with include;

• resistance to botrytis grey mould (BGM)
• virus resistance
• improved resistance to root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus thornei and P. neglectus)
• improved tolerance to soil salt levels
• improved reproductive cold tolerance has also been incorporated into the program.

Additional information

Specific Variety Management Package (VMP) for chickpea varieties are available from the Pulse Australia website

http://www.pulseaus.com.au/Search_Publication.aspx

http://www.pulseaus.com.au/pdf/Chickpea%20Integrated%20Disease%20Management.pdf

http://www.pulseaus.com.au/pdf/Chickpea%20Ascochyta%20Blight%20Management.pdf

http://www.pulseaus.com.au/pdf/Chickpea%20Phytophthor%20Root%20Rot%20Management.pdf

http://www.pulseaus.com.au/pdf/Chickpea%20Botrytis%20Grey%20Mould%20Management.pdf

http://www.pulseaus.com.au/pdf/Virus%20Contol%20in%20Chickpea.pdf

Contact details

Gordon Cumming
Pulse Australia Limited
Mb: 0408 923 4740408 923 474 0408 923 4740408 923 474
Email: gordon@pulseaus.com.au

Varieties displaying this symbol beside them are protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994