PASTURE SEEDS. RIRDC Completed Projects in and Research in Progress as at June RIRDC Sub-Program 3.7.

Transcription

1 RIRDC Completed Projects in and Research in Progress as at June 1998 PASTURE SEEDS RIRDC Sub-Program 3.7 December 1998 RIRDC Publication No 98/96

2 1998 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN ISSN "RIRDC Completed Projects in and Research in Progress as at June Pasture Seeds Publication No 98/96 The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone RIRDC Pasture Seeds Research Manager Dr Jeff Davis RIRDC Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: (02) Fax: (02) jeffd@rirdc.gov.au RIRDC Publications Manager Eva Hickman Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: (02) Fax: (02) evah@rirdc.gov.au Website: Published in December 1998 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by the AFFA Copy Centre ii

3 FOREWORD This year RIRDC has produced Research in Progress, June '98, which contains short summaries of continuing projects as well as those that were completed during for all of the Corporation s 21 program areas. The complete report on all the programs is only available in electronic format on our website at The following report is a hardcopy extract covering Sub-Program 3.7. It contains all entries from continuing and completed Pasture Seeds research projects funded by RIRDC. This program aims to facilitate the growth of a profitable and sustainable pasture seeds industry based on a reputation for the reliable supply, domestically and internationally, of a range of pasture seeds. This report is the newest addition to our extensive catalogue of over 250 research reports, videos and CD-Roms of projects supported by RIRDC. Please contact us for the latest publications catalogue or view it on our website. Peter Core Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii

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5 CONTENTS PROJECT No DAS-32A Alfalfa Mosaic Virus (AMV) Survey in Lucerne and Medic Seed and Development of Rapid Tests COMPLETED PROJECTS PROJECT TITLE RESEARCHER PHONE ORGANISATION PAGE No Ms. Evita Alberts (08) Department of Primary 1 Industries and Resources SA DAW-60A On farm evaluation of the adaptation, distribution and potential value of lucerne in Western Australia Roy Latta (08) Agriculture Western Australia 1 DAW-50A Development of alternative pasture legumes for Dr. Steven Carr (08) Agriculture Western Australia 2 use in medium rainfall agricultural regions with untapped subsurface water RESEARCH IN PROGRESS PROJECT No PROJECT TITLE RESEARCHER PHONE ORGANISATION PAGE No DAN-163A Development of new alternative legumes and appropriate weed control technology Mr. Graeme Sandral (02) NSW Agriculture, Agricultural Institute, WAGGA WAGGA NSW SAR-10A Development of a bacterial wilt test to facilitate Dr. Kathy Ophel-keller (08) SARDI 3 the export of lucerne seed HS-1A The development of a more effective Mr. Bob Campbell (07) Heritage Seeds Pty Ltd 3 harvesting method for shaw creeping Vigna (Vigna parkeri) SED-8A Development of varieties of four species of fodder legumes for sowing seed export Dr. Ross Downes (02) Seedco 4 DAV-106A A model for expansion of the Australian domestic temperature pasture seed market Mr. Peter Schroder (03) Department of Natural Resources & Environment 4 SBS-1A Seed production of Vigna parkeri Mr. Kon Sauer (07) SBS IAMA Limited 4 SAR-11A Improved irrigation practice and crop diversification for the irrigated pasture seed industry Dr. Fred Stadter (08) Primary Industry and Resources SA 5 DAQ-148A Improved handling of chaffy grass seeds Dr. Donald Loch (07) Department of Primary Industries (Qld) 6 DAV-144A Improved seed production: Towards 1.5 tonnes Ms. Angela Avery (02) Department of Natural Resources & Environment 6 v

6 COMPLETED PROJECTS On farm evaluation of the adaptation, distribution and potential value of lucerne in Western Australia RIRDC Project No: Organisation: DAW-60A Roy Latta Agriculture Western Australia KATANNING WA Contacts: Phone: (08) Fax: (08) Objective To develop the lucerne seed industry by increasing area sown to lucerne in Western Australia. Background Lucerne has the potential to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in Western Australia through filling the summer-autumn feed gap, improving the legume component of pastures, lowering water tables and controlling dryland salinity. The identification and release of the improved Rhizobia strain (WSM826) through RIRDC project DAW-36A will increase the area sown from 8000 ha s (ABS, 1994) to at least 100,000 ha s by Research The study looked at lucerne persistence and production with alternative Rhizobia strains. It compared the plant density and biomass of 7 Rhizobia strains applied to several lucerne cultivars of different growth activity ratings. The experiment was established at Pingrup in The biomass production for 1996 and remaining plant density were measured. Experiments at Katanning and Jerramungup also compared lucerne cultivar persistence and production. Outcome Two years after the Pingrup experiment was established there was no difference in annual pasture production irrespective of Rhizobia strain applied or cultivar sown. The highly winter active cultivar Sceptre had a higher plant density than all other cultivars. At Katanning and Jerramungup the highly winter active cultivars Sceptre and Quadrella produced more biomass over the winter than the winter dormant cultivars, Cimmarron, Prime and P581 but persistence was similar across cultivars. Implications The findings from the study provided information for current industry recommendations which include: Sow highly winter active cultivars Inoculate with commercial Rhizobia strain WSM 826 Extension: Recommendations on cultivars and inoculation are made annually through The Western Australian Lucerne Growers newsletter, Agriculture WA Farmnotes, field days and the rural media. The estimated sowing of 20,000 ha s of lucerne in 1997 is testimony to the success of this and collaborative projects. Alfalfa Mosaic Virus (AMV) Survey in Lucerne and Medic Seed and Development of Rapid Tests RIRDC Project No: DAS-32A Ms. Evita Alberts Organisation: Plant Industries & Natural Resources Department of Primary Industries and Resources (SA) GPO Box 1671 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Contacts: Phone: (08) Fax: (08) alberts.evita@pi.sa.gov.au To improve pasture production and seed quality by identifying the significant seed-borne viral pathogens of Australian pasture seed and where warranted, developing effective disease testing procedures. Background Medic and lucerne pastures are important in Australian farming systems for grazing and for hay and seed production for both the domestic and export markets. Severe production losses due to seed-borne virus infection of pasture seed have been recorded worldwide, but little Australian data was available. Research A national survey of commonly grown medic and lucerne cultivars established that seed-borne viral pathogens were important. Sensitive, efficient and cost effective seed testing procedures were developed and optimised for the detection of virus infection in pasture seed and plants. Outcomes This research suggests a high level of seed-borne virus infection in Australian pasture seed, one which would result in production losses similar to those recorded in other parts of the world. A procedure for testing pasture seed and plants is now available and provides a basis from which a seed testing capability for industry can be developed. These procedures have already been adopted by the medic and lucerne breeding programs to ensure that the true assessment of non-infected material can be made and that no infected cultivars are released. Implications The provision of commercial seed and pasture testing based on the methodologies developed in this project will provide industry with a strategy for the control of seedborne pathogens. Control of seed-borne viral pathogens in pasture seed will contribute to industry achieving its goal to become a specialist producer of high quality 1

7 seed for the domestic and export markets. Control of seed-borne viral pathogens in pasture seed will improve overall production of Australian pastures. Development of alternative pasture legumes for use in medium rainfall agricultural regions with untapped subsurface water, and to enhance product range in the seed and rhizobial inoculant export markets. Implications The transition of these three new pasture legumes into commerce has recently commenced. Unlike new varieties of standard pasture species like subterranean clover which blend immediately into current management systems, these new products require additional support. The ultimate success in increasing the profitability and sustainability of agriculture in Mediterranean regions will rely heavily on appropriate developmental support from government, seed industry representatives and private agronomists. RIRDC Project No: Organisation: DAW-50A Dr. S.J. Carr Agriculture WA/CLIMA Locked Bag No. 4, BENTLEY DELIVERY CENTRE WA 6983 Contacts: Phone: (08) Fax: (08) Background The underlying concept was to identify species able to remain green for extended periods during late spring/early summer when rainfall in Mediterranean climates declines. Our assumption is that such pasture plants are able to use a higher proportion of the incident rainfall, an important consideration in decreasing the rate of secondary salinisation. Another selection criteria pertained to seed production. Historically pasture species such as sub-clover have been suction harvested in a slow, environmentally damaging and certainly non-sustainable process. We aimed to select species with high seed yielding capacity and that does not require suction harvesting. Research The research conducted was split between standard field evaluation of known pasture plants (e.g. crimson clover) used in Mediterranean regions, and more basic research to identify new species with the attributes we considered desirable (e.g. Biserrula pelecinus). In meeting the selection criteria we had set, we concluded the plant ideotypes we were targeting were generally more suited to cut and carry types rather than regenerating farming rotational pasture species. Hence, we were not constrained by attempting to fit in with parameters such as conventional hard seed levels. Outcomes Three new pasture legumes (Trifolium vesiculosum cv Cefalu; Trifolium incarnatum cv Caprera and Biserrula pelecinus cv Casbah) and a specific rhizobial inoculant for each cultivar were commercialised during the final stages of this research program, and the commencement of a related fodder project (UWA-30). Several other species with commercial prospects were also identified, and are subject to further evaluation. 2

8 RESEARCH IN PROGRESS Development of new alternative legumes and appropriate weed control technology RIRDC Project No: DAN-163A Start Date: 1 December, 1997 Finish Date: 30 June, 2002 Mr. Graeme Sandral Organisation: NSW Agriculture, Agricultural Institute, PMB WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 Contacts: Phone: (02) Fax: (02) To develop weed control options for new alternative annual legumes species released from the National Annual Legume Improvement Program. To select legumes suitable for direct heading to reduce harvest costs and environmental damage caused by vacuum harvesting procedures To significantly expand the range of annual legumes available for seed production by selecting new species and cultivars suitable for domestic and overseas markets and problem soils and climates in Australia The aims of this project are to 1) test a diverse range of annual legume species for their suitability in farming systems of southern NSW, 2) identify the herbicide tolerance of existing and new legume species to broadleaf herbicides and 3) explore the overseas market potential of any new annual legumes species developed from the project. The first year of this project has focused on developing a greater understanding of the herbicide tolerance of alternative annual legumes. A range of alternative annual legumes to be tested was identified by collaborators of the National Annual Legume Plant Improvement Program (NAPLIP) at a technical meeting in October This genetic material is now undergoing glasshouse bioassay screening against 18 broadleaf herbicides. Screening results will be used to identify those herbicide and species combinations that will undergo further testing in the field during Development of a bacterial wilt test to facilitate the export of lucerne seed RIRDC Project No: SAR-10A Start Date: 30 March, 1998 Finish Date: 30 June, 1999 Dr. Kathy Ophel-Keller Organisation: SARDI GPO Box 397 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Contacts: Phone: (08) Fax: (08) ophelkeller.kathy@pi.sa.gov.au A sensitive and specified test for bacterial wilt in lucerne seed will be developed by the SARDI Diagnostic Centre and will provided to assist industry in exporting lucerne. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies have been raised against the bacterium, Clavibacter insidiosum, for use in a double antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS ELISA). The polyclonal antibody is required to coat plates and the monoclonal antibody is used to achieve specificity. Preliminary screening of the monoclonal antibody by flow cytometry indicates that it does not cross react with related bacteria and bacteria likely to be found as contaminants of lucerne seed. Screening for specificity and sensitivity will now be completed using a DAS ELISA. Discussions are proceeding with industry to determine the level of contamination that needs to be detected by the test. Sources of infected seed are also required to evaluate the test. To date we have been unable to source infected seed in Australia. Overseas contacts are now being pursued to provide samples to validate the test. The development of a more effective harvesting method for shaw creeping Vigna (Vigna parkeri) RIRDC Project No: HS-1A Start Date: 1 July, 1995 Finish Date: 31 October, 1998 Mr. Bob Campbell Organisation: Heritage Seeds Pty Ltd PO Box 6414 TOOWOOMBA WEST QLD 4350 Contacts: Phone: (07) Fax: (07) To increase the seed availability of Shaw Creeping Vigna through the development of a suitable harvester and harvesting techniques resulting in increased returns to cattle producers in the wetter sub-tropics. 3

9 This project started very well with very good data collected from the first harvest. Initial machinery modifications were effective but not ideal. To successfully complete the project and make sound conclusions about the effectiveness of the harvesting techniques under test the project required that we repeat the results, which would also allow further modifications to the harvester. Unfortunately, the project has been plagued by very poor weather conditions over the past two seasons which has prevented the collection of data from a second harvest. We have applied for an extension of the project until The trial area will be modified to make it less susceptible to weather problems ie. better drained and providing irrigation capacity. No further funding is required at this stage and the cooperators are willing to continue. Development of varieties of six species of fodder legumes for sowing - seed export RIRDC Project No: SED-8A Start Date: 30 July 1995 Finish Date: 30 September 1998 Dr. Ross Downes Organisation: Seedco 78 Burbridge Road HILTON SA 5073 Contacts: Phone: (02) Fax: (02) ipb@oz .com.au To breed varieties of Trifolium resupination, T. alexandrinum, Vicia villosa, V. sativa for seed multiplication and export to EEC markets. During the last year several varieties have been produced from Seedco s R&D program with substantial support from RIRDC. In common vetch, development of four varieties was completed: Vedura, Velero, Vestar and Victa, bred for high yield of seed in Australia so that seed can be marketed competitively in Europe where common vetch is an important fodder/green manure crop. Development was also completed on two varieties of woolly-pod vetch: Capello, bred to produce soft seed so that it will germinate readily in the following season ensuring that it does not become a weed of crop land, and Haymaker Plus, a standard variety bred for early maturity and high seed yield. These varieties performed extremely well in trials in Varieties of berseem and persian clover have also been bred for seed production in Australia, for sowing seed export and for production of fodder and hay. All were selected for disease resistance to maintain yield and minimise need for chemicals. The nine varieties developed in this program are being protected by Plant Breeders Rights. Seed production and marketing plans are well advanced. This valuable partnership between RIRDC and Seedco provides a solid example of the value of focussing research and development efforts on identified market requirements. A model for expansion of the Australian domestic temperature pasture seed market RIRDC Project No: DAV-106A Start Date: 1 July, 1995 Finish Date: 30 September, 1998 Mr. Peter Schroder Organisation: 4 Department of Natural Resources & Environment Private Bag 105 HAMILTON VIC 3300 Contacts: Phone: (03) Fax: (03) To improve the viability of pasture seed growers by developing, testing and refining a promotional model that will double the demand for pasture seed and will be applicable for use throughout temperate Australia where grazing is the main enterprise. The implementation stage of this project which involves working with intensive graziers to identify the key profit drivers of their business, and working with the extensive group to show them how to deal with onion grass, has been completed and evaluated. The work with both groups was quite unique and a high level of achievement was measured in both cases. A module developed with the intensive group is being test marketed in other districts. The achievements of the project are being communicated to key groups in the pasture seed industry. A quantitative survey in the area where the study has been completed to properly characterise the population. The model being finalised will be quite different and unique compared with any other proposed in the past. The testing we have concluded leads me to believe it will achieve its goal if adequate resources are put into implementing it correctly. Seed production of Vigna parkeri RIRDC Project No: SBS-1A Start Date: 1 January, 1997 Finish Date: 31 December, 1999 Mr. Michael Christensen

10 Organisation: IAMA (Qld) Pty Ltd PO Box 194 GYMPIE QLD 4570 Contacts: Phone: (07) Fax: (07) In relation to Vigna parkeri, the project aims. to document development and seed production of seed crops; to determine environmental factors controlling flowering, and to explore possible manipulation of flowering in seed crops; to develop appropriate seed production strategies and methods, including defoliation and irrigation practices and herbicide use; to enhance field establishment by developing effective methods for reducing hardseededness; and to evaluate seed production characteristics of germplasm approaching release. Before planting at >15 kg/ha in late January 1998, subsoil trickle irrigation was laid beneath the field site near Gympie. Water can now be applied evenly across each experiment of plot. A high proportion of young vigna seedlings growing in the bare sandy soil were lost during a prolonged period of abnormally high summer temperatures, but most plants of comparable age in a small mulch-planted area survived. Replanting may be necessary in early spring to ensure an adequate population for crop growth studies during 1998/99, depending on a final assessment of plant numbers. Controlled environment studies of the environmental factor(s) that control flowering in creeping vigna will commence in July at the University of Queensland under the supervision of Dr. Colin Turnbull (UQLD Department of Botany). Four field plots have been set up using subsoil trickle irrigation to enable accurate application of four different watering regimes during the growing season. The relative tolerance of cv. Shaw to eight pre-emergence and 28 post-emergence herbicides was determined in glasshouse screening trials. The effectiveness of the most promising chemicals (3 pre-emergence, 6 postemergence broadleaf and 5 post-emergence grass herbicides) was subsequently assessed in field experiments near Gympie. A range of techniques for breaking hardseededness has been compared on a single seed lot. Hot water treatment and mechanical scarification by a Satake Abrader were the most promising methods. Confirmation is required on additional seed lots as available. Promising Vigna germplasm has been identified and will be planted in small observation plots near the main field site near Gympie during 1998/99. Improved irrigation practice and crop diversification for the irrigated pasture seed industry RIRDC Project No: SAR-11A Start Date: 1 October, 1997 Finish Date: 30 September, 2001 Dr. Fred Stadter Organisation: Primary Industry and Resources PO Box 93 NARACOORTE SA 5271 Contacts: Phone: (08) Refine current irrigation management of pasture seed in order to improve gross margins and reduce water use. Identify suitable alternative crops with less irrigation water requirements and equal or greater salinity tolerance than lucerne - preference will be given to crops with import replacement potential. Evaluate irrigation management techniques which will maximise the potential economic return from the identified crops. Encourage the up-take and best management of the identified crops by seed irrigators. Advance the establishment of industry to process the new produce. Preliminary literature searches have been conducted on various alternative crops. An irrigation field day and workshop was conducted to educate irrigators on best irrigation practice. All irrigators have been visited by a project officer (funded by NHT) discussing irrigation practice. A number of irrigators have monitored irrigation management and yields to compare water use and lucerne seed yield. This will enable us to understand what practices are currently occurring and where improvements in efficiency can be made. Monitoring includes measuring flow rates onto bays, bay dimensions, hence the depth of water being applied can be calculated, and seed yield. A field trial has been established to measure crop water use of various lucerne varieties. Data is being collected from the field trial to determine lucerne water use. The technology being used in this field trial is being assessed for its ability to measure crop water use and will be used in other crops. The Penman-Monteith model is being used to predict the potential evapotranspiration at the site. Soil hydraulic conductivity and groundwater recharge is being monitored using in situ measurements of soil moisture content and soil matric potential. 5

11 : Improved handling of chaffy grass seeds RIRDC Project No.: DAQ-148A Dr. Donald Loch Organisation: QDPI PO Box 395 GYMPIE QLD 4570 Contacts: Phone: (07) Fax: (07) (a) To identify, develop and validate commercially the best available technology for removing chaffy appendages from seeds of important Australian native and exotic grasses; (b) To study the establishment characteristics of treated and untreated seeds; (c) To investigate possible enhancement of establishment using new polymer seed coatings applied to seeds after treatment to remove chaffy appendages; and (d) To encourage rapid commercial adoption of appropriate seed treatment and coating technology proven through research on objectives (a) to (c). : (a) Momentum discrimination improves quality across a wide range of seeds, including smoothseeded grasses and even eucalypts, in addition to chaffy-seeded grasses. It is not effective in removing surface hairs on seeds without a separate threshing stage. Slow throughput has been improved by developing a precleaner (100 kg/hr or more through simply scaling up). Linking this to advanced US defuzzing equipment should increase processing/cleaning capacity and remove surface hairs. (b) Laboratory studies investigated moisture relations for germination, together with the chaffy appendages and their role in establishment. These demonstrated why some species (e.g. kangaroo grass among the more moisture-demanding seeds) have established poorly in field plantings (mainly by Greening Australia) during recent drought years. (c) Field establishment studies (199798) covered the commercial range of seed coats. Four experiments in two contrasting districts included three species (native and exotic) with different seed structures and different degrees of dehusking. Most coating treatments gave either no advantage or actually decreased seedling numbers, but one new additive consistently increased seedling numbers by % (possibly through ant protection), with the greatest relative improvement in the poorest establishment situations. (d) Results have been disseminated through involvement in workshops, published papers and native grass seeds contacts (including ANGLSIA). Direct contact is also possible and effective in such a small industry: e.g. all three suppliers of coated seeds plus UNE research were involved in (c). Improved seed production: "Towards 1.5 tonnes" RIRDC Project No: DAV-144A Start Date: 1 July, 1997 Finish Date: 30 June, 2000 Ms. Angela Avery Organisation: Department of Natural Resources & Environment RMB 1145 Chiltern Valley Road RUTHERGLEN VIC 3685 Contacts: Phone: (02) Fax: (02) Increased production of quality subterranean clover seed by 50%, in northern Victoria and southern NSW. A grower network in the subterranean clover seed production industry to facilitate shared learning and communication. Research relating to seed production and information for sub clover seed industry has been neglected for the last two decades. An extensive literature review on sub clover has been completed. From this review, a detailed document was published and given to seed growers in NSW and Victoria. This document also provided the basis on which the R&D program for this project was developed. The first Clover Seed Summit was held on the 25 February This was a significant event as it brought together growers from both states to discuss issues relating to their industry. It also provided the opportunity to provide new information on herbicides and production issues as well as an appreciation of the role of RIRDC. A key outcome of this project was the formation of three grower groups on which the experimental objectives of the project are to be centred on. Five experiments have been established to address the issues of the effect strategic nutrient supply on seed quantity and quality, methods to manage herbage and their effects of seed production and the use of grain crops within the seed production systems. to use nitrogen and reduce the weed burdens within seed crops. These experiments are located on both irrigation and dryland crops. 6

12 SEED INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Chairperson Mr Hugh Roberts Ph: (02) Birralee Fax: (02) COOTAMUNDRA NSW 2590 Members Mr Jock Kreitals Grains Council of Australia Ph: (02) PO Box E10 Fax: (02) KINGSTON ACT 2604 (Level 2, NFF House, Brisbane Avenue BARTON 2600) Mr David Pengelly Ph: (08) PO Box 202 Fax: (08) KEITH SA 5267 Mr Pat Trethowan Ph: (03) Fax: (03) Tremis Pastoral Co Pty Ltd Avonlea RMB 1020 DOOKIE VIC 3646 Research Manager Dr Jeff Davis Rural Industries R & D Corporation Ph: (02) PO Box 4776 Fax: (02) KINGSTON ACT 2604 jeffd@rirdc.gov.au (Level 1, AMA House, 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600) 7