Oat Breeding Newsletter. October Michelle measuring NIR grain quality in January, Compiled by Sue Hoppo and Pamela Zwer for the

Transcription

1 Oat Breeding Newsletter October 2016 Michelle measuring NIR grain quality in January, 2016 Compiled by Sue Hoppo and Pamela Zwer for the National Oat Breeding Program: Pamela Zwer (SARDI) Sue Hoppo (SARDI) Peter McCormack (SARDI) Michelle Williams (SARDI) Mahalakshmi Mahadevan (SARDI) Mark Hill (SARDI) Peter Wheeler (SARDI) KerryLee McMurray (SARDI) Debra Donovan (DAFWA) Cody Hull (DAFWA) In conjunction with: SARDI New Variety Agronomy Group SARDI Gene Function Group SARDI Field Crops Pathology Statistics for the Australian Grain Industry (SAGI) NVT Program DAFWA NVT and Agronomy Group Australian Cereal Rust Control Program (ACRCP) Funded by: SARDI/PIRSA DAFWA GRDC RIRDC SAGIT Uncle Tobys Company AEXCO Pty Ltd Supported by: Oat grower co-operators across Australia Grains Industry Western Australia Oat Committee (GIWA) Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Entries for 2016 grain trials 2. Entries for 2016 hay trials 3. Breeding program developments 4. New varieties 5. Long term grain trial results 6. Long term hay trial results Pamela and Peter along with casuals harvesting head hills at Turretfield Research Centre, December 2015 Editors note: Just a reminder, this newsletter should not be quoted without consent from the authors.

3 1. Entries for 2016 Grain Trials 1.1 NVT and Stage 4 Grain Trials New in 2016 NVT30 trials at Frances in SA & Wagga Wagga in NSW reverted to NVT15 NVT15 trials at Yarrawonga in Victoria & Wongan Hills in WA discontinued NVT list of entries reverts to 15 in WA New service providers selected to conduct NVT trials in Vic, NSW & WA Red leather leaf resistance trial conducted at Marrabel in SA Trial work conducted at Wongan Hills in WA reduced to Stage 4/5 trials and seed multiplication only National Variety Testing (NVT) trials comprising either 30 or 15 entries were sown at a total of 27 locations throughout SA, Victoria, NSW and WA in 2016 (Table 1). Trials at Yarrawonga and Wonmgan Hills were discontinued and the NVT trials at Frances and Wagga Wagga were reduced from 30 to 15 entries. Trial entries of breeder s lines in WA became the same as other states. However check varieties suitable for WA were selected. Trial locations and plans can be found on the NVT website The Stage 4 grain trial reduced back to 48 entries in Stage 4 grain trials were sown at four locations in SA, one location in NSW and four locations in WA (Table 2). The Stage 4 grain entries were sown in nurseries at Manjimup to evaluate leaf rust, barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and septoria resistance and at Canarvon in a stem rust nursery. Stage 4 grain entries were also evaluated for CCN resistance at the Waite Campus in SA and for stem and leaf rust by the Australian Cereal Rust Control Program, the University of Sydney, at Cobbitty in NSW. A selection of 24 hay and grain lines were sown in a trial at Marrabel to determine resistance to Red Leather Leaf. Information about the grain yield and quality of named lines is included in section 6 of this newsletter. Mark Hill and Peter Wheeler with casuals harvesting trials at Turretfield in December Photo credit - Josh Cameron Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 2

4 Table 1: NVT trial locations in South Australia Victoria New South Wales Western Australia NVT 15 Crystal Brook Paskeville Waikerie Frances NVT 30 Bordertown NVT15 Diggora Dookie Eastville Hamilton Streatham NVT 15 Wellington Condobolin Cowra Gerogery Oaklands Quandialla Wagga Wagga CVT15 Cuballing Cunderdin Dandaragan Esperance R.S Holt Rock Merriden Pingelly Pingrup Rylington Park York Table 2: Stage 4 grain trial and nursery locations in South Australia New South Wales Western Australia Yield trials Riverton Pinery Turretfield Kybybolite Seed increase Wasleys Nurseries Waite (CCN resistance) Marrabel (RLL resistance) Yield trials Griffith irrigated trial Nurseries Rust evaluation at ACRCP Cobbitty - Victoria Yield trials Cunderdin Pingelly Rylington Park Wongan Hills Nurseries Manjimup (BYDV, rust & septoria) Kerry-Lee weighing seed for interstate hay trials in April, 2016 Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 3

5 2. Entries for 2016 Hay Trials 2.1 Hay trials New in 2016 Stage 5 hay trial moved from Cunderdin to Muresk Stage 4 hay trial moved from York to Cunderdin The Stage 5 (S5) hay trial for 2016 has 40 entries and was sown at Muresk and Wongan Hills in WA, Horsham and Elmore in Victoria, and Finley in NSW. Four late hay entries were again added to the Elmore trial for comparison. Stage 4 (S4) hay trials include the 40 entries from the S5 trial and an additional 12 entries to make a total of 52 entries. Hay and grain yield and quality assessment will be conducted at three locations in SA, two locations in Victoria, one location in NSW and two locations in WA (Table 3). The Stage 4 late hay trial for 2016 has 28 entries and was sown at three locations in SA and one location in WA. Late hay trials located at Riverton and Turretfield in SA will be cut for hay yield and quality assessments. All trials will be assessed for grain yield and grain quality. The Stage 4 entries from both the hay and late hay trials were also sown in nurseries to evaluate stem and leaf rust, BYDV and septoria resistance in WA, CCN resistance at the Waite Campus in SA and stem and leaf rust by the Australian Cereal Rust Control Program. Information about the hay yield and hay quality as well as grain yield of released lines is included in section 6 of this newsletter. Table 3: Stage 5 and Stage 4 hay and late hay trial and nursery locations in 2016 South Australia Victoria Western Australia Stage 4 trials Pinery (hay & late hay) Turretfield (hay & late hay) Riverton (hay & late hay) Seed increase Wasleys Nurseries Waite Campus (CCN resistance) Stage 5 Horsham (Longrenong) Elmore (44 entries including Forester, Kangaroo, Tammar & Tungoo) New South Wales Stage 5 Finley Nurseries Rust evaluation at ACRCP Cobbitty Stage 5 Muresk Wongan Hills Stage 4 Cunderdin Pingelly Rylington Park (late hay-observation and grain harvest) Nurseries Manjimup (septoria, BYDV, stem and leaf rust) Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 4

6 3. Breeding Program Developments 3.1 Pinery fires destroy two trial sites The Pinery fires on November 25 last year were unlike anything we had seen in our trial growing areas in the history of the breeding program. Our sympathies go to those families that lost loved ones and also to the many people who lost property that day. Our trial sites at Pinery and Wasleys were destroyed by the fire and our sites at Riverton and Turretfield badly affected due to the severe weather conditions experienced. We were very lucky not to lose our truck and harvesters that were parked at our Wasleys co-operators farm. Oat Breeding Program truck and harvesters at Wasleys after the Pinery fires Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 5

7 3.2 Deb Donovan visits at seed prep In early May, Deb Donovan from the WA component of the program visited the SARDI group to learn all about seed prep. In September both Deb and Cody along with Harmahinder were over to look at trials & the SARDI facilities, and to learn about hay cutting and Agrobase. Both Deb and Cody have settled into their new roles and are learning a lot about the breeding program. Deb Donovan from WA learning about filling trial magazines for seeding Cody and Deb seeding oat trials on the Muresk farm in May. Photo credit Cody Hull. Harmohinder, Deb, Sue and Cody during the September visit to SARDI by the group. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 6

8 3.3 Russian Wheat Aphid found in South Australia & Victoria Russian wheat aphid (RWA) has been confirmed as present in all SA grain growing areas by the SARDI Entomology group. The infestation was also confirmed across the western half of Vic, but has not been identified in WA. RWA was identified in late May and in one month had gone from being identified in one paddock to confirming its presence across an extensive area of SA and Vic. Advice from the Entomology group is that RWA is just like any other insect pest, you need a sufficient population density for them to cause economic damage. They advise farmers to follow good pest management principles of monitoring, to understand how the infestation levels may change as winter progresses, and being ready to use recommended chemicals as required. It is important that growers stick to recommended rates in cereals to ensure they are safe. Growers and advisers are encouraged to report suspected sightings of RWA to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline. September update according to PestFacts is that SARDI researchers have observed a significant decrease in RWA numbers following consistent and heavy recent rain events. Although many RWA are washed off the plant by rain, some survive in tightly rolled leaves and others may survive on the soil and later return to the plant. Currently there is no data to determine the extent of yield impact from aphids present in heads. Tillers affected with symptoms are often stunted and therefore difficult to find amongst healthy, taller tillers, without close inspection of the crop. Observed rates of parasitism by parasitoid wasps have been moderate to high in some paddocks, with the possibility of good levels of RWA population control. Because the parasitized aphid mummies are generally not dislodged by rain the parasitism ratio has been improved by the recent rains. Photo supplied by Paul Carmody of the long season oat variety field day east of Cuballing, WA on September 9. Thanks to Gilmac and ConsultAg for their hard work. The growers seem to favor Brusher as the variety most suited for this situation and we look forward to seeing the results next year. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 7

9 3.4 Project updates Oat Pre-Breeding Project SARDI s John Harris is performing fine mapping for two CCN loci, previously identified in Kangaroo, and has commenced high throughput genotyping of thousands of lines derived from a Kangaroo x Eurabbie cross. Informative lines will be screened for CCN resistance by SARDI s John Lewis. This fine mapping will yield information that reduces the likely genetic region carrying the gene responsible for CCN resistance. Robert Park and Jeremy Roake from the University of Sydney are continually screening hundreds of lines from the Australian Winter Cereals Collection and the Quaker Oats Nursery for reaction to oat crown rust. Potentially resistant candidates have been identified and used for crossing with Mitika, Williams, Wintaroo, Wombat, and several breeder lines. Hugh Wallwork and Ester Capio with SARDI have identified 7 isolates of Red Leather Leaf (RLL) disease and developed culturing conditions to maintain their collection. They have successfully inoculated oat seedlings with RLL. A heavily infected field site was also identified last year and a field trial has been sown there this year in the hope of observing infection on material from the National Oat Breeding Program (more information about the RLL component is contained in the following section). Red Leather Leaf Component (update thanks to Dr Hugh Wallwork) Red leather leaf caused by the fungus Spermospora avenae has been observed in South Australia for many years but appears to be becoming more common in oat crops recently in both South Australia and Victoria. There is however very limited information published on this pathogen or the disease it causes. The one Australian publication is a taxonomic description from Victoria published in A widespread and severe epidemic on oats in the south-east of Ireland in 1988 was reported in a paper in 1990 but the only other reports are two from North America and one from Turkey. All reports have come from crops grown under cool damp conditions. The fungus survives on oat stubbles and produces asexual spores which are blown onto oat plants where, if conditions are cool and wet, it causes reddening of leaves often in long stripes. The site of infection is not always obvious but shows as grey-white areas often with dark borders. When conditions turn warmer and dry, crops often recover well. As a part of a larger GRDC oat project SARDI plant pathologists were asked to develop a screening technique for the pathogen. This was accomplished in the 2015/2016 season with fungal isolates from 7 crops being grown on various media and under various temperature and light regimes. An efficient method for growing the fungus and for collecting large numbers of the infective spores (conidia) was devised. Initial tests with oat varieties grown under controlled environment conditions have shown good infection and with some differences between both varieties and fungal isolates. Further tests are required however to verify whether the differences observed are consistent across different tests and whether they match up with field observations. To this end the oat breeding team have sown an oat variety trial into a paddock just north of Marrabel which has stubbles left over from a crop severely infected in Variety ratings Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 8

10 will be taken from the site and samples of the fungus from the same site will be used to rate plants grown under controlled environment conditions. Ratings provided in the Cereal Variety Disease Guide and Oat Sowing Guides have come from a few variety trial plots on an opportunistic basis over several years and may not reflect variation in the pathogen. There is no specific funding for ongoing work although SARDI is collaborating with a Researcher Jacky Edwards and a Masters student at La Trobe University who are looking at a range of fungal isolates and determining how variable they are using genetic marker screening techniques. John Both of Nufarm has set up fungicide trials this year to look into various products and their efficacy at sites near Saddleworth and Cooke Plains. Marrabel Red Leather Leaf trial in July, 2016 Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 9

11 Enhancing the Grain Yield and Quality of Oat under Water Deficits project funded by SAGIT, GRDC and SARDI (update thanks to Dr Mahalakshmi Mahadevan) The three year project funded by SAGIT on oat drought tolerance was completed and the final report was submitted in September Data collected from nine environments with a combination of locations and seasons were analysed for agronomic traits, yield and yield components, physical and NIR grain quality, hay yield and quality, and grain and biomass water use efficiencies. New phenotyping techniques were used in the project to determine the trait that could possibly improve performance under water limited environments. Chlorophyll content of the flag leaf at booting, panicle emergence, anthesis and milk development stages significantly correlated with grain yield. Data collection for chlorophyll content will commence in the breeding program in Two milling varieties, Bannister and Mitika, were identified as potential varieties with more stable yield under low rainfall conditions and could produce much higher yield in high rainfall situations. A shade experiment was conducted to compare the varieties Mitika, Williams, Wintaroo and Yallara, in two locations in South Australia; Pinery and Turretfield and in one location in at Valdivia, Chile. The aim was to determine the critical window of stress vulnerability for grain yield. The overall pattern of yield response to time of stress spanned from the period from stem elongation (GS31) to about 10 days after anthesis (Figure 1). Most of the yield response was mediated through response in grain number rather than grain size. Individual grain weight increased when the grain number reduced due to stress shortly before anthesis. Grains per panicle was more responsive to stress than panicles per m2, in contrast to other cereals. The results also suggest that there could be varietal differences in oat. Harvest index responded to the interaction between time of shade and variety, suggesting a possible genotype-dependent response to time of stress. A peer review paper has been accepted for publication in the Field Crops Research Journal and is available at the following link until November 19, Part of the paper has also been presented at the 10th International Oat Conference, St. Petersburg, Russia, July This year, field experiments for the drought tolerance component of the Oat pre breeding project have been sown at Pinery and Turretfield with a focus on 16 grain varieties. The traits which will be observed are leaf chlorophyll (SPAD) and NDVI using the Greenseeker to calculate the growth rate and to study the senescence / stay green potential of varieties. Based on the findings of the previous shade experiment, a shade experiment was sown at Turretfield with the aim of determining the difference in responsiveness of eight grain varieties at the most sensitive stage of crop growth, which is immediately after stem elongation (GS31). It is a split plot experiment with shade or no shade treatments as main plots and eight grain varieties as sub plots. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 10

12 Figure 1: Effect of time of shading on yield, grain number and grain weight of oat crops at Pinery, Turretfield, and Valdivia. Varieties are Mitika (red), Williams (blue), Wintaroo (green), and Yallara (yellow). Arrows, using the same colour code, indicate stem elongation (GS31) for each variety. Each data point corresponds to the midpoint of the shading period on a phenological scale centred at flowering (GS60) of controls. Traits are expressed as the ratio between shaded treatments and unshaded controls. Error bars are two standard errors of the mean. Closed symbols indicate significant difference between the shaded treatment and the control and open symbols indicate no difference (P = 0.05). Vertical dashed lines bound the window where shading reduced the trait by a minimum 10% in relation to the unshaded controls. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 11

13 Maha using the Greenseeker to measure early vigour in drought tolerance plots at Pinery in August Plots at Riverton showing the difference between slow and fast early vigour. This is an important trait to help with weed control in the early stages of crop growth. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 12

14 Erecting and putting out the shade frames at Turretfield Research Centre in early September, Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 13

15 3.4.3 Sodicity tolerance in oats A new SAGIT funded project is looking at the tolerance of oats to sodicity. Preliminary studies indicate that oats are high sodium accumulators and are more similar to Durum wheat than Bread wheat in this respect. A trial comprising 4 varieties at three levels of sodicity is currently being grown in the growth chamber at the Waite to determine the rate of sodium humate application required to show sodicity susceptibility. Wombat, Mitika, Brusher and Yallara oats are being screened at nil, 10 and 16 g/kg of sodium humate. The rate established from this study will be used to screen a range of oat varieties to determine if there is genetic variation for tolerance that can be used by the breeding program. The lines to be screened include the CORE set which is a worldwide collection of oats as well as material sourced from China. This is a collaborative project between Yusuf Genc from SARDI and Graham Lyons from the University of Adelaide. Pamela, Graham Lyons, Yusuf, Kerry-Lee and Simon Michelmore inspecting the oat lines being grown in the greenhouse for sodicity screening and right: Wombat, Mitika, Brusher and Yallara oats being screened to determine the level of sodium humate application required to screen for sodicity tolerance. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 14

16 3.5 WA program developments GRDC Funded Oat Agronomy Project in the Western Region (update courtesy Georgina Troup, DAFWA) The growing season has been kind throughout the oat growing region in WA, and our oat agronomy research trials are diverse in both topic and location. Research is focussed on providing support to growers and advisors in selecting the right variety for their region, and using the right agronomy to optimise yield, quality and return per hectare. Variety specific agronomy requirements In 2016, our trials are building on our 2014 & 2015 work in the lower rainfall region which had identified variety specific crop management requirements for the recently released varieties Williams and Bannister. Sensitivity to nitrogen, and targeted plant density were identified in our previous trials which we are investigating further in We are also investigating these variety specific requirements in the higher rainfall region which is the more traditional oat growing region in WA. Above: Muresk oat agronomy trial site, sown 29 th April Newly released variety Durack is in its third season with the agronomy program, with trial results indicating it is less sensitive to changes in crop management than Williams, similar to Carrolup and Yallara. Current Oat Agronomy research papers presented by Georgie Troup at the 2016 Research Updates can be found here. Effect of Moddus on Williams oats In the southern part of the oat growing region, Research Officer Raj Malik is investigating the effect of plant growth regulator Moddus Evo on high yielding variety Williams; which has a tendency to lodge in higher rainfall areas under certain growing conditions. The study is evaluating the performance of Williams in the presence and absence of lodging, and assessing the impact of the plant growth regulator on lodging of Williams. An economic study will evaluate the effect of using Moddus Evo for controlling lodging in this variety. Hay phenology variety maturity research The hay phenology trial series in it s second season was sown at Northam and Katanning. Fifteen hay varieties were sown at four dates ranging from the 21 April to the 7 July with the aim to determine the duration to watery ripe (Z71). This work enables growers to better understand the difference between oat varieties in their duration to watery ripe (hay cutting date) when sown at different seeding dates. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 15

17 Left: DAFWA Research Officer Raj Malik monitoring Moddus Evo trial at Kojonup. Right: Hay phenology trial at Katanning. Trials and demonstrations being undertaken by our project partners at ConsultAg include; 1) Cereal variety evaluations at Lake Grace and Cuballing these trials aim to assess the fit of oats grown for grain in the non-traditional oat growing areas. Popular oat varieties (including Durack) are being assessed against a commonly grown wheat and barley variety for economic return. 2) Efficacy of Terbyne for controlling brome grass populations this trial is evaluating the control achieved by Terbyne standalone and in combination with commonly used herbicides for managing brome grass populations in oats. 3) Long season hay varieties in WA hay programs evaluating where long season hay varieties can be used to extend the cutting window for oaten hay crops without compromising economic return. For more information on the Oat Agronomy program contact Georgie Troup on or Georgie.troup@agric.wa.gov.au or ConsultAg s Trent Butcher on or tb@consultag.com.au Harmohinder, Deb, Pamela, Peter & Cody after spreading infected straw on the Septoria nursery at Manjimup in August 2016 (photos courtesy Cody Hull) Left: Georgie Troup, Helena O Dwyer, Cody Hull, Pamela Zwer, Peter McCormack and Deb Donovan at the AFIA conference, Photo courtesy Cody Hull. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 16

18 3.6 International Oat Conference in Russia The International Oat Conference is held once every four years and is hosted by a different country each time. This year the 10th IOC was held in St. Petersburg, Russia from July where the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources is located. This is the oldest working seed collection initiated by Nikolai Vavilov in Both Pamela and Peter attended the conference and had the privilege to tour the Vavilov collection, herbarium, and Vavilov Museum. The IOC consisted of seven Plenary Sessions, two Parallel Sessions, and a tour to the main field research centre to view oat genetic resources growing in the field. The formal sessions addressed genetic resources, diversity, and breeding; genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular assisted selection; physiology, pest and disease resistance; production, processing product, and consumer; agronomy, nutrition, health claims, and diets; and sustainable farming systems, commercialisation, seed production, and royalties. Pamela was Chair for the conference, chair for the opening and second to the last sessions, presented an oral presentation on Stress stages in oat and conducted the IOC Business Meeting. Peter was chair for the closing session, presented a poster, Export oaten hay industry in Australia and presented an oral presentation on End-point royalties and commercialisation. Pamela, Peter, Georgie and Rob were also involved in a bid to host the 2020 International Oat Conference in Australia. We now have confirmation that the 11 th International Oat Conference will be held in Perth, WA in Exciting news! Linkages were strengthened to exchange germplasm with the UK, China, Russia, South America, and North America. Below are some photos from the conference. Left: Enjoying a day in the field in Russia with WA grower Will Carrington-Jones, Pamela Zwer of the National Oat Breeding Program, Rob Loughman DAFWA, and Peter McCormack also from the breeding program. Photo credit: Georgie Troup Right: Attending the 10 th IOC in St Petersburg are Zhang Zongwen, Director of the Oat & Buckwheat Crop Science Society of China, Will Carrington-Jones, Rob Laughman, Pamela Zwer, Alfredo Mascimento Junior from Brazil, Georgie Troup, Peter Mcormack and Carlos Riede from Brazil. Photo credit: Peter McCormack Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 17

19 4. New varieties & advanced breeder s lines Durack The previously named breeding line WA02Q302-9 was named Durack and was launched at the GIWA Oat Forum at Muresk on the 5 th of September by Pamela and the Director General of DAFWA Dr Mark Web. Seed will be available to growers in 2017 through Heritage Seeds. For more information about this new variety please refer to the description in section 5.1. A fact sheet is also available on the Heritage Seeds website for WA and for the rest of Australia. Below are some photos from launch day potential new grain variety This line is about to be named and bulked for release. Seed will be available to growers in 2018 through Heritage Seeds. For more information about this new variety please refer to the description in section potential new grain variety This potential milling line is an early-mid season maturing short tall line which averages 10cm shorter than Yallara, similar height as Dunnart and 15cm taller than Mitika. This line is the third potential milling quality dwarf variety with CCN resistance and tolerance and stem nematode tolerance. Other previous varieties with these attributes are Wombat and Dunnart. It is also SRR MR-MS, LRR MR-MS, BYDV MR-MS, bacterial blight MR, Septoria MR- MS, RLL MR-MS and has excellent early vigour and colour. This variety is a substantial improvement for grain quality when compared with other CCNR and T lines and has improved hectolitre weight and groat percent even when compared to Mitika. It averages slightly lower grain size than Mitika but is comparable for screenings Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 18

20 percent and lower in oil and has brighter grain. Compared to Wombat and Dunnart it is a big improvement in hectolitre weight and also an improvement in groat percent and protein. It has high hull lignin and Euro s low oil percent. This is a complex cross with a Euro backcross and New Zealand breeder s line in it s pedigree. The comparative attributes of this breeder s line are available in the tables in section 5. Breeder s seed is being grown in 2016 for bulking at the end of the year. The expected release is in potential new grain variety This breeder s line is a dwarf, early-mid season (similar to Possum) potential milling oat. It has excellent grain yield but is susceptible to CCN (no rating available for tolerance). It is SRR MS-S, LRR R, BYDV MS-S, bacterial blight MS, Septoria MS-S with no CCNT, RLL or SN rating. Quality is good but hectolitre weight can be a bit low (similar to Wombat), grain weight is excellent (same as Mitika), screenings percent is low and similar to Mitika, groat % is excellent and an improvement compared to Mitika has high B-glucan with bright grain and is a complex cross with a Quaker line, Potoroo, Euro and other advanced dwarf milling breeder s lines in it s pedigree. The comparative attributes of this breeder s line are available in the tables in section 5. Breeder s seed is being multiplied in 2016 with an expected release of potential new hay variety This line is a mid tall potential hay variety with EM-M maturity. It is similar in height, 2 to 4 days later in maturity and has similar grain yield and stem diameter compared to Yallara. Hay yield is slightly higher than Carrolup, but lower than Yallara and Brusher. It has improved disease and grain quality compared to other current varieties and combines improved septoria resistance with good rust and bacterial blight resistances. It is CCN MS, no tolerance rating, SRR R-S in SA/Vic and R in WA, LRR MS-S in SA/Vic and R-MR in WA, BYDV MS-S, bacterial blight MR, SNMI, Septoria MR in WA. It has excellent hay colour and hay quality is similar to Wintaroo across all traits except water soluble carbohydrates which averages lower in Victoria and WA. Grain quality is similar to Yallara but with a lower groat%. It has low oil and bright grain. This line is a cross between two WA breeder s lines. Breeder s seed is being multiplied in 2016 with potential release in Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 19

21 5. Long term grain trial results Results for individual NVT trials are not presented in this newsletter. However, they are incorporated into the long term performance of varieties and advanced breeding lines which are presented in this newsletter in Tables 4 to 8. Grain yield and grain quality information for individual sites is available at the NVT web site: Table 4 shows the relative yield performance of new varieties compared to existing varieties for four different states and Tables 5 to 8 show the relative yield performance of new varieties compared to existing varieties for regions within states. An updated analysis for grain quality was available for this newsletter. Tables 9 and 10 show the relative grain quality across all states and Tables 11 to 16 show the relative grain quality parameters by state. Tables 18 and 19 show the relative disease resistance characteristics for these varieties in different regions. Care needs to be taken to look at not only grain yield but grain quality and disease resistance characteristics to determine if a variety is suitable for your region. Please note: Stem and leaf rust reactions reported for all oat varieties will vary by region due to genetic variation in the pathogen population. A pathotype that overcomes most resistance genes for stem rust is now present in southern Australia. Hence it is important to monitor oat crops for early detection of rust, so fungicide applications can be applied to control the disease. Brochures are available for new varieties from the website, the SA and WA components of the NOBP and our commercial partners; AEXCO who commercialises the hay varieties and Seednet and Heritage who commercialise the milling varieties from the SARDI node of the National Oat Breeding Program and Seednet for Bannister and Heritage Seeds for Williams and Durack and future WA released varieties. 5.1 Grain Variety Summary Durack (WA02Q302-9) Commercial production of a new release from the National Oat Breeding Program, Durack (previously WA02Q302-9), was launched in September 2016 and will be available to growers in It is a moderately tall variety similar in height to Carrolup and Yallara measuring between 80 and 90 cm. Check out this new variety as it is a minimum of one week earlier than any other variety released from the program. Durack has good lodging and shattering resistance and good early vigour. Grain yield is similar to the tall varieties Carrolup and Yallara across all states and an improvement compared to tall varieties bred for hay. Grain quality for this line is excellent. Hay yield averaged over low, medium, and high rainfall sites is lower than other longer season varieties. Care will need to be taken to cut this very early maturing variety at the correct growth stage. Monitoring the crop will be the key to achieving the highest hay quality The breeding line, , has dwarf stature measuring 65 to 70 cm. It is slightly taller than Mitika. It has a maturity similar to Mitika, but is 2 to 8 days earlier to head than Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 20

22 Yallara, 8 to 10 days earlier than Bannister and 3 to 10 days earlier than Williams is 4 to 8 days later to head than Durack has similar grain yield to Mitika and Kojonup, but lower than Bannister and Williams. The grain quality is excellent has slightly lower hectolitre weight than Mitika, but it has higher 1000 grain weight compared to Mitika. It has the lowest screenings percent of the varieties, high protein, and slightly higher groat percent compared to Mitika. The trait of interest for this variety is improved β-glucan content. The β-glucan content was measured using a flow injection instrument has 5.2% (dm basis) compared to 4.4% for Mitika and Kojonup. The β-glucan content is the same as Williams, however the groat percent for is significantly higher than Williams is a cross between Mitika and a WA breeder s line. Bannister A Bannister is a dwarf milling variety with high grain yield released for Western Australia in Bannister is suited to eastern Australia as well as Western Australia. It is adapted to low, medium, and high rainfall zones of southern Australia. It is 13 cm taller than Mitika and heads about 3 to 4 days later than Mitika. Seednet is the commercial partner. Bannister is resistant to leaf rust and moderately resistant to bacterial blight. It is susceptible and intolerant to CCN. Bannister has slightly lower hectolitre weight and slightly higher screenings compared to Mitika. It is similar to Mitika for groat percent. Williams A Williams is a tall milling variety commercialised by Heritage. Williams formerly known as the breeding line, WA2332, is an early to midseason variety similar to Yallara, but three to seven days later than Mitika. Williams is 15 cm taller than Mitika, 5 cm taller than Bannister, and 15 cm shorter than Yallara. Although classified as MS for septoria, Williams has the highest level of septoria resistance compared to all other current oat varieties. It is resistant to leaf rust and depending on the stem rust pathotype present can range from moderately resistant to susceptible. Williams is resistant to bacterial blight and moderately resistant to moderately susceptible for BYDV. It is susceptible and intolerant to CCN. Williams has grain yield similar to Bannister except in the lower rainfall regions where it yielded less. Williams yielded similar to Mitika except in the Mid North where it yielded significantly more grain. Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 21

23 Grain quality is slightly lower than Mitika. Williams has higher screenings than Mitika, Yallara, and Bannister, especially in the low rainfall regions. Williams had similar hay yield compared to other hay varieties at Pinery and Turretfield, but lower hay yield at Riverton. Hay quality is also similar to hay varieties, except for slightly higher crude protein. Care must be taken to achieve high plant populations to reduce stem thickness. Wombat A Wombat is a dwarf milling variety that was commercialised by Seednet. It is similar in height to Possum and slightly taller than Mitika. It is a midseason variety flowering about six days later than Mitika. Wombat is the first dwarf milling variety with CCN resistance and tolerance. It is also moderately tolerant to stem nematode. Wombat has high hectolitre weight and low screenings compared to the feed variety Potoroo, which was the first dwarf variety with CCN resistance and tolerance. It also has high groat percent, slightly higher than Mitika. Yallara A Yallara is a medium tall early to midseason variety similar to Euro for flowering and maturity. Yallara, released in 2009, is a milling line with slightly better grain quality than Euro but not as susceptible to stem rust. It has bright, plump grain suitable for the milling industry and specialised feed end-uses. Seednet is the commercial partner. Yallara is a Euro look alike with improved leaf rust resistance. It is resistant but intolerant to CCN. It is moderately susceptible to BYDV, bacterial blight, and septoria. Yallara is susceptible and intolerant to stem nematode and susceptible to red leather leaf. Yallara has excellent grain quality. It has high hectolitre weight, low screenings, and high groat percent. The grain is plump and bright and could suit niche markets like the horse racing industry in addition to human consumption. Yallara was evaluated for hay production and hay yield is similar to popular hay varieties with excellent hay quality. Mitika A Mitika is a dwarf milling oat commercialised in 2005 by Heritage Seeds. It is earlier maturing than Possum and Echidna and this trait favours Mitika in a dry finish. Mitika is moderately resistant to leaf rust. It has improved resistance to bacterial blight and is superior to Echidna for septoria resistance. Mitika is similar to Echidna for BYDV and red leather leaf resistance. It is very susceptible and intolerant to cereal cyst nematode (CCN) Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 22

24 and moderately intolerant of stem nematode (SN) and is not recommended in areas where either of these nematodes are a problem. Mitika has high hectolitre weight, low screenings, and high groat percent compared to Echidna. It also has higher levels of β-glucan than current varieties. Mitika also has improved feed quality with low husk lignin and high grain digestibility. Table 4. Average grain yield (t/ha) in four states and the average for all states for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chris Lisle, SAGI. Variety State All NSW SA VIC WA Zones Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 23

25 Table 5. Average grain yield (t/ha) by site in South Australia for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chris Lisle, SAGI. South Australia Variety Lower Upper Yorke Mid South EP EP Peninsula North East Mallee Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Table 6. Average grain yield (t/ha) by site in Victoria for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chris Lisle, SAGI. Variety Victoria North Central North East South West Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No trials Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 24

26 Table 7. Average grain yield (t/ha) by site of New South Wales for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chris Lisle, SAGI. New South Wales Variety South West South East North East Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Table 8. Average grain yield (t/ha) by site for Western Australia for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chris Lisle, SAGI. Variety Western Australia Agzone 2 Agzone 3 Agzone 4 Agzone 5 Agzone 6 Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 25

27 Table 9. Average physical and chemical grain quality (measured using NIR) characteristics for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (combined SA, Victoria, WA and NSW data), 2011 to Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program. Analysis by Chong You, SAGI except screenings %* which is a simple mean of all data points in the long term database. Variety Hectolitre weight kg/hl 1000 grain weight g Screenings %<2 mm* Screenings no. data points NIR Protein % NIR Oil % NIR Groat % Minolta L Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials NA Table 10. NIR measured Minolta L ( ) and hull lignin characteristics for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (combined SA, Victoria, WA and NSW data). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program. Variety State All Hull NSW SA VIC WA Zones lignin Bannister High Carrolup (tall) High Dunnart High Echidna High Kojonup High Mitika Low Possum High Potoroo High Low High High Durack (tall) High Wandering High Williams (tall) High Wombat High Yallara (tall) Mod high No. trials Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 26

28 Table 11. Average hectolitre weight (kg/hl) in four states and the average for all states for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chong You, SAGI. Variety State All NSW SA VIC WA Zones Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Table 12. Average 1000 grain weight (g) in four states and the average for all states for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chong You, SAGI. Variety State All NSW SA VIC WA Zones Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 27

29 Table 13. Average screenings percent (% < 2mm) as a simple mean in four states and the average for all states for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. State All Zones Variety NSW SA VIC WA No. data Scr% No. Scr% No. Scr% No. Scr% No. Scr% points Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) Table 14. Average NIR protein (% dm) in four states and the average for all states for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chong You, SAGI. Variety State All NSW SA VIC WA Zones Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 28

30 Table 15. Average NIR oil (% dm) in four states and the average for all states for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chong You, SAGI. Variety State All NSW SA VIC WA Zones Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Table 16. Average NIR groat percent in four states and the average for all states for twelve oat varieties and two breeder s lines (2010 to 2015). Data courtesy National Oat Breeding Program, NVT Programs in SA, Vic and NSW and CVT Program in WA. Analysis by Chong You, SAGI. Variety State All NSW SA VIC WA Zones Bannister Carrolup (tall) Dunnart Echidna Kojonup Mitika Possum Potoroo Durack (tall) Wandering Williams (tall) Wombat Yallara (tall) No. trials Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 29

31 Table 17. Stem rust and leaf rust reactions for twelve grain varieties and two breeder s lines in South Australia and Victoria and in New South Wales. SA and Victoria New South Wales Variety Stem rust 1 Leaf rust 1 Stem rust 1 Leaf rust 1 Field Field Field Field Bannister MR-S R MS-S MR-S Carrolup (tall) S VS S S-VS Dunnart MR-S MR MR-MS R-S Echidna S S S S Kojonup S VS S MS-VS Mitika MR-S R MR-S MS-S Possum MS-S MS S MS-S Potoroo S S S MS-S S R MR-S MR Durack (tall) S-VS R-S R-S MR-MS MS MS MR-S MR S R - - Wandering S VS S VS Williams (tall) MR-S R MR MR Wombat MS-S MS MS-S MS-S Yallara (tall) MR-S R MR-MS MS-S 1 Disease reactions from field trials conducted in SA, Victoria and New South Wales where R= resistant, MR=moderately resistant, MS=moderately susceptible, S= susceptible, VS=very susceptible. Rust reactions may vary in different regions depending on the prevailing pathotypes. None of these varieties are resistant to the Pga virulent pathotype of stem rust which can be found in New South Wales, Victoria and parts of South Australia. Sometimes there s no substitute for hand weeding! Pictured are Peter Wheeler, Mark Hill and casual Hugh trying to stay on top off the wild oat population at Turretfield in August Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 30

32 Table 18. Stem rust, leaf rust, BYDV and septoria reactions for twelve grain varieties and two breeder s lines in Western Australia. Western Australia Variety Stem rust 1 Leaf rust 1 BYDV 2 Septoria 1 Field Field Field Field Bannister R-MR R MS S Carrolup (tall) MS S MS S-VS Dunnart MR MR MR S Echidna S S MS S-VS Kojonup R-MS S MS S-VS Mitika MR-S R S S-VS Possum MR-S MR S S-VS Potoroo MS S MS S S R MS S MR MR MR-MS MR-S MS R MR-S MS-S Durack (tall) MR-MS R-S MS-S S-VS Wandering MS VS MR-MS S-VS Williams (tall) MR R MR-MS MS Wombat MR-S S MR S Yallara (tall) MR-MS R MR-MS MS-S 1 Disease reactions from field trials conducted in WA where R= resistant, MR=moderately resistant, MS=moderately susceptible, S= susceptible, VS=very susceptible. Rust reactions may vary in different regions depending on the prevailing pathotypes. Table 19. Septoria, bacterial blight, CCN, stem nematode and red leather leaf (spermospora) disease reactions for twelve grain varieties and two breeder s lines grown in South Australia and Victoria. Variety Septoria 1 Bacterial blight 1 Red leather leaf 1 CCN R 1 CCN T 2 Stem Nematode 2 Bannister - MR-S MS VS I MI Carrolup (tall) MR MR-S S S I VI Dunnart MS MR-S MS R MT MT Echidna S S MS S I MT Kojonup MR MS-S MS VS I MI Mitika S MR S VS I I Possum MS S MS-S VS I I Potoroo S VS S-VS R MT MI S MR MS VS -- I MR MR-MS R MT T MS - S - - Durack (tall) MS MR-S MS R MI-MT I Wandering S MR-S MS VS I I Williams (tall) - R MS S I I Wombat MS MS MS R MT MT Yallara (tall) MS MR-MS MS R I I 1 Disease reactions where R= resistant, MR=moderately resistant, MS=moderately susceptible, S= susceptible, VS=very susceptible, 2 T=tolerant, MT= moderately tolerant, MI=moderately intolerant, I=intolerant Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 31

33 6. Long term hay trial results Tables 20 to 27 and 30 to 32 show the long term hay yield, hay quality, grain yield, and grain quality of varieties in the hay series. Grain quality data is a simple mean for the five year period Tables for hay and grain yield and hay and grain quality by rainfall region were deleted but tables have been added for hay quality by state. Tables 28 and 29 show the disease reactions of current and new hay varieties in SA and Victoria and in WA. Please note: Stem and leaf rust reactions reported for all oat varieties will vary by region due to genetic variation in the pathogen population. A pathotype that overcomes most resistance genes for stem rust is now present in southern Australia. Hence it is important to monitor oat crops for early detection of rust, so fungicide applications can be applied to control the diseases. The Breeding Program sincerely thanks AEXCO for funding the analysis of our hay yield and quality data for their support of our breeding program. 6.1 Hay Variety Summary Forester A Forester is a very late hay variety adapted to high rainfall and irrigated cropping regions that was released in It is seven to 10 days later than Glider, three days later than Riel, two days later than Targa, and three weeks later than Wintaroo. Forester has excellent early vigour and is an improvement compared to Glider. It has excellent lodging and shattering resistance. Forester has an excellent foliar disease resistance spectrum. It is moderately susceptible to CCN. It has good hay colour, but like all late hay varieties may not resist hot dry winds as well as earlier varieties. Forester has excellent hay quality and is an improvement compared to Glider, Tammar, Targa, and Vasse, but similar to Riel. Seed of Forester is available from AGF Seeds, Smeaton, Victoria. Tammar A Tammar is a medium tall late variety that was released in 2012 and commercialised by AEXCO. It is four to seven days later than Tungoo to cut. Tammar also has an excellent disease resistance profile. It is moderately resistant to stem and leaf rust, septoria, BYDV, and bacterial blight. Tammar is the first late variety available with resistance to CCN and SN, tolerance to CCN, and moderate tolerance to SN. Tammar has improved hay quality compared to Kangaroo. It has high crude protein and hay digestibility with lower WSC than Mulgara and Brusher, but higher than Kangaroo. Mulgara A Mulgara was released in 2009 and commercialised by AEXCO. It is a tall mid season variety with excellent early vigour and good straw strength. Hay yield is lower than Wintaroo, but hay quality is better than Wintaroo. Mulgara also retains good hay colour and resists brown leaf tipping. Grain yield is similar to Wintaroo, but Mulgara has slightly better grain quality with the exception of high Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 32

34 hull lignin. The seed size of Mulgara is larger than other hay varieties and similar to Swan. Care should be taken to sow this variety at the correct seed density taking into account its seed weight. Mulgara has excellent disease resistance. It is resistant and tolerant to CCN and SN. Compared to Wintaroo, Mulgara has improved leaf rust, bacterial blight, and red leather leaf resistance. Tungoo A Tungoo was released in It is a medium tall mid to late season variety and seed is available through AEXCO. Tungoo has an excellent disease resistance profile. It combines resistance and moderate tolerance to CCN and SN. It also is resistant to leaf rust and the only variety with red leather leaf resistance. Tungoo is moderately resistant to BYDV, septoria, and bacterial blight and moderately susceptible to stem rust. It has the best combination of disease resistance compared to all other varieties except Tammar. Hay yield is slightly lower than Kangaroo, but Tungoo s hay quality is an improvement compared to Kangaroo. Tungoo has grain quality similar to Kangaroo, but the grain size is smaller resulting in higher screenings. Tungoo has low hull lignin which improves feed grain quality. Brusher A Brusher is an early-mid season hay variety commercialised by AEXCO. Brusher is a tall line about three to seven days earlier to head than Wintaroo. It has good early vigour, but slightly less than Wintaroo. Brusher has excellent hay yield in low to medium rainfall zones and has consistently had excellent hay quality to match the yield. Brusher is an improvement compared to Wintaroo for hay quality, stem rust, leaf rust, bacterial blight and septoria resistance. It is resistant but moderately intolerant to CCN and stem nematode. Brusher has proved to be a popular variety in the earlier regions of SA, WA, and VIC. Yallara A and Durack (WA02Q302-9) See section 5.1 Birchip Field Day, September 2016 Oat Breeding Newsletter, October, 2016 Page 33