Improved Grower and Advisor Awareness and Knowledge of Pulse N Fixation and Inoculation Practices in the Southern Region

⁠⁠⁠The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is a statutory corporation established under the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989. It is subject to accountability and reporting obligations set out in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. It is responsible for planning, investing in and overseeing research and development, and delivering improvements in production, sustainability and profitability across the Australian grains industry.

As well as generating useful income, pulses provide significant benefits to following crops, including nitrogen (N) fixation boosting N supplies to following crops. Pulses are estimated to fix about 120 kg N/h, or more than 220,000 tonnes N across Australia, worth about $220 M each year. However, not all pulses are well nodulated and fix N to their potential, especially on acidic soils. It was recently estimated that N fixation could be increased by 25%. Several past and present GRDC funded projects have produced outputs that require further extension and communication.

In addition to the improved rhizobial inoculants, crop management and inoculation practices are critical to maximising pulse N fixation and yields, and benefits to following crops. Some crop protection and trace element treatments and soil constraints such as acidity may also be possible factors contributing to the underperformance of legume inoculants. Limited tests have shown that certain seed-applied fungicides and trace element products have potential to harm rhizobia and/or inhibit nodulation. Herbicides, particularly soil residues of Group B herbicides, are known to damage legume roots and can potentially decrease infection sites for rhizobia and nodulation. However, such effects are easily overlooked in the field and have not been thoroughly investigated. A recent study showed that field pea crops are sometimes well nodulated, but N fixation is sub optimal. The cause of this poor fixation is not well understood but is currently being investigated under a separate GRDC research & development investment (PROC 9175525). Improvements to rhizobial inoculants, application practices and methods of delivery are also possible, especially when sowing pulses into dry soil.

This three year communication and extension focused investment aims to extend research outcomes in a practical and applied manner, utilising a range of approaches to realise on-farm impact of related investments in R&D, subsequently improving crop nodulation, N fixation and grain legume yields across the GRDC southern region. The investment will increase awareness and build knowledge of growers and advisors concerning commercial inoculant types, formulations and inoculation techniques, and develop their skills regarding the monitoring and assessment of legume nodulation, and mitigation of any possible impacts of crop protection products and fertiliser treatments on rhizobia survival and effectiveness.

This investment will link closely with other GRDC R&D, validation, extension and communication investments, in support of the sustainable expansion of pulse production across all rainfall zones, thereby enhancing farm profitability and system diversity across the GRDC southern region. This includes extension and communication of the outcomes and findings from a related research, development and validation project currently in procurement (PROC 9175525) that aims to develop and release improved rhizobia strains, and identify enhanced inoculation and crop management practices to maximise N fixation. The successful applicant will work with growers and key influencers to promote best management inoculation and pulse management practices to drive the required practice changes.

By June 2022, Southern region winter pulse crop growers and their advisers will have a high degree of awareness and appropriate knowledge and skills to implement management practices to ensure effective nodulation and improved nitrogen fixation. Growers and advisors will be proficient in assessment and monitoring of nodulation on key pulse crops; have an understanding of commercial inoculant types, formulations and inoculation techniques; and be able to proactively mitigate any possible impact of crop protection products and fertiliser treatments on rhizobia survival and effectiveness.

Coupled with other GRDC investments in pulse crop R&D, validation, extension and communication, this project will support the sustainable expansion of pulse production across all rainfall zones, thereby enhancing farm profitability and systems diversity across the southern region.

A budget of up to $800,000 is indicated for this investment dependent upon the quality of the application, expected outcomes and the ability to leverage GRDC funds through co-contributions. The GRDC is focused on delivering value to Australian grain growers; therefore, your application must demonstrate fair market value. Leverage of GRDC funds through in-kind and cash co-contributions is viewed favourably

This proposed investment would be undertaken over a three-year period from 30 May 2018 to 30 June 2021 and will be delivered across the GRDC Southern Region.