Chickpeas are an important part of winter crop rotations in Queensland; however, disease can be a major limitation to production. Ascochyta blight is a major disease of chickpea, for which current varieties lack resistance to. Fungicides are the primary method of controlling Ascochyta blight, often requiring multiple applications when conditions are conductive. The high cost of these applications and potential for the development of fungicide resistance means alternative control methods are needed. Using an integrated disease management strategy can improve disease control and limit the risks of developing resistance. Optimising the time of sowing can be an effective method to manage Ascochyta blight as later plantings can help to avoid disease impacts through limiting the number of rain events.

Additionally, new chickpea genetics under development may have a fit in the Southern Qld region and assist in non-chemical control of disease. Growers at the 2024 Thallon NGN forum discussed the potential for avoiding disease through time of sowing, raising the questions of what the optimal timing is to avoid disease in the region and when is it too late to plant chickpeas. This investment will demonstrate the impact of an integrated disease management approach, assessing multiple times of sowing of chickpeas on yield and disease control, along with variety selection and fungicide application timing. Trials will focus on Ascochyta blight, with any additional diseases present also assessed for each time of sowing.

Outcome:

By May 2027, the impact of Ascochyta blight on chickpea production in Southern Qld is reduced through improved understanding of local management options.

Outputs.

Output 1.

Title: Time of sowing for disease management trials.

Description:

By May 2027, field trials that demonstrate the impact of varietal resistance, time of sowing and fungicide application timing on disease control for chickpea Ascochyta blight and other present diseases.

Deliverables include:

- A minimum of two field trials in Southern Queensland during both the 2025 and 2026 winter cropping seasons, with at least one trial in the Thallon region of southwest Queensland. Field trial locations should be chosen based on likelihood of disease, having a history of Ascochyta blight.

- Field trials are to be aligned with protocols from the GRDC investment DEE2407-001RTX, ensuring consultation with the project lead of this investment.

- Trials will demonstrate the impact of an integrated disease management strategy for controlling Ascochyta blight. This should include assessment of time of sowing, fungicide application timing and varietal selection. Varieties should include current locally adopted varieties alongside new resistant lines being developed through breeding programs.

- Fungicide treatment lists are to be developed in coordination with the GRDC Investment Manager and Manager Chemical Regulation and be limited to registered products.

Output 2.

Title: Communications and Extension.

Description:

By May 2027, delivery of extension and communication activities targeted at growers and advisers to increase understanding of the impact of time of sowing on chickpea disease control.

Deliverables include:

- Conducting a webinar or similar that communicates the impact of integrated disease management on control of Ascochyta blight in chickpea, drawing on results from the project (Output 1).

- Written content targeted at growers and advisers covering the results from Output 1, with publication ensured through various GRDC platforms (i.e. GroundCover).

- Hosting of field days at a minimum of two trial sites per year. - Be available to provide this knowledge for GRDC Research Updates if requested.

- Be prepared to jointly host a National Grower Network meeting at field day events if requested.

Other Instructions:

Minimum Form and Content Requirements

The following are the mandatory content and format requirements that the Tenderer must complete and provide to participate in this procurement process:

1 Submit Tenders using the Grains Investment Portal.

2 Write Tenders in English and express any measurements in Australian legal units of measurement.

3 Budget details must be submitted on the ‘GRDC Budget Template’ provided in the Grains Investment Portal.

Evaluation Criteria

In the table below are the Evaluation Criteria that the Tender Evaluation Team will use to assess the value for money of all Tenders.

No Type Weighting

1Technical – Qualitative evaluation criteria related to non-price factors such as methodology, project plan, track record, experience.

1a A clear and thorough plan to achieve the project outputs, specifying:

a) method to be used (including anticipated statistical analysis capacity)

b) proposed milestones

c) proposed locations of field experiments (if required to deliver project outputs)

d) staffing (including relevant skills, experience and availability of key personnel and proposed subcontractors)

e) budget (defining the funds sought in each year of the project and the potential investment from all parties)

f) project structure and management arrangements 60%

1b Evidence of the ability and experience to deliver similar investment outcomes and outputs, including details of previous relevant project/s where the organisation has:

- met contractual obligations

- managed and designed experiments

- managed sub-contractors

- collaborated with relevant organisations and industry (national and/or international) to build on the work already undertaken in this area

- achieved impact. Note: include details of the impact. 40%

2 Price - The tendered budget. N/A

3 Risk - Risks inherent in the application including the degree of compliance with the draft contract and any actual or perceived conflict of interest. N/A

4 Australian economy - The economic benefit of the procurement to the Australian economy. N/A

Conditions for Participation:

The following are mandatory conditions with which a Tenderer must comply to participate in this procurement process:

1 The Tenderer must be a single legal entity or recognised firm of partners

2 The Tenderer and any proposed subcontractor must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and any other applicable labour laws and standards in the jurisdiction in which they operate.

3 The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not have a judicial decision against it (not including decisions under appeal) relating to employee entitlements and who have not paid the claim.

4 The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not be named on the Consolidated List, being the list of persons and entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans under Australian sanction laws, as maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Timeframe for Delivery:

It is expected this investment will run over 2 years.

Estimated Value (AUD): From $310,000.00 to $310,000.00

Address for Lodgement: Submit your Tender through the Grains Investment Portal