Closed

Reducing Pod Drop in Lentil

Tender ID: 600142


Tender Details

Tender #:
PROC-9177361  
Status:
Closed
Publish Date:
13 November 2025
Closing Date:
28 January 2026
Closing Time:
05:00 PM (Australia/ACT)

Tender Description

Summary

Pod drop is a major cause of post-maturity yield loss in Australian lentil production, triggered by environmental stresses such as wind, temperature shifts, moisture variability, and desiccant-induced brittleness. These factors compromise pod attachment, leading to significant harvest losses. Despite its impact, the genetic and physiological basis of pod detachment in lentil remains poorly understood, limiting its inclusion as a selectable trait in breeding programmes.

This investment seeks to establish pod drop as a selectable trait by developing scalable phenotyping methods, identifying key genetic and physiological drivers, and delivering breeder-ready tools and germplasm. Structured across two programs, it combines trait discovery and phenotyping innovation (Program 1) with potential functional validation via mutagenesis (Program 2). GRDC will provide strategic in-kind support through partnerships with AAGI, APPN, ICARDA and Traitomic, and seeks strong co-investment to deliver transformative outcomes for Australian lentil breeding.

Offer period

Offers will remain open for acceptance by the GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time.

Document contact and enquiries

Attention: Justine Morgan

Grains Research and Development Corporation

Email: tenders@grdc.com.au

Make all requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement in writing (email) prior to 20 January 2026.

GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of this webpage.

Consortia response

GRDC will accept Tenders from Consortia.

Lodgement of tender

Submit your Tender response electronically through the Grains Investment Portal.