Break crop production in southern low rainfall environments

Authors: Sarah Day¹

¹SARDI NVA Clare

Funded By: GRDC DAS00162-A

Project Title: Validating recent research on break crop options in the low rainfall zone to determine the best options for the different climate, soil type and biotic stress situations.

Peer Review: Penny Roberts

Key Words: pulses, legumes, lentils, chickpeas, field peas, vetch, lupins, break crops, canola

Key Messages

• Break crop performance was highly variable across two Mallee sites, Pinnaroo and Yarrara, in 2018.
• Faba bean was a relatively low risk crop at Pinnaroo, but higher risk at Yarrara.
• Lentil, field pea, lupin and vetch were not profitable as grain crops at either site.
• Several frost events occurred during September at Pinnaroo, as a result there was no grain yield for field pea.
• In poor seasons when crops are drought or frost affected, there are potential end-use options that could reduce financial risk or benefit the subsequent crop.