Development of innovative lentils for low rainfall regions

Authors: Larn McMurray, Michael Materne.

Research Team: Mirella Butsch, Jacob Materne

Grains Innovation Australia/Global Grain Genetics

Funded By: South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT)

Project Title: Rapid development of innovative lentils for low rainfall regions

Peer Review: Sam Holmes, Central AG Solutions

Key Words: lentil, herbicide tolerance, early vigour, low rainfall

Key Messages

• A positive relationship was identified between plant biomass levels pre-flowering and grain yield in lentils grown in low rainfall environments.
• A focus on good establishment, early biomass production and limiting plant stress (eg herbicide damage) will be important for successful lentil production in these regions
• PBA Jumbo2 was the highest yielding variety across two years and three locations in the low rainfall areas but had lower relative yields on the heavier clay flat soils when compared to the deeper sandier soils
• The development of lentil varieties that combine multiple herbicide tolerances, good early plant vigour, higher harvestable height and improved performance on diverse soils is ongoing by Grains Innovation Australia (GIA) to improve adaptation to the low rainfall regions