South Perth, Western Australia
May 17, 2010

The Western Australian chickpea industry is experiencing a rebirth, with plantings expected to increase six-fold this season compared with last year.

This is thanks largely to Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) supported research which has produced varieties with enhanced resistance to the devastating fungal disease ascochyta blight.

Alan Meldrum, WA industry development manager for Pulse Australia, which is supported by the GRDC and broader pulse industry, said about 8000 hectares of chickpeas (photo) would be planted in the WA grainbelt this year.

“This compares with about 1500ha or less a year over the preceding 10 years,” he said.

Mr Meldrum said the expectation of the increased area planted to chickpeas is supported by sales of seed and inoculants.

“In 1999, WA growers planted about 70,000ha of chickpeas, but ascochyta blight then virtually wiped out the industry for several years,” he said.

“However, WA growers are now benefiting from 10 years of GRDC supported plant breeding which has delivered varieties with increased resistance to the fungal disease.
“If the 2010 season allows chickpeas to be generally successful, we may get back to 1999 levels sooner rather than later.

“Fungicide control of ascochyta blight is now down to one or two sprays, which from a cost of production point of view is very low.

“Due to the availability of varieties with enhanced disease resistance and effective fungicide control, the risk of production losses from ascochyta blight is negligible.

“The use of fungicides is mainly to protect grain quality and reduce seed transmission of ascochyta blight,” Mr Meldrum said.

PBA Slasher was developed by the GRDC supported Pulse Breeding Australia chickpea breeding program and released last year.

The PBA chickpea program, led by Industry & Investment (I&I) New South Wales and based in Tamworth, conducts extensive national evaluation of material.

PBA Slasher is one of the ascochyta blight resistant chickpea varieties now available to WA growers, who are bulking it up for seed this season.

It is a desi variety combining ascochyta blight resistance with high yield and good seed quality.

“PBA Slasher has all the agronomic traits suitable to WA, especially the northern region,” Mr Meldrum said.

He said a major reason for the resurgence in WA chickpea plantings is the crop’s dual status as a cash crop and break crop on heavy land in the northern grainbelt.

“Low gross margins for cereals are helping to drive the increase in chickpea plantings,” Mr Meldrum said.

“Also, growers now have access to a good chemical regime, not available 10 years ago, for the control of wild radish in chickpea crops.”

Mr Meldrum said chickpea plantings would probably have increased about three years ago if not for the recent series of droughts in the northern grainbelt where the crop is most suited.

Website: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au

Published: May 17, 2010