Integrated Farming Systems Portfolio Manager: Dr David Ferris The integrated farming systems (IFS) team undertakes applied R&D to improve crop management practices for the major grain crops grown in WA. Research activities include wheat, barley, canola and oat agronomy, early and dry seeding technologies, tactical break-crop and pasture-based cropping systems, seasonal forecasting and nitrogen fixation studies. Our team is also actively building research capacity in crop protection and agronomy, and providing biometric support across R&D portfolios. In 2015–16, $7.8 million was invested in R&D through the integrated farming system portfolio by engaging 44 staff on 15 projects across all cropping regions from Geraldton to Esperance. The new knowledge, practices and decision support we have delivered help to underpin productivity gains across the grains industry. In 2014/15, the gross value of agricultural production (GVAP) for wheat ($2.7 billion), barley ($889 million) and canola ($866 million), collectively contributed 56% of the total value of agricultural production in the state (ABARES). In 2016, around 7.5 million hectares have been sown and projections are for a record harvest of around 17.2 million tonnes. The central plank of the IFS portfolio is agronomy of wheat, barley, canola, oats and pulses. A key focus includes developing regionally relevant management packages based on trials to evaluate genotype-by-environment-by-management inputs: particularly sowing rate and time, nitrogen fertiliser rate and timing. Agronomic research on specific crops is supported by innovative research on new cropping systems, such as dry and early sown crops (including field peas); new technologies, such as twin and summer sowing of pastures, and collaborative activities across portfolios to build knowledge on the underlying dynamics of farming systems. Just some of the practical ways in the IFS team supports growers with new knowledge include: expansion of the MyCrop diagnostic tool to include individual apps for wheat, barley, canola, oat and pulses; development of the Flower Power tool to predict wheat flowering time and the risk of frost or heat stress; and distribution of the canola seed rate calculator to 2500 industry associates and 4500 grain growers. trial trial
Project outputs will deliver new germplasm, associated DNA markers to resistance genes and associated genetic knowledge for adoption by commercial breeders to improve resistance. Yellow spot Achievements in combating YS were made across several facets of research through the national collaboration including: developing improved phenotyping methods identifying 19 new resistance genes developing fixed lines with stacked resistance genes and delivering them to commercial breeding companies identifying elite lines with broad spectrum resistance improving understanding of the virulence structure of the pathogen. Current research is focusing on elucidating the effects of individual resistance genes and gene combinations, evaluating effective resistance in multi-location and multiyear national trials, and developing resistance gene combination stocks in wheat relevant to northern, southern and western regions. Stagonospora nodorum blotch Significant progress has been made in SNB research to ascertain the genetic control of foliar and SNB resistance from different wheat origins and identification of DNA markers linked to genes. Single and combined genes are being deployed in Australian wheat varieties and evaluated for SNB response in WA production environments. Global wheat accessions are being evaluated to identify alternative genes for further improvement to SNB resistance. The project will deliver genetic products that enable commercial breeding companies to efficiently develop new varieties expressing improvements in SNB resistance. Grain growing will remain profitable when new wheat varieties are grown in paddocks under disease pressure. HIGHLIGHTS Pre-breeding research has resulted in genetic resources and associated genetic knowledge available for improving disease resistance in commercial wheat breeding. Fixed lines with stacked YS resistance genes express significantly higher resistance at both seedling and adult plant stages that is effective in various environments. Isogenic lines with different YS gene combinations will provide crucial information on the effects of individual genes and genes in various combinations within a similar background. The genetic control of SNB resistance is complex but significant advancements have been made to identify genes controlling foliar and glume resistance from different wheat origins. Genes with foliar and glume resistance to SNB deployed in Australian wheat are being evaluated for their effectiveness under disease pressure in WA production environments.