Sown: 20 May 2024
Harvested: 16 December 2024
Rotation position: 2022 Wheat; 2023 Canola
Soil type & management: Grey clay; speed disced 1 pass (5-8cm depth) and Kelly chained

The Germplasm Evaluation Network (GEN) is a FAR Australia ‘Industry Innovations’ initiative that tests crop variety performance across FAR Australia’s national network of Crop Technology Centres. GEN sites test variety performance with and without fungicide. FAR Australia provides the control varieties and breeders enter their chosen lines for evaluation.

Objectives: To assess the yield performance of a range of winter and spring wheats, managed with and without fungicide against four regional controls (Rockstar, LRPB Matador, Genie, and Scepter), sown in late May in the Gnarwarre (VIC) HRZ environment.

Key Points:
• There was a significant yield interaction (<0.001) between variety and fungicide application, with all varieties giving a significant response to fungicide except Triple 2, Ironbark (V14035-125), Avoca (L12049-044) and winter wheat Brighton (V14051-172).

• With fungicide treatment the highest yielding cultivars were recorded with the spring wheats Genie and V15019-088 which were significantly better than all other varieties, with yields comparable to red feed wheats sown one month earlier.

• Fungicide responses in yield invariably led to better test weights with small differences in grain protein and screenings.

• Though not strictly comparable the yield of the winter wheats Brighton and to a lesser extent Triple 2 held up well with the later May sowing.

• The most severe stripe rust was observed in RockStar, Scepter, Mammoth, LRPB Matador, Genie, Boa and TA0109, with lower levels (<20% infection) affecting LRPB Major and V15019-088.

• The varieties with lower levels or no stripe rust were associated with no economic response from fungicide application. Only trace levels of other diseases were observed.

Please click HERE to access the full results document.

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