Chickpea
CHICKPEA
REVIEW OF 2014
Season
Despite the excellent start it was another difficult year for
chickpea crops across all growing regions of Victoria. Early
flowering chickpeas were impacted by dry conditions and
persistent frosts. Several heavy frosts in August and
September resulted in floral and pod abortion.
Late sown crops were particularly vulnerable to the
exceptional dry conditions from July onwards and the hot
winds of September and October and were consequently
not harvested.
Some isolated chickpea crops around the southern
Wimmera that showed promise were unfortunately
damaged by late frost mid-October and early November.
Early sowing is still a valid management technique for
chickpeas although consideration of the frost risk and
adequate disease management is required for success.
Those crops that were harvested produced quality export
grain being free from seed discolouration, insect and
disease damage albeit of a smaller seed size than usual.
Yield of chickpea crops that were harvested were below or
well below average.
With a lower current global demand for chickpeas, it is
more difficult to market smaller sized kabuli grain.
Disease and insects
There was some ascochyta present in the damp conditions
early in the season, but increasingly dry conditions and
preventative use of fungicides limited the spread of all
fungal diseases including ascochyta.
Insects numbers were also limited by the dry conditions.
There were isolated reports of pratylenchus later in the
season.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2015
There are no new chickpea varieties for 2015. Current
breeding programs are focusing on improving ascochyta
resistance and harvestability and increasing the seed size
of kabuli chickpeas.
Disease
Management of fungal diseases remains the most
important priority for sowing. Source seed from a paddock
where ascochyta was not detected or was well managed
and treat with a fungicide seed dressing to minimise
botrytis grey mould (BGM) and ascochyta blight. Sow into a
paddock more than 500 metres away from last year’s
chickpea crop.
Variety selection should be based on expected ascochyta
blight pressure, yield and marketing opportunities, as
disease management is critical to success. It is very
important to know the ascochyta blight resistance rating for
a chosen variety and understand the disease management
package associated with growing that variety.
While a number of varieties have improved foliar resistance
to ascochyta blight, all chickpea varieties are susceptible to
ascochyta pod infection. Varieties with good aschochyta
resistance will still require a foliar fungicide application at
76
Victorian Winter Crop Summary 2015
podding to minimise the risk of seed infection and
maximise quality. Moderately resistant varieties, such as
Almaz and PBA Monarch, require 2-4 strategic fungicide
applications to prevent yield loss.
Herbicides and their residues can increase susceptibility to
disease. Growers need to consult with cropping advisors to
maintain an awareness of the products and rates registered
for use on chickpeas and the plant back time for chemicals
used previously.
MORE INFORMATION
www.nvtonline.com.au
Detailed NVT trial results and links to variety information.
 Australian Field Crop Disease Guide app
www.extensionaus.com.au/australian-field-cropdisease-guide-app
www.depi.vic.gov.au/agriculture-and-food/grains-and-othercrops
 Growing chickpea
 AG1347 Pulse disease guide
www.pulseaus.com.au
Pulse Australia has detailed information on growing pulses
including:
 Chickpea disease management strategy
VARIETY DESCRIPTIONS
denotes plant breeders rights apply.
End Point Royalty (EPR) 2015-16 quoted $/tonne ex-GST.
Desi type – AMBAR
Limited evaluation has occurred outside Western Australia.
Early data indicates good resistance to ascochyta blight
and likely to require one fungicide application during
podding. Ambar is an early flowering and maturing variety
suitable for short season environments. Seed is smaller
than Howzat and PBA Slasher but has a uniform grain size
and tan-brown colour that assists marketing. Released
2012. Heritage Seeds. EPR $4.
Desi type – GENESIS TM 509
Has good ascochyta resistance and is likely to require only
one fungicide application during podding. Seed is less
preferred than Howzat and PBA Slasher. Genesis 509
yields lower than PBA Slasher. It has shown broad
adaptation and is suited to both the Wimmera and Mallee
regions. Released 2007. Australian Agricultural Crop
Technologies. EPR $5.
Desi type – HOWZAT
Susceptible to ascochyta blight and strategic application of
fungicides is required. Initially prostrate rather than erect,
but standing ability improves towards maturity. Mid
flowering with tan grain of medium size. The variety has
excellent adaptation to most chickpea growing regions.
Released 2000. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies.
Desi type – NEELAM
Limited evaluation has occurred outside Western Australia.
Early data indicates good resistance to ascochyta blight.
Mid flowering and mid maturing variety. Seed is smaller
than Howzat and PBA Slasher. Released 2012. Heritage
Seeds. EPR $4.
Chickpea
Desi type – PBA MAIDEN
MR to ascochyta blight and when grown in Victoria will
require at least one fungicide application during the
vegetative phase (8-10 weeks after sowing) and an
additional spray at podding. Large angular seed size,
yellow-tan in colour, is suitable for the whole seed market.
PBA Maiden has early-mid flowering and mid maturity. It is
susceptible to BGM. Growers are advised to investigate
delivery and marketing options prior to growing this variety
due to its unique and favourable seed characteristics.
Released 2013 (CIPAL0717). Seednet. EPR $4.
Desi type – PBA SLASHER
Good resistance to foliar infection by ascochyta and is
likely to require only one fungicide application during
podding. PBA Slasher has mid flowering and maturity.
Seed is medium size tan-brown which has excellent milling
quality, suitable for both split and whole seed markets. It is
susceptible to BGM, similar to Genesis TM varieties.
Released 2009. Seednet. EPR $4.
Desi type – PBA STRIKER
MR to ascochyta blight and when grown in Victoria will
require at least one fungicide application during the
vegetative phase (8-10 weeks after sowing), and an
additional spray at podding. Excellent adaptation to short
season environments due to early flowering and maturity.
Medium seed size with excellent milling quality. Released
2012. Seednet. EPR $4.
Kabuli type – ALMAZ
MS to ascochyta blight. Almaz will require at least 3
fungicide applications to be successfully grown in Victorian
growing conditions. Seed size is similar to PBA Monarch
(8-9 mm) but smaller than Genesis Kalkee. Yield is lower
than PBA Monarch. Best adapted to the traditional kabuli
growing areas. Released 2005. Seednet. EPR $6.50.
Kabuli type – GENESIS TM 079
Good resistance to ascochyta blight, Genesis 079 is likely
to only require one fungicide application during podding. It
is a high yielding small seeded type (6-7mm) with relatively
high yields in short season environments. Genesis 079 is
the earliest flowering and maturing kabuli variety available.
Released 2009. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies.
EPR $5.
Kabuli type – GENESIS TM 090
Genesis 090 has good ascochyta blight resistance and is
likely to require only one fungicide application during
podding. It has shown wide adaptation and excellent yield
stability, including in drier environments. Genesis 090 has a
small seed (7-8 mm), approximately 1 mm smaller than
Almaz or PBA Monarch. It has the potential to be grown as
a good alternative to desi chickpeas or as a higher yielding
but lower value alternative (smaller seed) to kabuli’s such
as Almaz, PBA Monarch and Genesis Kalkee. Released
2005. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies. EPR $5.
Kabuli type – GENESIS TM 114
MS to ascochyta blight and when grown in Victoria is likely
to require strategic fungicide applications (2-4 sprays)
throughout the growing season. Seed size is medium (8-9
mm) and has been higher yielding than Almaz and Nafice.
Genesis 114 has an erect plant habit and excellent lodging
resistance. Released 2010. Australian Agricultural Crop
Technologies. EPR $5.
Kabuli type – GENESIS TM KALKEE
MS to ascochyta blight and when grown in Victoria is likely
to require strategic fungicide applications (2-4 sprays)
throughout the growing season. Seed size is larger than
Kaniva and Almaz (predominantly 9 mm). Kalkee has an
erect plant habit. Released 2012. Australian Agricultural
Crop Technologies. EPR $5.
Kabuli type – PBA MONARCH
MS to ascochyta blight and when grown in Victoria is likely
to require strategic fungicide applications (2-4 sprays)
throughout the growing season. Particularly suited to
shorter season environments. Medium seed size (8-9 mm)
is larger than Genesis 090 and similar to Almaz. Highest
yielding medium sized kabuli. A semi-spreading plant
similar to PBA Slasher with some susceptibility to lodging
particularly when biomass is high. Released 2013.
Seednet. EPR $6.50.
Table 1: Chickpea time of sowing guide.
This table is a guide only and has been compiled from observations of the breeder and local departmental agronomists.
MALLEE
April
May
June
July
Desi
Ambar, Genesis 509, PBA Maiden, PBA
>
>
X
X
X
<
<
<
<
Slasher, PBA Striker
Kabuli
Genesis 079, Genesis 090, PBA Monarch
>
>
X
X
X
<
<
<
<
WIMMERA
April
May
June
July
Desi
Ambar, Genesis 509, PBA Maiden, PBA
>
X
X
X
X
X
<
<
<
<
Slasher, PBA Striker
Kabuli
Genesis 079, Genesis 090
>
X
X
X
X
X
<
<
<
<
Almaz, Genesis 114, Genesis Kalkee, PBA
>
>
X
X
X
X
<
<
<
Monarch
NORTH CENTRAL
April
May
June
July
Desi
Ambar, Genesis 509, PBA Maiden, PBA
>
>
X
X
X
<
<
<
<
Slasher, PBA Striker
Kabuli
Genesis 079, Genesis 090, PBA Monarch
>
>
X
X
X
<
<
<
<
>earlier than ideal, X optimum sowing time, < later than ideal but acceptable
Victorian Winter Crop Summary 2015
77
Chickpea
Table 2: Chickpea disease guide summary.
Disease
Organism
Ascochyta blight Ascochyta
rabiei.
Botrytis grey
mould
Sclerotinia
Damping-off
Phytophthora
Symptoms
Pale brown lesions on
leaves, stems and pods.
Lesions may have a grey
centre containing small black
fruiting bodies. Infected
stems wither and break.
Botrytis cinerea. Poor emergence and death
of young plants. Soft rot at
the base of the stem. Grey
mould growth on leaves,
stems and pods. Lodging of
plants in dense crops.
Discolouration of seed with
grey mould.
Sclerotinia
Scattered dead plants within
sclerotiorum.
a crop. Cottony white fungal
growth on the lower stems of
dead plants. Soft rot and
white mould on stems and
pods.
Pythium spp.
Poor crop establishment
under wet conditions. Seed
rotting in the ground. Sudden
death of young seedlings.
Phytophthora
megasperma.
Plants suddenly wither and
die, particularly after
waterlogging. Dark brown to
black discolouration of the
tap root.
Phoma
Blackening of the stem near
medicaginis var. ground level. Dark, tan
pinodella.
coloured lesions on leaves,
stems and pods.
Pratylenchus
Root lesion
Ill-thrift, lack of branching of
thornei and
nematode
root system, small dark
Pratylenchus
stripes on roots.
neglectus.
VIRUS DISEASES
AMV
Alfalfa mosaic
Tip necrosis.
virus
The leaves and stems of
Desi varieties become
red/brown.
The leaves and stems of
Kabuli varieties turn yellow.
Phoma blight
Occurrence
Occurs in all regions.
Affects both kabuli and
desi types. Most severe in
spring.
Hosts
Chickpea.
Control
Fungicide seed
dressing, foliar
fungicides, rotation,
avoid susceptible
varieties, avoid early
sowing.
Occurs in all regions.
Chickpea,
Fungicide seed
Affects both kabuli and
most pulses, dressings, lower
desi types. Most severe in including lentil plant densities, avoid
wet seasons. Dense crops and faba
early sowing.
are more likely to be
bean.
affected.
Occurs in all chickpea
growing regions. Most
severe in wet seasons
where chickpea is planted
in fields recently cropped
to chickpea.
Problem in all regions,
particularly in soils that
become very wet just after
sowing. More severe on
kabuli than desi chickpea.
Most serious disease in
northern Australia. May be
a problem in poorly
drained soils in southern
Australia under wet
conditions.
Common in most chickpea
growing regions. Most
severe in wet seasons.
Most pulses,
oilseeds and
broadleaf
weeds.
Crop rotation. (Seed
dressings of no
benefit.)
Chickpea,
most pulses.
Fungicide seed
dressings, avoid
poorly drained soils.
Chickpea,
lucerne.
Resistant varieties.
Most
legumes.
Crop rotation.
Favoured by wheat in
rotation with chickpea,
medic and vetch.
Wheat,
chickpea,
medic, vetch,
narbon bean.
Crop rotation
(predictive soil test
available).
Occurs in all chickpea
growing areas.
Seasons and districts with
major aphid flights.
Wide host
range
including
most pulses,
some
horticultural
plants and
weeds
Very wide
host range,
including
most pulses,
pastures,
horticultural
crops and
weeds
Very wide
host range,
including
most pulses,
brassicas and
weeds
Virus-free seed
Resistant varieties
CMV
Cucumber
mosaic virus
Yellowing, stunting,
offshoots.
The leaves and stems of
Desi varieties become
red/brown.
The leaves and stems of
Kabuli varieties turn yellow.
Prevalent in chickpea
growing regions.
Seasons and districts with
major aphid flights.
BWYV
Beet western
yellows virus
Yellowing, stunting,
offshoots.
The internal tissues of the
main stem at the base turn
brown.
Occurs in all chickpea
growing areas.
Seasons and districts with
major aphid flights.
78
Victorian Winter Crop Summary 2015
Virus-free seed
Resistant varieties
Managing aphids
and weeds, resistant
varieties
Chickpea
Table 3: Chickpea variety agronomic and disease guide.
Variety
Ave
100
seed wt
(g)
Seed size
group
Early
growth
Flowering
Maturity
Height
Lodging
resistance
Botrytis
grey
mould
Ascochyta
blight
Foliage
/Stem
Ascochyta
blight
Pod
DESI
Ambar
16
small
early
early
S
R
S
16
small
mid
MR
MS
R
S
Howzat
20
medium
mid
mid
MS
MS
S
S
Neelam
17
medium
poormod
mod
earlymid
mid
shortmid
mid
MS
Genesis 509
poormod
mod
mid
mid
MS
S
R
S
PBA Maiden
24
med-large
mod
mid
mid
MS
S
MR
S
PBA Slasher
18
medium
mid
mid
MS
S
R
S
PBA Striker
22
medium
poormod
good
early
early
shortmid
shortmid
shortmid
shortmid
MS
S
MR
S
KABULI
Almaz
Genesis 079
Genesis 090
38
24
31
medium
small
small
mod
good
good
mid-late
early
mid
late
early
midlate
late
late
mid-tall
short
mid
MR
MR
MR
S
S
S
MS
R
R
S
S
S
Genesis 114
38
medium
good
mid-late
tall
R
S
MS
S
Genesis
45
large
good
late
tall
R
S
MS
S
Kalkee
PBA
40
medium
poorearly
early
mid
MS
S
MS
S
Monarch
mod
Disease ratings from Pulse Breeding Australia.
R = Resistant, MR = moderately resistant, MS = moderately susceptible, S = susceptible, VS = very susceptible, p = provisional
Table 4: Long term predicted Victorian yield data for 2010-2014 expressed as a percentage of the yield of
PBA Slasher (Desi) or Genesis 090 (Kabuli). The numbers in brackets indicate the number of site years in
that area.
Desi
PBA Slasher (t/ha)
Ambar
Genesis 079
Genesis 090
Genesis 509
Genesis 836
Howzat
Neelam
PBA Boundary
PBA HatTrick
PBA Maiden
PBA Slasher
PBA Striker
Sonali
Mallee
1.54
97 (11)
85 (12)
80 (12)
88 (7)
92 (3)
91 (5)
101 (14)
94 (5)
91 (7)
96 (17)
100 (17)
100 (17)
88 (3)
Wimmera
1.89
94 (7)
89 (12)
93 (12)
86 (9)
92 (6)
90 (7)
101 (8)
97 (7)
92 (9)
94 (13)
100 (13)
95 (13)
85 (3)
Genesis 090 (t/ha)
Almaz
Genesis 079
Genesis 090
Genesis 114
Genesis 425
Genesis Kalkee
PBA Monarch
Kabuli
Mallee
1.15
88 (12)
106 (12)
100 (12)
93 (9)
97 (12)
107 (12)
Wimmera
1.70
91 (12)
95 (12)
100 (12)
90 (11)
97 (6)
96 (12)
96 (12)
Table 5: Kabuli chickpea, 2014. Yield expressed as a percentage of the yield of Genesis 090
Mallee
Birchip (C, F)
Rainbow (F)
Ultima (F)
Sowing Date
13/5/14
17/5/14
13/5/14
Genesis 090 (t/ha)
0.36
0.74
0.92
Almaz
53
57
53
Genesis 079
128
123
108
Genesis 090
100
100
100
Genesis 114
Genesis 425
Genesis Kalkee
106
99
83
PBA Monarch
114
118
118
Site Mean (t/ha)
0.36
0.73
0.87
CV (%)
11
7
5
LSD (%)
17
11
9
C = Caution interpreting data: low yield at Birchip. F = Multiple frosts.
Horsham (B)
17/6/14
1.78
101
90
100
88
98
113
92
1.79
10
18
Wimmera
Tarranyurk
4/6/14
0.58
66
90
100
78
105
0.54
5
9
Victorian Winter Crop Summary 2015
79
Chickpea
Table 6: Desi chickpea, 2014. Yield expressed as a percentage of the yield of PBA Slasher.
Mallee
Birchip
Curyo (B)
Rainbow (F)
Ultima (F)
Horsham (B)
(C, F)
Sowing Date
13/5/14
19/5/14
17/5/14
13/5/14
17/5/14
PBA Slasher (t/ha)
0.37
0.76
0.95
1.00
1.36
Ambar
89
103
104
106
94
Genesis 079
97
91
111
101
129
Genesis 090
81
80
83
90
131
Genesis 509
84
95
Genesis 836
99
117
Howzat
89
117
Neelam
108
97
87
96
117
PBA Boundary
72
118
PBA HatTrick
89
107
PBA Maiden
103
91
111
90
117
PBA Slasher
100
100
100
100
100
PBA Striker
119
97
115
112
132
Site Mean (t/ha)
0.38
0.70
0.96
1.02
1.63
CV (%)
10
10
5
5
8
LSD (%)
16
19
8
8
15
C = Caution interpreting data: low yield at Birchip, high variability at Rupanyup. F = Multiple frosts.
Wimmera
Rupanyup
(B, C)
12/6/14
0.40
70
60
88
90
68
83
105
83
93
85
100
118
0.35
13
26
Tarranyurk
4/6/14
0.29
93
103
128
86
107
100
110
0.30
10
16
Table 7: Grain weight (g/100 seeds) in 2014 chickpea trials.
Ambar
Genesis 079
Genesis 090
Neelam
PBA Maiden
PBA Slasher
PBA Striker
Birchip
15.4
20.4
27.6
17.0
21.8
17.8
20.7
Desi
Mallee
Rainbow Ultima
15.3
16.0
21.9
23.6
28.2
29.0
17.9
17.9
23.4
23.6
18.3
18.0
20.9
20.6
Wimmera
Tarranyurk
16.0
23.4
28.4
19.7
30.0
19.6
23.8
Birchip
31.0
20.9
26.8
38.2
32.4
Almaz
Genesis 079
Genesis 090
Genesis Kalkee
PBA Monarch
Kabuli
Mallee
Rainbow Ultima
33.4
33.0
21.9
23.2
28.4
29.6
34.7
41.0
38.4
38.3
Wimmera
Tarranyurk
32.7
23.7
29.2
38.1
38.6
Table 8: Ascochyta blight management trial* of chickpea varieties grown in an in a high intensity year
showing grain yields (t/ha) and gross margins (GM, $/ha). Yield or gross margin are underlined where they
are reduced (statistically significant) compared to the yield or gross margin for the fortnightly application.
The suggested management option for varieties grown under high disease pressure is shaded.
Fungicide
regime1
Fortnight
Strategic
Podding
Podding-Dithane
Nil
No.
sprays
7
4
1
1
0
Genesis 090
t/ha
2.19
2.16
1.90
1.80
1.85
GM2
$1,191
$1,218
$1,019
$988
Genesis 509
t/ha
2.01
2.05
1.95
1.87
1.91
GM2
$383
$457
$469
$443
$469
Almaz
t/ha
1.71
1.37
0.71
0.58
0.53
GM2
$1026
$790
$327
$222
$190
Howzat
t/ha
1.82
0.18
0.04
0.03
0.01
GM2
$320
-$180
-$183
-$183
-$176
Kaniva
t/ha
1.18
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
GM2
$550
-$240
-$195
-$192
-$180
$999
*Ascochyta blight stubble spread over trial site to maximise disease pressure. Resistant varieties grown side by side with susceptible varieties.
1. Fungicide regime: Chlorothalonil @ 1.5L/ha was used for all treatments except Podding-Dithane @ 1L/ha. All fungicides applied at a water
rate of 100L/ha.
2. Gross Margin ($/ha): Based on production costs of $180/ha + $15/ha/application where chlorothalonil applied (1.5L/ha) and
$12/ha/application where dithane applied (1L/ha). Seed prices: Desi = $350, Kabuli 9mm = $850, 8mm = $750, 7mm = $550, 6mm = $330,
Screen = $200). All Kabuli varieties were screened to calculate seed size distribution.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Jason Brand
Frank Henry
Kristy Hobson
Mary Raynes
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Horsham
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Hamilton
Department of Primary Industries NSW
Pulse Australia
The Kalkee disease management and gross margin trial (Table 8) was conducted by Jason Brand. All other yield data is from
the National Variety Trials and Pulse Breeding Australia.
80
Victorian Winter Crop Summary 2015