Optimising mungbean yields - Project C - Determining the factors influencing mungbean yield

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is now established as an important spring, summer rotation crop for cereal-based farming systems in the northern region. Current production of mungbean in the northern grains region extends from southern NSW to the Burdekin region in QLD. Mungbean also has a role for irrigated agriculture including coastal sugarcane areas and the inland dry tropics.

Mungbean production reached a peak in 2009-10 and has steadily declined since. In 2012-13 the farm gate value was over $65 million. Around 95% of mungbean produced in Australia are exported to Japan, India, the USA and the Philippines for human consumption as sprouts and cooking, therefore, grain quality is paramount.

Growers choose to grow mungbean as:

• a stand-alone high value profitable crop choice;
• a double crop opportunity immediately following a winter crop (e.g. wheat);
• an effective management tool to combat Feather-top Rhodes and other summer grass weeds; and
• an opportunity crop shifting from a summer crop cycle to a winter crop cycle.

Mungbean are a notoriously unreliable crop to grow and are considered “high risk” by many growers. While the target yield for mungbean is 2 t/ha, the average actual yield across all growing regions is 0.9 t/ha.

There are significant gaps in our knowledge of the drivers of yield, crop nutrition requirements and optimal irrigation management for mungbean. Significant opportunity exists to capitalise on improved yield reliability of newer mungbean varieties through optimised agronomic management. There is a need to elucidate appropriate mungbean management for:

• a summer grain double crop opportunity immediately following a winter crop (e.g. wheat); and,
• a summer grain crop in its own right, rather than an opportunistic crop.

There is also potential to move towards much higher yields under irrigated systems if management practices targeting yield potential are developed through improved physiological understanding.

Investment

The GRDC proposes to invest in a program of agronomy and crop physiology to optimise mungbean yields in the northern region (see diagram). The investment consisting of four projects will increase our understanding of the key factors influencing growth and yield under a range of environmental and management conditions.

The GRDC Seeks providers to undertake Project C - Determining the factors influencing mungbean yield.

Intermediate Outcomes

By September 2022, advisers, growers and researchers will understand the factors driving seasonal yield and quality potential of mungbean cultivars for both high yield and double crop situations.

Expected Outcomes

Output 1

By March 2022, data describing and quantifying:

• the relationship between leaf area and yield, number of flowers and conversion of flowers to pods to seed fill;
• the adaptation of varieties (pre-release lines and commercial lines) to given environments and conditions and/or seasonal variability; and
• the phenological response and varietal adaptations of mungbean to both spring and summer time of sowing.

Details

Data to be generated over three growing seasons from glasshouse and field based experimentation in NSW, Darling Downs and Central Queensland.

The trials should be structured to allow the data to calibrate the APSIM mungbean model.

This output would be suitable for a post-graduate or honours student.

Output 2

By March 2022, data describing the relationship between the timing of stress, the value of physiological attributes and how they can be exploited by agronomic practice.

Details

Data to be generated over three growing seasons from glasshouse and field based experimentation in NSW, Darling Downs and Central Queensland.

The trials should be structured to allow the data to calibrate the APSIM mungbean model.

This output would be suitable for a post-graduate or honours student.

Output 3

By March 2022, an improved APSIM mungbean model which better describes the relationship between environment, management and crop physiology using data derived from:

• experimentation data generated by outputs 1 & 2.
• a synthesis and reanalysis of agronomic research conducted in the northern region since 2000

Details

This work to be conducted (in collaboration) with the APSIM Initiative.

Output 4

By September 2022, a collection of analysed and published materials synthesising the trial data including:

• journal articles describing the experimental outcomes;
• reports synthesising the project data and findings

Output 5

By May each year, an Annual Results Report (ARR) collating and summarising the activities, key results and implications of the project.

Details

The aim of the ARR is to detail rationale, methodology, and implications of the work.

The report will be structured using the GRDC Annual Results Report (ARR) template and submitted to the GRDC for approval.

The content of the reports will be used in GRDC publications for distribution to grain growers as determined by the GRDC.

Output 6

By September 2022, a Final Technical Report (FTR) collating and summarising the background, aims, objectives, methodology, results, discussion, conclusions, recommendations and implications from the work.

Details

The aim of the report is to provide an overall interpretation of the work.

The report will be structured using the GRDC Final Technical Report (FTR) template and submitted to the GRDC for approval.

The content of the reports will be used in GRDC publications for distribution to grain growers as determined by the GRDC.