Phosphorous response curves for pulses in the Western Region

Pulses are known to be a good disease break and could add diversity to the crop rotation of Western growers. However, the Grower Network members in the Albany port zone feel that they currently don't have expertise in all areas of pulse agronomy that would give them confidence to make changes in their rotations to grow more. Information gathered at the meeting suggested that growers and advisors were using cereal fertiliser response curves to make decisions for in season management as there is with no local data available showing the requirement of phosphorous (P) for different pulses in the southern regions of WA.

Previous research, nationally and internationally, has shown that there is a correlation between cereals and pulses and their phosphorous use efficiency, however, pulses appear to be less efficient than cereals.

It is the objective of this investment to validate the correlation of the current wheat P response curves and the P requirement of pulses, by conducting a series of field trials within the Esperance and Albany Port Zone. The trials will be conducted with P response treatments using two of the most adapted pulse varieties grown in the region and will include wheat as a control crop. This information will provide confidence to growers of the use of P fertiliser inputs and identify any further gaps in nutritional knowledge for further investment.

This investment, will consist of two trial sites being implemented annually over two growing seasons, and will trial P rates x pulse species, to understand the accuracy of the current nutrition advice.