Trials were implemented to compare break crop productivity and profitability on major soil types in the northern South Australian Mallee. This information will help farmers in this region to select the most appropriate break crop for their farming system.

1. Michael Moodie
Comparing break crop performance of
break crops in the Mallee

2. Project Aim: To improve our understanding of break crop productivity and
profitability across seasons and soil types in the Mallee
First year of a three year project funded by SAGIT
Sites located at Waikerie and Loxton in the SA Mallee
Two trials located at each site: heavy and a light soil
Nine break crop options tested side by side
Agronomy optimised for each treatment
About the trial

3. Treatments
Crop Variety Target plants
per m2
Seeding rate
(kg/ha)
Field Pea PBA Wharton 45 90
Vetch Rasina 60 40
Narrow‐leaved Lupin PBA Barlock 50 90
Albus Lupin Luxor 35 120
Faba Bean PBA Samira 20 140
Lentil PBA Hurricane 120 50
Desi Chickpea PBA Striker 45 100
Kabuli Chickpea Genesis 090 35 120
Canola Stingray 40 2.5
Sowing dates: Loxton 28th April; Waikerie 1st May

4. Loxton Site
Deep yellow sand Red loam flat

5. Waikerie Site
Red sandy loam Shallow – limestone flat

6. Seasonal Conditions
Site Days<0oC Days>30oC Days>35oC
Loxton Flat 12 17 9
Loxton Sand 3 15 5
Waikerie Flat 9 16 8
Waikerie Sand 4 14 5
Loxton: Total 193 mm GSR: 133 mm
Waikerie: Total 220 mm GSR: 145 mm
40 mm of April rainfall at each site allowed for timely sowing and excellent
establishment

7. Biomass: Loxton
Loxton Flat Loxton Sand
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Dry Matter (t/ha)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Dry Matter (t/ha)

8. Biomass: Waikerie
Waikerie Flat Waikerie Sand
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Dry Matter (t/ha)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Dry Matter (t/ha)

9. Biomass production for each crop was relatively consistent between sites
All crop options except for albus lupin and kabuli chickpea averaged greater
than 2 t/ha of biomass
Field pea averaged 3.1 t/ha with no less than 2.7 t/ha
Vetch dry matter production suffered greatest on the limestone flat
Lupin biomass was higher than average on the deep sand but was still less
than vetch and field pea
Biomass – key points

10. Grain yield: Loxton
Loxton Flat Loxton Sand
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
Grain yield (t/ha)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
Grain yield (t/ha)

11. Grain yield: Waikerie
Waikerie Flat Waikerie Sand
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
Grain Yield (t/ha)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
Grain yield (t/ha)

12. Earlier maturing crops such as lentils, field pea, vetch and faba bean
produced the best grain yields in a season with several heat events during
October
Lentils had the most consistent and highest average grain yields (0.73 t/ha)
Field pea had the highest grain yield at any site (1.2 t/ha Waikerie sand) but
yields were inconsistent due to frost on lower lying flats
Lupins and chickpeas averaged 0.5 t/ha or less in 2015
Grain yield – key points

13. Grain Prices
Crop Price ($/t)
Field Pea 550
Vetch 850
Narrow‐leaved Lupin 380
Albus Lupin 380
Faba Bean 560
Lentil 1340
Desi Chickpea 950
Kabuli Chickpea 1050
Canola 530

14. Gross Margins - 2015
‐200
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Albus Lupin Narrow
Lupin
Canola Kabuli
Chickpea
Faba Bean Desi
Chickpea
Field Pea Vetch Lentil
Gross Margin ($/ha)
Loxton Flat Loxton Sand Waikerie Flat Waikerie Sand Overall

15. Sandy loam– 2013-2015
Yield (t/ha) Gross margins ($/ha)
Price
($/t, 5‐
year av)
High Low Ave High Low Ave
Field pea 323 1.9 1.2 1.5 393 187 273
Chickpea (kabuli) 529 1.5 0.5 1.0 510 31 259
Chickpea (desi) 450 1.6 0.8 1.1 452 153 259
Lentil# 628 1.5 0.9 1.2 688 364 526
Faba bean 414 1.4 0.5 0.8 415 76 192
Lupin (narrow) 265 1.1 0.5 0.9 125 ‐3 77
Lupin (albus) 265 0.9 0.3 0.6 62 ‐65 ‐3
Growing season rainfall: 130 – 145 mm; + stored moisture in 2 Years;
All trials sown 1st week of may

16. Questions