Source: GRDC's The Crop Doctor

Moti chickpea is set to earn Central Queensland (CQ) farmers an extra $5-6 million over the next five years based on proven yield gains of 12 per cent over other varieties.

The variety is fast cementing its place in CQ winter crop rotations and was given a boost with timely planting rains received in many parts of CQ earlier this year.

Moti makes up one third of the estimated 40,000-hectare CQ chickpea crop currently being harvested.

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QDPI&F) researcher Col Douglas said 17 trials since 1999 showed Moti out-yielded other commercial varieties by 12pc.

The Western Australian-bred chickpea variety was released for use in CQ in 2003 and the region was the only grain growing area to receive a licence.

Mr Douglas said Queensland had grown 40-60 per cent of the national chickpea crop over the last three years and Moti was set to underpin further growth in CQ.

“I’m seeing chickpeas consistently included in grain rotations throughout the northern region because of the yield benefits and availability of better adapted varieties,” Mr Douglas said.

“Moti is proving successful in CQ due to its traits of early flowering, suitability for the region’s hot dry winter, high yield, erect growth and resistance to lodging.

“However Moti has zero resistance to ascochyta so it is not suitable for regions other than Central Queensland and it is imperative that the industry remains vigilant that the disease does not enter the region.”

Improving chickpea resistance to Ascochyta Blight is a priority of the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC’s) new National Pulse Breeding Program.

GRDC’s northern panel inspected chickpea and other pulse trials at the DPI&F Emerald Research Station recently.

Brondwen MacLean, GRDC manager pulse/oilseed/summer crop breeding said there was increased awareness of chickpea’s role in enhancing cropping opportunities and soil health.

“We are working to increase grower confidence in both chickpea and other pulse crops,” Ms MacLean said.

Pulse research and extension priorities have included promotion of chickpea’s rotational benefits; new technologies in inoculum delivery; mungbean seed quality and insect management; fine-tuning of deep sowing recommendations; and irrigated production issues including varieties, configurations and plant populations.

“With prices for chickpeas skyrocketing, new higher yielding and better disease resistant varieties and the rising costs of fertiliser – the future of chickpeas in CQ is looking good,” Ms Maclean said.

The Crop Doctor is GRDC Managing Director, Peter Reading, Ph 02 6272 5525.