Australia
December 17, 2009

South Australian grain growers are being provided with an essential guide to the most suitable crop varieties for sowing in 2010.

The SA Crop Variety Sowing Guide has been compiled by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and is sponsored by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT), in association with Primary Industry and Resources SA (PIRSA) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

SARDI senior scientist Rob Wheeler says the guide provides information on the most important selection criteria for varieties of wheat, barley, canola, lupins, oats, chickpeas, lentils, peas, beans and triticale.

Valuable information on Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) is also included. “Most new varieties are protected by PBR and growers need to be aware of the implications,” Mr Wheeler said.

The guide incorporates results from the National Variety Trial (NVT) program, an initiative of the GRDC. GRDC manager of gene discovery,

Juan Juttner, said the NVT program had been implemented in response to growers’ need for independent validation of grain and field crop varieties.

The Sowing Guide is being mailed to SA grain growers, and is also available via the SARDI website www.sardi.sa.gov.au/crops/publications

Website: http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au

Published: December 17, 2009