The Grain Legumes Project
Closing the Economic Yield Gap of Grain Legumes in WA.
The GGA Grain Legumes Project aims to help farmers access the benefits of legumes in crop rotations. The Grower Group Alliance will collaborate with a series of stakeholders to trial and highlight various grain legumes across a range of WA soil types and farming systems.
West Midlands Group will host a replicated trial site, assessing the efficacy of herbicide options for three crop species – lupin, chickpea, and vetch. This trial will be located at the Spring Field Day site in Dandaragan. In 2024 a larger-scale demonstration site will be created, informed by the results of the 2023 site.
The adoption of grain legumes has been poor in some areas of Western Australia, despite their potential rotational and economic advantages. Recent GRDC analysis indicates that although WA farmers are aware of the benefits of grain legumes, there is apprehension about their reliability and profitability.
This project aims to highlight the value of growing grain legumes and determine the best economic fit for each sub-region under varying grower conditions and situations.
Commencement: 2023 | Completion: 2024
Funding body(s): Grain Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
Project Lead Organisation: Grower Group Alliance (GGA)
Year 1 – 2023
The 2023 trial examines the efficacy of eight herbicide treatments on three legume crops: lupin, chickpea, and vetch.
This approach highlights the variation in herbicide tolerance and effectiveness among different grain legumes, emphasising the need for species-specific weed management strategies.
The trial provides insights into the complexities of legume weed control by applying the same treatments across these crops, some of which are known to be unsuitable for certain legumes.
The overall focus of the 2023 trial site is on understanding how different herbicide treatments impact plant growth and weed control of different legume species.
| Treatment | Herbicide package Name | IBS/ha | PSPE/ha | Postem/ha |
| 1 | Best Bet Lupin | Simazine900 1.1 kg + Reflex 1L | Brodal 200mL + Metribuzin 100-150g | |
| 2 | Alternative Lupin | Simazine900 1.1 kg + Metribuzin750 200g | Brodal 200mL + Metribuzin 100-150g | |
| 3 | Best Bet Chickpea | Simazine900 1.1 kg + Reflex 1L | Broadstrike 25g | |
| 4 | Best Bet Vetch | Diuron 900 0.83-1.1kg | Balance 100g Metribuzin750 200g | Ecopar 800mL |
| 5 | Best Bet Lupin No Postem | Simazine900 1.1 kg + Reflex 1L | ||
| 6 | Alternative Lupin No Postem | Simazine900 1.1 kg + Metribuzin750 200g | ||
| 7 | Best Bet Chickpea No Postem | Simazine900 1.1 kg + Reflex 1L | ||
| 8 | Best Bet Vetch No Postem | Diuron 900 0.83-1.1kg | Balance 100g Metribuzin750 200g |
Results & Interactive Dashboard
Explore the results of the 2023 GGA Grain Legumes Project through our interactive dashboard. Customise your view by selecting specific herbicide treatments and crop species from the dropdown menus, so you only see the information that is relevant to you.
Hover over the data to see more information (try the weed management section to find out which weeds persevered).
Click on any of the treatments in the any graph to highlight across the whole dashboard. Click again to remove the highlight.
Latest Updates
- Assessing Chickpea Establishment in Heavy Soils: Early Results
Explore early insights from WMG’s Moora chickpea trial, where dry conditions, reseeding, and soil variability shaped crop establishment and highlighted key considerations for managing chickpeas in heavier soils. - Finding the Fit: Chickpeas in WA Farming Systems
WA’s chickpea story is evolving, with local trials exploring where this high-value crop fits in dryland systems. We look at market risks, agronomic benefits, and whether chickpeas could play a bigger role in rotations. - Exploring the Profitability of Chickpeas in Heavy Soils: New Trial Launched in Moora
Can chickpeas perform on heavier soils in WA? A new WMG trial near Moora is testing seeding and inoculant strategies to explore the pulse crop’s potential under local conditions—tracking establishment, nitrogen fixation, and yield throughout the 2025 season. - Rotation Diversity: Exploring Break Crops and Nitrogen Efficiency in the West Midlands
How can diverse crop rotations improve nitrogen management and long-term profitability? Explore the benefits and challenges of integrating legumes, pastures, and break crops, sharing insights from local trials and farmer discussions on balancing input costs, risk, and soil health. - Rowes Road Crop Nutrition Tour – Farmer Summary
The WMG & CSBP Rowes Road Crop Nutrition Tour showcased trials across three different sites, exploring legumes, potassium cycling, and nitrogen inhibitors. Read on for a synthesised farmer summary of the key learnings and discussion points of the day.
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Want to get involved?
Get in touch with our Project Officer, Kate Parker.
Mobile: 0459 353 840
Email: projects@wmgroup.org.au