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.

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

• 
  Chickpeas on heavy soil: Pre-harvest update from the Moora trial
  The Moora heavy-soil chickpea trial is nearing harvest, with results showing strong establishment after reseeding, clear biomass gains from higher seeding rates and impressive nitrogen fixation. Yield data will confirm how these findings translate into performance on challenging heavy country.
• 
  Growers compare new varieties at Kayanaba NVT and Legume Tour
  The Kayanaba NVT and Legume Tour brought growers and breeders together to compare cereals, canola, lupins and pulses under this season’s conditions. Strong discussion centred on traits, management and local fit across gravel rises and deep sands.
• 
  Chickpea Trial in Moora: Learning from a Season of Extremes
  A new chickpea trial east of Moora is testing crop performance on heavier soils in a season marked by waterlogging. Early observations highlight how soil type and drainage affect growth, with full results due after harvest.
• 
  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.

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