Western Australia Growers Get New Varieties

SYDNEY - Oct 15/04 - SNS -- Pulse producers in the state of Western Australia can expect new varieties of pulses to be available in the next three years which offer improved disease resistance and higher yields than those currently in use.

Department of Agriculture pulse officers investigated the new varieties during a recent 12 day visit to New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The WA pulse team met with research officers and agronomists, and looked extensively at pulse trials and farm paddocks.

Pulse extension officer Ian Pritchard said all of the proposed new Desi and Kabuli chickpeas releases had very high levels of resistance to Ascochyta blight.

Pritchard said WA growers would be particularly interested in the new field pea lines, of which many were semi-leafless types similar to Kaspa in standing ability and ease of harvest.

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