Southern Region pulse research, demonstration, and extension

Summary and scope

GRDC is investing in a new Southern Region investment to improve the profitability and adoption of pulse crops within farming systems. Pulses are already an important component of these systems, with recent growth driven by lentil production in Victoria and South Australia and expansion into new environments. However, as pulse intensity increases, constraints such as soil acidity and subsoil limitations, herbicide resistance and residue risks, greater disease pressure under tighter pulse sequences, and seasonal variability are becoming more prominent. These challenges, along with emerging opportunities, are identified in GRDC’s pulse crop improvement plans. To address them, the investment will use a regional “hub and spoke” model that combines rigorous field research with practical, paddock-scale learning. Hub sites will target key knowledge gaps, while spoke sites will deliver locally relevant trials, demonstrations, field days and workshops that support growers and advisers and generate high-quality industry datasets. The Regional Pulse Advisory Committee and relevant grower and adviser networks will help set annual priorities for each agroecological zone, supported by expertise from the National Pulse Coordination and Strategy Program in agronomy, crop protection, rhizobia, soils, trial design, data analysis, extension and markets. This approach will retain the flexibility to respond as regional priorities and opportunities evolve.