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The Pulses and Oilseeds science program area (SPA) delivers research outputs in germplasm enhancement providing novel parent lines through improved varieties of field peas, lentil, chickpeas and faba beans for SA by being the national leader of pulse germplasm enhancement of the Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) consortium.

Figure 1:  shows the locations of pulse germplasm enhancement, breeding programs and scale of industry across different regions of Australia.

• Identifying and incorporating reproductive frost tolerance genes in adapted genetic backgrounds of field pea, lentil and chickpeas.
•  Identifying and incorporating heat stress tolerance genes in adapted genetic backgrounds of field pea and faba beans
• Identifying and incorporating pod retention genes in adapted genetic backgrounds of lentils 
• Identifying and incorporating race specific bacterial blight resistance genes in adapted genetic backgrounds of field peas

The development of new methodologies to develop pulse germplasm include: 

• Methods for reproductive and vegetative frost tolerance selection in pulses under simulated frost conditions.
• Methods for heat stress tolerance selection in pulses under simulated heat conditions
• Methods for bacterial blight screening for race specific resistance genes under controlled conditions.
• Methods for pod retention mechanism in lentils
• Interspecific hybridisation for the incorporation of germplasm from uncultivated species into crop varieties

Outputs support the pulse and oilseed industries in developing improved varieties, wider adaptation, new technologies and reducing losses to biotic and a-biotic stresses thus ensuring improved profitability and sustainability.

Pulse and oilseed crop varieties with specific adaptation and production and marketing benefits are identified for SA through field research and breeding trials across the agricultural districts of the State

Superior locally adapted varieties of narrow-leafed lupins are identified and recommended for production in SA through widespread field evaluation of early generation fixed breeding lines in this state.

Varieties with specific adaptation and production and marketing benefits are identified for SA through:·        

• Identifying elite lines
• Identifying traits of importance
• Identifying lines with improved blackleg resistance
• Early generation selection in SA for yield, quality, disease and agronomic characteristics in field research and breeding trials throughout SA.

This is achieved through undertaking research into:

• Understanding the Genotype x Environment and Genotype x Management interactions in SA
• Herbicide tolerance screening in field peas, lentils and chickpeas
• Disease screening in field peas and faba beans
• Disease screening in canola and mustard
• Agronomic research into maximising production and quality advantages of new improved varieties

Best practice germplasm enhancement and breeding chain

The major areas of germplasm enhancement and breeding chain competencies classified as leadership, linkage management and operational activities in the Pulses and Oilseeds SPA mainly focusing on germplasm enhancement research, breeding process and variety commercialization.