Eliza James

This project aims to demonstrate yield potential of various legumes under two different times of sowing in the Kwinana West Port Zone. The trial component of this project will assess the impact of sowing time on a variety of chickpea, faba, pea and vetch varieties. The seeding times will consist of early sowing (~mid-April) and then a later sowing (~mid-May) and will integrate with the growers seeding program. The farmer demonstration component of this project will assess two different varieties of Faba beans for their yield potential. The two varieties differ in their resistance to fungal pathogens. The performance of the following year’s crops will be recorded for both sites.

Facey Group is working with Soil CRC & Murdoch University to determine perennial & annual pasture/forage legume options for shaping rhizosphere processes to improve soil function, & ultimately improve grain yields on low fertility white sand soils.

Facey Group is evaluating four trial sites over the 2021-2022 summer to better understand how various cover crop species can benefit soil health, moisture and function, compared to summer fallow. In 2022, impacts on the growth and yield of subsequent winter crops will be investigated.