This project was the continuation of project DAW616 as a support for the western region's breeding and selection programs in field peas, chickpeas, faba beans and other pulses. The project aimed to provide quality screening support for the western region's pulse breeding and selection projects. The project has provided appropriate strategies and turnaround times and maintained lines of communication and common operating procedures between all pulse quality laboratories in Australia, Pulse Australia and the industry.

From the 2002 harvest, nearly 3000 samples (not including lupins) have been analysed in some way. In total, the laboratory processed more than 3000 kilograms of samples. This included 1460 samples from various agronomic trials, 1000 field pea and chickpea breeding lines and 266 advanced lines.

From the field pea and chickpea breeding programs, almost 700 early generation samples (F6) were received and analysed. Three hundred samples from stage 21 (F7) and stage 22 (F8) trials were also analysed. This quality data (along with yield and disease resistance) made a significant contribution in selection of breeding lines that were retained for promotion to the next stage.

From the Crop Variety Testing (CVT) program (stage three and four), testing was completed on the 258 samples from the 2001 season and reported to the annual CVT meeting to assist in the process of promoting lines to the next stage of evaluation (see Attachment 2). Quality testing of 125 samples from the 2002 season is in progress. The numbers are down from the previous year due to the drought, but testing has not been completed at the time of the end of the project. Advanced material (66 samples) from the kabuli chickpea breeding program at the Ord River (project DAW556) were also tested as part of the project. This information is currently being used in the decision about a new chickpea variety release for the Ord River region.

In addition quality testing of pulse samples from two major agronomic trials conducted in the 2002 season was carried out. One was a desiccation trial involving 60 field pea samples and 40 lentil samples tested for seed size, seed colour, dehulling quality and cotyledon colour (see Attachment 3 for paper and results). The second trial involved 72 field pea samples and 49 Angustofolius lupin samples. The field pea trial evaluated the affect of time of sowing on seed size distribution and the protein levels of the size fractions produced (see Attachment 4). The lupin trial looked at the affect of irrigation and row spacing also on seed size distribution and protein level (see Attachment 5).

Progress in the establishment of digital imaging methodology has been made. Hardware and software has been purchased and installed. Preliminary investigations into the application of digital imaging in pulse quality testing have been carried out. Significant progress has been made in developing techniques for testing seed size distribution of field peas by digital imaging (see Attachment 7). Work has also been done on size distribution in Kabuli chickpeas and Angustifolius lupins and colour/identification of field peas. In addition, the facility to create images of samples for breeders and marketers that can be archived has been established and used for the first time in the reporting of the 2001 CVT results (see Attachment 2).

Collaboration has been undertaken with other pulse quality researchers, including attendance and reporting of progress at national pulse quality meetings in August 2002 and March 2003 (See Attachment 6 for presentation and reports) and personal communications. These activities have resulted in a continuation of the development of standard methodology that started with project DAW440.

In achieving its aims and outputs, this project has continued to provide vital quality support to Western Australian (WA) based pulse breeding programs, variety evaluation and agronomic trials. The focus of the quality work has been further sharpened as a result of input from the national reference groups and the progressive introduction of near-infrared (NIR) and digital technologies. The overall conclusion of this work is that there is a general improvement in the quality of the material coming through the breeding programs. This will result in a number of high quality new releases in coming years.

Continued funding of this work will allow the quality of WA pulses to be maintained and improved in new varieties. Main users of the new varieties will be the grain growers of the western region and marketers will also benefit. New varieties have been shown to be quickly adopted in WA, reaching maximum adoption in about five years. Despite poor seasons and setbacks to the chickpea breeding program due to disease outbreak, new high quality varieties are about to be released (see Attachment 7). It is likely that several new field pea varieties will be facilitated by this project during
the next three years. In addition, technologies such as digital imaging applications need to be further developed to allow a more rapid evaluation of size, shape and colour parameters of samples of pulses. It will also enable the further development of a record of the visual appearance of new lines and pre-release material for use by breeders and traders. The use of well-documented and referenced grain images has great potential to increase links between breeders, agronomists, quality evaluators, marketers and end-users, as significant importance is still placed on the visual qualities of pulses.

Quality data on all relevant stages of breeding and variety selection programs documented and provided to breeders.

During the period from the beginning of January to the end of March 2003, the F6, F7 and F8 lines from the field pea and chickpea breeding programs were tested and the results reported to the breeder so that selection decisions could be made in preparation for 2003 seeding. In February 2003, the stage three and four results from 2002 were reported at the annual CVT meeting to assist in decisions about the promotion of lines to the next stage of development.

Demonstrate progress towards establishing digital imaging methodology that will enhance current quality evaluation and provide a database of images of samples for use by breeders and marketers.

Originally this was intended to be part of a three-year project, but progress has been made in developing digital imaging methodology to assist in pulse breeding. The equipment has been purchased and installed in the laboratory. The optical conditions needed to optimise the measurement of seed size distribution by imaging have been established and work is in progress using stage four field peas to correlate this with traditional methods. Images have been captured and included in the reporting of stage three and four quality data. Further developments will depend on funding.

Contribution to the ongoing development and validation of methods adopted into the Australian Pulse Quality Manual and contribution of data for the national pulse quality database.

Ongoing developments in methodology, including progress in digital imaging work, has been communicated to the Australian Pulse Quality Committee at national meetings in March 2003. However, since the lapse of funding for national coordination of pulse quality, the management of the national pulse quality database has lapsed.

During the period from the beginning of January to the end of March 2003, the F6, F7 and F8 lines from the field pea and chickpea breeding programs were tested and the results reported to the breeder so that selection decisions could be made in preparation for 2003 seeding. In February 2003, the Stage 3 and 4 sample results from 2002 were reported at the annual CVT meeting to assist in decisions about the promotion of lines to the next stage of development.

Originally the imagery component was intended to be part of a three-year project, but progress has been made in developing digital imaging methodology to assist in pulse breeding. The equipment has been purchased and installed in the laboratory. The optical conditions needed to optimise the measurement of seed size distribution by imaging have been established and work is in progress using Stage 4 field peas to correlate this with traditional methods. Images have been captured and included in the reporting of Stage 3 and 4 quality data. Further developments will depend on funding.

Ongoing developments in methodology, including progress in digital imaging work, have been communicated to the Australian Pulse Quality Committee at national meetings in March 2003. However, since the lapse of funding for national coordination of pulse quality, the management of the national pulse quality database has lapsed.

A detailed investigation into the physiological factors contributing to good dehulling quality in field peas and desi chickpeas. This may include seed size, seed coat thickness and dimpling. There may also be an interaction with chemical composition of the seed coat or cotyledon. The potential for the use of NIR technology to predict quality characteristics has also yet to be fully explored.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Summary of 2002/2003 laboratory activities.
Attachment 2 - 2001 CVT results including sample images.
Attachment 3 - Results, images and paper from desiccation trials.
Attachment 4 - Seed size distribution affect on crude protein trial on field peas at various sowing times.
Attachment 5 - Seed size distribution affect on crude protein trial on lupins at different row spacings (with & without irrigation).
Attachment 7 - Field Pea digital imaging standards - size distributions comparisons by sieve and imaging.
Attachment 8 - Release status of advanced breeding lines.

Quality screening at the regional level.

The quality data from the evaluation of the 2002 stage three and four trials was presented at the annual CVT meeting and used as part of the selection process of lines to be promoted to the next stage.

Quality screening at Australian Crop Accreditation System (ACAS) standard for new releases.

The aim was to have quality (and agronomic) ACAS accreditation data available for at least one pre-release line by the end of November 2003. But that is now not achievable due to a lack of funding post-June 2003.

Quality data for all required tests at the F8 and stages three and four trials.

Data from the testing of the advanced lines and controls from the 2003 season of particular interest to the breeder were available by the due date.

Quality data available for breeders lines.

F6, F7 and F8 samples were progressively tested and data sent to the breeder between January 1 and March 31 to assist in making selections.

Digital imaging hardware and software currently used for grain quality testing investigated and purchased.

The imaging hardware and software were purchased and installed.

Annual progress report submitted to administrative contact.

• Attachment_1_UWA00022_Final_Report.pdf
• Attachment_2_UWA00022_Final_Report.pdf
• Attachment_3_UWA00022_Final_Report.pdf
• Attachment_4_UWA00022_Final_Report.pdf
• Attachment_5_UWA00022_Final_Report.pdf
• Attachment_7_UWA00022_Final_Report.pdf
• Attachment_8_UWA00022_Final_Report.pdf