Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy WebsterGuest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientists Alex Douglas and Dr Harmonhinder Dhammu In this episode of Grains Convo DPIRD Research scientist Alex Douglas summarises the major weed trends of 2022 for the WA grainbelt and potential summer weeds for 2023. Research Scientist Dr Harmohinder Dhammu talks about initial findings from a DPIRD research project that is investigating glyphosate alternative herbicides for summer and pre-seeding knockdown weed control. This podcast was recorded during harvest in December 2022.Episode Links:Click here for information about controlling the green bridge for pest and disease management.Click here for information about summer weeds and how to manage them.An extensive abstract on the Glyphosate alternative herbicide trial findings will be published by Dr Harmohinder after his presentation at the 2023 GRDC Grains Research Updates in February 2023. Watch this space!

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Janette PrattGuest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientists Geoff Thomas and Andrea HillsIn this episode of Grains Convo, DPIRD Research Scientists Geoff Thomas and Andrea Hills discuss the crops diseases that were seen in the WA grainbelt in 2022. They also talk about the implications for the coming season and how to prepare and manage these diseases before seeding in 2023.Episode Links:Click here for information about controlling the green bridge for pest and disease management.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster Guest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientists Svetlana Micic and Dr Benjamin CongdonIn this episode of Grains Convo, DPIRD Research Scientists Svetlana Micic and Dr Benjamin Congdon talk about the problematic broadacre pests (and associated viruses) experienced in the WA grainbelt in 2022.  They identify the pests and viruses that are likely to be problematic in 2023 and discuss how to prepare for and manage these before seeding. The potential impact of a summer green bridge on 2023 pest and virus activity is also addressed.  Episode links:Click here to view pest and plant viruses reported to DPIRD’s PestFacts WA service in 2022.Click here for information about controlling the green bridge for pest and disease management.

Host: DPIRD research agronomist, Janette PrattGuest Speaker: DPIRD research scientist, Miranda SlavenIn this episode of Grains convo we talk about electric weed control which has been trialled in Australia for the first time by DPIRD in a collaboration with WALGA, AGXTEND Europe, GRDC, Wine Australia and the Cotton Research and Development corporation (CRDC).DPIRD research officer Miranda Slaven discusses how electric weed control works, what the benefits are and the early results from trials in 2022.Episode Links:Positive start to electric weed control trials

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist, Brenda ShackleyIn this episode of Grains Convo we discuss the recently released 2023 WA Crop Sowing Guide. This annual publication, compiled by DPIRD officers, is a one stop shop for information on varieties for all the major crops grown in WA.The 2023 guide features information on 31 new variety releases, alongside the latest industry developments.Episode Links:Click here to download or order the 2023 WA Crop Sowing Guide.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Janette PrattGuest Speaker: DPIRD Research Officer, Glen RiethmullerIn this episode of Grains Convo we talk about minimising grain losses at harvest through harvester setup.DPIRD Research Officer Glen Riethmuller discusses how much grain is lost at harvest, where most of the grain is being lost and setting up harvesters to minimise these losses. 

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster Guest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientist, Dr Brenton LeskeIn this episode of Grains Convo we talk about frost, which in WA refers to an event when the screen temperature at a local weather station falls below 2°C.Dr Brenton Leske discusses the impact frost damage can have on crops, how to diagnose frost damage, options available for frosted crops and how growers can minimise frost risk before sowing next season. DPIRD, with investment from GRDC, is leading a frost research project exploring the management of ice nucleating bacteria in wheat, barley and canola. This work will explore the use of bactericides and cryoprotectants to inhibit the ice nucleation process on plants and reduce frost damage. Episode links:Click here for information about assessing and diagnosing frost Click here for information on managing frost risk  Click here to view DPIRD’s frost risk mapsClick here to view GRDC’s Frost management YouTube series 

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy WebsterGuest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientist Dr Dustin Severtson  In this episode of Grains Convo we talk about a serious pest of canola, and all brassica crops, the diamondback moth. Diamondback moths lay eggs on canola plants and the emerging larvae feed on plants. In addition to damaging canola crops the diamondback moth is renowned to develop insecticide resistance, so it important that growers apply an integrated pest management strategy if numbers are high.DPIRD, with investment from GRDC, is working with WA grower groups and surveying all port zones for diamondback moths and larvae activity with manual and automated traps.  Episode Links:Click here to read more about Diagnosing diamondback moth page.Click here to read GRDC’s Western Paddock Practices: Managing diamondback moth.Growers and consultant can submit diamondback moth reports, or request diagnoses, by using DPIRD’s PestFacts WA Reporter app.

Host: Grains Research, Development and Extension Communications Manager, Amber Atkinson Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist, Dr Yong HanIn this episode of Grains Convo we speak with DPIRD Research Scientist, Dr Yong Han, about gene editing technology and  how it will influence the future of plant breeding in Australia.Gene editing technology is different to genetic modification. In this podcast Dr Han explains the key differences and how he is using it to develop the next generation of crop varieties.This technology is revolutionary and was awarded a Nobel prize in 2020. Dr Han is adopting this approach for crop genetic improvements that will influence yield, quality and many other agronomist traits.Episode links:Click here to read: New barley varieties to help cut costs and build a greener planet

Host: Grains Research, Development and Extension Communications Manager, Amber AtkinsonGuest Speaker: DPIRD Senior Plant Pathologist, Manisha ShankarWestern Australian grains researchers have wrapped up a ground-breaking project resulting in 11 new wheat lines with very high levels of resistance to yellow spot.In this podcast, DPIRD Senior Plant Pathologist and Project Leader ManishaShankar discusses the project undertaken to get these wheat lines and how they could make future wheat varieties less susceptible to yellow spot.In Australia, yellow spot is estimated to cause losses totalling $212 million per annum.The lines developed by the research project have now been delivered to various breeding companies and are crucial genetic stocks for future breeding.Manisha explains plant genetics and how it relates to disease resistance.  She also explains the interests that led her into the exciting field of genetics.Episode links:Click here to read: Research project yields new wheat lines to help withstand yellow spot.Click here to read: More yellow spot resistance genes discoveredClick here to read: Germplasm enhancement for yellow spot resistance in wheat