TWO new durum wheat varieties have been released for dryland and irrigation growers in the Queensland, northern NSW and Riverina growing regions.

The two new durum varieties are DBA Bindaroi, suited for dryland cropping in northern NSW and Queensland, and DBA Vittaroi, better adapted for irrigated country.

Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) northern panel chair, John Minogue, said DBA Bindaroi performed well for yield and grain quality under very dry spring conditions in the northern region in 2014 and 2015 and had shown improved crown rot resistance compared with previously released varieties.

“DBA Vittaroi has shown excellent tolerance to lodging, the key trait required for very highyielding, high-input crops in irrigated systems in the Riverina region,” Mr Minogue said.

Both new varieties are licensed to Seednet, with bulk seed to be available to growers for the 2018 season.

DBA Bindaroi and DBA Vittaroi were developed by the Northern Program of Durum Breeding Australia (DBA), Tamworth – a joint project between NSW DPI, GRDC and The University of Adelaide.

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, said the partnership between the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and GRDC underlined the Department’s capability to provide innovative research and development.

“The durum crop is worth $122 million annually to NSW growers and provides $93 million annually in export income to the state,” Mr Blair said.

“Overall, the value of NSW wheat production for 2016-17 has increased an estimated 29 per cent from 2015-16 to $2.4 billion.

“These two new durum varieties will increase grain yields by 4-5pc, while readily achieving 13pc grain protein with improved semolina colour, key traits beneficial to our durum growers and export markets.

“NSW’s superior-quality durum wheat is highly sought-after for producing premium pasta products in Italy.”

Source: NSW DPI