Central Queensland pulses with new chickpea variety

A new variety of chickpea launched today in Emerald is set to further boost Queensland’s chickpea industry.

Acting Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Dr Anthony Lynham said the new ‘PBA Drummond’ chickpea variety was destined to become synonymous with Central Queensland.

“PBA Drummond is a specific chickpea variety that has been purpose-bred for growing in Central Queensland,” Dr Lynham said.

“The connection to the region is further reflected in the fact that it has been named after the distinctive Drummond Range, which runs between Alpha and Emerald.

“The PBA Drummond offers local growers a chickpea variety with a significantly higher grain yield and improved harvestability compared with all other varieties currently grown in the region.”

Dr Lynham said PBA Drummond was the first Central Queensland specific chickpea release for the export marketplace since 2011.

“Australia is the largest global exporter of chickpeas with Queensland contributing 55 per cent of the national crop value,” he said.

“In 2016, chickpeas were amongst the top four agricultural commodities contributing to the state’s income.

“And while recent increases in tariffs on chickpeas by the Indian government have impacted the industry, the Palaszczuk Government will continue to invest in chickpea research to grow other export markets and support the flow of trade.

“PBA Drummond will initially be available through our commercial partner, SeedNet, to growers for the 2019 season.”

Dr Lynham said PBA Drummond was the result of a national collaborative research effort known as Pulse Breeding Australia.

“This breeding investment has also resulted in reduced impacts on the environment as varieties with greater resistance to disease lead to the use of less chemicals.”

GRDC Head of Business Development Ron Osmond said PBA Drummond was a cross between two previously released PBA varieties, PBA HatTrick and PBA Pistol

“This exciting new variety has a number of agronomic benefits that should help to put dollars in growers’ pockets,” Dr Osmond said.

“PBA Drummond boasts a high yield, superior agronomic and seed quality characteristics, improved resistance to the fungal disease ascochyta blight, and can be deep sown which allows producers to use subsoil moisture.

“Trials have shown the yield from PBA Drummond is, on average, between 7 and 10 per cent higher than existing varieties.”

Media contact: Brock Taylor 0427 018 178