NEW durum variety Artimus has performed well in National Variety Trials across the state, revealing it is comparable to Aurora, one of the most successful varieties for SA growers.
Artimus was released at a recent SA Durum Growers Association crop walk and durum breeder Jason Able said so far, some trial results had shown a slight yield increase and improved disease package.
He said the variety was at "level pegging" with Aurora for yield and disease resistance in the NVT, but internal data suggested it had a 4 per cent yield advantage on Aurora at Yorke Peninsula and West Wimmera, Vic, sites.
But Professor Able also said Artimus' performance was region-dependent.
"Through testing in the past couple of years at YP sites, we have seen it perform well with a slightly higher yield when compared with Aurora because of reliable rainfall, but the Mid and Lower North has not had such reliable seasons," he said.
"Once it's in the hands of the growers, we will see how it performs across the state, in particular in the Mid North, because we only had three Mid North sites for trials and that is not necessarily representative of the whole region.
"In the South East, near Bordertown and just over the SA/Vic border, we have seen similar results, with it outperforming Aurora."
Prof Able said from a screenings perspective, the NVT showed Artimus had a 3.4pc average and Aurora recorded a 2.9pc average.
He also said that despite Artimus having smaller grain size than Aurora, its test weight recorded between 76 kilograms a hectolitre and 78g/hl and up to 80kg/hl at some trial sites.
"What we have seen so far is that it has consistent quality," he said.
In a good season, Aurora could have a 1000 grain weight of 60 grams, whereas Artimus would record between 50-55g. In a tough season, Artimus will decrease to about 38-44g.
Releasing Artimus was a joint partnership between the GRDC, the University of Adelaide and NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Artimus also offers a consistent disease package when compared with other durum varieties.
Prof Able said there was a slight improvement in cereal cyst nematode resistance but not crown rot resistance.
"The caveat on the CCN improvement is that it is provisional, we will be able to confirm that after this year's testing," he said.
"Adaptation from a sowing and herbicide tolerance point of view - it is well-adapted for production in SA."
Artimus is suited for early to mid-sowing, but not in June, or else growers could run the risk of high screenings, Prof Able said.
He also said as with all high-yielding varieties, Artemis may also result in lower levels of protein and therefore a nitrogen management strategy that focuses on yield and protein should be implemented by growers.
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Despite the few drawbacks on Artimus' package, Prof Able said San Remo were pleased with its quality.
"It is very important that we ensure the end buyer is happy with the quality of the product we are producing," he said.
"We hope that the new variety gives growers another alternative option.
"We try to raise the bar constantly which has taken a lot of work."
Prof Able said hopefully Artimus could be a "better fit" for growers who have tried to grow durum before and not had a lot of success.
Mundoora grower Simon Mildren has sown seven hectares of Artimus this season for seed.
He said it would be available for next season, but seed would be limited.
"The variety has stood up well and although it is slightly behind in growth than Aurora, it still looks very similar," he said.
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