Chickpea Varieties

Updated: March 2013

New Varieties

Three new desi varieties were released in 2012 (PBA Striker, Ambar and Neelam) and limited seed will be available in Victoria in 2013 with widespread availability expected in 2014.

Variety Descriptions

denotes plant breeders rights apply. 

End Point Royalty (EPR) for 2013 quoted $/tonne ex-GST.

Desi type – GENESIS ^TM 509

Has good ascochyta resistance and is likely to require only one fungicide application during podding. Seed is less preferred than Howzat and PBA Slasher. Genesis 509 yields lower than PBA Slasher. It has shown broad adaptation and is suited to both the Wimmera and Mallee regions. Released 2007. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies. EPR $5.

Desi type – HOWZAT

S to ascochyta blight and strategic application of fungicides is required. Initially prostrate rather than erect, but standing ability improves towards maturity. Mid flowering with tan grain of medium size. Howzat is less susceptible to botrytis grey mould than most current varieties. The variety has excellent adaptation to most chickpea growing regions. Released 2000. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies.

Desi type – PBA SLASHER

Good resistance to foliar infection by ascochyta and is likely to require only one fungicide application during podding. Seed is medium size tan-brown which has excellent milling quality, suitable for both split and whole seed markets. PBA Slasher has mid flowering and maturity. It is susceptible to botrytis grey mould, similar to Genesis TM varieties. Released 2009. Seednet. EPR $4.

Kabuli type – ALMAZ

Is MS-MR to ascochyta blight. Seed is slightly larger than Kaniva but smaller than Nafice. Yield is equal or better than Kaniva and offers a much lower disease risk option. Almaz will require at least 3 fungicide applications to be successfully grown in Victorian growing conditions. Best adapted to the traditional kabuli growing areas. Released 2005 and marketed by Seednet.

Kabuli type – GENESIS ^TM  079

Good resistance to ascochyta blight, Genesis 079 is likely to only require one fungicide application during podding. It is a high yielding small seeded type (6-7mm) with relatively high yields in short season environments. Genesis 079 is the earliest flowering and maturing kabuli variety available. Released 2009. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies. EPR $5.

Kabuli type – GENESIS ^TM  090

Genesis 090 has good ascochyta blight resistance and is likely to require only one fungicide application during podding. It has shown wide adaptation and excellent yield stability, including in drier environments. Genesis 090 has a smaller seed, approximately 1mm smaller than that of Kaniva. Genesis 090 has the potential to be grown as a good alternative to desi chickpeas or as a higher yielding but lower value alternative (smaller seed) to kabuli’s such as Almaz and Nafice. Released 2005. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies. EPR $5.

Kabuli type – GENESIS ^TM  114

MS to ascochyta blight and when grown in Victoria is likely to require strategic fungicide applications (2-4 sprays) throughout the growing season. Seed size is larger than Kaniva (8-9 mm) and has been higher yielding than Almaz and Nafice. Genesis 114 has an erect plant habit and excellent lodging resistance. Released 2010. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies. EPR $5.

Kabuli type – KALKEE

MS to ascochyta blight and when grown in Victoria is likely to require strategic fungicide applications (2-4 sprays) throughout the growing season. Seed size is larger than Kaniva (8-9 mm) and has been higher yielding than Almaz and Nafice. Genesis 114 has an erect plant habit and excellent lodging resistance. Released 2010. Australian Agricultural Crop Technologies. EPR $5.

Kabuli type – NAFICE

S to ascochyta blight. Kaniva was the main kabuli variety grown in south-east Australia. It has poorer standing ability than most varieties.

Varieties available in 2014

Desi type – AMBAR 

Limited evaluation has occurred outside Western Australia. Early data indicates good resistance to ascochyta blight and likely to require one fungicide application during podding. Ambar is an early flowering and maturing variety suitable for short season environments. Seed is smaller than Howzat and PBA Slasher but has a uniform grain size and tan-brown colour that assists marketing. WACPE2136. Heritage Seeds. EPR $4.

Desi type – NEELAM 

Limited evaluation has occurred outside Western Australia. Early data indicates good resistance to ascochyta blight. Mid flowering and mid maturing variety. Seed is smaller than Howzat and PBA Slasher and is less preferred with lower prices paid for grain. Could be offset by high yields. WACPE2155. Heritage Seeds. EPR $4.

Desi type – PBA STRIKER

MR to ascochyta blight and when grown in Victoria is likely to require strategic fungicide applications (2-4 sprays) throughout the growing season. Early flowering and maturity with a medium seed size with excellent milling quality. CICA0603. Seednet. EPR $4.