Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Media Release, 10 June 2026

Growers in the far eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia will benefit from two new Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investments exploring long coleoptile wheat, deep-seeded crops and deep phosphorus fertiliser placement.

The new investments are a direct result of grassroots grower engagement through GRDC’s National Grower Network (NGN), with both projects arising out of an NGN forum in the eastern wheatbelt in October 2025.

‘NGN Broadscale adoption of long coleoptile wheat and deep seeding crops in far Eastern Wheatbelt farming systems’ will be led by SLR, while ‘NGN Demonstrating the viability of strategic deep phosphorus application in the far Eastern Wheatbelt’ will be led by Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group (MADFIG).

GRDC Manager Sustainable Cropping Systems Dr Rowan Maddern said these two investments were an example of grower-informed responsive GRDC investment.

“These ideas have been actioned by GRDC quickly following the NGN forum at a grower field day last year,” he said.

“The NGN is the front door for growers and advisers to engage with GRDC. It supports practice change by involving growers (and advisers) in the design and delivery of locally relevant research, development and extension (RD&E) investments.”

The development of long coleoptile wheat has progressed from an initial genetics investment to a potential agronomic tool for growers in Australia’s low rainfall zones (LRZ).

This approach can be combined with other crops capable of being seeded deep, allowing them to make use of deep soil moisture at the time of seeding, and establish at an ideal time of year.

The long coleoptile wheat and deep-seeded crops investment with SLR aims to further the demonstration and extension cycle, focusing on factors like fertiliser placement, herbicide and fungicide applications, and optimal seeder configuration.

SLR Chief Executive Officer Michael Lamond said the research would be grower driven.

“We have surveyed growers and grower groups calling for ideas and we have constructed a program around that feedback,” Mr Lamond said.

Following consultation with growers in the region, SLR has sown trials at three sites this year – two of which were sown early at Merredin and Mukinbudin – and will hold field walks with growers to give them a chance to view and discuss the pros and cons of chasing moisture deep when the opportunity arises.

“Some of the questions we will be looking to answer include how deep we can sow existing cereal varieties and crop types such as oats and pulses and still get optimal establishment, combined with different herbicide, fertiliser and rhizoctonia control treatments,” he said.

“They are becoming a more established part of the rotation in the LRZ due to their tolerance to acid soils and frost and as more of a market develops for milling oats and hay, growers are realising the benefits of sowing oats deep to chase moisture and get them established.”

“Oats in particular pose a real opportunity. Oats have an existing cell structure without requiring the long coleoptile gene that allows them to emerge quickly and establish from deep sowing.

MADFIG Executive Officer Glenice Batchelor said strategic collaboration with other grower groups enabled them to bring research out to areas that are sometimes seen as difficult to service.

“We’re geographically distanced with small grower numbers, but those growers own and manage large-scale properties and businesses,” Ms Batchelor said.

Interest in deep phosphorus placement has increased among growers in the LRZ following GRDC-supported research in Queensland which has shown that deep phosphorus application can overcome constraints caused by seasonal variability and enhance phosphorus availability during critical growth stages.

Ms Batchelor said the eastern wheatbelt of WA was increasingly having seasons where summer rainfall events result in subsoil moisture at depth, and a dry soil surface at the start of the cropping season.

“The research indicates there might be an opportunity to place phosphorus strategically and periodically at depth, allowing plants to access it and the soil moisture to improve nutrition and crop growth,” she said.

“Growers want to trial placing phosphorus as a reserve bank into the soil and determine the appropriate depth.

“We are keen to answer questions regarding whether deep phosphorus placement will work in WA’s environment, soils and cropping systems, especially the eastern wheatbelt, and what type of machinery will be needed to do this.

“A review of relevant research, capture of insights and needs from growers, and modification to machinery will occur in 2026 with in-ground grower trials happening from 2027.”

About us: GRDC is one of 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) responsible for planning, investing in and overseeing research, development and extension (RD&E) for 27 leviable grain crops. Our purpose is to invest in RD&E to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.