Program 1 – National Ascochyta blight (AB) and Botrytis grey mould (BGM) population monitoring

2026-11-03

Ascochyta blight and Botrytis grey mould continue to significantly constrain the productivity and profitability of Australia's pulse industries, with pathogen populations evolving and current varietal resistance under increasing pressure. Strengthening and future-proofing genetic resistance is a critical foundation for reducing disease losses and supporting sustainable, cost-effective management in chickpea, lentil and faba bean. To address this need, GRDC is seeking a suitably qualified delivery partner to deliver nationally coordinated research that strengthens genetic resistance to Ascochyta blight in chickpea, lentil and faba bean and Botrytis grey mould in faba bean. The investment will build on the successful chickpea Ascochyta blight resistance framework developed through previous GRDC investments, including established phenotyping protocols, genetic tools and improved resistance sources. This framework will be leveraged to develop and standardise industry- accepted disease screening methods for lentil and faba bean, generate and publish resistance performance data, and deliver practical genetic tools and resistance-enriched germplasm that can be used by breeding organisations to accelerate the release of improved chickpea, lentil and faba bean varieties for Australian growers.

Australia

2026-06-01