THE launch of the new InVigor brand of hybrid canola looks set to have an immediate impact in the canola landscape, with the first triazine-tolerant (TT) hybrid variety already predicted to top most National Variety Trials (NVT) in WA and seed sold out for the coming season.
The new InVigor T 4510 from Bayer is a significant breakthrough not just in peak performance, but also in reliability across a wide range of environments.
Bayer seed agronomist David Peake said the early to mid-maturing TT hybrid made a strong impression with growers who had hosted trials of the variety since 2013, led by its vigour and yields.
This has been further backed by 2016 NVT, with InVigor T 4510 predicted to top yields at Kellerberrin, Katanning, Williams, Buntine, Dandaragan, Scaddan, Kojonup and Greenough, achieving up to 4.6 tonnes per hectare, and also recording competitive oil contents.
The TT hybrid is well ahead of the Bonito and Stingray varieties in the trials, which have accounted for about 60 per cent of WA canola plantings, while it is also tipped to achieve higher yields than other leading hybrid TT lines including 44T02 and Hyola 559.
Oil levels with InVigor T 4510 are slightly lower than with Hyola 559, but its higher yields provide for stronger return on investment.
A demonstration trial of the variety near Coorow produced similar results to the NVT, with InVigor T 4510 yielding 2.2 t/ha compared with Bonito at 1.9t/ha.
Oil levels were similar.
Mr Peake said InVigor T 4510 was ideally suited to low-medium and medium rainfall areas and could offer strong yields in higher rainfall areas, where the added use of Aviator, Xpro or Prosaro fungicides would ensure in-crop blackleg and sclerotinia disease protection.
“It offers higher returns for growers than well-established OP (open pollinated) and TT hybrid varieties,” Mr Peake said.
Bayer has also launched the InVigor R 5520P Roundup Ready (RR) hybrid variety that is one of the leading lines in NVT in southern WA.
It features the popular PodGuard trait from Bayer that reduces pod shattering in standing crops and at harvest.
PodGuard effectively allows later windrowing or direct heading – also aiding harvest program management – and distinct yield advantages through the extended maturing and reduced harvest losses.
The reduced seed loss also reduces volunteer canola the following year, which has caused problems for some growers.
Mr Peake said InVigor R 5520P meant growers across mid and mid-late zones could now access the benefits of reduced shattering, following on from those in early-mid zones who had been growing the first released PodGuard variety, IH 51 RR.
Bayer said its recently released dual-tolerant (TT plus RR) hybrid variety, 3000 TR, is also again out-performing alternative RT varieties at NVT sites and seed is sold out for the coming season.
The shorter season variety is well adapted to early and early to mid growing season areas.
Bayer 3000 TR was the highest yielding variety at the Corrigin NVT at 2.95 t/ha, compared with Hyola 525RT at 2.55 t/ha, Bonito at 2.54 t/ha and Stingray at 2.52t/ha.
It is the earliest flowering hybrid on the market, but it has the ability to adapt to seasonal conditions.
Mr Peake said 3000 TR was the only dual tolerant hybrid suited to low and medium rainfall areas and could be used in situations where farmers wanted the additional weed control of dual herbicide tolerance.
