Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) has unveiled a breakthrough in barley breeding, releasing the world’s first dual herbicide tolerant variety, combining ImiTol™ and CoAxium® technologies.
World-First Barley Variety Offers Dual Herbicide Tolerance
The new variety, called AGT-Bunyip IA, is tolerant to both imidazolinone herbicides and Aggressor® herbicide, offering growers unprecedented flexibility in managing herbicide carry-over and controlling tough in-crop weeds, particularly brome grass and barley grass.
AGT barley breeder Paul Telfer said the development marked a major step forward for Australian growers.
“AGT-Bunyip IA is the first barley in the world to combine these two powerful herbicide tolerances,” Dr Telfer said. “It gives growers real flexibility to manage both herbicide carry-over in their rotations and difficult grass weeds in-crop.”
The dual tolerance means growers can confidently sow AGT-Bunyip IA after a Clearfield® or imidazolinone-tolerant crop to mitigate the risk of residual herbicide carry-over. At the same time, Aggressor® herbicide can be used in-crop for robust weed and volunteer cereal control, or either tolerance system can be deployed as needed.
AGT barley breeders Paul Telfer and Stewart Coventry
According to AGT, the variety is already showing its strength in yield performance. Trials indicate it consistently outperforms Maximus CL, currently the most widely grown variety, and is highly adaptable across different environments, from WA to NSW.
The plant type is described as compact, offering improved standability compared to taller varieties such as Titan AX, while maintaining a similar maturity and growth habit to Maximus CL.
“We see AGT-Bunyip IA as a natural replacement for Maximus CL,” Dr Telfer said. “It maintains the agronomic package growers know and trust, while lifting yields and offering greater herbicide application options.”
The variety has also entered the Grains Australia malt accreditation program, but for the time being will be deliverable as Feed.
The dual herbicide tolerance package reflects AGT’s ongoing investment in breeding crops that deliver both productivity and practicality on farm.
“Our breeding focus is on creating varieties that make life easier and more profitable for growers,” Dr Telfer said. “This world-first barley is a prime example of that commitment.”
Seed of AGT-Bunyip IA is available now through AGT Affiliates and local retailers.
AGT-Bunyip IA fact sheets can be found here:
WA fact sheet: https://loom.ly/CBsESdY
SA, Vic, NSW fact sheet: https://loom.ly/ozyqcuo
ImiTol™ and CoAxium® information sheet: https://loom.ly/GeH2jeo
