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Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 4. Seed Bed Preparation, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The occurrence of root rots in wheat crops in relation to seed bed preparation was studied in a series of field experiments.

Results suggest depth of cultivation has little effect upon the incidence of root diseases.

Ploughing of the seed bed reduced the amount of root rot compared with scarifying and also gave higher yields.

However, the increased yield appears to be mainly due to better control of weeds.

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 1. The Role Of Oats After Ley, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The role of oats in relation to root diseases of wheat was examined at four of the State Wheat Research Stations.

Several recognised pathogenic organisms were isolated in the course of the investigation, the most important being Ophiobolus graminis, which is the cause of "take-all."

Results suggest that one year under oats after clover ley is sufficient to reduce the incidence of take-all, except when seasonal conditions are extremely favourable to the disease.

In areas where take-all is a problem, wheat planted after a first crop of oats can sometimes give a higher yield than a first crop of wheat. …

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 5. The Evaluation Of Fungicidal Treatments, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The use of fungicides, either as seed or soil dressings, for the control of root rotting diseases of wheat, was examined in a series of field experiments.

Results suggest that seed dressings have no effect on the incidence of root rotting fungi in the mature crop.

When fungicides were applied to the soil, a reduction in the incidence of take-all was noted in one experiment, but the same treatments had toxic effects on plants in a second similar experiment.

Yield And Flour Quality Of Early Maturing Wheat Varieties, J A. Parish, J. T. Reeves

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

DESIRABLE milling characteristics have for many years ensured a ready market for Australian wheat. Present demand for Australian wheat is strong and the sale of the 1961 harvest is assured.

Cereal Products Adviser J. A. Parish, B.Sc. (Agric.) and Plant Breeder J. T. Reeves, M.Sc. (Agric.) describe and explain the tests on the results of which wheat variety recommendations are based.

Detailed results of yield and quality tests from early maturing wheat variety trials are included.

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 2. Relative Susceptibility Of Wheat And Barley, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ROOT ROTS of wheat and barley are caused by several fungi, the most important in Western Australia being Fusarium spp., Helminthosporium sativum and Ophiobolus graminis.

Local surveys have shown that the incidence of each organism varies with district and also depends on other factors, such as seasonal conditions and cultural practices.

The relative susceptibility of wheat and barley to these fungi has never been studied in detail under local conditions, although many such investigations have been conducted overseas.

Farming Without Fallow, H M. Fisher

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

UNDER the more intensive cropping rotations common in the early development of the cereal areas of Western Australia bare fallowing was a basic technique in cereal production.

By ploughing the land in July or August and keeping it bare of vegetation for nine or ten months, either by grazing or cultivation, a substantial beneficial effect on the subsequent crop could be expected.

Downy Mildew Of Wheat, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

DOWNY MILDEW is caused by the fungus Sclerospora macrospora Sacc. and is almost solely confined to waterlogged areas in paddocks of heavy soil types.

Generally, the disease is most evident in crab-hole gimlet country.

Frost Injury Of Wheat, S C. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Late spring frosts commonly reduce yields and affect the quality of grain in many wheat crops- especially throughout the southern, eastern and north-eastern districts.

The damage is usually localised on individual farms, but occasionally widespread damage occurs in the south of the State.