Life Sciences Commons^™

Summary Of 1974 Dock Control Field Trials, J M. Allen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Dock control - Spray graze evaluations - 73BY8, 73HA4, 73BU5, 73MA6, 73DE6 Dicamba in pastures - 73AL38, 73BU9, 73AR9

1974 Seed Yield Of Early Maturing Crossbreds Under Wheatbelt Conditions, C. M. Francis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Small plot trials sited at Merredin, Bencubbin and Bungil again demonstrated the 'bred' varieties to be at least the equal of Geraldton or Northam A under wheatbelt conditions. Growing season conditions at Bencubbin were the best for pasture in recent years. Merredin and Bungil also received above average rainfall but encountered dry conditions in September. Predictably the coarse siliceous nature of the Wodgil soil at Bungil in conjunction with the dry period produced very low seed yields. Crossbred 175.1.3 the leading crossbred at Merredin in 1973, was again significantly better than Geraldton or Northam A at Merredin and Bungil (Table …

Summary Of Trial Results - 1974, N R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Observations and measurements were made on 10 grazing trials and 11 small-plot legume species trials in 1974. Three of the grazing trials were under crop, two of them concluding low oestrogen species trials which had been grazed since 1969, and one of them, 68M023, West Moora, as an interval between pasture phases. The small-plot trials dated from 1970 or later and on most of them half of each plot could be grazed by sheep and half was protected. These trials have continued to supply useful information on the suitabiliy of cultivars to soil and climate and will be the subject …

1975 South West Sub.Clover Root Rot - 1975 Cultivation Experiments, M J. Barbetti, G C. Macnish

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials were established in 1975 in the South West of WA to investigate the effect of time of cultivation, and nitrogen application, upon the incidence and severity of both tap and lateral root rot subterranean clover. Nitrogen application had little in the way of consistent effects. Cultivation reduced the levels of both tap and lateral root rot in many instances. These effects were most obvious and consistent at about the end of May. Cultivation just prior to or just after the break of season were the best cultivation treatments. Cultivation does appear to show some promise as a means of …

1975 Part 1 - Rates And Times Of Potassium Applications On Lupins Cv Unicrop, W. J. Cox

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

K McQueen - Eneabba - 75TS1 I. Soil analysis II. Plant counts III. Seasonal dry matter production g/20 plants IV. Grain yield kg/ha harvested November 7, 1975 V. K, Ca, Mg and N in plants (a) effect of time of sampling (b) Effect of plant part on K concentration VI. K Ca, Mg and N uptake

The Doublegee Problem In Western Australia, D J. Gilbey

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

Doublegee is native to South Africa and is now naturalised as a serious weed of crops and pastures throughout the temperate areas of Australia.

Doublegee was introduced for cultivation as a vegetable by English migrants to the Swan River Colony in 1830, and a bed of doublegees is known to have been sown at Mr. J. Phillips' property on the Canning River in 1833. However, the plant soon became a troublesome weed and its name was changed from Cape spinach to Tanner's curse and later to doublegee.

More than 180 doublegee seedlings per square metre have been counted in a …

Kenaf : A Possible Multi-Purpose Crop For The Ord River Irrigation Area, I M. Wood

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

Kenaf is a tropical crop which shows promise for use in paper pulp, oil and protein production; the young growth is a nutritious animal feed.

It has proved a highly productive crop in the Ord River Irrigation area, raising speculation about its possible use as a commercial crop there. In this article a CSIRO research worker describes the properties of kenaf and reviews research results with the crop on the Ord

Lupin Breeding In Western Australia : The Narrow-Leaf Lupin (Lupinus Angustifolius), John Sylvester Gladstones

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

Over the past seven years the narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) has become a significant crop plant in Western Australia.

The present crop varieties are the result of a long-term breeding programme started in 1954 with the aim of producing a broad-acre crop from a plant well adapted to our light soils but with a number of characteristics which precluded its use for cropping.

To an original sweet narrowleafed lupin, soft-seededness, nonshattering pods, early flowering and a distinctive appearance to distinguish it from bitter types were progressively added.

The author of this article, Dr. J. S. Gladstones, began lupin breeding at …

Growing Sunflowers In South-Western Australia, M L. Poole

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

The oil produced from sunflowers falls into the "polyunsaturated" group and usually commands a premium price on world markets.

Some Western Australian farmers seeking to diversify their cropping programmes in the face of marketing difficulties for many agricultural products are trying sunflowers, although commercial production has not yet been achieved.

This article sets out some basic information for farmers wishing to try sunflowers.

1974 Field Experiments On Legume Seed Inoculation, D. L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The response of sweet lupins to inoculation in Western Australia Before proceeding with details of the six lupin inoculation experiments conducted in 1974 the following comments are presented as a brief summary of the work so far done on lupin inoculation. Thirty nine inoculation experiments with sweet lupins (mainly Lupinus angustifolius var. Uniwhite, Uniharvest and Unicrop have been conducted in South-Western Australia since 1970. They have been drill-sown under farmer conditions and they have been aimed at finding where it is necessary to inoculate and the best method of inoculating seed. Of the 39 trials, 36 gave better nodulation following …

Summary Of 1975 Field Experiments With Advisers: "Rape Blackleg Disease Fungicide Trials", M J. Barbetti

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

During 1973 and 1974 a large range of fungicide spray and seed treatment schedules were tested. The 1973 results were, on the whole, not very encouraging, but the very early post-germination spray, two weeks after germination, did indicate a possible means of control. In view of the 1973 results, in the 1974 trials fungicidal sprays were applied early, and a new method of application of fungicide to the seed, known as "prilling" was used. Using fungicide seed prills and seedless fungicide prills the idea was to have the fungicide mixed with materials which dispersed upon wetting, so releasing and making …

1975 Phosphorus And Sulphur Sources Trials, M D. Bolland

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Sulphur sources trials (a) Newdegate Gypsum Trials: Yarloop - 75YA3, Bridgetown - 75BR10, Busselton - 75BU6, Alexandria Bridge - 75BU7. (b) Gyplap - FeS04 Trial: McAlinden - 75BY4. 2. Phosphorus source trials: E. Chittering - 75NO7A E. Chittering - 75NO7B

1975 Part 2 - Rate, Time And Frequency Of Nitrogen Application On Kikuyu, W. J. Cox

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

J. Burton,, Hazelvale 74DE7. I. Dry Matter Production kg/ha/day tables - (No Spring '74 N) (Spring N 1974) Soil Properties March 10, 1975. Total N concentration % - Tables

1975 Trials On Doublegee, D J. Gilbey

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

75A16, 75A17, 75C13, 75MO36, 75MO37, 75WH21, 75WH22. Biological control of doublegee.

1975 Mn Drilled And Sprayed On Unicrop, J. W. Gartrell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

75AL25 (with Trevenen) Mn Drilled and Sprayed on Unicrop, 75AL26, 75ES28, 785ES29, 75GE32, 75MO31, 75MO33, 75TS24, 75TS25.

1975 Evaluation Of New Subterranean Clover Cultivars, C. M. Francis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This year's trials have added little to the data already accumulated on the corssbreds 175,1 and 239.2 (Table 1). Higher seed yields at Merredin would have included some hard seed from the previous year. The lack of reliable data from the May sowings due to poor viability of some seed lines (including 175 and 239) grown at Medina was unfortunate. Data from Lake King is not yet available. Geraldton performed surprisingly well in the late sowings despite overall low seed yields. With late sowing its flowering date was within a few days of the crossbreds so that late sowing appears …

Summary Of Trial Results - 1975, N. R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. From September 1971 to late August 1974 there was a mean reduction of legume content in the medic pastures from 40 per cent to 22.0 per cent but the reduction at 7.4 sh/ha was to 31 per cent. The drop in woolly clover content on the volunteer pastures was closely similar. 2. In 1972, at 7.4 sheep/ha a difference in body weight of 7-9 kg rapidly developed in favour of sheep grazing barrel medic compared with sheep on volunteer pasture. This difference was maintained consistently throughout the trial. At lower stocking rates the differences were smaller and less consistent. …

1975 Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereals - Trials With Wheat, Oats And Barley, M. G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Rates of nitrogen on wheat - soil test - Fifty-one sites were selected and soil sampled during February- March. All these proposed trials consisted of four replications and these reps were soil sampled separately. In each rep. 20 samples were taken to 10cm depth with pogo stick samplers. In addition, from three holes at random across each trial bulk samples were obtained from the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil intervals These soil samples were air dried (if not already dry) and sieved to remove > 2 mm fraction (gravel). Portions of these < 2mm fractions from the 0-10cm samples were sent to the Government Chemical Laboratories and to C.S.B.P. & Farmers Ltd. At C.S.B.P. analyses were carried out to determine P and K content and the C.S.B.P. soil nitrogen test was also carried out on them. This measures nitrate content before and after incubation with moist soil at 32c for seven days. A measurement was also made after 14 days. At Government Chemical Laboratories analyses were to be carried for Organic carbon and for a number of nitrogen fractions, including Total Nitrogen, MH4 + NO3 Nitrogen and several incubation techniques. These were also to be determined on the profile samples, which were also to be subject to the following analyses: a) Mechanical Analysis b) pH (in water) c) Cation Exchange Capacity d) Moisture Holding Capacity All of these trials were planted except for one at Jerramungup, where the marker pegs were ploughed out by the farmer. Vegetative cuts were then taken during the August - September period on 46 of the remaining 50 sites. Three of the other four sites were abandoned because of severe waterlogging (Neridup), extreme weediness (Nugadong) or due to poor plant survival (possibly due to webworm) combined with weeds (Mallalying). The trial at Wannamal was sown to oats, by the farmer. The nitrogen treatments were still applied and the trial was retained but not sampled for dry matter production. These samples were to be analysed for nitrogen content. Dry matter production and grain yields are set out in the following tables. 61M11, 75A1. 75A2, 75A3, 75AL1, 75AL2, 75BA2, 75BA3, 75BR1, 75BR2, 75C1, 75C2, 75C3, 75E2, 75E3, 75ES1, 75ES2, 75ES4, 75GE1, 75GE2, 75GE3, 75JE1, 5JE2, 75KA1, 75KA2, 75LG1, 75LG2, 75LG3, 75M2, 75M3,75M4, 75ME1, 75ME2, 75ME3, 75MO1, 75MO2, 75MO4, 75MT2, 75MT3, 75N1, 75N2, 75N3, 75NA1, 75NA3. 75NA4, 75NO2, 75NO3, 75SG1, 75SG2, 75TS2, 75TS3, 75TS4, 75WH4, 75WH5, 75WH6, 75WH7.

1975 Wild Oat Genotype X Environment Interaction, J Patterson

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

To investigate the interrelationships between wild oat (Avena sativa; fatua form) genotypes, herbicide treatment and time of application. Method: Split plot glasshouse (Forrestfield) experiment Reps (3) - plus three internal reps. Genotypes (5) - selected from north to south of southwest Western Australia Herbicides (4) - Avenge, S29761, Neoban, Water (Control) Times (6) - Average of 1 to 6 leaf stage Main plots were times and herbicides. Results: The following parameters were measured. .Growth stage at each time of application (number of leaves) .Height at each time of application .Date of full head emergence .Dry weight at full head emergence …

1975 Weed Trials - Annual Ryegrass, Spray Top, Broadleaved Weeds In Cereals, Wild Oats, G. A. Pearce

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Ryegrass in cereals - 75A24, 75E16, 75G16, 75LG5, 75N19, 75NO32. Spray top annual ryegrass trial - Locality - Wongan Hills, Merredin Research Station Avondale Research Station, Newdegate Research Station. Background - Killing of immature seed by killing seedhead with paraquat is a method of reducing seed production in annual ryegrass. Method Various rates of 'Spray top' were applied to an even stand of ryegrass. Seed counts were made in December 1975 and will be made in March 1976. Plant counts after emergence will be made as well. Counts were partitioned into seed in head and seed shed. Herbicide control of …

Evaluation Of The Systemic Nematicide Phenamiphos To Control The Nematode Anguina Sp In Toxic Ryegrass Pasture, B A. Stynes

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Field trials done in 1974 showed that phenamiphos could be used to control Anguina sp. and suggested that low rates may be effective with critical timing of applications. These possibilities were investigated in 1975. Locality - Katanning - F. Quartermaine and c. Butterworth. Gnowangerup - J. Griffith. Tables 1 and 2 show the absolute levels of nematodes in ryegrass seed and the density of nematodes per unit area of pasture after treatment with phenamiphos. All rates of nematicide reduced the level and density of nematodes; the highest rate being slightly more effective. The spray schedule including sprays in July and …

1975 Weed Control In Lupin Investigations, J M. Allen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. The results with pre emergence herbicides confirm previous recommendations of simazine 1.25 kg/ha on heavy soil and diuron 1.25 kg/ha on light soils with the following modification. a) Simazine rates need to be increased to 3 kg/ha on very early (April) sovm crops in southern areas. b) Simazine has not damaged lupins in southern areas and where ryegrass is a major problem on sandy soils (i.e. Esperance) it is likely to give better responses than diuron. 2. As suspected in previous years simazine can by way of effective weed control produce a marked lupin vegetative response without any increase …

Reduction Soursob Twelve Months After Treaqtment In Cereal Crops, J R. Peirce

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Locations - Dangin / midstyle variety of soursob, Greenough / midstyle variety, Kalgoorlie Mt Monger Station chemical control of matriciaria, Northam - common short-style variety, Quairading ryegrass control in cereals, Wagin / midstyled variety of soursob in cereals.

Promising Results With Pineapples At Carnarvon, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Pineapples were investigated commercially in Carnarvon in the early 1930's but drought, sunscorch, alkaline soils and problems with transport and marketing caused the infant industry to collapse in 1936.

Recently however, trials at Gascoyne Research Station have shown that pineapples can produce good yields of high quality fruit in the area.

The trials have been aimed at establishing the viability of pineapple production at Carnarvon and have been carried out by officers of the Horticulture Division.

Virus Diseases In Agriculture, George Mclean

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

Viruses are extremely small particles which can only be seen with an electron microscope. A virus is present in a diseased plant as huge numbers of tiny particles within the cells of the plant. Viruses which are infectious can cause disease, and reproduce only inside the cells of a living plant.

Many insects transmit plant virus diseases—aphids, leafhoppers, mealy bugs, thrips and beetles. Generally a virus is spread by only one of these groups of insects.

The Western Australian Department of Agriculture is expanding the diagnostic service for the identification of plant viruses.

Blackleg Of Rapeseed, A Bokor, M. J. Barbetti, A. G. P. Brown, G. C. Mac Nish, P. Mcr. Wood

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

Unless blackleg can be controlled there is little future for rapeseed as a major commercial crop in W.A.

Until 1972, oilseed rape showed great promise as an alternative cash crop for Western Australian farmers, especially in the Great Southern and south coastal areas.

However, like most other cruciferous crops, rape is prone to attack from diseases and insect pests. Most of these can be controlled, but the fungus disease blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) emerged as a major threat to the industry.

Clearly, unless the disease can be controlled, there is little future for rapeseed as a major commercial crop in Western …

Prospects For A Successful Rape Crop, M J. Barbetti, A. G. P. Brown, P. Mcr. Wood

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

Since the disastrous 1972 season, when blackleg disease reached epidemic proportions, rapeseed production has declined dramatically. With attractive prices for rapeseed in prospect many farmers may be trying this crop again.

If the risk of loss from blackleg could be assessed early in the season it would assist in deciding whether rape would be an economic proposition.

Peanuts For The Ord, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Peanuts were extensively tested in experiments on the Ord River in the early 1950s, but it is only recently that varieties better adapted to heavier soils have re-opened prospects of commercial production.

The new varieties remain dormant after maturity and an irrigation just before harvesting allows the crop to be lifted with the soil friable enough to reduce harvesting losses and the amount of soil sticking to the kernels.

These varieties have been extensively tested in Department of Agriculture trials at Kimberley Research Station since 1958, and preliminary recommendations for crop production and pest and disease control have been formulated.

Decide : How Much Superphosphate, G A. Robertson, J. W. Bowden, N. J. Halse

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

* A 400 per cent increase in ihe price of superphosphate has reduced the economic optimum rates of super for crops and pastures in 1975.

* Many factors, both biological and economic, must be taken into account in determining the rate of superphosphate to apply.

• DECIDE, a model developed by CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture, provides a formal system in which all these factors can be considered.

• DECIDE is based on the results of all research on superphosphate carried out in Western Australia. However, each farmer's own knowledge of his farm, the soils, crops and animals is …

Breeding Better Rape And Lineseed For Western Australia, N N. Roy, J. Reeves

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

Rapeseed and linseed—the main oil seed crops grown in the south-west of Western Australia—have both been beset by problems which have limited farmers' interest in them.

Rapeseed was first grown commercially in 1970, when wheat quotas and low prices for other cereals forced farmers to seek alternative cash crops. The area sown to rapeseed increased rapidly, but disastrous outbreaks of the disease blackleg caused rapid decline, and little rapeseed is now sown.

Linseed has been grown in W.A. for more than 30 years. Linseed rust proved disastrous but was overcome by the introduction and breedbreeding of rust-resistant varieties. In recent …