Life Sciences Commons^™

New Medics Show Promise In The Northern Wheatbelt, Colin Mcdonald, Bradley Nutt

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

For more than 20 years Cyprus barrel medic has been the mainstay of pastures grown on the medium to heavy red clay loamss of Western Australia'slow rainfall wheatbelt. However, since the early1980s its resistance to aphids has declined followed by reduced productivitymand persistence.

Fortunately, a six year research program at Tenibdewa, near Mullewa, is on target to prove the superiority of Parabinga barrel medic and a mixture of Serena and Santiago burr medics. These varieties, which had not been widley tested in the region, generally out-perform Cyprus in all aspects because of their higher tolerance of aphids.

Breeding Phomopsis-Resistant Lupins, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

The release of Gungurru and Yorrel lupins marks the coming of age of the narrow-leafed lupin as a crop plantt. These are the first cultivars of the species th have substantial resistance to Phomopsis stem blight, which will make the stubbles much safer for grazing stock.

This article describes the new lupins, their background, and how they were bred. It also acknowledges the contributions of colleagues who helped in important ways.

Santiago Extends The Range Of Burr Medics, Clinton K. Revell, Michael Ewing

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

The release of Santiago follows an extensive Department of Agriculture testing programme conducted primarily in the 325 to 425 mm rainfall zone. Santiago substantially outperformed both Serena and Circle Valley and was the best amongst the large number of non-commercial medic varieties tested. About 500J000 ha were sown to burr medic between 1983 and 1988 and the Department of Agriculture expects that the release of Santiago will result in additional new plantings from

Murex Medic : A New Pasture Species, Dennis J. Gillespie

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

Murex medic (Medicago murex) is a new species of medic not previously used commercially anywhere in the world. The first variety, Zodiac, was developed by the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and released to seed producers throughout Australia in 1988. Other varieties are being evaluated and further releases are likely in a few years.

Serradella Prospects At Esperance, Michael D A Bolland

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

Yellow serradells is a promising introduced annual legume suitable for some of Western Australia's well drained sandy acid soils where other pasture legumes failto persist.

In the Esperance area serradella grows siccessfully on some sandy soils more than 0.5 metres deep. I develops deep roots rapidly - up to three times deeper than subterranean clover - and this is probably the main reason for its persistance.

At present only two late maturing, registered serradella cultivars are available to farmers in southern Australia. This article describes research at Esperance to delect earlier flowering cultivars for persistence in areas with less than …

Reduced-Branching Lupins, R J. Delane, J. Hamblin, J. S. Gladstones

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

The flowering time of present narrow-leafed lupin varieties is now probably correct for most of Western Australia's grain growing areas. However lupin yields are frequently not as high as might be expected, in either low or high yielding sistuations, and further marked yield improvements seem theoretically possible. A likely reason for seed yields being below expectations is the growth and development pattern of present lupin varieties.

Some new lupin types in which branching is suppressed genetically - known as reduced-branching types - are being studied. These types could be useful in some lupin growing areas to help overcome seed yield …

Preventing Lupinosis With Phomopsis-Resistant Lupins, Jeremy G. Allen, W. A. Cowling

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

Lupinosis is one of the major livestock siseases in Western Australia. It is caused by stock eating toxins produced by the fungus Phomopsis leptostromiformis which colonises the stems of dead lupin plants.

In 975, the Department of Agriculture started a breeding programme to develop Phompsis-resistant lupins to overcome or control lupinosis. In the previous issue of this Journal the results of small plot evaluations of new lines of Phompsis-resistant lupins developed in this programme were reported. This article describes the first trial involving grazing of Phompsis-resistant lupins.

Breeding Wheat Varieties For Acid Soils, I R. Barclay

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

Wheat varieties with improved tolerance of acid soils cold increase yeilds be perhaps 20 per cent or more over a substantialarea ofWestern Australia's eastern wheatbelt.

Aluminium toxicity is probably the main cause of poor root growth and therefore reduced yields on these soils.

Crop Variety Testing And Recommendations, H M. Fisher

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

From 1984 onwards, the Department of Agriculture's crop variety recommendations for Western Australia will be set out in a new format directly related to the 18 variety testing areas into which the South-West has been divided. These divisions should enable growers to more readily identify the recommendations which apply to their area. In addition, yield data on the varieties are provided for each area.

The recommendations are the culmination of a lenghty process of breeding, selection and testing of crop varieties. This article gives the background to the tests and how the results are used as the basis for the …

Another Variety For Northern Areas : Illyarrie Lupin, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Department of Agriculture has released another new lupin variety for the northern agricultureal areas. It is a sweet narrow-leafed lupin named Illyarrie.

Tincurrin : A New Biscuit Wheat, J T. Reeves, H. M. Fisher, G. B. Crosbie

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

Although a demand has existed both locally and overseas for soft wheat suitable for biscuits, cakes and various confectioneries, production has been very limited.

In 1978 farmers in the soft wheat area will be able to grow the higher yielding variety Tincurrin.

It is recommended for general sowing to replace all varieties grown at present in the soft wheat areas as defined.Exceptions may prevail in areas prone to rust snd septoria problems.

Wesreo : A Blackleg Resistant Rapeseed, N N. Roy

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

A new rapeseed variety, Wesreo, has recently been released after an unusually rapid and successful breeding programme by the Department of Agriculture.

Wesreo has fairly good resistance to the disease blackleg, which virtually halted the expanding rapeseed industry in 1973.

Seed Kikuyu Performs Well, K E. Hawley

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

The kikuya variety, Whittet, which can be established from seed has performed well in a trial at Denmark.

Five New Clovers Bring Change In Pasture Recommendations, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The release of five new subterranean clovers should improve pastures throughout farming areas.

This article summarises the new recommendations.

Crop Recommendations (1975) And Variety Trials (1973-1974), Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Variety recommendations for 1975 were derived mainly from results of 259 trials conducted at 60 sites in 1973. The main programme included wheat, oat, barley and lupin trials sown at 43 sites in wheatbelt areas; biscuit wheat trials on 12 sites in southern medium and high rainfall areas, and special hard wheat trials on 12 heavy land sites in low rainfall areas.

Also included was a series of early-sowing trials with lupins, wheat and barley; linseed trials in southern coastal areas, and preliminary wheat, oat and barley variety trials on research stations.

Testing Grain Crops, H M. Fisher

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

TODAY'S competitive markets for crop products stress the need for greater awareness of buyers' requirements and more detailed knowledge about our ability to supply them.

Crop varieties and their performance in different environments are important aspects of production potential.

The Making Of A New Pasture Variety, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

FARMERS who attend field days at Department of Agriculture research stations are reasonably familiar with the procedure for producing a new cereal variety. It involves a painstaking and tedious process of crossing, followed by many years of segregation, selection and testing for yield, disease resistance, and other characters.

Although there are many pitfalls, the procedure for the creation of a new cereal variety is at least fairly well systematised.

Until recently the making of a new pasture variety was far from a systematic undertaking.

Wren Wheat Unimpressive In West Australian Trials, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

WREN WHEAT, the subject of current controversy in the Eastern States, has been tested in trials in Western Australia and the results have indicated that it is not likely to yield well in this State.

New Varieties Top 1967 Yield Tests, H M. Fisher

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

LARGE gains can result from using improved cereal varieties and in recent years activity in breeding varieties adapted to local conditions has increased.

The varieties available and their suitability for different areas and conditions need constant review.

Oat Variety Trials, 1965, J L. Mcmullan, J. A. Parish

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

M l 2 8 , an early midseason fixed crossbred bred at the Merredin Research Station, Avon and P8304, a late midseason fixed crossbred from N.S.W, were the highest yielding oats in last year's trials.

Irwin was the highest yielding oat of early maturity.

Barley Variety Trials, 1965, J L. Mcmullan, J. A. Parish

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

The highest yielding varieties in the 1965 barley variety trials were the two-row crossbred A l l , the white grained six-row varieties Arivat, Gem and Glacier and the recently-named two-row variety Dampier (previously known as W45).

Cereal Yield Tests In 1966, H M. Fisher

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

FARMER'S main guide in his choice of a cereal variety is its capacity to produce high overall yields of saleable grain over many years in a particular district.

Assessment Of New Potato Varieties In Western Australia, D. C. Hosking

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

THE Mediterranean type of climate and low elevation of land in the South-West of Western Australia permits a year-round cycle of potato planting.

An early crop is planted in frost-free areas in June and July for harvest between October and December.

This is followed by a midseason crop, planted in August-October for harvest between December and March, and a late crop, planted November-April for harvest between March and September

Cereal Variety Testing : A New Approach, H M. Fisher

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

One hundred and twenty large scale trials will be planted at 38 centres in the Department of Agriculture's expanding cereal variety testing programme.

ACCORDING to statistical returns West Australian farmers grow well over 100 varieties of cereals. More than 80 of these are different varieties of wheat.

Only a few varieties are widely grown so one might ask why farmers continue to grow so many of the less popular types.

The obvious answer is that they believe such varieties to be both suitable and profitable for their particular conditions.

Oat Variety Trials, 1964, J L. Mcmullan, J. A. Parish

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

AVON and the new fixed crossbred from N.S.W., * P8304, were the highest yielding oats in the last season's trials.

These are of midseason maturity. The highest yielding oats of early maturity were Irwin and Kent.

Barley Variety Trials, 1964, J L. Mcmullan, J. A. Parish

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

The most promising varieties in last year's trials were the 2 row crossbreds W44 and W45 and the 6 row white grained variety Atlas 57.

BARLEY variety trials were located on four Research Stations and on farmers' properties at Northampton, Tammin and Mt. Barker. Brief details of the characteristics of the varieties and crossbreds under test were given in a previous article.

Barley Variety Trials, 1962 And 1963, J L. Mcmullan

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

TO ASSESS their yielding ability and grain quality, varieties of barley are grown each year by the Department of Agriculture.

The trials are located on Research Stations in the cereal-growing areas.

Wheat Breeding And Variety Trials, 1963-64, J T. Reeves

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

A review of the wheat breeding and pedigree seed production by the Department of Agriculture.

Yields from the wheat variety trials at agricultural research stations during the 1963-64 season are presented and discussed.

Oat Variety Trials, 1962 And 1963, J L. Mcmullan

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

OAT variety trials were located on a number of Research Stations and, in 1963, on three other properties in the higher rainfall areas.

These three trials contained only varieties of midseason maturity.

The location of the test centres is given in the tables, while brief details of the varieties and crossbreds under test in the period 1962-64, inclusive, are given in Table 1.

Linseed Variety Trials, 1963-64 Season, J T. Reeves

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

RESULTS of 1963-64 linseed variety trials are available for four trials on research stations and for four trials on farmers' properties.

These are shown in the table below. Excellent yields were obtained at some sites, while disappointing results were obtained at Chapman and Esperance.

Poor results at Esperance were due to the poor finish to the season.