Life Sciences Commons^™

Soil And Plant Water Studies On Wheat Summary Of Results 1969/70, D Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Location

Trials were carried out within a radius of 5 miles of

Tammin on the properties of Messrs P. York and B. Nottage.

Sites represented deep sand, sandy loam, sand/clay and grey

clay soil types.

Cropping Investigations, M L. Poole

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The Mexican semi-dwarf wheat varieties have performed very well under high fertility conditions overseas. There is considerable evidence that they have greater potential for yield than the Australia spring varieties because of greater number of flowers set per spikelet. In this trial Falcon and Pitic were grown under almost optimal conditions for dryland wheat growing in Western Australia. The trial was planted early (21st May) into a completely weed free seedbed. Nutrition was near optimal. Seasonal conditions were near perfect. Grain yields were extremely high for Western Australia. Pities reputed superior potential for yield/unit area was not expressed under these …

Replacement Of Sub Clover, A C. Devitt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This is a progress report in summary form outlining results obtained from trials studying clover replacement and evaluating Midland B, Dinninup 3, some members of Trifolium subterraneum subspecies yanninicum, Tornafield medic and Cyfield medic. Some comments are also included on two glasshouse experiments. In most cases complete results have been or will be circulated in report form. Eight trials examining techniques of subterranean clover replacement were continued in 1969, one other (Avondale Research Station) was discontinued due to the atypical nature of the site. 'I'wo trials, one at Narrogin (68NA12) and one at Katanning (68KA6) were commenced in 1969. Weather …

Time Of Application Of Solid Nitrogen Fertilisers., M G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The current recommendations for time of application of soild nitrogen fertilisers such as urea, ammonium nitrate and sulphate of ammonia are:

Zone A: These fertilisers should be applied as close to seeding as possible.

Zone B: As for zone A except on very sandy soils which are very prone to leaching, where application can be delayed 2-3 weeks.

Zone C: Applications should be delayed about 3 weeks after seeding.

The Fate Of Nitrogen In N-P Compound Fertiliser Urea And Ammonium Nitrate., M G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial: 69WH4

Aim of Trial : to follow the movement of nitrogen in the soil and to follow the chemical changes of the nitrogen applied as N-P compound 24 :24, urea and ammonium nitrate. Also to follow the pattern of uptake of this nitrogen by the plants. To compare the effects of these fertilisers on the yields of wheat and to relate differences to changes in the nitrogen fractions in the soil and to nitrogen and phosphorus in the plants.

Soil And Tissue Testing For Potassium., Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

No meaningful conclusions can be drawn until the multiple regression analysis comparing soil and plant parameters with level of response has been completed. Similarly it is extremely dangerious to extrapolate results obtained from any one experiement in a particular district to the general farm situation. In addition these results represent only 1 rather atypical season and so need to be verified by additional calibration trials. in 1973 (40) and 1974 (20).

List Of Experiment Programmes 1969 -1970, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

T. Albertsen, maintenance phosphorus and sulphur, continuous cropping with NPS, sulphur status in high rainfall areas. J. Cripps, (jointly with B Luren), experiments at Stoneville research station and on growers’ properties. A.C. Devitt, replacement of legume pasture, evaluation of Midland b, competitive ability of some sub clovers. Evaluation of Dinninup 3. Evaluation of Tornafield medic 1967. Evaluation of some medics 1968. Evaluation of Northam A crossbreds. Effect of phosphate on growth of medics 1968. Effect of Urea on growth of subclover on new land. Effect of Urea on established legume pastures. Pasture species establishment and persistence. Evaluation of pasture species …

Recommended Cereal Varieties : 1969, H M. Fisher, J. T. Reeves, J. A. Parish

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

Cereal varieties widely recommended for growing in 1969 are Gamenya and Falcon wheats, Dampier and Beecher barleys and Swan oats.

Other varieties include the new wheat Darkan, which is recommended only for the higher rainfall areas, the rust resistant wheats Mengavi and Gamut, and Irwin oats for late sowing in northeastern districts.

Chemical Ploughing, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

PROGRESS in the field of chemical weed control has been spectacular in recent years. One field that is attracting interest is the idea of replacing cultivation with chemical sprays.

Weed Control In Pastures : A Practical Approach For Sheep Areas, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

IN the past, chemical treatments for the control of weeds in pastures have been costly and severe on pasture, and have had to be repeated over a number of years. The method outlined in this article overcomes nearly all these disadvantages.

Lupins In Western Australia. 1. Species And Varieties, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

First in a series of articles on the varieties, cultivation and uses of lupins in Western Australia.

Lupins are ideally suited to the climate and soils of many districts of Western Australia and their cultivation here dates from the early years of the century.

However, although there were some 500,000 acres of lupins growing in the State in 1968, their cultivation in recent years has been largely limited to infertile sandplain soils where other legumes usually fail.

Lupins In Western Australia. 2. Cultivation Methods, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

While lupins are by and large plants of lighter and less fertile soils, important differences exist among them in their soil preferences.

There may also be some differences in climatic requirements. Present knowledge of these differences is summarized in the Table below.

Fertility Build-Up In Wheatbelt Soils, M D. Carroll

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Areas of loamy sand from Wongan Hills Research Station, which had carried subterranean clover for varying numbers of years, were sampled at five depth intervals to 60 cm. Wheat yield and a range of soil properties were related to numbers of years under subterranean clover. (W56H)

Lupin And Serradella Inoculation Experiments, D L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

BACKGROUND: During 1967 there were a number of reports of poor establishment of Weiko and Uniwhite lupins. Because of the possibility of either delayed nodulation or insufficient nitrogen fixation being involved, an experiment was conducted during 1968 to examine a range of lupin rhizobia isolates in the field (a summary of this experiment was circulated during 1969). In this experiment two strains, WU425 and WU43, showed sufficient promise to warrant additional testing in 1969.

Agronomy Of Low Alkaloid Lupins - Preliminary Investigations, C M. Francis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Although the value of leguminous crops in the pattern of Western Australia's agriculture has been recognised for a number of years (Gladstones (1968))*, they have received comparatively little scientific attention. Whilst one such crop, the "sweet" lupin, has occasionally produced highly profitable yields, there is nevertheless a high incidence of near failures which may to a large degree be logically attributed to lack of knowledge of the basic agronomy of the crop. As a preliminary to more extensive trials at a large number of locations, it was proposed to study the effect of some basic agronomic practices (and of the …

Wheatbelt Trace Element Nutrition 1969, J W. Gartrell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Rates of Copper and Zinc on Wheat. 2. Rates and Sources of Zinc on Wheat: 3..Zinc Spray Treatments on Wheat.

Pasture Species Investigations - High Rainfall Area, D A. Nicholas

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Perennial Versus Annual Species Grazing Trial. D. Squire, W. Kendenup. 65MB27 2. 68NA1 Clover Cultivar Grazing Trial. 'Gilros' Pastoral Co. 1969. \ ; Clover Cul ti var Grazing Trial, Gilros Pastoral Cc;>. , · North Bannister. The aim of the trial is to investigate the production of eight subterranean clover cultivars under continuous grazing. The cultivars differ in their growth characteristics and content of ~· · oestrogenic compounds. After establishing the trial in May,1968, grazing was commenced in November, 1968. Following shearing in April, 1969, the stocking rate was increased from 2.2 and 3.0 sheep /acre to· 3.0 …

Long Term Rotation Trials, Ian Rowland

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The object of these trials is to attempt to determine the best rotation for each area or at least give some guidelines for recommendations as to the optimum rotation. Also to determine the effect of various pasture phases on the performance of the following crops and the number of crops required to utilise any accrued benefit from the pasture. In addition the trials on the Salmon Gums Research Station (68SG5) will attempt to compare cereal rotations on both volunteer and barrel medic pastures. It is also hoped to be able to get some estimate of grazing production from barrel medic …

Ammonium Nitrate Vs Urea, M G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Ammonium nitrate is a source of nitrogen containing half

its nitrogen in the ammonium form and half in the nitrate form.

Some properties are set out in comparison with urea in the

following table.

Ammonium nitrate has an advantage over urea in that it can

be topdressed onto the surface of the soil and left uncovered

without a danger of loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere. When urea

is left uncovered on the surface of the soil losses of nitrogen occur

through volatilisation of ammonia during the hydrolysis of the urea.

Such losses with ammonium nitrate are only likely to …

Evaulation Of Pastures Species, G Walton

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The 1969/70 Experimental Programme was the evaluation of pasture species, which includes both introductory evaluation in small plots and evaluation of the most promising pastures under the influence of grazing animals. GRAZING TRIALS The continuation of the evaluation of Uniwager and Daliak subclovers in two series of trials: Series 2 (medium rainfall) (2575Ex) - 68TS12 (Eneabba) 68NA15 (Bullaring) 68LG17 (East Pingrup) Series 3 (low rainfall) (2576Ex) 68GE9 (Gutha) 68M024 (Kirwin) 68ME13 (Nokaning) The comparison of Tornafield medic with suitable subclovers (2709Ex); 69M017 (Watheroo) and 69LG24 (Lake Grace). The continuation of the legume species grazing trial. 66LG11 (Lake Grace) (2225Ex) and …

The Control Of Weeds In Cereals, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

PRACTICALLY all broadleaved weeds found in cereals can now be killed with herbicides and with most, the farmer has a choice of chemicals.

Two more new products are now available and these have several advantages over other herbicides.

Nitrogen Fertiliser Survey, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE DECEMBER, 1968 issue of the "Journal of Agriculture" included, as part of an article on the economics of nitrogen fertiliser use, a lift-out section for farmers to complete and return to the Journal.

In the lift-out, farmers were asked to calculate their fertiliser costs and answer a series of questions about the use of nitrogen on their farms.

Legumes Or Artificial Nitrogen?, N J. Halse

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

Choosing between legumes and artificial nitrogen is not the problem which many farmers are making it.

This article deals with the choice in the mixed cereal and sheep farms of the Western Australian wheatbelt.

Fertility Build Up Under Northern Wheatbelt Pastures, M L. Poole

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

Experiments on two farmers' properties demonstrated that legume pastures increase the fertility of northern wheatbelt soils.

Crops on legume pastures had higher yields than crops on volunteer pasture.

The experiments also indicated the most productive legume species for each situation and demonstrated that nitrogen added by legumes has a residual effect in the soil.

Pasture Establishment In The Wheatbelt, M L. Poole

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

The value of legume based wheatbelt pastures is so great that considerable care is warranted during their establishment. Without such care patchy establishment or even complete failure is likely to occur.

IN THE WHEATBELT too many farmers still put less effort into their seeding of pasture species than their seeding of crops.

This may be because both compete for the farmer's time in the busy seeding period and it is the cereal crop which possesses the obvious cash value.

However, the total value of a good pasture has to be assessed over a period of several years because of its …

Linseed : An Alternative Crop For The South Coast, R J. Doyle, R. J. Guyton

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

IN the over-17 inch rainfall zone of the south coast region of Western Australia animal production is the main farm enterprise.

Although farmers in the main cereal growing regions of W.A. crop about one-third of their cleared land each year, farmers in the south have been reluctant to crop more than about 12 per cent, of their cleared area.

Continuous Cropping Trials, M G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The aims of the trials at Binnu, Chapman, Wongan Hills, Avondale and Merredin were:

1. To determine whether the application of nitgrogen and fertilisers can maintain yields under a "continuous cropping" system
2. To compare the merits of three sources of nitrogen for this purpose.
3. To determine the maintenance dressing of superphosphate under this system and the need for supplementary fertilisers.

Trial 61A2
There have been no great problems with this trial. for a number of years the plots have required chemical spraying to control wild oats which had built up. In 1968 and 1969 some plots were soil sampled to determine …

Phosphorus - Sulphur Trials. Higher Rainfall Areas, R N. Glencross

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Superphosphate, phosphate and sulphur maintenance, 68BR7.

Superphosphate rate, stocking rate, 62M69.

Progress report on maintenance P x S rate trials, 66NO7, 66NO11, 67BR8, 67BR9, 68B1, 69E9, 68AL3, 68AL4, 68BR5, 68BR6, 68BU1, 68BU2, 68HA1, 68NO37, 69NO5, 69AL2,69AL3,69AL14, 69BR9, 69HA8, 69NA6.

Clackline maintenance P x S trial, 66NO7, 67NO11.

Sources of sulphur, 67B6, 68B3, 68BU3, 68BU4.

Super residual lupins, 68BR29,

A Comparison Of Methods Of Urea Application At Ajana, M G. Mason, R. J. Parkin, H. Patrick

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

Compared with urea application separate from the seed, urea mixed with wheat seed delayed and reduced wheat germination, and reduced wheat yields, especially at high rates of urea.

Yields were higher where the urea was topdressed immediately before seeding than where it was top-dressed either immediately after, or two weeks after seeding.

Pasture Improvement In South Western Australia, J W. Malcolm

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

"There is no doubt that Australia's enhanced prosperity in the last 30 years has been dependent in no small measure on the use of legume-based pastures." E. M. Hutron, June, 1968. *

THE LAST 30 years have seen an increased interest in pasture improvement which has transformed much of Western Australia. Large areas have been sown to new and improved pasture species—as a result productivity of both livestock and cereal enterprises has risen.