Life Sciences Commons^™

Frost Injury To Cereals In W.A, M W. Perry, A. G. P. Brown

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

Late spring frosts commonly reduce yields and affect the quality of grain in wheat crops, especially in the southern, eastern and north-eastern districts. The damage is usually localised on individual farms, but is sometimes widespread.

Barley, and oats to a lesser extent, are also affected. Average losses of wheat in Western Australia have been estimated at 3 to 5 per cent, per year, or about 2 million bushels on current production figures.

Effect On Bees Of Insecticides Used On Rape, A C. Kessell

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

Rapeseed could provide beekeepers in Western Australia with a valuable new honey crop—hut insecticidal spraying of rape at flowering time is a potentially serious threat to most commercial beekeepers.

There are indications that insect pollination may improve rapeseed yields, so both growers and beekeepers could gain from a co-operative approach to the problem. Spraying after sundown and preventing spray drift to nearby apiaries should avoid most losses.

Kimberley Research Station Review Of Progress, 1968-71, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The potential for harnessing northern rivers flowing to the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Timor Sea was realised many years ago.

These rivers together are estimated to carry about three times the water transported annually over the Murray drainage system and the South Eastern slopes, which comprise the closely settled agricultural areas of South Eastern Australia.

The Kimberley Research Station was established in 1946 to investigate the potential for irrigated agriculture in the Ord River valley. This is a review of the Station's sixth progress report which is being published as Department of Agriculture Bulletin No. 3861.

Diseases Of Rape, A Bokor

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

A few serious outbreaks of disease occurred in rape crops in Western Australia in 1971 but future crop losses will be much greater where routine disease prevention is not practised.

Control measures for all these diseases are based on efficient destruction of crop residues by grazing and burning and by rotations which allow time for decay of below ground residues.

Symptoms Of Nutrient Deficiencies In Rape, M G. Mason, J. W. Gertrell

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

Rape is a relatively new crop in Western Australia and this investigation was undertaken to produce visual symptoms of nutrient deficiencies so that they could be recorded and used for diagnosing deficiencies in the field. The appearance of mineral deficiency symptoms can vary considerably with growing conditions, so that symptoms produced in a glasshouse are only a guide to the probable symptoms in the field.

Biscuit Wheat In W.A, G H. Jones, J. A. Parish, H. J. Moss

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

Following small scale trials in the production and evaluation of Gluclub wheat in 1970 and 1971, farmers have been asked to produce 20,000 tons of this variety for the 1972/73 season.

The background of this attempt to establish a class of soft or biscuit wheat in world markets is described in this article.

Nitrogen On Rapeseed, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Experiments comparing the responses of wheat and rape to nitrogenous fertilisers were planted at 26 sites from Geraldton to Esperance in 1971.

In spite of hail damage and poor emergence of rape at some sites, meaningful results were obtained in 18 cases.

Insignia Lowers Wheat Quality, J A. Parish, H. M. Fisher

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

Farmers in Western Australia have been advised not to plant Insignia wheat because it has poor grain quality. Many farmers want to know why Insignia is considered poor quality and what harm it could do. This article answers these questions and suggests alternative, better quality wheats for all present situations.

Smooth-Stemmed Turnip, B J. Quinlivan, A. C. Devitt

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

Cruciferous weeds are common throughout the agricultural areas of Western Australia. They include wild turnip, wild mustard, wild radish, charlock and raphistrum weed or short fruited turnip.

Another one—tentatively named smooth-stemmed turnip—has recently been sighted. Its exact weed potential will not be known for some years, but it is likely to spread through the south coastal districts where the climate and sandy surfaced soils favour its growth.

Pit And Scald Of Granny Smiths, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Trials investigating storage and shipping disorders of fruit, mainly apples and pears, are conducted annually in cool rooms made available to the Department by the W.A. Meat Export Works.

Glume Blotch Of Wheat, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Glume blotch on wheat crops is seen frequently in some areas of Western Australia and was particularly severe in the West Midlands in 1971.

The disease is caused by the fungus Septoria nodorum which infects the leaves, stems and heads of the wheat plant.