Life Sciences Commons^™

Skeleton Weed : The Current Situation, Peter Scott, Jon Dodd

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

Skeleton weed is a major threat to western Australia's grain industry. This weed established itself throughout the entire eastern States wheatbelt in just over 50 years and is now found from south-east Queensland to South Australia. It was first founs in Western Australia at Ballidu in 1963, and since that time has been the subject of an ongoing and intensive eradication campaign. Peter Scott and Jon Dodd report on the present status of skeleton weed in Western Australia and outline the progress to date and future directions of the eradication campaign.

The Pros & Cons Of Retaining Stubble, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

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

Few farmers in Western Australia today would question the desirability of retaining crop stubble. The problem usually is how to manage stubble so that it does not interfere with other parts of the farming system

Managing Brome Grass In The Wheat:Lupin Rotation, Aik Hock Cheam, Gurget Gil, Christine Zaicou

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

Some farmers and scientists are questioning the sustainability of the cereal:lupin rotation in the Western Australian wheatbelt.

Being a 'tight' rotation, its continuation is constantly under threat by disease, especially lupin root rots caused by Pleiochaeta (the brown spot organism) and Rhizoctonia fungi. To control disease, some farmers have lengthened the rotation to three years, such as wheat:wheat:lupins or wheat:barley:lupins. The longer cereal phase also helps to stabilise soil against wind erosion. However, such rotations can lead to a rapid buildup of brome grass during the two consecutive years of cereals. The implications of these rotations on the severity of …

Control Take-All And Gain Other Benefits Of Eliminating Grass From Ley Pastures By Chemical Manipulation, W J. Macleod, Gordon Macnish

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

Take-all is the most serious root disease of wheat and barley in Western Australia.

The fungus which causes take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis var tritici) is wide spread throughout the wheatbelt but is most common in the high and medium rainfall regions (400mm to 750mm average annual rainfall, see map).

Elsewhere in the wheatbelt the presence of take-all affected cereal plants and the loss of crop yield may go unnoticed unless the roots of cereal plants are examined in detail.

The Potential For Skeleton Weed, John Dodd, F. D. Panetta

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

Since its introduction into Australia during the 900s skeleton weed has become one of the most economically significant weeds. Its presence in cereal crops in south-eastern Australia has caused suvere yield reductions and harvesting problems.

Skeleton weed was first found on a Western Australian farm in 963. Since then it has been the subject of an intensive eradication campaign organised by the Agricultural Protection Board and funded by an annual levy on wheat growers. Such campaigns, which rely mainly on volunteer searchers, do not exist in eastern Australia because the weed is so widespread it would be impossible to eradicate. …

Tolerance Of Cereal Crops To Herbicides, D G. Bowran

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

Herbicides have come to play an important role in the control of weeds in Western Australian cereal crops, with some estimates showing that sufficient herbicide was applied to treat every hectare of cereal grown in 1984.

While the use of herbicides reduces competition from weeds, they may have a hidden cost. As chemicals which affect plants, herbicides may also affect plants, herbicides may also affect and damage the crop which they are protecting. The crop may possibly fail, and some or all of the economic benefits obtained from the chemical control of weeds may not be realised.

Protecting Agriculture In 1976 : Three Sides Of An Apb Campaign, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A quick look at three areas in which the A.P.B. are working with landholders to protect Western Australia from invasion.

Protecting our agriculture and wildlife is not only the APB's job— it is very much the community's job also. Any suspect birds or plants must be reported immediately to the Agriculture Protection Board.

Wild Oats In W.A, J G. Paterson

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

A summary of background information, recent research findings and current recommendations for the control of wild oats in Western Australia.

The Control Of Annual Ryegrass, Geoffrey A. Pearce, J. E. Holmes

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

A valuable pasture plant - one of the worst weeds if cereal crops - host to a potent animal disease toxin.....annual ryegrass is the subject of intensive studies by the Department of Agriculture.

This article reviews current research into the control of annual ryegrass in crops.

Docks In Western Australia, J M. Allen

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

A survey carried out by the Department of Agriculture has shown that docks are the most serious weed of the higher rainfall areas of Western Australia. They are estimated to cost farmers $400 000 annually in lost production. One of the main reasons why they are important weeds is that they regenerate rapidly from tubers and compete with desirable annual pasture species. Also the upright dock flowering stems are woody and unpalatable. Individual plants become intertwined and deter stock from grazing summer pastures.

Results from the survey of the dock problem are given in this article. The findings show that …

Skeleton Weed : The 1974 Narembeen Campaign, C R. Chambers

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

Skeleton weed took an alarming, historic turn in Western Australia at the 1974 New Year.

After a decade of an almost complacent pattern—control of one or two small outbreaks annually by the Agriculture Protection Board— general alarm erupted with the discovery of big areas at Pithara and mainly Narembeen.

What followed was a massive movement and engagement of not only Department staff but also the farming community in an attempt to beat this outbreak.

The Economics Of Spray Seed, J W. Malcolm

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

THE "Spray Seed"* technique has many advantages over conventional cultivation methods of weed control. Some of these are matters of convenience, preference or opinion, and these cannot be measured in general economic terms.

However, most farmers are in the business to make money and as making money becomes harder they are more concerned with the extra money a new move is likely to earn for them.

The Control Of Annual (Wimmera) Ryegrass In Cereal Crops, Geoffrey A. Pearce, B. J. Quinlivan

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

The annual ryegrasses are valuable pasture plants in Western Australia, yet have become one of the major weed problems in cereal crops.

The key to cultural control of annual ryegrasses in cereal crops is an understanding of the factors which govern germination of the seed.

Covering the seed with soil keeps out light and provides a more stable moisture supply, bringing about a faster rate of germination. This is the basis of control programmes recommended in this article.

Recommendations for chemical control are also included.

The Control Of Weeds In Linseed And Rape, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

Like all crops linseed and rapeseed can suffer from weed competition.

Linseed is highly susceptible to weed competition, while rape is susceptible to the chemicals used to kill broad-leaved weeds, so both crops pose special problems.

As in other broad-acre crops, cultural methods usually provide the best means of weed control.

How Profitable Are Herbicides For Weeds In Crops?, J W. Malcolm, G. A. Pearce

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

BEFORE spending money on chemical weed control in crops, a farmer needs to know how profitable the operation will be. He may also be influenced by other things such as the need for weed-free seed, but the most important consideration should be an increased cash return.

If a herbicide is used to control weeds in a crop, the extra yield achieved must be worth more than the cost of the herbicide and its application for the treatment to be profitable.

This article gives guidelines to help farmers estimate the likely profitability of herbicide treatments for quota and non-quota crops.

Chemical Cultivation : Its Place In Crop Planting, 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. Despite the cut-back in expenditure on herbicides, the idea of replacing cultivation with chemical sprays is attracting great interest.

Weed Control Research Pays Dividends, G R W Meadly

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

On my bookshelf is a handbook entitled "War on Weeds" or "How to Double our Food Supply."

In many of these countries experiments have been made to ascertain as far as possible the exact damage done by weeds to crops.

Result: In all the experiments, whether made in England or abroad, the mean loss was over 50 per cent.

The level of loss is equally true today, but the methods at our disposal for handling weeds have improved tremendously.

Progress In Research On Noxious Weeds, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

RESEARCH on noxious weeds has enabled the development of many practical methods for the control of these weeds.

Where the recommended treatments have been accepted by farmers, large scale operations have reduced the areas infested and stopped spread into new paddocks.

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.

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.

Progress In Weed Control, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

In May, 1967, the "Journal of Agriculture" printed a special issue on weed control, with the emphasis on chemicals for weed control in cereal crops.

This month, just two years later, enough new information has accumulated to warrant publication of another "theme" issue, this time with important articles on weed control in pastures, chemical firebreaks and chemical ploughing, as well as weed control in linseed and cereal crops.

Weed Control In Linseed, J G. Paterson

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

In 1967, almost 7,000 acres of linseed were planted in Western Australia. The area increased to more than 25,000 acres in 1968 and it is expected that some 40,000 to 50,000 acres will be planted in 1969.

FOR MANY years linseed has been a comparatively unimportant crop, recently been highlighted both as a "cleaning" and as a "cash" crop. Its value has

Stubble Burning Helps Control Wimmera Rye Grass, M G. Mason, W. J. Toms, J. W. Gartrell

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

In a trial at Wongan Hills Research Station, burning of wheat stubbie in a continuous cropping system, helped to control Wimmera Rye Grass in the crop and resulted in yields up to 25 bushels an acre higher than where the stubble was ploughed in.

WIMMERA RYE GRASS is the most widely used annual pasture grass in the agricultural areas of Western Australia.

It has proved valuable for sheep feed where legume pastures are not grown.

However, it has often proved a serious weed in cereal crops, causing large yield reductions.

Control Of Wild Oats, J G. Paterson

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

WILD OATS are widespread throughout the world.

Their importance can be gauged from the fact that in the wheat growing areas of Canada and the U.S.A. some 60 million acres are infested.

Two chemicals are now available for the control of wild oats in wheat. This article compares their relative merits and gives recommendations for their use.

The Control Of Doublegee, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

FOUR years ago no practical recommendations could be made for the control of doublegee.

With money provided by the State Wheat Research Fund, research has been undertaken into the control of this weed, and there is now no reason why most farmers cannot bring doublegee under control.

Watch Out For Afghan Thistle, J G. Paterson

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

ALTHOUGH known throughout the cereal and sheep districts of Western Australia as Afghan thistle, this plant is not really a thistle at all.

It belongs to the large botanical family of the Solonaceae and is closely related to the garden vegetables tomato and potato.

Linuron : A Success In 1966?, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

Although some of the farmers who used linuron last year reported poor results, there is little doubt that this is the best herbicide since the advent of 2,4-D for weed control in cereals. This article gives the reasons for failure in some of last season's crops, and recommendations for use of linuron in 1967.

The Control Of Weeds In Cereals, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

PROBABLY the simplest way of obtaining an increase in crop yield is to control the weeds present.

Nearly a million acres of cereal crops are sprayed by aircraft each year and when the area treated by ground units is added, something like 20 per cent of the total area sown is sprayed with herbicides.

The Control Of Weeds In Orchards, Geoffrey A. Pearce, S. E. Hardisty

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

THE use of herbicides for the control of weeds in orchards has become established during the past few years.

It has become more efficient with the introduction of newer herbicides which have proved more effective and less dangerous than some of those recommended in the past.