Life Sciences Commons^™

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Thick-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Crassifolium Benth.), Narrow-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Stenophyllum Turcz.), Mallet Poison (Gastrolobium Densifolium C.A. Gardn.), Wall-Flower Poison (Gastrolobium Grandifolorum F. Muell), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with three species of Gastrolobium which are found in the south-west region of Western Australia. Two of these extend into the Eyre District, the third species is found in the Lake Grace area. The fourth species, Wall-flower poison, is the only toxic species of the genus found outside the State.

Growing Plants With Salty Water, C V. Malcolm, S. T. Smith

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

LACK of good quality water in many parts of Western Australia often forces people to use salty water for irrigation and gardening.

This article gives some hints on how to reduce salt damage to plants when salty water must be used for irrigation or gardening.

It includes a table of plants which may be irrigated with water of varying degrees of salinity and lists precautions which should be taken for each group.

Calotropis Or Rubber Tree (Calctropis Procera (Linn.) Dryand), G R W Meadly

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

TWO SPECIES of Calotropis have been introduced to the northern parts of Western Australia. They are closely related in most respects but differ in one fundamental feature which decides their significance as undesirable plants.

Grain Sorghum In The Ord Valley : Three Crops A Year?, P J. May

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

High temperatures and ample irrigation water allow grain sorghum to be grown throughout the year on the Ord River Irrigation Area, and observations in 1969-70 indicated that it may be possible in this area to produce three crops in one year from one planting, by ratoon cropping.

This article describes the technique and discusses its possibilities on the Ord.

The sorghum midge, one of the worst pests of sorghum, could well make ratoon cropping impossible, but the midge has not yet been seen in this area.

Pasture Legume Varieties And Ewe Fertility, T Marshall, H. E. Fels, H. G. Neil, R. C. Rossiter

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

ALTHOUGH it was first thought that all varieties of subterranean clover would cause ewe infertility, research in the last 10 to 15 years has shown that varieties differ in potency.

The relative level of potency has also been shown to remain consistent for any one variety under normal conditions.

Rapeseed. 3. Varieties And Their Growth Patterns In Western Australia, M L. Poole

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

RAPE belongs to the genus "Brassica" which also includes such plants as the garden cabbage, wild turnip and cultivated mustard.

The name is derived from the Latin word "rapum". meaning turnip.

Planting A Tree Or Shrub?, C Hart

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

THE few minutes spent in planting a tree or shrub properly can be the most important moments of its life.

A little time can mean the difference between a vigorous and a weak root system, and a tree is only as good as its roots. Protection of the roots before planting is also important. Bare-rooted trees need more attention than those in a hessian-wrapped root ball or those growing in a container.

Cotton Bush (Asclepias Fruticosa L.) : Garden Plant Now A Noxious Weed, G R W Meadly

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

THE cotton bush is native to South Africa but is now naturalised in most tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world. Its spread is, in no small measure, due to being grown frequently as a garden subject.

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.

Management Of Dry Land Lucerne In The South-West, R Sprivulis

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

MANY dry land lucerne stands have been successfully established in the dairying areas of the South-West.

With good management these can remain productive for many years; poor management can greatly reduce their productive life.