Life Sciences Commons^™

New Danger From Hoary Cress, G R W Meadly, R. D. Royce

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

HOARY CRESS is undoubtedly one of the worst weeds introduced into Australia. It is a vigorous deep rooted perennial which competes strongly with crop plants and seriously decreases yields.

The importance of three recent discoveries of this weed in Western Australia therefore need hardly be stressed.

G. R. W. Meadly, Offlcer-in-Charge of the Weeds and Seeds Branch, and R. D. Royce, Offlcer-in- Charge of the Botany Branch, report on two recently found infestations of hoary cross in the Great Southern, and one at Jerramongup.

An intensive eradication programme is under way.

Special Seeds Help Weeds To Spread, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

PERHAPS the most important characteristic of a plant which establishes it as a weed is that it serves no useful purpose under the circumstances in which it occurs.

Bare Patch And Poor Emergence Of Cereals. 3. Crusting Of The Soil Surface, S C. Chambers

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

In some seasons extensive bare patches occur in cereal crops sown on the heavier wheat belt soils.

Experimental results from Beverley indicate that the poor emergence in some of these plantings may be due to crusting of the soil surface.

Working the surface with light harrows may destroy the crust and improve emergence.

Care Of Autumn And Winter Tomato Crops, W H. Kooyman

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

I N recent years there has been a considerable increase in plantings of autumn and winter tomatoes in the Perth metropolitan market garden area.

The Papaw : A Fruit For The Tropics And Sub-Tropics, K S. Cole, M. G. Hawson

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

TOE fruit of the papaw (Carica papaya) has a unique flavour and is a welcome addition to any diet.

In the tropics and sub-tropics the papaw is quite easy to grow and is adapted to a wide range of soils and climate.

Water For Agriculture. 2. Plants For Salty Water, C V. Malcolm

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

ALL natural water supplies contain dissolved salts. In wet climates these salts are usually not present in sufficient quantity to cause plant damage.

However, in Western Australia many natural water supplies contain harmful amounts of dissolved salts.

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 4. Seed Bed Preparation, S C. Chambers

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

The occurrence of root rots in wheat crops in relation to seed bed preparation was studied in a series of field experiments.

Results suggest depth of cultivation has little effect upon the incidence of root diseases.

Ploughing of the seed bed reduced the amount of root rot compared with scarifying and also gave higher yields.

However, the increased yield appears to be mainly due to better control of weeds.

Lettuce Spotted Wilt, H L. Harvey

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

SPOTTED wilt disease of lettuce was first recorded in Western Australia in 1937.

Only traces of the disease are found in some years but in other years it seriously affects yields and quality.

Spotted wilt is most prevalent in spring and autumn crops.

Oat Variety Trials On Research Stations, J L. Mcmullan, J. T. Reeves

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

THE oat variety trials on whose results the Department of Agriculture's recommendations are based are carried out each year on research stations in the medium and low rainfall areas.

Results of oat variety trials on Department of Agriculture Research Stations in the medium and low rainfall areas for the years 1957,1958,1959 and 1960

Weed Problems In The Kimberleys, Rijn P J Van

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

AFTER fifteen years of irrigated agriculture, weeds have become a major problem at the Kimberley Research Station.

Since the Station is regarded as a type location for the potentially irrigable areas of the Ord River Valley, a similar problem is expected to arise when the surrounding areas have been under several years of commercial cropping.

An intensive study of weeds was therefore initiated at the Research Station in 1960.

Better Peach Varieties, Frank Melville

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

The PEACH is a very versatile fruit and a universal favourite. It is surprising then that the area of peaches in this State is very little different today to what it was 15 years ago. This is in spite of the fact that the population has increased by 48 per cent.

New peach varieties now under test could help satisfy the consumers' demand for a better range of high quality eating peaches— and expand the market for peaches in Western Australia.

Downy Mildew Of Lettuce, R F. Doepel

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

Downy mildew of lettuce is a fungal disease common in market gardens during autumn, winter and spring.

Severe outbreaks of the disease can be kept in check by timely applications of fungicidal sprays.

Successive Crops In A Clover Ley Rotation, H M. Fisher

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

Recent investigations suggest that cereal production on clover leys in the medium rainfall region can be increased by growing a succession of cereal crops after the pasture phase.

In most areas accumulated fertility after four to five years of clover pasture will support two, and in some cases three, high yielding cereal crops grown in succession.

Where root rot diseases are prevalent it is an advantage to sow oats as the initial crop.

Applying Copper And Zinc Fertilizers To Cereals, H M. Fisher

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

Most light soils with a sandy or gravelly surface are likely to need copper and zinc; heavier clay or loamy soils mostly do not.

Skeleton Weed : A Menace To The Wheat Industry, G R W Meadly

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

If introduced into Western Australia skeleton weed could become a greater problem to the wheat industry in this State than it is in the Eastern States.The risk of introduction is increasing.

Study these illustrations so that you will be able to recognise skeleton weed if you see it; early recognition may mean the difference between eradication and infestation.

Trees Of Western Australia. No. 99. The Mottlecah (Eucalyptus Macrocarpa Hook.). No. 100. The Bald Island Marlock (Eucalyptus Lehmannii Preiss Ex Schau.), Charles Austin Gardner

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

This species, a shrub between six and 15 feet in height, is the largest-flowered of all the species of Eucalyptus.

The name is intended to indicate this fact, but unfortunately the Greek work makros means "long" and actually the fruit "karpos" is remarkably short in comparison to its diameter, being in fact the broadest fruit within the genus.

Paspalum Vaginatum For Salty Seepages, C V. Malcolm

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

Paspalum vaginatum, aptly termed "sea shore paspalum" has over the last fifteen years shown an amazing ability to thrive in wet salty situations.

Seed of the grass is not available but it may easily be established by planting pieces.

This article reviews where and how the grass may be used.

Light Lands In Western Australia. 3. Microbiological Problems In The Establishment Of Legumes On Light Lands, C A. Parker

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

EXPERIENCE has shown that the establishment of leguminous pastures is essential for successful economic development of Western Australian light lands.

Subterranean clover is the preferred legume in most light land areas, with lupins holding an important place in the more northerly districts, and on the deeper sands.

Facial Eczema In West Australian Sheep, M R. Gardiner, M. Nairn

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

SINCE 1894 when the disease was first described in New Zealand, the term "facial eczema" has been used to describe a specific photosensitization of sheep in that country.

Grazing To Control Pasture Composition, R A. Bettenay

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

APART from grazing management, there are a number of means by which the farmer can influence pasture composition.

With the exception of grazing, all of these processes involve recurring costs, so it is important to exert the utmost possible control through the grazing animal.

Entyloma Leaf Spot Of English Marigold, R F. Doepel

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

THE English Marigold or Calendula is a hardy ornamental which is widely grown in gardens throughout Western Australia.

In recent years a serious fungal disease known as entyloma leaf spot has become established in home plantings.

Yield And Flour Quality Of Early Maturing Wheat Varieties, J A. Parish, J. T. Reeves

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

DESIRABLE milling characteristics have for many years ensured a ready market for Australian wheat. Present demand for Australian wheat is strong and the sale of the 1961 harvest is assured.

Cereal Products Adviser J. A. Parish, B.Sc. (Agric.) and Plant Breeder J. T. Reeves, M.Sc. (Agric.) describe and explain the tests on the results of which wheat variety recommendations are based.

Detailed results of yield and quality tests from early maturing wheat variety trials are included.

Stilling Coastal Sand Drifts With Marram Grass, J L. Mcmullan

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

DRIFTS in dunes on the coast between Albany and Geraldton may be stabilised by planting marram grass (Ammophila arenaria).

However, it should be anticipated that much of the planted grass will die before an area is finally stabilised.

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 1. The Role Of Oats After Ley, S C. Chambers

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

The role of oats in relation to root diseases of wheat was examined at four of the State Wheat Research Stations.

Several recognised pathogenic organisms were isolated in the course of the investigation, the most important being Ophiobolus graminis, which is the cause of "take-all."

Results suggest that one year under oats after clover ley is sufficient to reduce the incidence of take-all, except when seasonal conditions are extremely favourable to the disease.

In areas where take-all is a problem, wheat planted after a first crop of oats can sometimes give a higher yield than a first crop of wheat. …

Webworm And The Weather, J A. Button

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

FOR many years farmers have remarked on the cyclic occurrence of webworm outbreaks in their cereal crops.

Webworm, the State's most serious pest of cereals, has frequently assumed a role of major importance for one or two seasons, and then not been troublesome for a number of years.

A research programme being carried out by the Entomology Branch aims to give a better understanding of the effects of weather conditions on the seasonal incidence of webworm, and should lead to more effective control of this pest.

Take Care Of Young Fruit Trees, R G. Cahill

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

Young fruit trees need good care if they are to grow well and produce good crops in later years.

Bridgetown Horticultural Instructor, R. G. Cahill, gives these hints for orchardists establishing young trees.

Although they take little effort to put into practice they will pay off well in the future.

Hibiscus Leaf Spot, O M. Goss

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

HIBISCUS shrubs, particularly the variety "Apple Blossom" are commonly affected during the winter and early spring months with an unsightly leaf spot disease.

Polythene For Fruit Growers, Frank Melville

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

ALMOST everybody has some contact with that versatile plastic polythene—or polyethylene as the Americans prefer to call it.

It may be as a wrapper for a shirt purchased at the city store, as a vegetable pack in the supermarket, as a protection for new concrete or in a multitude of other uses in industry, commerce and the home.

Wood-Rotting Fungi Associated With Dieback In Apple Trees : Progress Report : Orchard Surveys And Laboratory Studies, R F. Doepel

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

DIEBACK, or decline, of apple trees has been a serious problem for many years in orchards throughout the South-West of Western Australia.

Wood-rotting fungi are commonly associated with this condition and often bring about collapse of affected trees.

Downy Mildew Of Wheat, S C. Chambers

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

DOWNY MILDEW is caused by the fungus Sclerospora macrospora Sacc. and is almost solely confined to waterlogged areas in paddocks of heavy soil types.

Generally, the disease is most evident in crab-hole gimlet country.