Life Sciences Commons^™

Research : Co-Operation Is The New Style, John Hamblin, Ian Maling

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

Co-operative Research Centres, or CRCs as they are known, are a new trend in agricultural research. Instead of organisations such as Departments of Agriculture or universities pursuing their own individual research projects, sometimes in competition or covering similar fields, the idea is to combine talents and expertise. CRCs were a Federal Government initiative launched in 1990, and the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture was the first involving agriculture in Western Australia.

Soil Acidity And Legume Nodulation, J G. Howieson, M. A. Ewing

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

Nitrogen is a basic constituent of protien and is essential to all forms of life. Many agricultural plants are legumes - a group of plants which, in co-operation with specialised soil bacteria, fix their own nitrogen from the air. When the legume dies, the organic matter breaks down anf the nitrogen becomes available to the following crops.

Soil acidity is a major factor limitimg the successful association between legumes and their beneficial soil bacteria in Western Australia.

Promising Results On West Kimberley Pindan Country, A L. Payne

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

IN the 22 to 28 inch rainfall belt of the West Kimberley area of Western Australia are extensive areas of what is locally known as "pindan" country.

The term "pindan" refers to a light red or yellow sandy soil type supporting scattered Eucalypts, sparse-dense wattle scrub and grasses such as curly spinifex, ribbon grass and native sorghum.

Nodulation Of Legumes On New Light Land. 3. The Effect Of Rogor Seed Treatment On Legume Nodulation, O M. Goss, W. A. Shipton

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

SEED treatment with systemic insecticides is widely used for the control of insect pests. However, when seed inoculation is necessary for pasture establishment, seed treatment with insecticide is not advisable.

A field experiment conducted at Badgingarra Research Station in 1964 showed that the systemic insecticide Rogor was very damaging to the applied rhizobia even when the treated seed was held for a month before inoculation.

Nodulation Of Legumes On New Light Land. 2. Protection Of Rhizobia From The Toxic Action Of Superphosphate And Trace Elements, O M. Goss, W. A. Shipton

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

VAST areas of new light land being developed in Western Australia are deficient in trace elements such as copper, zinc and molybdenum as well as in phosphorus.

These fertilisers are known to be damaging to the rhizobial bacteria inoculated on the seed unless they are protected by lime pelleting.

Nodulation Of Legumes On New Light Land. 1. Survival Of Rhizobia On Inoculated Pelleted Seed Held For Varying Periods Before Sowing Into Dry Soil, O M. Goss, W. A. Shipton

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

MOST of the light land areas being opened up in Western Australia are very sparsely populated with the rhizobial bacteria so essential for successful legume establishment.

Seed inoculation is therefore a necessity.

Farmers often have to resort to dry sowing because of the large acreages being planted or late opening rains.

Nodulation Of Legumes On New Light Land. 4. Rhizobial Strains For Pasture Establishment, O M. Goss, W. A. Shipton

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

LEGUMES are the basis of improved pastures in Western Australia.

Successful establishment of these legumes depends on the presence in the soil of suitable bacteria which will invade the roots and develop nodules in which nitrogen fixation is carried out. The nitrogen compounds produced are utilised by the plants, making them independent of soil nitrogen.

At the end of the season, the decomposition of the plant residues improves soil fertility.

Inoculation And Lime Pelleting Of Leguminous Seeds, O M. Goss, W. A. Shipton

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

MOST of the extensive areas of new land being brought into cultivation in Western Australia are very sparsely populated with the rhizobial root nodule bacteria which are essential for successful legume pasture establishment.

These bacteria, therefore, must be introduced into the soil where, under favourable conditions, they will develop nodules on the roots (Fig. 1).

Inoculation And Lime-Pelleting Of Leguminous Seeds, W P. Cass Smith, Olga M. Goss

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

IN Western Australia extensive areas of new land are brought under cultivation each year.

Much of this virgin soil is only sparsely populated with the beneficial rhizobial bacteria which nodulate the roots of common pasture and forage legumes, such as subterranean clover, barrel medic, lucerne and field pea.

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.