Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Weeds Can Poison Crops, Aik Hock Cheam

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

Weeds can interfere with the growth of a crop simply by competing with the crop for nutrients, moisture and light. But some weeds also release chemicals that inhibit the germination and growth of crop plants; the technical term for this is allelopathy. Aik Cheam outlines the problems caused by two common weeds and the discusses preventative measures.

Canola : Golden Oil For Farmers And Consumers, Paul Carmody

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

It is feasible that canola could become Western Australia's fourth largest crop after wheat, barley and lupins by the turn of the century.

Without the stigma attached to its parent crop, rapeseed, canola has also become one of the most successful international agricultural product launches, proving itself not only a useful cropping alternative but a healthy oil for consumers. State Oilseeds Adviser PAUL CARMODY sets the scene.

Fast Tracking Barley Varieties Using Anther Culture, Sue Broughton, Penny Priest

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

Breeding new varieties of barley or other cereal crops usually takes between 12 and 15 years. five years of that time may be needed to stabalise the new varieties so that they breed trueto type, but anther culture can reduce this delay to only eight months. This technology will allow the Department of Agriculture's barley breeding programme to respond more rapidly to changes in goals set by industry and to meet market demands.

Establishment Of Lupin Seedlings, Miles Dracup

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

Good seedbed conditions lead to high and rapid seedling emergence and vigorous seedlings best equipped to avoid disease, weed competition and sand-blasting. Good establishment is needed for a high yielding crop.

In Western Australia, seedbed moisture and temperature are most likely to limit successful emergence of lupins, especially with the trend toward early sowing.

Research by the Department of Agriculture is helping to define seedbed temperature and moisture requirements for successful lupin establishment that will help future research for improving seedbed conditions.

Production Of High-Value Wheats : One Sustainable Answer To The Cost:Price Squeeze, Wal Anderson, Alan Peggs, Doug Sawkins

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

Farmers and scientists alike over the past decade have sought to address the declining terms of farm trade (the cost.price squeeze) by increasing wheat yields in ways that will ensure both their economic and ecological survival. Nevertheless, costs have continued to increase as a proportion of the value of the product.

Many farmers have increased their wheat yields substantially and the industry as a whole is more conscious of the quality of its product.

Over the past 10 years or more there has been intense interest in, and considerable adoption of. conservation farming techniques such as minimum tillage, residue retention, …

Opportunity Knocks : Sowing Wheat Early In The North-Eastern Wheatbelt, Nicole Kerr, Doug Abrecht

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

Farmers consider many factors in deciding whether to start sowing wheat, but the most important are the amount of rain and time of year. In this study we assessed the chances of farmers in the north-eastern wheatbelt (less than 325 mm rainfall) receiving enough rain to sow wheat early. In low rainfall areas such as this, where an early finish to the season is likely, it is especially important that farmers take advantage of all early sowing opportunities. The potential benefits of sowing wheat early generally outweigh the associated risks, particularly in lower rainfall areas. However, early sowing depends on …

Waterlogging : How It Reduces Plant Growth And How Plants Can Overcome Its Effects, Tim Setter, Bob Belford

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

Lack of oxygen is the major cause of limited plant growth in waterlogged soils. When soils become waterlogged less gas diffuses to and from the roots through the soil pores; there are changes in concentrations of mineral elements in soil solutions; and toxic products of roots and soil microorganisms begin to accumulate. These changes adversely affect germination, growth and development of plants.

Frost Injury To Wheat, S P. Loss

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

Frost injury has not been a major concern to the Western Australian wheat industry despite causing spectacular but irregular crop losses on some farms.

The development of suitable herbicides, direct drilling technology and the adoption of early flowering varieties in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to wheat crops being sown and flowering earlier than previously. This resulted in an increase in the incidence of frost damage.

Research into frost indicates that most wheat producers face low to moderate risks of yield loss caused by frost. However, individual farms in particular years can suffer devestating widespread losses. Grost injury …

Flower : Predicting Flowering Times Of Cereal Crops, G A B Elliott, Stephen Loss

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

FLOWER is a computer program which predicts the flowering date of a given wheat or barley variety at a specified location and sowing date. Department of Agriculture agronomists, breeders and advisers are using the program to provide useful information on how the development of cereals responds to different environments across Western Australia's cereal growing areas.

Increased Returns From Agronomic Inputs In Early Sown Cereal Crops, W K. Anderson

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

When crop variety and soeing dae are matched so that flowering occurs in the 'window' for a particular site, grain yields are increased and yield response to inputs such as nitrogen fertilizer and seeding rate is magnified.

This response occurs because the srop's potential for setting and filling grains is much improved by sowing at the optimum time. However varieties differ in their yield potential because they have different lenghts of growing season, which probably affects grain numbers, and because they have different inherent grain sizes. These differences affect the way varieties react to sowing date. Figure 1 shows how …

Early Sowing : One Key To Improved Yields Of Cereal Crops, M W. Perry, Wal Anderson, Rob Delane

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

Early sowing of cereal crops is one of the most important management practices through which Western Australian cereal growers can increase yields.

Researchers have long known that in theory early sowing should mean improved growth and water use efficiency - which both contribuite to increased yields. Application of this knowledge has had to await new tillage and herbicide technology, but recent research in the northan and central wheatbelt has now demonstrated the advantages of early sowing in practice. And more exciting yet, there is evidence that yield responses to weed control and applied fertilizers may also be greater in early …

Early Sowing Of Ceral Crops In Low Rainfall Areas, R J. Delane, John Hamblin

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

One of the objectives of the Department of Agriculture's crop research in the low rainfall, northern wheatbelt is to develop crop varieties and management practices that will make best use of stored water on both sandplain and fine textured soils. Sowing a crop early will improve its water use efficiency and yiel in low rainfall areas.

Trends In Wheat Protein/Yield Relationships, G B. Crosbie, Harry Fisher, Bryan Whan

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

The major concern of wheat breeders in WesternAustralia has been to increase grain yield while maintaining quality at an acceptable level. There has been no concious effort to select for protein content. It is of interrest, therefore, to compare the relationship between yield and protein of varieties which have been prominent in Western Australia at various times, to see what effects yield increases have had on protein content and the extent of any variation which might exist.

Variation In Wheat Protein Content : The Effect Of Environment, G B. Crosbie, Harry Fisher

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

Over the past 20 years, the average protein content of WesternAustralian wheat has ranged from 9.3 to 12.0 per cent, with a mean level of 10.4 per cent. At most grain receival points, in any one season, individual loads can often vary in protein content by as much as 5 per cent protein or more. Rainfall and soil fertility account for much of this variation.

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. …

Using The Zadoks Growth Scale, M W. Perry, D. G. Bowran, G. Brown

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

The Zadoks growth scale, which is already used overseas as an aid to better crop management, is gradually being adopted in crop production in Western Australia.

By using the scale grain growers are able to identify the various stages of crop development, particularily those growth stages that are closely related to practices such as crop spraying where treatment too early or too late may be ineffective or damaging.

Serena And Circle Valley Medic Establishment, M A B Ewing

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

Since the commercial release of the burr medics Serens in 1983, and Circle Valley ayearlater, much has been learnt about the establishment and management of these pasture legumes. When sown on suitable soils and with appropriate establishment and management techniques, these medics have the potential to dramatically change farm profitability. This results from both increased production from livestock and from improved cereal crops grown in rotation.

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.

Perennial Pasture Measures Up, D A. Nicholas

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

In a trial at Manjimup, a pasture based on the perennial grass, Currie cocksfoot, gave substantially more production than a comparable annual pasture.

Ryegrass Toxicity Organism Found On Other Grasses, D L. Chatel, J. L. Wise, A. G. Marfleet

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

Yellow slime disease caused by Corynebacterium sp. has recently been found in three grass species.

The diseased grasses were found in the field growing with each other and with affected toxic annual ryegrass.

Trials Indicate Best Lupin Seeding Rates, G H. Walton

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

Trials on the seeding rate of lupins have shown that for most crops, at least 80kg of seed per hectare gives best yields. However the yields varied considerably, and in higher yielding situations, lower seeding rates were better.

Polythene Storage Improves Lupin Seed Germination, G H. Walton

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

Seed storage trials indicate a practical means of maintaining sandplain lupin seed at a moisture content that limits hard seed development, leading to a commercially acceptable germination rate in the following season.

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.

Subterranean Clover In W.A. 2. Characteristics Required For Agronomic Success, C M. Francis, B. J. Quinlivan, N. J. Halse, D. A. Nicholas

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

Development of subterranean clover varieties is a rapidly changing scene, particularly in terms of farmer acceptance, disease and persistency problems. This is only to be expected, because this is an agricultural plant of only some 50 to 70 years standing, whereas many other pasture plants have been in common use for thousands of years.

The Mediterranean White Lupin, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

"If you want to bring in a good lupin harvest, thrash your wife soundly before you go out sowing in the field". Old Syrian Proverb.

Lupin breeder Dr. John Gladstones does not beat his wife as recommended in the Syrian proverb above. Nor is he known to use ground up lupin seeds for the diverse cosmetic and medicinal purposes recommended in ancient Roman and other texts on lupins.

But his modern work on lupin breeding and development has undoubtedly been influenced by his detailed study of such writings.

In this article he discusses the history of the Mediterranean white lupin …

The Doublegee Problem In Western Australia, D J. Gilbey

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

Doublegee is native to South Africa and is now naturalised as a serious weed of crops and pastures throughout the temperate areas of Australia.

Doublegee was introduced for cultivation as a vegetable by English migrants to the Swan River Colony in 1830, and a bed of doublegees is known to have been sown at Mr. J. Phillips' property on the Canning River in 1833. However, the plant soon became a troublesome weed and its name was changed from Cape spinach to Tanner's curse and later to doublegee.

More than 180 doublegee seedlings per square metre have been counted in a …

Kenaf : A Possible Multi-Purpose Crop For The Ord River Irrigation Area, I M. Wood

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

Kenaf is a tropical crop which shows promise for use in paper pulp, oil and protein production; the young growth is a nutritious animal feed.

It has proved a highly productive crop in the Ord River Irrigation area, raising speculation about its possible use as a commercial crop there. In this article a CSIRO research worker describes the properties of kenaf and reviews research results with the crop on the Ord

Peanuts For The Ord, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Peanuts were extensively tested in experiments on the Ord River in the early 1950s, but it is only recently that varieties better adapted to heavier soils have re-opened prospects of commercial production.

The new varieties remain dormant after maturity and an irrigation just before harvesting allows the crop to be lifted with the soil friable enough to reduce harvesting losses and the amount of soil sticking to the kernels.

These varieties have been extensively tested in Department of Agriculture trials at Kimberley Research Station since 1958, and preliminary recommendations for crop production and pest and disease control have been formulated.

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 …

Pasture Seeds : Production Techniques And The Future Market Situation, B J. Quinlivan

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

Like other farming and grazing industries, pasture seed production has its share of booms and slumps —perhaps more than its share. In Western Australia, the industry reached a high point during the mid-1960's when land development along the south and west coastal districts was at its height.

The drought year of 1969 and the subsequent rural depression saw pasture seed production fall to its lowest level for ten years and it is only in the last 12 months that there has been a revival.

With the sudden upsurge of interest last summer there will be many potential seed producers now …