Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

What Is The Best Fit For Electric Weed Control In Australia?, Miranda J. Slaven, Catherine Borger

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Electric weed control is a non-chemical weed management alternative that will apply to a range of agricultural systems. The current project assessed electric weed control via the continuous electrode-plant contact method (using a Zasso™ XPower).

A wide range of field trials in 2022 and 2023 investigated weed control efficiency, suitability of electric weed control for fence line control of glyphosate-resistant annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.), use for crop topping, fire risk, damage to the soil biota, or use for inter-row weed control in vineyards or lupin crops. Broadleaf weeds were controlled more effectively than grass weeds with electric weed …

Impact Of Soil Amelioration On Weed Ecology And Control, Catherine Borger, Arslan Peerzada Dr, Gaus Azam Dr

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The project focussed on three main findings from the literature review:

1. Weed ecology in response to changes in soil characteristics.
2. Soil movement and weed seed burial following use of varying strategic tillage implements; and
3. Management of weeds in the years directly after amelioration.

The work highlighted that weed growth was either less impacted by changes to soil properties than crop growth, or weed growth and competitive ability were favoured by the same amelioration techniques that favour crop growth. Following amelioration, improved growth of competitive weed species needs to be considered in weed management plans.

Research was conducted on weed seed …

Quantifying Loss Of Yield Potential Due To Leaf Disease., B A. Peters, R Loughman

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

To determine the impact of Septoria and barley yellow dwarf virus on wheat grown under the package approach on the south coast using different levels of fungicide and insecticide control on a susceptible variety of an appropriate maturity for early sowing.

Examine if there is any benefit for disease control of S. tritici from Baytan seed dressing. 92AL16.

Time of sowing and variety effects on the Septoria diseases of wheat. 92AL17.

Time of sowing effect on barley foliar diseases. 92AL19.

Evaluating variety mixtures to reduce Septoria using a range of lines. 92AL24.

Fungicides for control of Septoria nodorum of wheat. …

Development Of Procedures To Determine The Fertilizer Requirements Of Annual Pasture Legumes Grown In Cereal Cropping Systems., B. H. Paynter

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials 88ME67, 88SC17, 90ME1 and 90ME2

Location: Merredin

To determine the phosphate (P) fertilizer requirements of burr medic on marginally acidic, medium textured soils and yellow serradella on acidic, light textured soils.

Trials 89ME52, 89ME55 and 86ME61

Location: Merredin

Determine the response of yellow serradella and burr medic to residual phosphate and freshly applied phosphate.

Trials 89ME50, 89ME54, 88ME67, 88SC17, 89ME60

Location: Merredin.

To measure the influence of different levels of pasture productivity (generated by different levels of P supply) and the different pasture legumes on subsequent wheat crops.

Pasture And Fodder Shrub Species For Deep Sandy Soils., Tim Wiley

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90MO64

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: Moora.

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand, moisture at depth pH 5.9 - 6.1 in CaC1^₂.

Trial 90MO65

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: West Gillingarra

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand, moisture at depth pH 5.9 - 6.0 in CaC1₂

Trial 90MO66

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: West Koojan

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand pH 5.8 - 5.9 in CaC1₂

Trial 89BA40

Tagasaste establishment trial

Location: Badgingarra Research Station.

Soil type: poor quality …

Seed Phosphorus In Wheat And Lupins, B. H. Paynter, K. Adcock, R. W. Bell, Tim Pope

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90NO119

Seed P in wheat.

Location: Greenhills.

Design: 2 applied P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, sowing wheat (cv. Aroona) seed from 89N33 at 70 kg/ha on May 15, 1990.

Trial 90NO120

Seed P in wheat.

Location: York

Design: 2 applied from P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, 89N33 at 70 kg/ha on May 25, 1990.

Trial 90NO117

Seed P in lupins

Location: Greenhills.

Design: 2 applied P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, sowing lupins (cv. Gungurru) from 85BA35 at 100 kg/ha on May 15, 1990.

Trial 90NO118

Seed P in lupins.

Location: …

Performance Of Annual Legumes And Their Mixes Under Different Crop:Pasture Rotation., P. Evans

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 86KA64, 86KA65 and 86KA66

Performance of annual legumes and their mixtures under different crop:pasture rotations.

Seed reserves, especially in the 1:1 rotation treatment, are on average below 100 kg/ha and in many cases below 50 kg/ha for all three soil types. Because of this the 1991 season will be used to fertilize, control weeds, and apply a grazing management system to favour legume production and seed set. No crop will be sown in 1991.

Sub clover flowering, sequential sowings.

Location: Katanning

To provide seven different temperature and photoperiod regimes, eight cultivars of sub clover ranging in maturity from Nungarin …

The Effect Of Nitrogen On Pastures And Subsequent Sheep Production., L. Cransberg

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89MT1

Location: Mt Barker Research Station

To measure the effect of autumn/winter application on:

1. Pasture growth rates and composition

2. Sheep production using pregnant/lacting ewes.

Trial 89KA6

Management systems for sheep.

Location: Kojonup

To measure the effects of set stocking and strip (rotation) grazing on:

1. Pasture production, composition and quality.

2. Sheep production (liveweight, condition score, wool growth rate, fibre diameter strength and vegetable matter contamination).

Management Systems For Sheep., Peter Doyle, L. Cransberg, P. Evans

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89KA6

Location: Kojonup

To measure the effects of set stocking and strip (ration) grazing on:

i) Pasture production, composition and quantity

ii) Sheep production (liveweight, condition score, wool growth rate, fibre diameter, strength and vegetable matter contamination).

Deep Ripping, R. J. Jarvis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 88Ba11,12

Deep ripping at two depths in lupin/oat/wheat rotation on newish land.

Location: Badgingarra Research Station

Sited on the new block of Badgingarra Research Station, these trials aim at examining the response to new rippings each cereal year as well as the response over time to the residual effect of ripping. The rotation is the normal one applied on the Research Station.

Trial 89KO1

Location: Mount Barker Research Station.

Deep ripping for barley and lupins - Kojaneerup Block of MBRS.

Yields not significantly different by A.O.V., however lupin yield declined as the previous year's barley yield increased due to …

Evaluation And Development Of Pasture Species For Deep Sandy Soils In Low To Medium Rainfall Areas., B. J. Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90EC1

Effect of species and maturity on dry matter production and water use of annual medic on deep sandplain soil.

Location: East Chapman.

All medic cultivars were preferentially grazed compared to Paros serradella which did not allow a proper comparison between the two species in the grazed treatment. 2. Poor nodulation in Harbinger due to incompatability with the current Group A inoculant (R. meliloti strain WSM 540) resulted in poor-growth-and-low-seed-yield. - 3. Water use was directly related to maturity or time taken to flower ; total water extraction (mm) = 1.48 * days to flower - 41.1 R2 = …

Economics Of Summer Weed Control., T. Piper

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Aims: To test various chemical options for summer weed control; measuring their efficacy, the amount of soil moisture conserved, and follow-up crop yield. A full season cost-benefit could then be produced. Summer rains were widespread in 1990, and summer weed sites were plentiful.

Trial 90A3

Location: Avondale.

This site had adequate moisture for most of the summer. Weeds were growing well when sprayed, and were readily controlled. (df. Wongan Hills). 2,4-D/diuron gave excellent control at the time of spraying but follow-up germinations marred the result.

Trial 90M6

Location: Merredin.

All treatments have failed at this site. Large doublegee and melons …

Cranola Rapseed Variety Assessment. Cranola Agronomy. Linseed. Tillage., J. D. Warren

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90AB15. 90N68, 90EB39

Canola : assessment of early maturing Stage 2 lines.

Location: Katanning, Newdegate Research Station, East Beverley Annex

Production of Canola in medium rainfall zones offers the opportunity for a rapid expansion of the industry. However presently recommended varieties take too long to mature for the area's shorter growing season. The Stage 2 trials assess Canola lines selected on the basis of earliness from the remnants of Dr Roy's now defunct rapeseed breeding programme as well as selections from Eastern States breeding programmes. The trials arc conducted at three sites to account for environmental effects on cultivar …

Phosphorus Nutrition., M. D. Bolland, M. J. Baker

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Evaluation of soil test for phosphate on sandy soils.

Results presented for this project, commenced in 1988, which started as a joint project between the Department of Agriculture and Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, School of Agriculture, University of Western Australia.

In the field experiments, 10 levels of superphosphate (three replicates) were applied in May 1988, and 10 levels of superphosphate (also three replicates) were applied in May 1989 onto an adjacent area to the 1988 treatments. Colwell P I(soil test values) and yield data are presented for 1988 and 1989 for the 1988 treatments layed out in 1988, and …

Phosphorus And Sulphur Nutrition Of Pastures In High Rainfall Areas., M. D. Bolland, M. F. Clarke

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

J.S.Yeates and M.F.Clarke started these experiments. In January 1990 M.D.A. Bolland replaced J.S. Yeates (who became Regional Manager of the Northern Agricultural Region) as the Research Officer responsible for the management of the long-term experiments, and to continue the research on the topic.

In the experiments the fertilizers wee applied in autumn (March-April) in the years listed in the tables.

Trial 80AL4

Location: Cuthbert.

A new experiment was started in 1989 to compare two partially acidulated rock phosphate (PARP) fertilizers with ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP).

Trial 84AL32

Location: Denmark

The fertilizers compared are ordinary (single) superphosphate (OSP). New (pre 1990) …

Tactical Nitrogen For Wheat., J. W. Bowden, S. J. Burgess, Ian Fillery

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90NO104, 90NO111, 90NO112, 90MO53

Associated Work: 90N0105,111,112, 90M053,54, 55 and 56

Wheat responses to levels, sources and times of application of nitrogen.

Location: Southern Brook, Regan's Ford

This project characterizes the dynamics of nitrogen supply to a wheat crop at each of the sites on which various methods of making fertilizer recommendation were tested. It supposedly provides the "optimum" nitrogen fertilizer regime as well as detailed information on nitrogen supply and demand so that results can be made transferable to other situations.

Trial 90NO105, 90NO112, 90M054

Related trials: 90N0104, 105,111,112; 90M053,54,55 and 56

Tactical nitrogen application for wheat.

Location: …

Selection And Evaluation Of Medic Lines With Resistance To Aphids And Improved Agronomic Characteristics., P. Evans

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89AB12 and 89AB11

Location: Great Southern Agricultural Institute.

Ten commercial cultivars and twenty breeding lines were evaluated in 1990. To assess the effect of insect attack throughout the season, two treatments were imposed, sprayed throughout the season and unsprayed.

Cucumber Mosaic Virus In Lupins., D. A. Nicholas

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Cucumber Mosaic virus in lupins.

A testing service for lupin growers was provided by the Seed Testing Station. The level of CMV in seed was determined in a 1000 seed sample using the ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique developed by Dr. R.C. Jones.To speed up processing of samples levels greater than 1.2% were not determined - to do so would have required repeating the test at a different level of grouping. Growers were charged $114 per sample tested. The service was advertised as being available for samples received up until 28 February.

A Survey Using 14n:15n Natural Abundance Of The N Fixation By Pasture Legumes In The Field And Of Factors Affecting Fixation, P. Sanford

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89AL43, 90AL50, 90KO16

A preliminary survey using 14N:15N natural abundance to assess N2 fixation by pasture legumes in the field.

Location: Albany.

1. Develop a sampling methodology for the 1990 farm survey.
2. An initial assessment of nitrogen fixation by pasture legumes in the field.

Trial 90MT70

Using 14N:15N natural abundance to assess N2-fixation by subterranean clover.

Location Mount Barker Research Station

To examine symbiotic nitrogen fixation by subterranean clover, in detail, through one season in a productive pasture. To better assess the point in the season at which as one time sampling would most accurately determine the proportion …

Development And Management Of Cattle Pastures In The High Rainfall Zone., Tony Albertsen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 87V8

Development and management of cattle pastures in the high rainfall zone.

To compare the effect of pasture species, pasture management and grazing management on pasture quantity, quality and cattle production.

Phalaris evaluation

In 1989 ninety three lines of Phalaris agrundinacea backcross with P. aquatica, bred by Dr. R.N. Oram (CSIRO Canberra) were drilled sown into unreplicated 10m single row plots at Vasse Research Station. In addition 7 controls (with two replications) were planted. Similar trials were planted by Mr. L. Cransberg (Albany) and Dr. R.N. Oram (Bendigo).

Evaluation of annual and short term rotation ryegrass.

The increasing range …

Effect Of Pasture Species On Pasture Production And Following Cereal Yields On Heavy Textured Soils In Low Rainfall Areas. Regeneration Of Pasture Legume Cultivars On Low Rainfall Red Loam Soils., Bradley Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90GE17

Aphid tolerance evaluation in annual medics

Location: Tenindewa

Maturity and seed yields of annual medic lines with or with out aphid control using Pirmor.

Trial 90GE116

Evaluation of aphid tolerance in annual medics

Location: Tenindewa

Dry matter and seed yield of annual medic lines with and without aphid control using Pirmor.

Trial 90GE34

Effect of pasture species on pasture production and cereal yields on low rainfall red loams.

Location: North Mullewa Research Station, Morawa Agricultural School.

Regeneration of annual pasture cultivars on hardsetting red clay loams at North Mullewa and Morawa in 1989 and 1990.

Trial 88TS63

Effect …

Crop Management In Rows., R. Belford, G. P. Riethmuller, D. Tennant, D. Mcginnis, S. Mckeague

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 87M71

Effect of row spacing and stubble retention on the yield of wheat.

Location: Merredin Research Station.

Treatments, site management and results from 1987, 1988 and 1989 have been described in previous experimental summaries. Four row spacings (9, 18, 27 and 36 cm) are compared in either burnt or stubble retained plots, on a red brown earth on the Merredin Research Station. There are six replicates laid out in a randomised block design.

Trial 90ME32

Effect of row spacing and variety on the yield of wheat.

Location: duplex site at Crooks (see 1989 Experimental Summary)

This trial was carried …

Deep Phosphate Banding., R. J. Jarvis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90A1

Lupins sown 26/4. York gum/jam sandy loam 33 ppm bic. P. Wheat in 1989. Cultivation reduced yield (one pass banding points). Deep banding P overcame this reduction. No additional response to banding compared with TD or D. No response to P. Yield 2.0 t/ha.

Trial 90A2

Wheat sown 8/6. York gum/jam sandy loam 42 ppm bic. P. Lupins in 1989. All treatments had deep cultivation in the one pass. No response to deep band cf. drilled. 23% response to P. Top yield was 1.9 Oa.

88EB12 Wheat sown 5/6. Loamy grey sand/clay 27 ppm bic. P. Lupins in …

Long Term Minimum Tillage Investigations., R. J. Jarvis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 77M13

Location: Merredin

This site was in wheat in 1975 and 1976 before the treatments commenced on continuous wheat in 1977.

77M56

Location: Merredin

Sited alongside 77M13 with the same paddock history. Commenced the wheat/pasture rotation after wheat in 1975 and 1976.

Trial 86M79

Chemical and cultivated fallow in a pasture/wheat rotation on heavy land.

Location: Merredin.

At Merredin on salmon gum/gimlet soil. Pasture treatments and soil moisture measurements were conducted in 1990. Wheat 1991.

Trial 87NA80, 81, 82, 83

Direct drilling with modified combines compared with cultivation for pasture/wheat rotations with grass control treatments in the pasture year. …

Nitrogen Fertilizers For Cereals In Different Rotations., I. Rowland, M. G. Mason, W. Hawkins

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 78B1

Nitrogen fertilizer requirement in alternate crop-pasture rotation.

Location: Badgingarra Research Station.

Soil type: Grey gravelly sand over gravel at about 15-20 cm.

History: Old clover land. All blocks were in clover pasture in 1977.

Trial 89WH19

Nitrogen fertilizer requirement in alternate crop-pasture rotation.

Location: Wongan Hills Research Station.

Soil type: Wongan yellow loamy sand

History: Old clover land. Whole area in clover 1988.

Trial 86WH36

Lupin/Wheat rotation

Location: Wongan Hills Research Station

Soil type: Wongan yellow loamy sand.

History: Cropped to wheat in 1985 on old clover land. Stubble of 1989 crop not burnt.

Trial 87NO84

Pea/Wheat Rotation …

Long-Term Rotation Trials., I. Rowland, W. Hawkins

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 66M29

Location: Merredin Research Station.

An old land site, cleared in 1909. First sown to Cyprus Barrel medic in 1955, grazed and topdressed. Cropped, 1962 and 1964. Medic resown in 1965.

Trial 67C13

Location: Chapman Research Station

An old land site, cleared in 1903. Sown to Dwalganup sub clover in 1964, topdressed each year until the start of the trial in 1967. In 1981 to 83 all plots were reseeded with Northam at 20 kg/ha. In 1988 rotations were altered to allow inclusion of grain lupins, the following changes were made:

1. The 4 plots of 2 crop :2 …

Organochlorine Residues In Soil, Plant And In The Body And Wool Fat Of Wethers., Tony Albertsen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 5841

The accumulation and rundown of dieldrin in wethers.

Location: Brookhampton, Donnybrook, Jindong, Manjimup, Carbunup and Pemberton

The background, aims, experimental method, and the first years results and discussion have been reported in the 1989 experimental summary.

The latter phase of the study was continued until December 1990 on six of the sites (these were Brookhampton, Donnybrook, Jindong, Manjimup, Carbunup and Pemberton) with similar measurements being obtained at regular intervals. The sheep monitored during this phase were the 1989 Main mob and the 1989 Replacement mob.

Evaluation Of Annual And Short Term Rotation Ryegrasses., Tony Albertsen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The increasing range of annual and short term rotation ryegrasses have been evaluated in the high rainfall regions of the South West since 1986. To date promising later maturing cultivars such as Concord (in particular), Progrow, Aristocrat have consistently outyielded the standard early maturing cultivar Wimmera during the early winter period and in spring. These later maturing varieties have the potential to more fully utilise the whole of the growing season and to be conserved as hay during drier spring weather, whilst still retaining digestibility, protein and metabolisable energy. Viable seed production for self regeneration from later cut hay pastures …

Trace Element Nutrition., R. F. Brennan

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 66N14

Long Term Copper Residual Trial

Location: Newdegate Research Station.

To determine the residual value of previously applied copper.

Trial 86N27

Residual Value of Zinc with DAP.

Location: Newdegate Research Station.

To determine the decline in effectiveness of zinc on this soil types using DAP.

86LG34

Residual Value of Copper, Zinc and Sulphur with DAP Fertilizer

Location: South Newdegate.

To determine the decline in effectiveness of copper, zinc and sulphur on this soil types using DAP

Trial 67E8

Grain Yields of Wheat Grown on a Residual Copper Trial.

Location: Esperance Downs Research Station.

The trial was originally designed to …

Virus Disease Of Lupins., R. A. Jones

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Cucumber mosaic virus.

Effects of different levels of infection in seed sown. - 90BA12, 90WH17

Location: Badgingarra and Wongan Hills.

Trials were done at Badgingarra and Wongan Hills in which plots were sown with seed of cv. Gungurru which transmitted CMV at rates of 5%, 1% and 0%. The plots were separated by 30 in wide cereal buffers.

Effect of plant density on BYMV spread into lupins - 90A6 and 90MT13

Location: Avondale and Mt Barker.

Following observations in 1989 (see 1989 experimental summary) on the predominant distribution of BYMV infected plants along the edges of lupin paddocks and into …