Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

1975 Magnetic Seed Treatment, M. W. Perry

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

In early 1975 a magnetic devise for treating cereal seed was imported into Western Australia from Canada, The device ("Zapper" Magnetic Seed Treater, manufactured by Agronetics Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.) consists of two parallel magnets with opposed poles, encased in a plastic moulding. Seed is treated by passing it through the magnetic field between the magnets. Literature accompanying the Zapper claimed earlier maturity and that - "...a majority of research tests have shown 5 - 15% increases in yield", The device was tested in five field trials and in laboratory tests during 1975. No effect of magnetic treatment was detected …

1975 Control Of Silverleaf Nightshade And Saffron Thistle, P A. Rutherford

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

75NA6 - Rates of Tordon 50-D x times of application on Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) 75Na7 - Herbicide screening trial on Silverleaf Nightshade. 75Es25 Saffron thistle control in wheat. 75Es26 Saffron thistle control in pastures. 75Es25 Property - G. Graham, Circle Valley. 75Es26 Property - G. Graham, Circle Valley.

Promising Results With Pineapples At Carnarvon, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Pineapples were investigated commercially in Carnarvon in the early 1930's but drought, sunscorch, alkaline soils and problems with transport and marketing caused the infant industry to collapse in 1936.

Recently however, trials at Gascoyne Research Station have shown that pineapples can produce good yields of high quality fruit in the area.

The trials have been aimed at establishing the viability of pineapple production at Carnarvon and have been carried out by officers of the Horticulture Division.

Biological Control Of Insects On The Ord. 1. Production Of Sitotroga Cerealella For Mass Rearing Of Trichogramma Wasps, M Grimm, P. J. T. Lawrence

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

Department of Agriculture entomologists have developed a technique for the production and collection of eggs of the Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella) for mass-rearing the parasitic waspTrichogramma pretiosum Riley.

Trichogramma is giving promising results in trials aimed at developing biological control of insect pests in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereal Production, M G. Mason

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

Among the many factors influencing crop response to nitrogen applications, the most important are the season, soil type, paddock history, time of application and source of nitrogen. Before deciding whether to use nitrogen on a cereal crop, which source to use and at what rate, the farmer needs some understanding of how these factors work.

Wheat Rust Epidemics, A G P Brown, J. T. Reeves

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

Stem rust of wheat is probably the most damaging plant disease in the world. The rust fungus attacks stems, leaves and heads, producing characteristic red-brown pustules which affect the plant's ability to fill out the grain. Yield loss is directly related to the amount of rust in the crop and the length of time the crop is infected.

In Western Australia it is not uncommon to find rust on crops in mid-October, but usually there is negligible loss of yield. In fact this pattern is quite normal throughout the world: In general, rust arrives too late to cause an epidemic. …

Virus Diseases In Agriculture, George Mclean

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

Viruses are extremely small particles which can only be seen with an electron microscope. A virus is present in a diseased plant as huge numbers of tiny particles within the cells of the plant. Viruses which are infectious can cause disease, and reproduce only inside the cells of a living plant.

Many insects transmit plant virus diseases—aphids, leafhoppers, mealy bugs, thrips and beetles. Generally a virus is spread by only one of these groups of insects.

The Western Australian Department of Agriculture is expanding the diagnostic service for the identification of plant viruses.

Blackleg Of Rapeseed, A Bokor, M. J. Barbetti, A. G. P. Brown, G. C. Mac Nish, P. Mcr. Wood

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

Unless blackleg can be controlled there is little future for rapeseed as a major commercial crop in W.A.

Until 1972, oilseed rape showed great promise as an alternative cash crop for Western Australian farmers, especially in the Great Southern and south coastal areas.

However, like most other cruciferous crops, rape is prone to attack from diseases and insect pests. Most of these can be controlled, but the fungus disease blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) emerged as a major threat to the industry.

Clearly, unless the disease can be controlled, there is little future for rapeseed as a major commercial crop in Western …

Prospects For A Successful Rape Crop, M J. Barbetti, A. G. P. Brown, P. Mcr. Wood

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

Since the disastrous 1972 season, when blackleg disease reached epidemic proportions, rapeseed production has declined dramatically. With attractive prices for rapeseed in prospect many farmers may be trying this crop again.

If the risk of loss from blackleg could be assessed early in the season it would assist in deciding whether rape would be an economic proposition.

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.

Decide : How Much Superphosphate, G A. Robertson, J. W. Bowden, N. J. Halse

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

* A 400 per cent increase in ihe price of superphosphate has reduced the economic optimum rates of super for crops and pastures in 1975.

* Many factors, both biological and economic, must be taken into account in determining the rate of superphosphate to apply.

• DECIDE, a model developed by CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture, provides a formal system in which all these factors can be considered.

• DECIDE is based on the results of all research on superphosphate carried out in Western Australia. However, each farmer's own knowledge of his farm, the soils, crops and animals is …

Breeding Better Rape And Lineseed For Western Australia, N N. Roy, J. Reeves

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

Rapeseed and linseed—the main oil seed crops grown in the south-west of Western Australia—have both been beset by problems which have limited farmers' interest in them.

Rapeseed was first grown commercially in 1970, when wheat quotas and low prices for other cereals forced farmers to seek alternative cash crops. The area sown to rapeseed increased rapidly, but disastrous outbreaks of the disease blackleg caused rapid decline, and little rapeseed is now sown.

Linseed has been grown in W.A. for more than 30 years. Linseed rust proved disastrous but was overcome by the introduction and breedbreeding of rust-resistant varieties. In recent …

1975 Lupin Diseases, P M. Wood

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Sclerotinia stem rot, a fungal disease, is becoming increasingly important. This disease can attack the stem at any point from the stem base to the first laterals. Lodging can result if the canker is severe enough. Superficial cankers can disrupt sap flow resulting in poorly filled pods. The fungicide Benlate is used overseas to control Sclerotinia in bean plantings, Accordingly, a fungicide trial was planned to estimate yield losses resulting from Sclerotinia infection. A secondary aim was to examine any yield response which could be attributed to reported growth promoting properties of benomyl - 75MT33. Brown spot of lupins - …

1975 Preliminary Reports - Take-All Survey - Wheat And Barley Crops, G C. Macnish

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Introduction - Surveys to determine the incidence of take-all in wheat and barley crops have been carried out for the past three seasons. Unavoidable delays in the completion of a growth room has meant that finalization of results for take-all assessments have been delayed. 75A26, 75A27, 75A28 Part I and II, 75A29, 75E18, 75M42, 75M43, 75M44, 75M45, 75N21, 75SG14, 75SG15, 75SG17, 75WH63, 75WH64.

1975 Pasture Species Investigations High Rainfall Area, D. A. Nicholas

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Contents - 1. Clover cultivar grazing trial - North Bannister - 68NA1. 2. Clover cultivars x red legged earth mite - Chowerup - 70BR16. 3. Pastures species x stocking rate - Denmark - 72D1. 4. Stocking rate and conservation for steer beef production - Mt. Barker Research Station - 71MT46. 5. Perennial versus annual grass grazing trial - Manjimup Research Station - 72MN5. 6. Trials in Association - Albany Regional Office. (i) Rate and time of fungicide on clover scorch - South Stirlings - 75AL33. (ii) Rate and types of fungicide on clover scorch - South Stirlings - 75AL34. (iii) …

1975 Experimental Programme With Lupins, G H. Walton

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

74MO10 - Pasture establishment under a lupin orop (Wheat crqp 1975). 75AL3 - 6 Time x 3 Rates x 2 Varieties x 2 Herbicide Factorial. 75B3 - Lupin Agronomy in High Rainfall Area. 75BA4 - Early planting of Unicrop lupin. 75GE4 - Polyculture of Wheat and Lupin. 75GE5 - Rate of seeding Unicrop - low rainfall site. 75JE4 - Time of planting x rate of seeding lupins. 74MO10 - Pasture establishment under a lupin crop (Wheat crop 1975). 75MO6 - Time of planting x rate of seeding with L. albus cv WB2. 75MO7 - Pasture establishment under lupin crops. 75MO12 …

1975 Drought Responses Of Wheat Cultivars - Environment Responses Of Subterranean Clover., R N. Weir

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Environment responses of subterranean clover. Aim - To clarify the responses of four cultivars to temperature, vernalisation and photoperiod. Method - Dinninup, Midland B, Geraldton and Blackwood sub clover was grown in phytotron cabinets under 14 hour and 10 hour photoperiods and temperatures 10°c day/5°c night, l5/l0°c, 20/l5°C, 25/20°c. A seed vernalisation treatment of 6 weeks refrigeration of swelled seed was included. Dissections were made to observe first floral initiation and first flower production was noted. Conclusions - Higher temperatures either had no effect or delayed floral initiation, but accelerated flower development greatly from initiation to anthesis. Photoperiod and vernalisation …

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 …

1975 Fallow Re-Assessment And Soil Physical Data Accumulation, D Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This report summarises progress and data available for the following investigations. 1. Fallow Re-assessment - 72M29. 2. Soil Physical Data Accumulation. (a) Evaluation of methods of bulk density measurement. (b) Water holding capacities and mechanical analyses of wheatbelt soils. (c) Water holding capacities of metropolitan sands. TABLE 3 Water holding capacities (1/10 - 15 Atmosphere water contents) of metropolitan sands (mm of water). Bulk density of 1.6 assumed. 1. Medina Research Station. 2. Morley White Sand. 3. Karrakatta Sand. 4. Bassendean Sand. 5. South Perth Lawn. 6. South Perth Scrub. 7. Underwood Avenue Research Station. 8. Floreat Park Sand. 9. …