Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

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.

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.

Light Lands In Western Australia. 1. History And Future Prospects, F L. Shier

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

BECAUSE of the scattered distribution of light lands of the agricultural areas of Western Australia among the better soils, and their large total area, it is not surprising that attempts to develop these unattractive soils for agriculture started many years ago.

Light Lands In Western Australia. 2. Their Nature, Distribution And Climate, George Henry Burvill

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

LIGHT land development for agriculture is a major feature in the story of agriculture in Western Australia. Sixty years ago there was less than one million acres of arable land.

The total area planted to all crops was less than 250 thousand acres and the wheat harvest was less than one million bushels.

Loss Of Structure In Wheatbelt Soils, T C. Stoneman

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

MANY of the heavy soils of the West Australian wheatbelt have been farmed for 30 or 40 years, and farmers now frequently complain that these soils are becoming more difficult to handle, that greater power is needed to break up the soil, and the time that it remains in a workable condition after rains is shorter.

Molybdenum Deficiency On Lighter Soils, Edgar Noel Fitzpatrick

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

WIDESPREAD occurrences of molybdenum deficiency of subterranean clover have been observed on sandy and gfravelly surfaced soils in recent years, and present indications are that molybdenum will join copper and zinc as a major trace element deficiency of many of these soils.

The Gascoyne River Catchment Area, W M. Nunn

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

A RECENT Department of Agriculture survey of the Gascoyne River catchment area has indicated that deterioration of plant cover in the area contributes to the severity of floods which regularly damage the town of Carnarvon.

It is hoped that the results of the survey will help efforts to regenerate the catchment area, and reduce the risk of flooding.

Farming Without Fallow, H M. Fisher

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

UNDER the more intensive cropping rotations common in the early development of the cereal areas of Western Australia bare fallowing was a basic technique in cereal production.

By ploughing the land in July or August and keeping it bare of vegetation for nine or ten months, either by grazing or cultivation, a substantial beneficial effect on the subsequent crop could be expected.

Trace Elements For Cereal Crops And Pastures, Edgar Noel Fitzpatrick

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

TRACE element deficiencies are widespread in Western Australia and application of copper, zinc, molybdenum and cobalt have played a major part in land development in this State.

Research Officer E. N. Fitzpatrick, M.Sc. (Agric.) reviews recent Department of Agriculture research on the use of Trace elements for crop and pasture growth on deficient soils in Western Australia.