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Weed Control : Watsonia, Onehunga Weed, Western Australia, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

Suggested controls for two persistent weeds.

A Herbicide For Native Poison Plants, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE usual method of killing poison plants is by a programme of ploughing, cropping and burning.

The burning not only destroys a proportion of the plants, but stimulates the germination of dormant seeds, which otherwise would remain in the soil in a viable condition for many years.

Broom Rape, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

BROOM RAPE (Orobanche australiana) is a parasite which becomes attached to the roots of other plants.

It is not very selective regarding hosts and has been found parasitising many species, but particularly clovers.

Saffron Thistle, B J. Quinlivan, H. A. Pearce

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

Saffron thistle is a declared primary noxious weed in Western Australia and is especially troublesome in the northern agricultural areas.

Field trials aimed at finding the cheapest and most effective method of controlling the weed have shown that 2,4-D applied at the correct stage is the best chemical to use.

Docks, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Some very encouraging results have been obtained by spraying docks with a solution containing Dicamba.

This herbicide was previously known as Banvel D and is distributed under the trade name of Banex, which contains 20 per cent, active ingredient.

A Chemical For Doublegee, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

DURING the past two years, finance has been made available from the State Wheat Research Fund for an intensive study on doublegee.

A newly-developed herbicide has been shown to give complete control of growing plants, while ecological studies have started to yield valuable information about seed behaviour.

Crabgrass, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Crabgrass growing in lawns can be controlled by spraying with a solution containing D.S.M.A. (dosodium methyl arsenate).

Weed Control Around The Yard, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

MANY farmers and city householders have weed problems around houses and sheds which can be readily overcome by treatment with appropriate herbicides.

The risk from fire through weeds and unsightly growth can easily be removed and an area free of any plant growth can be maintained with little effort for a considerable period.

Creeping Knotweed, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Creeping knotweed (Polygonum prostratum) is a native perennial species which has exhibited weed tendencies, especially on land which retains moisture during the summer.

Progress In The Control Of Cotton Fireweed, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

Cotton Fireweed (Erechtites quadridentata) is native to Western Australia and was first collected by Drummond before 1850. In its natural habitat it is quite insignificant and passes unnoticed.

Cotton fireweed, a native perennial plant, has become a serious weed in the south coastal districts and is now one of the most widespread weeds in the State.

The Doublegee, G R W Meadly

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

DOUBLEGEE, like a number of other major weeds, is native to South Africa. It was introduced to Western Australia during the first years of settlement.

There is no more troublesome weed in Western Australia than doublegee. It competes strongly with crop and pasture and its spiny fruits penetrate the hoofs of stock, causing lameness.

Weeds In Lawns. 2. The Control Of Weeds In Lawns, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

M OST lawns have weeds growing in them at some time during the year and in some lawns weed control becomes a major problem.

To the many people who like to keep a weed free turf it is therefore encouraging to know that nearly all weeds can be controlled with herbicides.

Wild Oats In Wheat, J G. Paterson

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

Trials with a new chemical suggest that economical control of wild oats in wheat is only possible in heavily infested crops.

I N recent years there has been a marked increase in the incidence of wild oats in the wheat areas of this State. Three factors have been responsible.

Weeds In Lawns. 1. Identification Of Weeds In Lawns, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

ACCURATE identification of weeds is the first principal of weed control with modern chemicals.

This is as true for weeds in lawns as any other weeds.

New Danger From Hoary Cress, G R W Meadly, R. D. Royce

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

HOARY CRESS is undoubtedly one of the worst weeds introduced into Australia. It is a vigorous deep rooted perennial which competes strongly with crop plants and seriously decreases yields.

The importance of three recent discoveries of this weed in Western Australia therefore need hardly be stressed.

G. R. W. Meadly, Offlcer-in-Charge of the Weeds and Seeds Branch, and R. D. Royce, Offlcer-in- Charge of the Botany Branch, report on two recently found infestations of hoary cross in the Great Southern, and one at Jerramongup.

An intensive eradication programme is under way.

Stinkwort : A Troublesome Summer Weed, G R W Meadly

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

ONE of the commonest weeds in Western Australia is stinkwort, a vigorous plant which can be a nuisance in many parts of the State during late summer.

Skeleton Weed : A Menace To The Wheat Industry, G R W Meadly

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

If introduced into Western Australia skeleton weed could become a greater problem to the wheat industry in this State than it is in the Eastern States.The risk of introduction is increasing.

Study these illustrations so that you will be able to recognise skeleton weed if you see it; early recognition may mean the difference between eradication and infestation.

Mesquite (Prosopis Juliflora D.C.), G R W Meadly

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

A TREE grown for shade and ornamental purposes and bearing nutritious pods would appear to be welcome anywhere.

This description applies to Mesquite; however it has certain undesirable characteristics which usually outweigh the advantages and pose a major agricultural problem.

That, in fact, is the position in Western Australia.

Special Seeds Help Weeds To Spread, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

PERHAPS the most important characteristic of a plant which establishes it as a weed is that it serves no useful purpose under the circumstances in which it occurs.

Fodder Shrubs In The Murchison, D G. Wilcox

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

THE Murchison pastoral country is usually thought of as either having a perennial grass cover, as in the Wandarrie, or as Mulga country with trees and short grass.

It is easy to overlook the small shrubs which occur all over the Murchison in every type of situation, and can provide high quality feed for sheep.

Cotton Fireweed : A Native Weed Menace, G R W Meadly

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

INTRODUCED plants have provided most of our weed problems. Cape tulip, double gee and soursob come from South Africa, Saffron thistle, Paterson's curse, wild turnip and wild radish from Europe, mesquite from the southern United States and Bathurst burr from South America.

The relatively few native plants which have become troublesome weeds include Afghan thistle and Sarsaparilla.

The Control Of Grasses With Chemicals, G R W Meadly

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

GRASSES are among man's greatest assets and usually he tries to encourage their growth.

The cereals, rice and many other grasses supply him with basic items of food and they are also important components of pastures which provide grazing for sheep and cattle.

Hoary Cress (Cardaria Draba (L.) Desv.), G R W Meadly

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

HOARY CRESS, known also as Hoary Pepperwort or White Weed, is a perennial plant native to t h e Mediterranean region and Western Asia.

It has spread as a weed to northern Europe including Britain, as well as to other temperate countries among which are North America, New Zealand and Australia.

Factors In Weed Propagation, G R W Meadly

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

I N crop and pasture plants, seed production and harvesting are of vital impartance.

In a negative way, the formation of seeds by weeds can be equally important.

Stocking Rate And Pasture Management, B F. Carlin

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

FARMERS west of the Great Southern Railway, raising sheep and beef cattle, frequently associate soil deficiencies with difficulties in holding sub. clover in their pastures.

Field observations and some trials in those districts indicate that in many paddocks the problem arises through undergrazing rather than a deficiency in the soil.

Weed Research. 8. Weed Control In The Vineyard, Geoffrey A. Pearce, W. R. Jamieson

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

WEED control in the vineyard has been achieved by cultivation for many centuries and it is only during recent years that attention has been given to the use of herbicides for this purpose.

Today there is little risk to the vine in using any one of the herbicides listed in this article, and in general the main considerations governing the use of chemicals for weed control are the cost of the operation and the effect which it is desired to achieve.

Weeds Of Western Australia : Cape Tulip (Homeria Breyniana (L.) Lewis And H. Miniata Sweet), G R W Meadly

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

SOUTH Africa has provided us with a number of undesirable weeds including doublegee, Berkheya thistle, Guildford grass and stinking roger, but outstanding among the weed introductions from that country are two species of Homeria known as Cape Tulip.

The salmon-coloured flowers and long grass-like leaves are known to farmers in many localities extending from Geraldton to Albany and as far east as Bruce Rock and Merredin. Beyond the metropolitan area the largest infestations occur in the Northam, York, Beverley and Williams districts where thousands of acres of good land are affected.

Weed Research. 7. Weed Control Around The Yard, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

MANY farmers and city householders have weed problems around houses and sheds which can be readily overcome by treatment with appropriate herbicides.

The risk from fire through weeds and unslightly growth can easily be removed and an area free of any plant growth can be maintained with little effort for a considerable period.

Soursob (Oxalis Pes-Caprae L.), G R W Meadly

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

DURING winter and spring, the yellow colouration of paddocks is not always due to the flowers of the widely distributed Capeweed.

In some districts, particularly in the Avon Valley, the yellow-flowered soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae L.), has become firmly established.

The genus Oxalis contains 800 or more different species, the two main natural centres of distribution being South Africa and tropical and extra-tropical South America.

Afghan Thistle (Solanum Hystrix R. Br.), G R W Meadly

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

DURING the summer months it is usual to receive many specimens of a prickly plant with blue flowers similar to those of a potato. It is commonly known as Afghan Thistle or Prickly Potato Weed.

This plant is not a thistle, although it has the prickly foliage characteristic of many members of that group. The botanical name is Solanum hystrix which places it in the same family as the tomato, potato and tobacco.

Relatives also include weeds such as the thornapples, black nightshade and apple of Sodom.

The name Prickly Potato Weed, although somewhat unwieldy is therefore more appropriate than …