Life Sciences Commons^™

Crimson Seedless Promise Wa Table Grape Boon, Ian Cameron

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

Five years of research and development into growing Crimson Seedless table grapes in Western Australia has produced a product of international quality. Berry sizes are 20 per cent larger than those being exported by both California and other Australian States. Overall, Crimson Seedless is expected to provide enormous opportunities for Western Australia's table grape industry.

Weevil Management In Orchards And Vineyards Looks Promising, Stewart Learmonth

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

Research and monitoring undertaken by Agriculture Western Australia is showing that the management of weevils in Western Australia's orchard crops and vineyards is improving. A number of alternative management strategies are being implemented, and future research will assess the effectiveness of non-chemical approaches to weevil management.

The Production Of Table Grapes In Western Australia, Jim Campbell-Clause

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

The table grape industry in Western Australia is expanding to fill increasing export and domestic demand. Expansion of the industry has been based on Redglobe production in new areas ranging from Camarvon in the north to Margaret River in the South. Expansion has been rapid with success due in part to adoption of research findings. Jim Campbell-Clause reviews the direction the industry must follow to continue to expand. It will need to adopt new varieties to fill market niches, use production methods that minimise inputs and off site effects and maximise yield and quality.

Development Of The Export Wine Industry, Tony Devitt

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

In 1936-37, Australia exported 18.6 million litres of wine, a level not achieved again for 50 years. World War II, the price, quality and style of Australian wine all contribuited to the demise of our wine export markets.

Australia's 'new' wine industry, which surfaced in the 1960s, has re-established our position as a significant exporter of high quality wines that are competitvely priced and percieved tobe 'pure and of integrity.

Western Australia is well placced to have a significant role in the expansion of Australia's wine exports.

Development Of Redglobe Table Grapes For Export, Ian Cameron

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

Exports wereonce a major outlet for the Western Australian table grape industry.

Over the last 20 years however, exports have fallen from 500 to 00 tonnes per year, despite an increase in the area planted to table grapes and an increase on overseas demand for our produce.

By 1993 less than 3 per cent of the table grapes produced in the State were exported.

The introduction of Redglobe, a new table grape varietyy from California, is expected to increase the export of table grapes from Western Australia to 1000t by 1997, when the variety will represent 90 per cent of …

The Secretive Silvereyes, I J. Rooke

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

Durinf the past five years the agricultural Protection Board, in co-operation with scientists from CSIRO's Division of Wildlife Research and the University of Western Australia, had studied the biology and control of the silvereye in the South-West of Western Asustralia. The project was partially funded by a voluntary levy on vignerons in the Margaret River and Mt Barker areas.

The first part of the study investigated the bird's bioloogy - its food requirements, reproductive rate, how it interacted with other birds and its seasonal movements, It was hoped that this knowledge would help develop effective techniques for either controlling the …

Preventing Vineyard Damage By Silvereyes, I J. Rooke

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

In the previous article, Dr I Rooke outlined the studies which helped to devise practical ways of controlling attacks by silvereyes on vineyards in the South-West of Western Australia. The preventative methods vignerons can use are discussed here.

New Grape Varieties For Premium Wines, A C. Devitt

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

The quantity and style of wine consumed in Australia has changed dramatically since the 960s.

Besides the increase in consumption from 9 to 19.9 litres per head in the past 10 years, the major changes have been the greater importance of table wine, particularily white table wine, and the more exacting standards set by consumers and wine producers.

Also more importance has been placed on distinctive regional and varietal wines and the role of premium varieties.

Trends In Viticultural Production, W R. Jamieson

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

The viricultural industries are in one of their cyclical downturns. This is nothing new!

What is new is that new factors are coming into play whose exact significance is unknown but will have an important bearing on the economics of a viticultural enterprise.

Economics Of Vine Growing, K R. Rutter

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

Heavy demands are made on capital and labour recources throughout the five year dvelopment phase of a vineyard.

Labour and capital requirements vary considerably, but the following gives a look at one example of the costs involved.

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.

Grape Guards Prove Their Worth, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

now being packed and protected with "grape guards"—gas releasing generators consisting of chemically treated paper which releases small quantities of sulphur dioxide. Grape guards inserted in unventilated storage boxes are activated by the high humidity in the box to release their sulphur dioxide and prevent decay of the packaged fruit. The guards were developed in the United States two years ago.

The Function And Use Of Sulphur Dioxide In West Australian Winemaking, D Mann

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

THE judicious use of sulphur dioxide is perhaps the most important of the fundamentals of winemaking in a hot climate.

Western Australia's vintage, centred in the Swan Valley just a few miles north-east of Perth, is subjected to some of the highest summer temperatures experienced by a quality wine producing district.

In this environment, it is important to make good use of sulphur dioxide to avoid wine spoilage.

The Dalmation Green Graft, D Mann, H. R. Rodda

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

THE GREEN GRAFT, introduced to the Swan Valley by Dalmatian vignerons many years ago, is carried out in late November or early December, at the stage when the pith of the growing shoot is beginning to whiten.

Because stock and scion are green at this time and the shoots have not started to ripen, the green graft calluses quickly.

Thrips Damage Of Grapes, A N. Sproul

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

IN mid-December, a few bunches of Semillon grapes were submitted for examination from a Caversham Vineyard.

Damage to grape berries by thrips has not been recorded before in Western Australia.

Cooking With Wine, O. Evans Scott

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

WHENEVER you feel that wholesome meal cookery is becoming uninteresting, and that meals needs "pepping up", try a recipe with wine.

Judicious use of a little wine in cookery can make an amazing difference to everyday dishes.

Black Spot And Powdery Mildew Of Grapes, H L. Harvey

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

BLACK spot (or anthracnose) and powdery mildew (or oidium) are diseases that occur commonly on grape vines in W.A.

Marketing Export Grapes, W R. Jamieson

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

IN RECENT years there have been many changes in the buying power and of the availability of fresh fruit on our principal overseas grape market, Singapore.

The market has become highly competitive and trade acceptance today demands that only grapes having a large berry size for the particular variety be exported, and that the grapes arrive in sound condition.

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.

Powdery Mildew Or Oidium Of Grapes, H L. Harvey

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

POWDERY mildew or oidium, is a disease which is always present to a greater or lesser extent in grapevines in Western Australia.

In seasons favourable for its development it stunts the growth of shoots and leaves and may seriously reduce fruit yields and quality.

Most of our commonly-grown varieties are quite susceptible to the disease, but for the reason that currants are the most extensively grown variety, the overall losses are greatest in this variety.